Anutin declined to answer questions about the coalition government’s composition, stating the prime minister must be chosen first. Regarding the 'Kla Tham' party, he said the process will proceed step-by-step. He clarified he never said he would not serve as defense minister and noted that currently only Big Ouan is considered, following Big D's name appearing in the lineup.
On 3 March 2026, at10:10 a.m.at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, gave an interview concerningthe Chair of the Election Commission(EC) stating that certification of party-list MPs would occur on 4 March, saying,“Has that been announced? Amen, thank you.”When asked about the timeline after the EC certification through to the formation of the cabinet, Anutin said, "As I said, the steps before my action are that all MPs must be certified.Once that is complete,the Secretary-General of the Parliament will notify me so I can sign a royal command to open the Parliament. The procedures follow the constitution. Everything must proceed swiftly.When asked if ministerial appointments would be finalized during this period, Anutin said, "Let's say everything will proceed quickly.When asked if the coalition numbers are settled, he said, "Everything will happen quickly. When asked if the 'Kla Tham' party will join the coalition, Anutin said, "Today, the prime minister is not yet chosen. We must see who becomes prime minister first. Everything has a process and steps. If I become prime minister, I will do what that role requires.I won’t disappoint, harm the country, or delay progress and will ensure effectiveness. That's all." When asked if the 'Kla Tham' party votes as a bloc, will they join the government, Anutin replied,"Step by step.Please wait for certification first."He denied saying he would not serve as defense minister.
When asked about reports that he would not hold the defense minister position and that Big D would be defense minister, Anutin said he never said that.
Reporters asked,"Will you hold the defense portfolio? If not, can you control it?" He said, "You asked the question, but the news reported differently. You asked if I would be defense minister and if I could manage if not. I have to say, as prime minister, I must oversee all ministries. I never said I wouldn’t be defense minister. Yet headlines said otherwise, which caused trouble for me. So, appointments are still in process. I don’t know if I will get the role because there has been no vote yet. So please don’t assume. Tomorrow, once MPs are certified,there will be further steps. I believe the Secretary-General of Parliament is waiting for MPs to report for duty. No need to worry.MPs won’t be told to wait three more days to report."Ms. Traisulee Traisornkul,former secretary to the prime minister and working with me,just said certification will be tomorrow, and today she collected documents in advance. She even arranged for all parties to report together.They have all been scheduled.But now, 200-300 MPs have already reported early. Don’t worry about these matters. On my responsibility, certification won’t be delayed.When asked if the entire party would report together on certification day,Anutin said, "Most of the party has gone already. Why go several times? I have prepared the party list. If certification is announced on the afternoon of 4 March and I can’t make it, I’ll go the next day at 8 a.m. I’ll leave home early, and anyone who wants to follow can come. I’m excited about my own duties." When asked again about Big D’s name being floated as defense minister, Anutin looked toward Foreign Minister Sihasak Puangketkaew and said, "Right now, only Big Ouan."