(Bangkok, 8th) Thailand’s new Prime Minister Anutin has been approved by the King and will be sworn in on Sunday (September 7).
The Bhumjaithai Party Headquarters held a Royal Appointment Ceremony for Anutin on Sunday, where the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives, Mr. Apai, personally handed him the royal decree appointing him as Prime Minister.
Anutin won by an overwhelming majority in the vote in the House of Representatives last Friday (September 5), becoming Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister. However, in order to secure support from the largest opposition party, the People’s Party, Bhumjaithai has promised to dissolve parliament by the end of the year, so Anutin is only expected to serve as Prime Minister for four months.
After taking office on Sunday, Anutin told reporters, “Although the time is short, I hope everyone will cooperate. My government will work tirelessly with total dedication.”
Anutin’s appointment marks the end of the Thaksin family’s political dynasty. Previously, Thaksin’s daughter, former PM Paetongtarn, was dismissed after a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, which Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled as a serious violation of moral standards.
On the eve of Friday’s vote, Thaksin left Thailand for Dubai on a private jet. The Thai Supreme Court will rule next Tuesday (the 9th) on Thaksin’s case of hospitalizing to avoid jail time; if found guilty, he may have to return to prison. Thaksin has promised to appear in court in person that day.
On Sunday, Anutin also stated: “My colleagues and I have faced legal persecution, but the past is the past. My government will abide by the law and will not interfere in the judicial system or legal proceedings.”
A poll conducted by Chulalongkorn University showed that among 1,191 respondents, nearly 70% were most concerned about the cost of living. Nearly 50% considered resolving the Thai-Cambodian border dispute very urgent, and 44.58% most looked forward to the new Prime Minister revitalizing the national economy. At the same time, 56.09% expressed moderate confidence in the new PM’s ability to solve national problems.
Another poll, conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), showed that among 1,310 respondents, nearly 60% wanted Parliament dissolved as soon as possible, and nearly 30% agreed with the four-month dissolution plan.
However, 60 MPs from the Pheu Thai Party have formally petitioned the Constitutional Court to disqualify Anutin and the People’s Party leader Natapon as MPs, arguing that the cooperation agreement between the two parties violated the constitution and political parties law, and was an attempt to overthrow the democratic system with the King as head of state.
Anutin’s appointment has drawn attention to Thailand’s cannabis industry. Stakeholders hope that under the new Prime Minister’s leadership, the cannabis industry will see new vitality.
When he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister, Anutin successfully promoted cannabis legalization. Both he and Bhumjaithai advocate for stricter regulation to curb recreational use of cannabis.
Previously, the Pheu Thai-led government had planned legislation to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic for stricter control. This year, Paetongtarn rolled out multiple measures banning recreational use of cannabis and restricting it to medical use only.
On the second day after being elected, Anutin met with cabinet candidates wearing a shirt with a cannabis leaf print. Cannabis entrepreneurs are hopeful that the new Prime Minister will shift towards a more favorable cannabis policy.
However, Rattapong, a pharmacy owner in Khao San Road and cannabis industry advocate, believes that due to unpredictable policy changes, even legal cannabis businesses are struggling to operate. With the improvement of cannabis cultivation technology pushing costs ever higher and the requirement for medical prescriptions to use cannabis, a large number of practitioners have been forced into the underground market.
Prasitcha, author of “Writing the Future of Thai Cannabis,” notes that since Anutin may only govern for a few months, expecting major policy changes or the approval of the proposed Cannabis Act is unrealistic.
“If a different party with differing policies wins the next election, the cannabis industry will once again be plunged into turmoil. Therefore, we are committed to promoting the Cannabis Act so that when a new government takes office after the next election, it can be approved immediately.”
The Bhumjaithai Party Headquarters held a Royal Appointment Ceremony for Anutin on Sunday, where the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives, Mr. Apai, personally handed him the royal decree appointing him as Prime Minister.
Anutin won by an overwhelming majority in the vote in the House of Representatives last Friday (September 5), becoming Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister. However, in order to secure support from the largest opposition party, the People’s Party, Bhumjaithai has promised to dissolve parliament by the end of the year, so Anutin is only expected to serve as Prime Minister for four months.
After taking office on Sunday, Anutin told reporters, “Although the time is short, I hope everyone will cooperate. My government will work tirelessly with total dedication.”
Anutin’s appointment marks the end of the Thaksin family’s political dynasty. Previously, Thaksin’s daughter, former PM Paetongtarn, was dismissed after a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, which Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled as a serious violation of moral standards.
On the eve of Friday’s vote, Thaksin left Thailand for Dubai on a private jet. The Thai Supreme Court will rule next Tuesday (the 9th) on Thaksin’s case of hospitalizing to avoid jail time; if found guilty, he may have to return to prison. Thaksin has promised to appear in court in person that day.
On Sunday, Anutin also stated: “My colleagues and I have faced legal persecution, but the past is the past. My government will abide by the law and will not interfere in the judicial system or legal proceedings.”
A poll conducted by Chulalongkorn University showed that among 1,191 respondents, nearly 70% were most concerned about the cost of living. Nearly 50% considered resolving the Thai-Cambodian border dispute very urgent, and 44.58% most looked forward to the new Prime Minister revitalizing the national economy. At the same time, 56.09% expressed moderate confidence in the new PM’s ability to solve national problems.
Another poll, conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), showed that among 1,310 respondents, nearly 60% wanted Parliament dissolved as soon as possible, and nearly 30% agreed with the four-month dissolution plan.
However, 60 MPs from the Pheu Thai Party have formally petitioned the Constitutional Court to disqualify Anutin and the People’s Party leader Natapon as MPs, arguing that the cooperation agreement between the two parties violated the constitution and political parties law, and was an attempt to overthrow the democratic system with the King as head of state.
Anutin’s appointment has drawn attention to Thailand’s cannabis industry. Stakeholders hope that under the new Prime Minister’s leadership, the cannabis industry will see new vitality.
When he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister, Anutin successfully promoted cannabis legalization. Both he and Bhumjaithai advocate for stricter regulation to curb recreational use of cannabis.
Previously, the Pheu Thai-led government had planned legislation to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic for stricter control. This year, Paetongtarn rolled out multiple measures banning recreational use of cannabis and restricting it to medical use only.
On the second day after being elected, Anutin met with cabinet candidates wearing a shirt with a cannabis leaf print. Cannabis entrepreneurs are hopeful that the new Prime Minister will shift towards a more favorable cannabis policy.
However, Rattapong, a pharmacy owner in Khao San Road and cannabis industry advocate, believes that due to unpredictable policy changes, even legal cannabis businesses are struggling to operate. With the improvement of cannabis cultivation technology pushing costs ever higher and the requirement for medical prescriptions to use cannabis, a large number of practitioners have been forced into the underground market.
Prasitcha, author of “Writing the Future of Thai Cannabis,” notes that since Anutin may only govern for a few months, expecting major policy changes or the approval of the proposed Cannabis Act is unrealistic.
“If a different party with differing policies wins the next election, the cannabis industry will once again be plunged into turmoil. Therefore, we are committed to promoting the Cannabis Act so that when a new government takes office after the next election, it can be approved immediately.”