In a dramatic turn of events that has gripped Thailand’s political landscape, the country witnessed the swift election of Anutin Charnvirakul as its new prime minister on September 5, 2025, just hours after the sudden departure of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The sequence of events—marked by late-night flights, parliamentary intrigue, and a looming court date—underscored the enduring volatility and high stakes of Thai politics.
According to AsiaOne, Thaksin Shinawatra, the 76-year-old former prime minister and billionaire, left Bangkok late on September 4, 2025, with his initial plans set on Singapore. However, his journey was anything but smooth. Thaksin’s private jet was unable to land at Seletar Airport due to the airport’s strict operating hours, which end at 10 p.m. Delayed by what he described as nearly two hours of scrutiny from Thai immigration officers, Thaksin missed the window to touch down in Singapore. The pilot, realizing they would not make the cutoff, diverted the flight to Dubai, where Thaksin landed at approximately 3 a.m. local time (7 a.m. in Singapore).
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Thaksin explained, “I intended to travel to Singapore to have a health check with the doctor who took care of me while I was abroad.” He added, “Since I couldn't land in Singapore, I decided to have the pilot change my plans to Dubai.” Thaksin also noted that he has long-standing relationships with orthopedic and pulmonary doctors in Dubai, and that he would use the opportunity to visit a friend he had not seen in two years. He insisted that his delay at the airport was unwarranted, stating, “I have the same rights as any other Thai when it comes to travel.”
While Thaksin was circling above Dubai awaiting landing clearance, the political scene back in Thailand was reaching a fever pitch. His abrupt exit came just a day before parliament was set to vote for the country’s 32nd prime minister. The timing was no coincidence. As FRANCE 24 reported, Thaksin’s departure followed the sacking of his daughter and protégé, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, from the prime minister’s post. The Thai court’s decision, which cited an ethics violation, threw the ruling Pheu Thai party—long dominated by the Shinawatra family—into chaos and opened the door for a new political alignment.
The parliamentary vote on September 5 was decisive. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and a seasoned political dealmaker, easily surpassed the threshold needed to become prime minister. He did so with the backing of the opposition, marking a rare moment of unity in a parliament often divided by entrenched rivalries. Anutin, known for his pragmatic approach and ability to broker coalitions, did not address the house before the vote. When asked by reporters if he had sought divine intervention, he simply replied, “I prayed to my parents.”
This victory marked the end of an era. Pheu Thai, the populist juggernaut that had won five of the last six elections, suddenly found itself outmaneuvered. As Rangsit University political science lecturer Wanwichit Boonprong observed, “I’m quite confident that Anutin will be elected as the next prime minister. Pheu Thai’s tactics are like the final show. Pheu Thai has completely closed the curtain.”
Thaksin’s own political journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. After serving as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, he fled into self-imposed exile in Dubai in 2008 to avoid jail time for abuse of power and conflicts of interest. For 15 years, he remained a polarizing figure, orchestrating political maneuvers from afar and maintaining a loyal base among Thailand’s rural and urban poor. In 2023, Thaksin made a dramatic return to Thailand, greeted by throngs of supporters. He was immediately sent to serve an eight-year prison sentence, though his stay in prison was brief. On his first night, he was transferred to the VIP wing of the Police General Hospital’s 14th floor for medical reasons. His sentence was later commuted to one year by the king, and he was released on parole after six months.
Now, Thaksin faces another legal hurdle. The Supreme Court is set to rule on September 9, 2025, whether his hospital detention counts as time served—a decision that could see him returned to jail if the court rules against him. Thaksin has promised to return to Thailand by September 8 to appear in court for the so-called “14th floor case,” which centers on his hospital admission immediately after his return in 2024. “I intend to return to Thailand no later than Sep 8 to travel to court myself on Sept 9,” he stated on social media.
The rapid succession of events has left many Thais reeling. The sacking of Paetongtarn Shinawatra on August 29, 2025, following a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, was a significant blow to the Shinawatra political dynasty. The call, which allegedly included comparisons to Hun Sen’s niece and comments perceived as undermining the Thai military, drew fierce public criticism and led to her removal. With the Pheu Thai party in disarray, Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party seized the moment, forming alliances and pledging to call a new election within four months—a move that ultimately secured the support of the largest parliamentary bloc.
For his part, Anutin’s rise to the premiership is a testament to his political acumen. He has long positioned Bhumjaithai as a centrist force capable of bridging divides between Thailand’s warring elites. His ability to navigate coalition politics has made him a fixture in successive governments, even as the country lurched from one crisis to another.
As Thailand prepares for yet another chapter in its tumultuous political history, all eyes remain on Thaksin’s next move and the Supreme Court’s impending decision. Will the former premier’s hospital stay count as time served, or will he face further incarceration? And can Anutin’s government bring stability to a nation weary of political drama?
One thing is clear: the events of this week have fundamentally reshaped the balance of power in Thailand, signaling both an end and a new beginning in the country’s ongoing political saga.
