Anutin sets the principle for forming the new cabinet: "Ministers must be demonstrably honest," free from blemish, with no conflicts against national interests, and without thoughts of betrayal, following the Constitutional Court's precedent set in the cases of Phumtham and Tawee.
On 26 Feb 2026, a government source at the Government House said that after Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, as leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, prepares to form a new cabinet, called Anutin 2/1 Cabinet, it "will be much stricter than before."
Regarding the phrase "much stricter than before," Anutin will adhere to the Constitutional Court's ruling on the case involving former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Phumtham Wechayachai and former Minister of Justice Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, concerning interference in the selection of senators. The Court ruled that their ministerial status was not terminated but used this as a framework and principle for appointing the new cabinet, announced in the Government Gazette, page 45, on 19 Feb.Read the full Constitutional Court ruling)
The Constitutional Court established a key principle in Section 160 (4) that ministers must be "demonstrably honest." The core meaning of "demonstrably honest" is that "honest" means behaving straightforwardly and sincerely, without betrayal, fraud, or deceit. "Honest" refers to proper conduct, with honesty being a fundamental virtue for individuals and part of upholding what is just and right (Integrity).
Moreover, being demonstrably honest means ministers must not display conduct below the standard or "lack demonstrable honesty," with no signs of dishonest behavior or distortions to gain improper benefits for themselves or others. It does not require clear evidence of exemplary conduct, only that the individual does not act in ways that clearly conflict with societal expectations. "Demonstrable" here means there is no behavior that is improper or inconsistent with a minister's duties to protect the interests of the nation and its people.
Reporters covered Anutin's activities at Government House, noting that at one point he carried a sacred Buddha image up to the Thai Khu Fah Building but did not give interviews, only briefly saying, "Amitabha Buddha, good luck and prosperity to everyone."