Second PM candidate picked “just in case”

Caretaker Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday that his party had selected caretaker Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow as its second prime ministerial candidate as a safeguard in case of a “political accident”.

Anutin said the party was expanding and there could be unforeseen circumstances that prevent him from carrying out his duties as prime minister if, and after, the party wins the February 8, 2026 election.

He said naming Sihasak as the second candidate would serve as a safety net to ensure continuity.

Late-night announcement after policy launch

Anutin initially said during the party’s policy launch on Wednesday that he would be Bhumjaithai’s sole prime ministerial candidate. However, at 10.30pm on Wednesday, the party informed members of the media via the Line chat app that Sihasak would be its second PM pick.

Anutin said he was impressed by Sihasak’s performance as foreign minister, adding that Sihasak could also help with foreign trade, and he had therefore invited him to become the party’s second PM candidate.
“We must plan ahead,” Anutin says

“And out of deep consideration for me, he agreed to serve as the party’s prime ministerial candidate,” Anutin said.

“He is well suited to the role. If, in the future, anything happens that prevents me from continuing in office, the party believes that if Sihasak steps in to take over, nothing will be disrupted and there will be no obstacles to carrying on the work. If we have the chance to govern the country, we must plan ahead—we cannot think only in ideal terms—so continuity is maintained to the greatest extent possible, whatever happens.”

Other outsiders not ready for politics, he says

Anutin said he had brought in three outsiders to help run the country: Sihasak, caretaker Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, and caretaker Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun. He said he was impressed by the performance of all three.

However, he said Ekniti and Suphajee were not ready to enter politics fully beyond temporarily assisting in cabinet work, and he therefore did not invite them to become the party’s prime ministerial candidates.

Denies he forced Sihasak into the race

Anutin denied speculation that he had pressured Sihasak to enter the election race as the party’s second PM candidate.

“He’s a grown-up. So how could I force him?” he said.

The speculation, he said, stemmed largely from commentary by a Channel 9 TV anchor, who suggested Anutin had made Sihasak swap a suit jacket for a blazer vest bearing the party logo during Wednesday’s press conference.

Anutin criticised the anchor for what he called an analysis based purely on imagination, saying Sihasak saw party members wearing the vest at the press conference and volunteered to change into it himself.
He added that Sihasak had also applied for Bhumjaithai membership, insisting he had not forced him to run as a PM candidate.

Pressed repeatedly on when Sihasak agreed to be nominated, Anutin declined to answer directly.

“Sometimes people at this level communicate almost by instinct,” he said.

He added that the party’s future would ultimately depend on voters’ decision in the February 8, 2026 election.