Introducing "Akanat" Promphan, former spokesperson for the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and adopted son of Suthep Thaugsuban, who has taken the post of Minister of Energy in the Anutin 2 Cabinet amid a major crisis over rising oil prices.
On 31 March 2026, it became official when the Royal Gazette published the announcement of His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun’s royal command appointing the new ministers, forming the "Anutin 2 Cabinet." Among them, Mr. Akanat Promphan was named Minister of Energy to address the oil price crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
Prior reports circulated that Suthep Thaugsuban, the adoptive father, personally negotiated with the influential Buriram faction and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul regarding the quota for this ministerial position. The Energy Ministry portfolio was previously allocated to the United Thai Nation Party, Mr. Akanat’s former party.
Mr. Akanat Promphan, nicknamed "Ging," was born on 12 January 1986 and is currently 40 years old. He is the son of Porntep Techapaibul, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Dr. Srisakul Promphan. After their divorce, Dr. Srisakul remarried Suthep Thaugsuban, former Deputy Prime Minister.
Akanat completed his secondary education at Charterhouse School in the United Kingdom. He holds a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Economics, and Management (EEM) from the University of Oxford and also earned a master's degree in Economics and Management from Oxford.
Akanat entered politics at a young age, first elected as a Member of Parliament for Bangkok's Thawi Watthana-Nong Khaem district under the Democrat Party in 2001. At age 25, he was the youngest MP in parliament at that time.
A turning point in his political life was serving as a key leader and spokesperson of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) during 2013-2014, which sought to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. This role raised his profile as a young, articulate political figure.
After stepping back and resigning from the Democrat Party in 2022, he joined the United Thai Nation Party as a co-founder and secretary-general. The party supported General Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister candidate. Later, it joined a coalition government with the Pheu Thai Party, where Akanat served as Minister of Industry in the Pakthongchai Shinawatra Cabinet, playing a key role in cracking down on illegal factories.
With the rise of the Bhumjaithai Party forming the government, the United Thai Nation Party split. Akanat chose to align with Bhumjaithai to contest elections, playing a significant role in managing Bangkok constituencies. Although he did not win a seat, in the formation of the Anutin 2 Cabinet, he was appointed Minister of Energy. Rumors suggest that Suthep Thaugsuban was instrumental in negotiating this appointment for him.
