Profile of Ratchada Thanadirek, who began as a university lecturer, entered politics as a Democrat Party MP for Bang Phlat district, served as deputy government spokesperson under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ('Big Tu'), then moved to work with the Bhumjaithai Party. Latest rumors suggest she is set to become the government spokesperson in the Anutin 2 cabinet.
23 Mar 2026 GMT+7 — Regarding progress on forming the Anutin 2 cabinet, most names remain as previously outlined. Those proposed for ministerial appointments have been contacted to submit their biographies. Reports indicate Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, former deputy spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office and a Bhumjaithai Party list MP candidate, is slated to become the spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office in the Anutin 2 cabinet.
Profile of Ratchada Thanadirek
Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, nicknamed Kan, was born on 18 August 1975 and is currently 50 years old. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Mahidol University, two master's degrees from the United Kingdom in Corporate Strategy and Governance, and in Accounting and International Finance. She also earned a doctorate in International Business from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
Academically, Ms. Ratchada was a lecturer in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Mahidol University and earned the rank of assistant professor. She was also a national youth tennis player and demonstrated strong discipline from her early years as a swimmer.
Political Career
Ms. Ratchada began her political career in the late 2007 election, running as a Democrat Party candidate for Bangkok’s 12th constituency, Bang Phlat district, and was elected alongside Mr. Ong-art Klamkaipiboon and Mr. Chanin Rungsang.
During the government of Mr. Samak Sundaravej from the People's Power Party, with the Democrat Party as the opposition in the House of Representatives, a shadow cabinet was formed in February 2008 to monitor and propose improvements to government administration. Ms. Ratchada was chosen by the Democrat Party to serve as deputy spokesperson for the shadow cabinet, working alongside the deputy spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office.
In the 2011 general election, Ms. Ratchada was re-elected as MP for Bangkok's Bang Phlat-Bangkok Noi constituency, representing the Democrat Party.
In parliamentary work, Ms. Ratchada served on several committees and subcommittees, including as vice-chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, member of the National Debt Resolution Committee, vice-chair of the subcommittee on Thailand’s relations with Muslim nations, vice-chair of the subcommittee studying the subsidized taxi project issues, spokesperson for the special committee reviewing the draft Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, and member of special committees reviewing several bills such as the Employment Service and Protection Act, National Education Act, Southeast Asia Nation Act, and Bangkok University Act.
In August 2019, Ms. Ratchada was appointed deputy spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office in the government of General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
On 4 November 2025 GMT+7, under the government of Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Cabinet approved the appointment of Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, former Bangkok MP of the Democrat Party, as assistant minister to support Mr. Pradorn Prissanantakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office. Ms. Ratchada stated she had resigned from the Democrat Party and formally joined the Bhumjaithai Party, having been invited by Ms. Traisulee Traisoranakul, Secretary to the Prime Minister, to assist the government due to their previous collaboration as spokespersons in the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration.
After joining the Bhumjaithai Party, Ms. Ratchada ran as the 26th candidate on the party list. Given her extensive political experience and previous role as deputy government spokesperson, recent rumors that she will be appointed government spokesperson in the Anutin 2 cabinet are not surprising.