Thailand's Anutin Charnvirakul: from cannabis crusader to prime minister

FILE PHOTO: Bhumjaithai Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Anutin Charnvirakul arrives at the parliament ahead of the vote for a new prime minister, following the Constitutional Court's removal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office for an ethics violation, in Bangkok, Thailand, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Patipat Janthong/File photo

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Anutin Charnvirakul waited just hours after the June leak of a phone call that would bring down Thailand's prime minister before kicking into higher gear his manoeuvring to take power.

The veteran politician swiftly walked out of the ruling coalition led by the Pheu Thai party's Paetongtarn Shinawatra, made an initial outreach to the main opposition, and stood back to bide his time.