BANGKOK -- BANGKOK (AP) — Anutin Charnvirakul, a veteran politician best known for successfully lobbying to decriminalize cannabis in Thailand, became the country's prime minister after receiving a royal endorsement Sunday, two days after he was chosen by Parliament following a court order that removed his predecessor.

Thailand's Anutin Charnvirakul was elected prime minister after breezing through a parliamentary vote, trouncing the candidate of the Shinawatra family's once-dominant ruling party to end a week of chaos and political deadlock.

Anutin Charnivirakul, 58, won after getting 311 votes from lawmakers, beating rival Chaikasem Nitisiri of the Pheu Thai Party, which is backed by former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.