Anutin Charnvirakul, a 59-year-old heir and recreational pilot, is widely expected to remain Thailand's prime minister after the upcoming general election. He assumed office in September with backing from the People's Party and is likely to lead post-election coalition talks amid forecasts of no outright winner. His populist image and policies — including 2022 cannabis decriminalisation — combined with a recent surge in nationalism tied to border clashes with Cambodia have boosted support for his Bhumjaithai party.
Pilot-Politician Anutin Set To Retain Thailand's Premiership Amid Rising Nationalism
Analysts expect Anutin Charnvirakul to emerge from Thailand's post-election negotiations at the head of a new coalition (Chanakarn Laosarakham)(Chanakarn Laosarakham/AFP/AFP)
An heir to a construction empire and a licensed recreational pilot, Anutin Charnvirakul is widely expected to remain Thailand's prime minister after this weekend's general election, whatever the vote outcome. The 59-year-old conservative — best known internationally for championing the decriminalisation of cannabis — became prime minister in September after his predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed by court order.
Backed in parliament by the reformist People's Party when he assumed office, Anutin says he entered power with a parliamentary majority. Opinion polls project the People's Party will again top the vote, but no single party is forecast to win an outright majority. Analysts predict Anutin will lead post-election coalition negotiations and is likely to emerge as leader of a new governing coalition.
Political Profile and Image
Despite substantial personal wealth, Anutin cultivates a populist, everyman image: he is often photographed eating street food, posting casual videos stirring a wok in T-shirt and shorts, or playing 1980s Thai pop on the saxophone and piano. A New York–trained industrial engineer by education, he moved into politics in his 30s and has alternatingly allied with and opposed the Shinawatra political network over decades.
Family Fortune and Public Service
Anutin comes from a prominent political and business dynasty. His family controls Sino-Thai Engineering, a construction firm that has won major state contracts, including work on Bangkok's main airport and the national parliament building. His father served as acting prime minister during the 2008 political crisis and later as interior minister.
After a 2007 party dissolution ban sidelined him from politics for five years, Anutin trained as a pilot and amassed a small fleet of private aircraft, which he has used for philanthropic tasks such as transporting donated organs to hospitals. He later returned to lead Bhumjaithai, a party noted for flexible coalition-building; he has served as deputy to three prime ministers and as health minister during the pandemic.
Policies and Public Impact
As health minister under a military-led government, Anutin managed parts of Thailand's pandemic response. In 2022 he drew international attention for fulfilling a campaign pledge to decriminalise cannabis, framing it as an economic stimulus and public-health measure.
Border Tensions and Political Fallout
Relations with neighbouring Cambodia deteriorated this year after a leaked phone call involving Paetongtarn Shinawatra drew domestic outrage. Anutin withdrew Bhumjaithai from a coalition with Pheu Thai in June. Clashes between the two countries in July and December left scores dead and displaced more than one million people, fueling a surge of nationalism and shifting voter priorities toward territorial sovereignty and the military's role.
"Nobody wants fighting, nobody wants conflict. But we have to defend our integrity and sovereignty," Anutin told supporters in Bangkok's Chinatown.
Outlook
Analysts say the border conflict and rising nationalism have strengthened Bhumjaithai's appeal among voters who prioritise security and a hawkish stance on sovereignty. With no party likely to secure an outright majority, Anutin is well positioned to lead coalition talks and remain prime minister — whether through a continued alliance with the People's Party or a negotiated partnership with Pheu Thai.
Reporting note: This summary is based on campaign interviews, recent polling projections and analysts' commentary on post-election coalition scenarios.
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