Thai tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul took office as prime minister on Sunday, with the cannabis-championing conservative ousting the nation¡¯s dominant political dynasty and setting course for elections early next year.

Since 2023 elections, Thailand¡¯s top office has been monopolized by the Pheu Thai party of the Shinatawatra dynasty ¡ª a populist force which has long sparred with the pro-monarchy, pro-military establishment.

But dynasty heiress Paetongtarn Shinawatra was last month sacked by court order, and Anutin rushed to piece together his own coalition government ¡ª winning a Friday parliament vote to shut Pheu Thai out of office.