Few countries have seen as many cannabis ups and downs as Thailand. Just three years ago, it surprised the entire world by decriminalizing pot and ushering in a cultural, tourism and economic boom that transformed its image in Asia. Shops, dispensaries, and a green rush delighted travelers and locals alike. But there was also legal confusion, setbacks, and threats of reversal. And now, in a twist worthy of a convoluted political script, the new prime minister is none other than the man who pushed for said decriminalization in 2022: Anutin Charnvirakul, also known as the ‘Cannabis King’.
A New Leader Amid Instability
Thailand’s Parliament elected Anutin as head of government on September 5, with 311 votes in favor, following the dismissal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra by a decision of the Constitutional Court, according to El Confidencial. This is the third prime minister in just two years, reflecting the country’s ongoing political crisis.
Anutin, 58, promised to dissolve Parliament and call elections in four months, setting up a shortened term. Key support came from the People’s Party, which gave him the majority needed to take office.
The ‘Cannabis King’
Charnvirakul has led the Bhumjaithai party since 2014 and rose to international attention by pushing for weed decriminalization in 2022, when he was Minister of Health. Said reform made Thailand the first country in Asia to take cannabis off the narcotics list, officially framing it asmedicine and a wellness product.
The opening generated a multi-million dollar market: by 2025, it was estimated that the industry could reach USD 1.2 billion, with a strong impact on tourism and job creation. However, the lack of clear regulation sparked friction between those pushing for tighter controls and those who saw cannabis as an economic and cultural opportunity.
The initial euphoria gave way to a confusing scenario. The explosion of dispensaries —some 11,000 in just two years— and the near-unrestricted access raised alarms in conservative, medical, and educational sectors. In June 2025, the government of Paetongtarn Shinawatra rolled out heavy restrictions, reclassifying cannabis as a controlled substance. Thus, it was limited to medical use with mandatory prescriptions and prohibited channels such as online sales and vending machines.
The heir to a family with economic and political power, Anutin has also served as Minister of the Interior and a central figure in the coalition that governed until last July. His career blends the business clout of Sino-Thai Engineering, a family-owned construction company, with a political agenda that’s made him a key player in debates on health and drugs.
With Anutin in power, questions about the future of cannabis in Thailand are resurfacing. Will he strengthen legalization to provide greater market certainty, or will he use it as a political bargaining chip in a context of instability?
For now, the only thing that is clear is that the country that opened the door to weed in Asia once again has as prime minister the man behind that historic decision. The final outcome won’t be clear until Thailand heads back to the polls in four months, when Thailand heads back to the polls.
This article appeared first on El Planteo.
Photo by Rory Arnold / No 10 Downing Street – UK Government, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons // Edited
