As predicted, Anutin Charnvirakul has assumed the role of Prime Minister of Thailand. It’s one of the biggest political upsets in the country, but it’s not just an extreme outlier. He was deputy prime minister, interior minister, and health minister in his illustrious career. In 2022, he was nationally acclaimed for his successful efforts to decriminalize cannabis. Charnvirakul’s rise to power was capped off after he built a key coalition with the rising counterweight, reformist legislative minority force, the People’s Party.
Charnvirakul won the support of the People’s Party by pledging to call a referendum on constitutional amendments. He promised to set a new elections call within four months. His election is a profound sign of how ready voters are for change, reinvention, and a more progressive approach to governance.
After his landslide victory, Charnvirakul quickly made public his picks for a cabinet in hope of stemming the political and economic unrest still festering in the nation. Other notable members of his team include Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Auttapol Rerkpiboon, and Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
Ekniti Nitithanprapas, an official with the ministry of finance, and former contender for the governor’s post at the central bank. Now, he is going to take that cabinet-level financial expertise to the cabinet. Auttapol Rerkpiboon, who until recently was chief of the state-owned energy conglomerate PTT Group, will have invaluable experience running complex sebaceous organizations. Meanwhile, foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has returned to the cabinet. This famed diplomat and former permanent secretary of the foreign ministry will be crucial to deepening bilateral ties with near partners—including, most importantly, Cambodia.
“There will be no helping hands to anyone, it will not be used to abuse anyone, and there will be no seeking of revenge on anyone.” – Anutin Charnvirakul
Charnvirakul’s picks are a testament to a party-building approach focused on reassuring an electorate tired from years of political turmoil. He emphasized the need for unity among all political factions, stating, “We must move our country forward at a speed that could compensate for the opportunities that were lost.”
His administration continues to lead with narrowly punitive law enforcement as the core of its overall governance strategy. This means dealing with pressures to keep order and domestic stability at home—often a very difficult task in today’s charged political environment.
The official confirmation of Charnvirakul’s cabinet appointments still requires royal approval, a traditional formality in Thailand’s political processes. As he starts this new chapter in leadership, Charnvirakul’s focus on collaboration and responsive governance will be vital in shaping Thailand’s future.
