Thailand’s Cannabis Crusader Rolls Into the Prime Minister’s Chair

Source: US News & World Report

“On Friday, a week after a court decision dismissed Paetongtarn [Shinawatra] as premier and triggered a political maelstrom, parliament overwhelmingly voted to elect Anutin [Charnvirakul] as Thailand’s next prime minister. The 58-year-old’s rise has been decades in the making, starting with his entry into politics with the Thai Rak Thai party founded by Paetongtarn’s billionaire father, Thaksin Shinawatra. … Anutin rose to prominence as health minister for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and championing Thailand’s legalisation of cannabis in 2022.” (09/05/25)

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-09-05/thailands-cannabis-crusader-rolls-into-the-prime-ministers-chair