The biography of Anutin Charnvirakul, partner of Ja Thananon, who has assumed the position of Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister for another term, while also taking charge of security affairs as Minister of Interior.
On 31 March 2026, reporters reported that the website Royal Gazette published the ministerial appointment announcements, in accordance with the previously leaked Anutin 2 cabinet lineup, listing names and party quota positions. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, was re-elected as the 32nd Prime Minister by the House of Representatives on 19 March, with 293 votes for, 119 against, and 86 abstentions. This time, he also retained the position of Minister of Interior.
Anutin Charnvirakul, currently the 32nd Prime Minister, was born on 13 September 1966. Nicknamed “Noo,” he is the son of Chavarat Charnvirakul, known as Poo Jin, a former MP and multi-term minister. The media commonly refer to Anutin as “Sia Noo.” He is currently 59 years old.
Anutin first married Sanongnuch Wattanawarangkool in 1990 and they had two children, Nainphak and Seranee Charnvirakul. They divorced in 2013. He then married Sasithorn Chantasomboon, but divorced in January 2019. Currently, he is in a relationship with Thananon Nirasit, known as Ja, his third wife. They officially registered their marriage on 13 February 2026 at their private residence, with Dusit district officials present to officiate, marking the Valentine’s Day period. The atmosphere was warm with children and Attasit Sampanarat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, and his wife witnessing the ceremony. The couple had been together for over two years. Anutin previously mentioned that he often checked in at Ja’s coffee shop in Ranong Province.
Ja Thananon also completed the Future Executive National Defense Course (Wor Por Bor or Mini Wor Por) Class 1 at the National Defense College, the same cohort as Phaethongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand’s 31st Prime Minister.
Anutin completed secondary education at Assumption College before studying in the United States in 1989. He earned a degree in engineering from Hofstra University in New York and began his career in the family business.
He further pursued studies including a Mini MBA at Thammasat University, honorary Doctor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Ramkhamhaeng University, senior executive programs at the Capital Market Academy (Class 9), urban development management (Metropolis 1), urban development and senior election management (Class 3), senior justice administration (Class 17), honorary Doctor of Business Administration in Management from Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, senior executive commerce and trade (TEPCOT 9), senior executive training at the Royal Thai Police, among others.
In 2017, he completed the Business Reform and Innovation Networking Course (BRAIN 1), Certificate in Medical Governance for Senior Executives (Class 5), Senior Executive Tourism Management (Class 1), honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration from Western University, honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Management from Srinakharinwirot University, honorary Doctor of Arts in Economics from University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Rule of Law for Democracy Course (Class 6), and the National Defense College Class 61.
Anutin entered politics in 1996 as advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Prajuab Chaisarn). He served as Deputy Minister of Public Health (2004–2005) and Deputy Minister of Commerce (2004). He was then banned from 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, the party of his father Chavarat Charnvirakul, who had moved from the People's Power Party with the group of Newin Chidchob. Anutin was later elected party leader, succeeding his father.
In the 2014 general election, Anutin ran as the top candidate on the Bhumjaithai Party’s party list, but the election was annulled. In 2019, he was again elected on the party list and was nominated as a prime ministerial candidate by his party.
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 chaired the Health Systems Research Institute.
During his tenure as Minister of Public Health, a controversy arose when Anutin referred to COVID-19 as “a trivial illness,” before the virus spread severely nationwide, with daily infections reaching tens of thousands and deaths in the hundreds for several months.
In the 2023 election, Anutin was again elected as the top candidate on the Bhumjaithai Party list and nominated again as a prime ministerial candidate. He later joined a coalition government led by the Pheu Thai Party and assumed the roles of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
When the new government was formed with Pheu Thai as the lead party, and despite the Move Forward Party winning the most votes but failing to form a government, Pheu Thai invited Bhumjaithai, which held 71 seats, to join the coalition. After the government formation and royal endorsement, Anutin was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
However, by late 2024, Anutin and coalition partners faced severe conflicts on multiple issues including policy and administration, causing significant discord. In June 2025, Anutin submitted his resignation as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
A political incident followed when Phaethongtarn Shinawatra was dismissed as minister by the Constitutional Court with a 6–3 ruling, citing serious ethical violations related to a leaked audio clip of her conversation with Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate. This necessitated a vote to elect a new prime minister.
Bhumjaithai approached the People’s Party, led by Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, for coalition talks, but the People’s Party declined and proposed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) demanding constitutional amendments, a minority government, and dissolution of parliament with new elections within four months. They threatened a no-confidence motion if demands were unmet. Upon Bhumjaithai’s agreement, the People’s Party allowed 142 votes for Anutin to become the 32nd Prime Minister on19September 2025. However, by December during a joint extraordinary parliamentary session on 11 December 2025, Bhumjaithai tore up the MOA by refusing to vote on constitutional amendments favored by the majority committee, specifically rejecting the one-third Senate voting requirement for constitutional changes, and submitted a royal petition to dissolve parliament, pre-empting the People’s Party’s planned no-confidence motion.
In the 8 February 2026 election, the Bhumjaithai Party, led by Anutin, overturned the People’s Party to become the top party with 192 seats. Anutin returned as the 32nd Prime Minister for another term, also retaining the Ministry of Interior portfolio in the Anutin 2 cabinet. After the parliamentary vote for prime minister on 19 March 2026, Anutin remained silent on the “Orange Snake” issue concerning vote transfers but expressed gratitude to parliament for supporting his second term and pledged to consider all proposals to govern the country.MinistryAnutin stated in his address, “I thank all fellow members who nominated me for the prime minister position. Regardless of whether MPs from any party vote for me or not, in my heart, every member’s voice is equally important, and I am ready to listen to all advice and implement it. I affirm to all parliament members that I will be a prime minister who works collaboratively with all MPs for the highest benefit of the country and its people.”
“Everyone knows well that since we met in parliament, I consider all of you good friends who prioritize the country
and the people together. My government will continue to manage the country for the utmost benefit,” Anutin said.
