Thailand’s health minister, who has championed cannabis legalization, hopes the reform will help secure gains in next month’s elections and has a probability to emerge as an influence broker who could form a coalition government.
Anutin Charnvirakul, 56, is confident that his Bhumjaithai party can be a part of the subsequent government after elections that promise to be a decent contest between pro-military conservatives and their populist opponents.
The major issue of the election is the economy, which is showing signs of recovery despite inflation and a world slowdown, but last yr’s cannabis legalization brought more attention, each positive and negative, to Anutin and his party within the run-up to the May 14 vote.
“We will definitely win more seats than last time. Our goal is to win triple-digit parliamentary seats in these elections thanks to what we have done,” said Anutin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health.
The weed scene in Thailand is booming, but how long can the good times last?
The weed scene in Thailand is booming, but how long can the good times last?
In the last elections in 2019, when the electoral law favored small and medium-sized parties, Bhumjaithai, or Proud of Thailand, won 51 seats in the 500-seat parliament, becoming a junior partner in a coalition dominated by pro-military parties.
This time, new electoral rules favor larger parties, and Bhumjaithai has strengthened its candidate list to compete with larger opponents.
Opposition parties, including the Pheu Thai Party, loyal to former telecom tycoon and ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have criticized Bhumjaithai and the ruling coalition for what they see as a hasty and loosely regulated decriminalization of cannabis.
But Anutin, former president of one of Thailand’s largest construction companies, said opening a marijuana business emerged as the winner in the vote. “Last time, the Bhumjaithai Party won millions of votes from people who believed in the benefits of marijuana,” he said.
Elections in Thailand: Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn became candidate for prime minister
Elections in Thailand: Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn became candidate for prime minister
Two polls last month showed Bhumjaithai as the most well-liked party within the ruling alliance, but trailing the favourite, Thai opposition party Pheu Thai, which Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, hopes to guide to victory.
Political scientist Wanwichit Boonprong of Rangsit University said Anutin could develop into king due to his party’s popularity and relationships across political divides.
“Bhumjaithai is likely to gain the most seats of any party in the government coalition,” Wanwichit said, predicting it could win greater than 70 seats, including from rural strongholds within the country’s northeast.
The party promised a debt moratorium on small loans and enhancements to the health care system. Anutin stated that he was open to cooperation with any party and can be able to develop into prime minister if such a chance arose.
“I am younger, fresher and I understand politics in a democratic system,” he said.
However, the staunch monarchist rejects any suggestion to alter the lese majeste law.
A youth-led protest movement that emerged in late 2020 opposing military involvement in politics has called for a change to the law protecting the monarchy, which carries a penalty of as much as 15 years in prison for allegedly insulting the king.
Some small parties suggested changing it, and Pheu Thai mentioned the potential for discussing it in parliament.
But for Anutin, monarchy is sacred. “Protecting the monarchy is an inspiration for the party,” he said.
