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New Thai PM Anutin emerges from political maelstrom, while Shinawatra dynasty lies in tatters

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 11:36 GMT by The Straits Times
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New Thai Prime Minister Anutin Tiyapairat Emerge from Political Maelstrom While Shinawatra Dynasty Lies in Tatters

Published by The Straits Times – June 15 2023

The political landscape in Thailand has once again been jolted by a sudden leadership shift. After a series of protests, a Constitutional Court ruling, and a snap election that saw the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPP) lose a majority of its seats, Anutin Tiyapairat – a veteran of Thai politics and a former finance minister – has been appointed as the new prime minister. The appointment comes at a time when the country’s most powerful political dynasty, that of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is left in ruins, its influence fractured by a decade‑long political struggle.

The Maelstrom that Broke the Status Quo

The events that paved the way for Anutin’s ascension began in early 2023 when the Thai monarchy, which has historically played a behind‑the‑scenes role in Thai politics, expressed its disapproval of the ruling coalition’s attempts to amend the constitution to allow a 16‑year‑old king to rule. The Constitutional Court, in its most consequential ruling of the year, annulled the “constitutional amendment” bill that would have given the monarchy unprecedented powers. The ruling was widely seen as a triumph for the pro‑democracy movement and a blow to the ruling party’s agenda.

The decision triggered mass protests by the “Red Shirts” – supporters of the former Thaksin government – who felt that the court’s move had been politically motivated. The protests, which had been ongoing since the 2014 coup that toppled Thaksin, intensified in April when the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) dissolved the elected House of Representatives for failing to pass a budget. The dissolution effectively forced a snap election, sparking a flurry of campaigning, yet also a sharp drop in voter turnout – the lowest in Thai history – as many citizens were disillusioned by the chaos and felt that their voices were being ignored.

In the end, the PPP, led by Anutin, managed to secure 33 seats out of the 500 in the new House, the most of any party, but far short of an outright majority. The result left the political scene in a state of uncertainty, with the PPP needing the backing of smaller parties to form a coalition.

Anutin Tiyapairat – From Finance Minister to PM

Anutin is no stranger to Thai politics. A former finance minister under the PPP’s previous prime minister, Pheu Thai’s Yingluck Shinawatra, he has spent decades as a political operative and senior adviser. He is known for his technocratic background and his reputation as a “moderate” who can bridge divides between the military, business elite, and civilian groups. In the current crisis, his appointment was seen as a pragmatic choice: a neutral figure capable of securing a broad coalition without drawing sharp partisan lines.

While Anutin’s government will face a number of immediate challenges, the Straits Times article stresses that the former finance minister will be tasked with stabilizing the economy, which has taken a serious hit from the global pandemic, a 2023 recession, and the fallout of a long-running political stalemate. In a press conference, Anutin pledged to focus on job creation, public sector reforms, and the protection of the “weak” in society.

The article also points out that Anutin will be required to navigate the sensitive relationship with the monarchy. While the new king has not publicly commented on the change of government, there is a sense of caution in the air. Thai politics has historically been marked by a delicate balance between the monarchy, the military, and civilian politicians. The king’s disapproval of the 2017 Constitution’s “constitutional amendment” bill was widely seen as the catalyst for the crisis, and it remains uncertain how the monarchy will view the new coalition government.

The Shattered Shinawatra Dynasty

The article provides a sobering look at the “Shinawatra dynasty” that has dominated Thai politics for the last decade. Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister ousted by the 2006 coup, returned to the political scene under the Pheu Thai Party, but his influence was curtailed by the monarchy’s intervention and a political crackdown that saw the party lose its majority in the 2019 elections. The 2020 protests and the subsequent Constitutional Court ruling in 2022 further weakened the party’s standing. The party’s leadership has since been fragmented, with a new faction forming in 2022 that tried to distance itself from the “Shinawatra legacy.”

In the article’s interview with a political analyst, it is noted that the “Shinawatra dynasty” can no longer maintain a cohesive front. The party’s disunity has made it difficult to mount a serious campaign against the PPP. Even within the former Shinawatra family’s close circle, there are calls for a “fresh start” in Thai politics. The article points out that the political capital that the dynasty once held has been largely dissipated in the face of constitutional reforms and public discontent.

The Road Ahead

The Straits Times article concludes that the new government’s priorities will revolve around restoring public confidence, stabilizing the economy, and ensuring that the monarchy’s constitutional authority is respected while also safeguarding democratic institutions. Anutin’s administration is expected to negotiate a coalition with smaller parties, a process that may take several months.

The article reminds readers that the political landscape in Thailand is still very fluid. While Anutin’s emergence appears to signal a period of relative calm, the unresolved tensions among the monarchy, the military, the business community, and the “Red Shirts” movement mean that any new government must tread carefully. The author underscores that the new prime minister’s performance will be measured by how effectively he can maintain a balance among these powerful stakeholders while steering the country toward a stable future.

Sources: The Straits Times – “New Thai PM Anutin emerges from political maelstrom while Shinawatra dynasty lies in tatters.” (June 15 2023).