Veteran Thai politician who helped legalize cannabis becomes the new prime minister
Thailand has a new prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, a veteran politician with a notable policy achievement: the decriminalization of cannabis. This significant development comes after the royal endorsement of Mr. Charnvirakul on Sunday. He steps into the role following the dismissal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who faced ethics violations stemming from a controversial phone call concerning a border dispute with Cambodia. Mr. Charnvirakul, who previously served as deputy prime minister and interior minister, resigned his posts and withdrew his Bhumjaithai Party from the coalition after public outcry over the leaked call.
In a ceremony at his party’s headquarters, Mr. Charnvirakul pledged his commitment to his new duties with honesty and virtue. He indicated his government’s focus will be on addressing pressing national issues, including the economy, the Cambodia border conflict, natural disasters, and crime. A key promise is the rewriting of the constitution and a call for early elections to return decision-making power to the people.
His ascension follows a parliamentary vote where he secured support from the main opposition People’s Party, in exchange for a commitment to dissolve parliament and hold a referendum on a new constitution drafted by an elected assembly. This arrangement leaves the new government potentially in a minority position, as the People’s Party intends to remain in opposition. Mr. Charnvirakul, who also served as health minister during the COVID-
