Profile of "Anutin Charnvirakul," the 32nd Prime Minister. Educated overseas, he entered politics in 1996 before becoming a minister. Known for the controversial phrase "trivial COVID." "COVID triviality." "COVID triviality." "COVID triviality."
Anutin completed his secondary education at Assumption College before studying abroad in the United States in 1989. He earned a degree in engineering from Hofstra University in New York and began his career working in the family business.
During that time, he continued his studies, including a Mini MBA at Thammasat University; an honorary Doctorate of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Ramkhamhaeng University; senior executive programs at the Capital Market Academy (batch 9), urban development management (Metropolis 1), advanced urban development and election management (batch 3), energy science (batch 1), high-level justice process administration (batch 17); an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration in Management from Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University; senior executive programs in trade and commerce (TEPCOT 9); and senior executive training at the Royal Thai Police Academy.
In 2017, he completed the Business Reform and Innovation Networking Program (BRAIN 1); a medical governance certificate program for senior executives (batch 5); senior tourism management program (batch 1); honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Administration from Western University; honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Management from Srinakharinwirot University; honorary Doctorate of Arts in Economics from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce; Rule of Law for Democracy program (batch 6); and the National Defence College (batch 61).
Anutin first married Sanongnuch Watanawarangkura in 1990, with whom he has two children, Nainphak and Saranee Charnvirakul. They divorced in 2013. He remarried Sasithorn Chantasomboon, but they divorced in January 2019. Currently, he is in a relationship with Supanan Nirasit, known as "Ja," his third partner, publicly acknowledged; he has mentioned often visiting her coffee shop.
Anutin entered politics in 1996 as an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Prawub Chaisarn) and later served as Deputy Minister of Public Health (2004 and 2005) and Deputy Minister of Commerce (2004). He was thendisqualifiedfrom politics for five years due to his role as an executive committee member of the Thai Rak Thai Party. After the ban ended in 2012, he joined the Bhumjaithai Party, his father Chavarat's party, which had moved from the People's Power Party along with the group of Newin Chidchob. He was later elected party leader succeeding his father.
In the 2014 general election, Anutin ran as the number one candidate on Bhumjaithai’s party list, but the election was annulled. In the 2019 election, he was again elected on the party list and was nominated by his party as their candidate for Prime Minister.
After the election, Anutin and Bhumjaithai joined a coalition government with the Palang Pracharath Party, supporting General Prayut Chan-o-cha to continue as Prime Minister for a second term. Anutin was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, and also served as chairman of the Health Systems Research Institute.
During his tenure as Minister of Public Health, controversy arose when Anutin used the phrase "trivial COVID," shortly before the virus severely spread in Thailand, resulting in daily infections reaching tens of thousands and hundreds of deaths for several months.
In the 2023 election, Anutin was again elected on the party list for Bhumjaithai and nominated as a candidate for Prime Minister. He later joined a coalition government led by the Pheu Thai Party and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
When the new government was formed under the leadership of the Pheu Thai Party—despite the Move Forward Party winning the most votes but failing to form a government—Pheu Thai invited Bhumjaithai, which holds 71 MPs, to join the coalition. After the government was officially appointed, Anutin assumed the roles of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
In late last year, Anutin and coalition partners faced severe conflicts over policies and administration, causing significant discord. In June 2025, Anutin submitted his resignation as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
A political crisis ensued when Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra was ruled by the Constitutional Court with a 6-3 decision to have her ministerial status terminated under the constitution for serious violations of ethical standards, related to an audio clip of a conversation with "Hun Sen." This prompted a vote to elect a new Prime Minister.
Although Bhumjaithai was not the party with the majority in the recent election, successful negotiations with the "People's Party" enabled the latter to have