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Changing of the guard: Anutin ousts Shinawatras in Thai political shake-up

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 16:30 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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Thai Tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul Wins Thailand’s Highest Office, Ending the Shinawatra Dynasty

In a historic political turn, the former business magnate and veteran parliamentarian Anutin Charnvirakul has been appointed Thailand’s new prime minister, unseating the country’s long‑standing Shinawatra‑led political dynasty. The decisive 292‑to‑20 vote in the House of Representatives on Sunday not only marked the first time a non‑military figure has headed the Thai government since the 2014 coup, it also signals a shift in the balance of power between Thailand’s civilian parties and the military establishment.

A Brief Political Backdrop

The Shinawatra family – led by former prime ministers Thaksin and his daughter Yingluck – has dominated Thai politics for more than a decade. Thaksin’s 2001 ascent ended in a 2006 coup that toppled his administration, after which he was convicted of corruption and exiled. His daughter Yingluck’s 2011‑2014 premiership was marred by a controversial “Bai Jao” crackdown that the Constitutional Court later deemed unconstitutional, leading to her forced resignation and subsequent imprisonment. In 2021, the Constitutional Court removed Pheu Thai, the party that carried the Shinawatra brand, from the Thai parliament, effectively ending the dynasty’s direct political power.

The military’s influence, however, remained entrenched. Prayut Chan‑ocha, a former army chief, has presided over Thai politics since the 2014 coup, steering a series of “people’s power” governments and a 2017 constitution that entrenched a “majority‑party” electoral system favoring pro‑military coalitions. In the 2023 elections, the pro‑military Palang Pracharat party, aligned with the Thai Nation Party, won a plurality but fell short of an outright majority.

The 2023 Election and the Coalition Shake‑up

The 2023 general election was the first “free” vote since the 2014 coup, but it was held under the pro‑military electoral framework that gave smaller parties an advantage and required the formation of grand coalitions to secure a majority. The elections produced a fragmented parliament: Pheu Thai’s seats dropped by 18, while the pro‑military coalition’s allies gained ground. The result left the Thai parliament with 640 seats, where a party or coalition needed 321 to form a government.

After a week of negotiation, a coalition formed that comprised Pheu Thai, the Democrat Party, Bhumjaithai, the Thai Liberal Party, and several smaller parties. In a surprising turn, Anutin – the former chair of the Palang Pracharat party – emerged as the coalition’s chosen prime minister. In a vote that was widely televised and reported, he received 292 votes against 20 for the opposition, securing a comfortable majority.

The coalition’s political manifesto is a blend of policy priorities: a post‑COVID‑19 economic recovery plan, a push for infrastructure investment, reforms to reduce bureaucracy, and a renewed focus on tourism and agriculture. The coalition also pledged to streamline Thailand’s bureaucracy and to adopt a more conciliatory stance toward the monarchy and the military.

Who Is Anutin Charnvirakul?

Anutin is a figure who, until recently, had largely stayed out of the political spotlight. Born in 1967, he grew up in a wealthy family and went on to co‑found a major Thai logistics firm. He served as governor of the Bank of Thailand’s central bank for a short stint and later entered politics through the Palang Pracharat party, founded by former army chief Prayut Chan‑ocha. Despite his ties to the military establishment, Anutin is seen as a “business‑savvy” leader who can navigate Thailand’s complex political terrain.

During the campaign, Anutin emphasized his commitment to “economic modernization” and “good governance.” He also highlighted the need to restore Thailand’s global competitiveness, a priority for the country as it seeks to recover from the pandemic and the ongoing regional disruptions caused by the China‑US trade tensions.

The Significance of the Ousting

With Anutin’s appointment, the Shinawatra dynasty’s direct political influence has ended, a fact that many analysts say could herald a new era of Thai politics. The 2023 election demonstrated that, while the pro‑military electoral framework still holds sway, there is space for a coalition that can appeal to both the opposition and the establishment.

The Thai public’s reaction has been largely positive, with social media commentators celebrating the “end of a political dynasty” and the “new era of business‑savvy leadership.” Critics, however, argue that the Palang Pracharat party’s continued influence means that the military’s grip on Thai politics is still very much in place. They also point out that the new coalition’s policy agenda could fall short of delivering substantial reforms.

What Lies Ahead

The new prime minister’s first order of business will be to formalize his cabinet and to push the coalition’s policy agenda through parliament. A key priority will be to secure the backing of the pro‑military parliamentarians for critical economic reforms, especially those designed to attract foreign investment. Additionally, Anutin will need to navigate a delicate relationship with the monarchy, which has historically played a stabilizing role in Thai politics.

For the Thai people, the new administration is expected to bring an emphasis on economic revival and infrastructure development, with a focus on boosting tourism and agriculture. Whether this approach will satisfy a populace that has long been frustrated by political instability and corruption remains to be seen.

In sum, Anutin Charnvirakul’s rise to prime minister marks a pivotal moment in Thai politics. Whether he can steer the country away from a history of coups and political dynasties and usher in an era of sustained growth and democratic governance remains a question that will define the next chapters of Thailand’s story.