BANGKOK, March 19 (Reuters) - Thailand's parliament has reelected as prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the 59-year-old leader of the Bhumjaithai party, following a decisive win in February's general
Anutin Charnvirakul: Thailand’s Prime Minister and His Political Journey
Anutin Charnvirakul’s Rise and Impact in Thai Politics
BANGKOK, March 19 (Reuters) - Thailand's parliament has reelected as prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the 59-year-old leader of the Bhumjaithai party, following a decisive win in February's general election.
Path to Premiership
Becoming Prime Minister
- Anutin first became prime minister in September 2025 after manoeuvring swiftly to challenge the then-ruling Pheu Thai Party just hours after the dismissal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra from the role, after the Constitutional Court found she had violated ethical rules.
Role in Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Downfall
- Anutin had contributed to her downfall months earlier, while deputy prime minister, by withdrawing Bhumjaithai from Paetongtarn's coalition after a damaging leak of her telephone call with influential former Cambodian leader Hun Sen over a border dispute. The call became the basis for Paetongtarn's eventual removal.
Support from the Opposition
- The then opposition People's Party backed Anutin to be prime minister in return for his promise to dissolve parliament within four months.
Parliament Dissolution and Election Victory
- Amid a raging border conflict with Cambodia and growing prospects of a no-confidence vote after a spat with People's Party, Anutin dissolved parliament last December, heading off the likely collapse of his minority government.
- With Bhumjaithai far adrift of People's Party in pre-election opinion polls, Anutin's party successfully rode a wave of nationalism to a surprise election victory in February, with 191 seats.
Political Career
Early Political Involvement
- Started in politics with Thai Rak Thai, the party founded by billionaire and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn's father.
- Briefly held deputy ministerial roles in health and commerce successively under Thaksin in 2004, before returning to the health portfolio in 2005.
Political Setbacks and Comeback
- Banned from politics for five years after Thai Rak Thai was dissolved in 2007.
- Returned in 2012 as leader of Bhumjaithai, which has northeastern strongholds and won 70 seats in the 2023 election.
Ministerial Roles and Achievements
- As health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was credited with reopening Thailand to foreign tourism, a key driver of the economy.
- Served as interior minister and deputy prime minister in the Pheu Thai-led government from 2023.
Cannabis Legalization Efforts
- Led a successful effort to free up use of cannabis, wearing a cannabis leaf pattern shirt while voting in 2023.
- The legal changes boosted recreational use and the number of cannabis shops, upsetting conservatives and leading to Pheu Thai's plans to recriminalise non-medical marijuana.
Relationship with the Monarchy and Political Establishment
- He is close to the monarchy, recently accompanying King Maha Vajiralongkorn on visits to Bhutan, China and Laos, while positioning himself as part of both a regional political dynasty and the royalist-conservative establishment.
Family and Business
Family Background
- Nicknamed Noo, or "mouse" in Thai, he is the son of Chavarat Charnvirakul, a businessman-politician and former caretaker prime minister.
Business Interests
- Heir to his family's construction firm, Stecon Group, which built Bangkok's parliament buildings.
- Anutin has a degree in industrial engineering from New York's Hofstra University.
Connections and Personal Interests
- Keeps close ties to business elites and influential political figures such as Newin Chidchob, who has a stronghold in Thailand's northeast.
- His interests include recreational flying and collecting Buddhist amulets.
