Thai Tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul Becomes Prime Minister, Ending Shinawatra Dynasty’s Hold on Power

Business tycoon and cannabis liberalisation champion Anutin Charnvirakul has taken office as Thailand’s new prime minister, ousting the Shinawatra dynasty after decades of political dominance. Backed by a fragile coalition, Anutin must call elections within four months, setting the stage for another crucial turning point in Thai politics.

Sept 2025 : Thai construction magnate and seasoned politician Anutin Charnvirakul was sworn in as Thailand’s new prime minister on Sunday, officially ending the Shinawatra family’s long-standing grip on the country’s top political office.

Anutin, best known as the architect of Thailand’s 2022 cannabis decriminalisation, secured the premiership after parliament voted on Friday to exclude the Pheu Thai party from power. His term was formally confirmed after a royal endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, read aloud during a ceremony at the headquarters of Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party in Bangkok.

“His Majesty the King has endorsed Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul to be prime minister from now onwards,” announced parliamentary secretary-general Arpath Sukhanunth, delivering the royal command.

In his first remarks as leader, Anutin pledged: “I will work at my full capacity with honesty and morality worthy of His Majesty’s trust, for the benefit of the people and the country.”

End of a Dynasty

The Shinawatra dynasty, led by populist billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra and his family, has dominated Thai politics since the early 2000s. But the dynasty’s influence has been steadily eroded by legal battles and military-backed interventions.

The final blow came on August 29, when the Constitutional Court removed Paetongtarn Shinawatra — daughter of Thaksin and then-prime minister — for breaching ministerial ethics during a border dispute with Cambodia. Her dismissal after barely a year in office left the dynasty weakened and created an opening for Anutin to form his own coalition.

Thaksin himself departed for Dubai just hours before the parliamentary vote confirming Anutin. The 75-year-old former premier said he would seek medical treatment and meet friends abroad. Yet his legal troubles remain unresolved: Thailand’s Supreme Court is scheduled to rule Tuesday on whether his early release from prison last year was valid, raising the possibility of a return to jail.

A Controversial Political Figure

Anutin, 57, previously held senior positions as deputy prime minister, interior minister, and health minister. During the pandemic, he oversaw Thailand’s Covid-19 response, though he faced backlash for accusing Western visitors of spreading the virus.

Once allied with the Shinawatras, Anutin broke ties with Pheu Thai this summer, reportedly angered by Paetongtarn’s handling of the Cambodia border dispute. That decision set the stage for his rapid rise to the premiership.

Anutin is Thailand’s third leader in just two years, reflecting the country’s ongoing political instability. His coalition partners have agreed to back him only on the condition that he dissolves parliament and calls new elections within four months. This requirement means his premiership could be short-lived, with fresh political battles looming in early 2026.

Balancing Tradition and Reform

Despite his reputation as a cannabis advocate and political dealmaker, Anutin has tried to project an image of balance and continuity. He emphasised that his government will operate with fairness, declaring there would be “no favouritism, no persecution, and no revenge.”

As Thailand prepares for another election cycle, Anutin’s leadership marks both a break from the Shinawatra dynasty and a test of whether a coalition built on fragile compromises can govern effectively. For now, his rise underscores the shifting power dynamics in a nation where monarchy, military, and populist movements continue to collide.

Team Maverick.