Thailand's parliament has appointed business tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul as the country's prime minister, making him the third leader in just two years. This change comes after the constitutional court dismissed Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a member of the influential Shinawatra political dynasty, due to ethical violations regarding a border dispute with Cambodia.
Anutin's Bhumjaithai party, which separated from the coalition led by the Shinawatras' Pheu Thai party, has secured the necessary support to claim the premiership. However, the political landscape remains uncertain, as Thailand has experienced numerous coups and administrative overthrows in recent years.
His ascension is a notable blow to the Shinawatra family's long-standing influence in Thai politics, which began with Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who served as prime minister from 2001 before being ousted in a military coup.
As the political crisis unfolds, Anutin's leadership will be closely scrutinized, especially given that he will need to navigate conflicting ideologies with the People’s Party, which has made key demands for supporting his government, including plans for early elections and constitutional reforms.
Having previously served as Thailand's health minister, Anutin is best known for liberalizing marijuana laws and comes from a politically active family. Despite holding a modest number of seats in parliament, he now faces the substantial challenge of uniting a fractured political landscape in a limited timeframe.
