Sihasak denies Bhumjaithai PM-candidate rumours
Promotional poster ahead of Bhumjaithai’s Wednesday (December 24) policy briefing sparked prime ministerial speculation, but Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow denied being a candidate.
- Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has publicly denied rumours that he is a prime ministerial candidate for the Bhumjaithai party.
- The speculation was sparked by a promotional poster that featured Sihasak alongside the party's leader, Anutin Charnvirakul.
- Sihasak affirmed that he has no political ambition, his focus remains on foreign affairs, and the party leader has never approached him about the role.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Tuesday (December 23) dismissed rumours that he is being considered as Bhumjaithai’s prime ministerial candidate, after a promotional poster circulated ahead of the party’s Wednesday policy briefing.
The poster showed Sihasak standing alongside Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai’s leader, and Ekniti Nitithanprapas, fuelling speculation over the party’s candidate line-up.
Sihasak said he was not a candidate and stressed that his role remains focused on foreign affairs.
Asked whether the party had finalised its prime ministerial candidates, Sihasak said Anutin was likely still considering the matter.
He declined to confirm whether the candidates were Ekniti and Suphajee Suthumpun, saying the question should be directed to them.
Sihasak also said he had no political ambition and would not seek the role, adding that Anutin had never approached him because he believed there were already two names under consideration.
He said he could not say whether he would return as foreign minister if Bhumjaithai led the next government, noting only that he is currently overseeing foreign affairs.
Ekniti declined to comment when approached at Government House, while Anutin again refused to answer questions on who the party will nominate.
Culture Minister Sabida Thaiseth, who also appeared in the promotional image, denied she was a prime ministerial candidate.
