Bhumjaithai Party leader and Chinese-Thai businessman Anutin Charnvirakul has become Thailand’s new prime minister. (Photo: Government of Thailand)
Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul was officially sworn in as Thailand’s prime minister on September 7. In his inaugural address, he emphasized that lowering household energy expenses will be one of his top policy priorities. Ahead of the ceremony, Anutin announced his first cabinet lineup, naming former PTT CEO Auttapol Rerkpiboon as energy minister—betting on his extensive experience to accelerate the country’s energy transition.
Anutin succeeds Paetongtarn, first cabinet announced
Anutin succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was removed after less than a year in office. Paetongtarn was found by the Constitutional Court to have violated ethical standards in a phone call with former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, placing personal interests above national ones. The ruling led to her dismissal and the dissolution of her cabinet.
With majority backing in parliament and royal endorsement, Anutin became Thailand’s 32nd prime minister. In his speech, he outlined four policy pillars for the coalition government: the economy, security, social issues, and natural disasters.
On the economic front, he pledged immediate steps to cut household expenses, especially energy and transport costs, while rolling out debt relief programs for farmers and low-income earners, and generating income for local communities.
Thailand’s persistently high electricity bills remain a sensitive issue. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has been running deep losses, yet the government is under pressure to ease household burdens and attract foreign investment. Average power tariffs peaked at THB 4.18 (about USD 0.13) per unit before easing below THB 4 in May this year.
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Thailand's electricity prices remain high, averaging THB 4.15 per unit at the beginning of this year. (Photo: iStock)
New Energy Minister under pressure over high power prices
Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s father and de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has previously argued that Thailand’s high energy costs deter investment in critical sectors such as data centers, artificial intelligence, and cloud services. He has called for electricity tariffs to be reduced to THB 2.5 (about USD 0.078) per unit to maintain competitiveness.
Anutin acknowledged that the initial cabinet lineup was designed to restore stability. Auttapol, who spent 35 years at PTT across public relations, domestic and international marketing, retail, and sustainability, will now head the energy ministry.
As PTT CEO from 2020, Auttapol steered the company through one of its most turbulent periods, marked by the pandemic-driven collapse in global oil and gas prices. Under his leadership, the group stabilized and returned to growth.
Looking ahead, Anutin faces steep political tests. He has promised to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections within four months. Without strong backing from coalition partners, he could be forced out after the polls. Even if he retains office, the constraints of coalition politics are expected to limit how freely he can push forward his agenda.
Source: PRD、Bangkok Post、Money & Banking、Al Jazeera、The Nation、Solar Quarter
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