Anutin Charnvirakul, 56, is the only prime ministerial candidate from the Bhumjaithai Party.
He is Thailand’s incumbent deputy prime minister and health minister who played a key role in the mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the legalisation of cannabis to promote it for medical and health purposes in the country.
Legalisation of cannabis, which took place in June 2022, was Bhumjaithai’s key policy in the previous election. It is now legal in Thailand to buy and sell cannabis plants, their parts such as buds and leaves as well as extracts.
The use and sale of products from the plant have expanded in the country since cannabis was decriminalised. However, there are signs that both Thais and foreigners are using it for recreation instead of for medical and health purposes.
Anuthin came eighth in NIDA’s poll with 2.55 per cent of the vote. His party’s policies include developing the tourism industry, providing more medical support for cancer and kidney patients across Thailand, improving farmers’ livelihoods through contract farming, and promoting clean energy.