The veteran politician took office on Sunday after being approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The 58-year-old is the leader of the conservative party Bhumjaithai. In previous roles as deputy prime minister, interior minister and health minister, he has lobbied hard to decriminalize cannabis.
That work paid off in 2022, when marijuana was essentially released freely. This has led to major changes for the country's huge tourist industry – and in some places such chaotic conditions that the country is now trying to re-regulate cannabis to some extent.
The idea is also that Anutin's accession will end a turbulent period in Thai politics. He succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was forced out of the post last week after being convicted by the country's constitutional court for ethical crimes.
She was seen in turn as the last chance for the Shinawatra family to stay in power. If so, the era that began with Thaksin Shinawatra's accession in 2001 is over.
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