A profile of Sihasak Puangketkaew, who served as the Foreign Minister under the first Anutin cabinet as an outsider appointee, and has now become the Bhumjaithai Party's second prime ministerial candidate to attract votes in the 2025 general election.
On 25 December 2025, a late-night announcement on 24 December caused a stir when the Bhumjaithai Party's Facebook page released a statement naming two individuals as the party's nominees for prime minister. These were Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the party leader, as the first prime ministerial candidate, and Mr. Sihasak Puangketkaew as the second candidate. Both have accepted the nomination. The party explained that Mr. Sihasak, with extensive experience as Foreign Minister, is capable of restoring Thailand's rightful place on the global stage. He is also recognized for working cohesively with both political and security sectors, earning respect from the public and international communities.
Mr. Sihasak Puangketkaew previously served as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during 2013-2014, covering the final period of Yingluck Shinawatra's government through to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) regime under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
He was appointed Assistant Minister, serving as Deputy Minister assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on 14 September 2023 and left the position on 13 May 2024, the same day Mr. Panpree Pahitthanukorn resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Additionally, he has held the posts of Thailand’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and Ambassador to Tokyo. He was also the first Asian to serve as Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) from 2010 to 2011 and has been a senior advisor to the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD).
Furthermore, the Japanese government awarded Mr. Sihasak Puangketkaew the "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star" in the spring of 2024, recognizing his significant role in strengthening Japan-Thailand relations.
During the government formation at the end of 2025, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul invited Mr. Sihasak Puangketkaew to serve as Foreign Minister. Mr. Anutin explained that appointing outsiders to ministerial posts is intended to bring in professionals with expertise in their respective ministries, enabling them to work effectively without needing extensive training.
