Bangladesh, Sept. 5 -- Thailand has a new prime minister, and his rise to the top is as much about political maneuvering as it is about personal ambition. On September 5, parliament confirmed Anutin Charnvirakul, a cautious but pragmatic figure who has long mastered the art of navigating Thailands turbulent and deeply polarized political landscape. At 58, he brings to the role not just experience in government but also the backing of immense family wealth, a strong regional base, and a reputation for opportunistic flexibility that has allowed him to survive – and even thrive – in one of Southeast Asias most unstable political arenas.

For more than two decades, Thai politics has been defined by a bitter divide: on one side, su...