Anutin Charnvirakul Elected as Next Prime Minister of Thailand

Bhumjaithai is a major conservative populist political party in Thailand, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Bangkok. It blends conservatism, populism, and economic liberalism with a focus on welfare-oriented development, traditional values, and loyalty to the monarchy. The party is known for promoting tourism, decentralizing financial power, and enhancing public safety, with a landmark achievement being the successful liberalization of Thailand’s cannabis policy, which has attracted international attention[1]. Emerging from a split with the Pheu Thai Party’s predecessor in 2008, Bhumjaithai was founded by Newin Chidchob, a politician turned sports mogul, who serves as the party’s chief strategist. Under his guidance, the party has expanded its influence beyond its Northeast stronghold into Central and Southern Thailand, breaking into regions traditionally controlled by other major parties like the Democrats[2][3]. By the 2023 general election, it had grown significantly, capturing nearly 100 parliamentary seats and consolidating power in multiple regions, including Buri Ram and parts of the South[3]. In 2025, Bhumjaithai reached a new milestone when its leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, became Thailand’s prime minister, heading a minority coalition government. Anutin has pursued a technocratic approach, bringing in outside experts to key cabinet positions to boost economic performance and governance credibility—an effort to strengthen business confidence and broaden the party’s appeal beyond its traditional base[4][6]. Bhumjaithai is increasingly viewed as a pivotal power broker in Thai politics, aiming to replace the historically dominant Democrat and Pheu Thai parties as a central political pillar. Its adaptability to shifting political landscapes and electoral systems, combined with strategic expansion and technocratic governance, positions it as a formidable force shaping Thailand’s political and economic future[2][3][5].