Thailand’s PM Anutin Charnvirakul, a construction heir and jet pilot, returns to office after an election win, blending populist appeal with nationalist and economic agendas

BANGKOK: Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has been returned to power by parliament following a stunning election victory.

The 59-year-old millionaire conservative, scion of a construction dynasty and a hobbyist jet pilot, now faces the task of tackling weak economic growth.

Anutin champions a populist approach, often appearing on social media in casual attire while cooking street food or playing 1980s Thai pop on saxophone.

This style has resonated with voters who see him as effective and his own man, distinct from other elite political heirs.

He is also viewed as loyal to Thailand’s traditional social order, a stance that appeals to the nation’s conservative majority.

His recent election victory was propelled by a wave of patriotism stemming from last year’s deadly border conflict with Cambodia.

“Nationalism is in the heart of everybody in the Bhumjaithai Party,” Anutin declared openly on election day.

He first became prime minister in September after his predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was ousted by a court order.

Anutin subsequently pulled his Bhumjaithai party out of a coalition with the Shinawatras’ Pheu Thai following a leaked phone call scandal.

Soon after taking office last year, he authorised the armed forces to take independent action on the contentious border.

“Nobody wants fighting, nobody wants conflict,” he told AFP during the campaign. “But we have to defend our integrity and sovereignty.”

The family fortune behind Anutin centres on Sino-Thai Engineering, a major construction firm.

The company has secured lucrative government contracts for projects like Bangkok’s main airport and the parliament building.

His political career has long been intertwined with the Shinawatra family, both as an ally and a rival.

He joined Thaksin Shinawatra’s party in his early 30s but was banned from politics when it was dissolved in 2007.

During that political grounding, he learned to fly and used private planes to deliver donated organs for transplants.

His declared assets include three planes valued at over $21 million, luxury cars, boats, and valuable amulets.

He returned to politics in 2012 as leader of Bhumjaithai, a party known for joining various government coalitions.

As health minister during the pandemic, he gained global attention for delivering on a promise to legalise cannabis.

The move was an attempt to stimulate Thailand’s tourism-reliant economy during a difficult period.

Ahead of the parliamentary vote confirming his return, Anutin told reporters he hoped to “remain in my position to serve the people for as long as I can”.

 The Sun Malaysia