Thailand tycoon who championed cannabis legalisation takes lead in race to be PM

Conservative Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul gets main opposition party's conditional backing to form interim government

Tycoon-turned-politician Anutin Charnvirakul appears to have taken the lead in a chaotic race to become Thailand's next prime minister, after days of tense negotiations.

Anutin, who is leader of the conservative Bhumjaithai party and perhaps best known for championing medical cannabis legalisation, has received the backing of MPs from the main opposition party People's party to form an interim government, provided he signs an agreement laid out by its leaders.