Anutin: Replacing Commerce Minister Suphajee Would Mean Replacing Me

Anutin: Replacing Commerce Minister Suphajee Would Mean Replacing Me

BANGKOK, October 22, 2026 — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed speculation that Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun could be removed from the Cabinet, declaring that any move to replace her would require him to step down as prime minister.

“If you want to replace Suphajee, replace Anutin instead, so you won’t have to ask again,” Anutin told reporters at Government House on Thursday.

Anutin Stands Firmly Behind Suphajee

The prime minister described Suphajee as a key member of his government, saying he had personally invited her to join his first administration and had asked her to continue serving as deputy prime minister and commerce minister in his second government.

Anutin said he wanted Suphajee to oversee the country’s marketing, commerce and industrial economy, underscoring the importance he placed on her role in the government’s economic agenda.

He added that Suphajee had not sought the ministerial position herself but had accepted it at his request.

Prime Minister Dismisses Cabinet Reshuffle Speculation

Asked whether reports of a possible Cabinet reshuffle were fake news, Anutin said his response had already made his position clear.

He also suggested that Suphajee was confident enough in her own standing that she did not need to ask him about the rumours.

Anutin’s remarks amounted to a strong public show of support for the commerce minister amid speculation about possible changes to his Cabinet.