Thailand's Health Minister and cannabis supporter, Anutin Charnvirakul, caught attention during Sunday's election as he wore a dark shirt adorned with bright green marijuana leaves to cast his vote.
The 56-year-old represents the Bhumjaithai Party as their prime ministerial candidate, campaigning on the promise to advance medical marijuana after its successful decriminalization last year.
However, with no proper regulations in place, recreational use increased, upsetting the country's conservatives. Anutin vowed to tighten regulations and limit cannabis use to medical applications if re-elected.
Anutin displayed a grin while exiting the voting booth, choosing not to comment on the meaning behind his shirt to reporters.
In the 2019 election, the Bhumjaithai Party, running on the same platform, secured fifth place, resulting in a position within the current military-backed government. They are expected to have a similar performance this year.
Polls will close at 1700 local time (1000 GMT) in Thailand, where 52 million eligible voters have the potential to disrupt nearly a decade of military-backed government rule, led by retired General and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Prayuth's main competition is the populist Pheu Thai party, supported by the billionaire Shinawatra family, which has claimed victory in every Thai election since 2001.
The 56-year-old represents the Bhumjaithai Party as their prime ministerial candidate, campaigning on the promise to advance medical marijuana after its successful decriminalization last year.
However, with no proper regulations in place, recreational use increased, upsetting the country's conservatives. Anutin vowed to tighten regulations and limit cannabis use to medical applications if re-elected.
Anutin displayed a grin while exiting the voting booth, choosing not to comment on the meaning behind his shirt to reporters.
In the 2019 election, the Bhumjaithai Party, running on the same platform, secured fifth place, resulting in a position within the current military-backed government. They are expected to have a similar performance this year.
Polls will close at 1700 local time (1000 GMT) in Thailand, where 52 million eligible voters have the potential to disrupt nearly a decade of military-backed government rule, led by retired General and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Prayuth's main competition is the populist Pheu Thai party, supported by the billionaire Shinawatra family, which has claimed victory in every Thai election since 2001.
