Thailand’s politics have long been defined by clashes between populist parties linked to Thaksin Shinawatra and the conservative establishment, resulting in multiple coups and judicial dismissals of elected leaders. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, rose to prominence as health minister during COVID-19 and for spearheading cannabis legalization in 2022.

What Happened:

As reported by Reuters (Sept 5), following a court ruling that dismissed Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister, parliament elected Anutin as Thailand’s new prime minister. He secured overwhelming support and abstained from voting himself, marking the culmination of decades of political maneuvering.

Why It Matters:

Anutin’s rise reshapes Thai politics by giving conservative and royalist-aligned forces a pragmatic leader who also appeals to rural constituencies. His leadership comes at a time when Thailand faces economic headwinds, tense relations with Cambodia, and ongoing polarization between populist and conservative blocs.

Stakeholder Reactions:

Analysts describe Anutin as “a pragmatic politician” akin to Thaksin but aligned with the conservative establishment.

 He pledged to preserve the monarchy and credited the People’s Party for cooperating during Thailand’s crisis.

 His supporters hail him as a unifier bridging rural communities and elite institutions.

What’s Next:

Anutin will need to balance conservative expectations with economic reform to address stagnation and inequality.

Relations with Cambodia remain tense after recent border clashes, testing his diplomatic capacity.

Domestically, he must manage coalition politics and possible street level unrest, as Thailand’s history shows populist-conservative conflicts rarely stay dormant for long.

with information from Reuters