Thananon Niramit

Thananon Niramit
ธนนนท์ นิรามิษ
Spouse of the Prime Minister of Thailand[a]
Assumed role
7 September 2025
Prime MinisterAnutin Charnvirakul
Preceded bySurisa Jungrungreangkit (acting)
Pitaka Suksawat
Personal details
BornJittrawadee Niramit
(1984-01-13) January 13, 1984
Ranong, Thailand
PartyBhumjaithai (2022–present)
Spouse
(m. 2026)
Alma mater
OccupationBusinesswoman

Thananon Niramit (Thai: ธนนนท์ นิรามิษ; born 13 January 1984) is a Thai businesswoman. She is the spouse of Anutin Charnvirakul, the 32nd prime minister of Thailand.[1] She is an honorary advisor to the Interior Ministry Housewives Association.

Early life and education

Thananon Niramit was born on 13 January 1984 in Bang Rin Subdistrict, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong Province, Thailand to a Thai Chinese family.[2] She is the youngest daughter of Kitti Niramit and Jintana Niramit, who operate an automobile parts trading business in Ranong. She grew up in a business family and has three elder sisters.[3] Originally named Jittrawadee, she later changed her given name several times—to Natamon and Suphanan before adopting her current name, Thananon.[4]

She completed her secondary education at Triam Udom Suksa School and earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Thammasat University. During her university years, she served as a drum major in the annual Chula–Thammasat Traditional Football Match, one of Thailand's most prominent student events.[4] Later, she completed the Executive Program in National Security (Mini-Wor Por Or), Class 1, offered by the National Defence College of Thailand, a course designed for future leaders. Among her classmates were Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 31st Prime Minister of Thailand, and Chaichana Detdecho, former Deputy Minister of Public Health.[5]

Career

Thananon is the owner of JaJaa Coffee, a café located in Bang Rin Subdistrict, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong Province which was one of the first air-conditioned fresh coffee shops in the province. It became a well-known local hub for over 17 years. She became affiliated with the Bhumjaithai Party and formally joined the party in 2022.[4] In her business ventures, she actively supports her hometown by sourcing local ingredients from Ranong, such as "Kyu Kyu" (cashew nuts), to promote local farmers and products.[6]

Her public visibility increased significantly in 2022, when Anutin Charnvirakul formally introduced her to the public. The couple appeared together at a royal blessing ceremony for King Vajiralongkorn on 4 May 2022, held at the Santi Maitri Building, Government House, to mark Coronation Day. She is an honorary advisor to the Interior Ministry Housewives Association.[7]

She launched another café and dessert shop named Jarisstar, located within the premises of the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters on Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak District, Bangkok.[4]

As de facto First Lady

Following Anutin Charnvirakul's rise to the position of Prime Minister in 2024, Thananon became Thailand's de facto First Lady, accompanying him to official events and public ceremonies.[8][9]

In 2025, her declared assets were valued at 56 million baht, according to the National Anti-Corruption Commission disclosure.[10]

On 16 October 2025, Thananon Niramit accompanied Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on his first official overseas visit since taking office, to Vientiane, Laos, to mark the 75th anniversary of Thai–Lao diplomatic relations.[11]

Later that month she participated in the "Spouses' Programme" at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur as the spouse of the Prime Minister of Thailand.[12]

On 30 October 2025, Thananon Niramit faced public criticism after she remarked "So mean" to reporters at Don Mueang Airport upon returning from Malaysia.[13] The comment was criticized by opposition figures, who said it could be viewed as an attempt to pressure the press.[14] She later issued an apology, stating that her choice of words was inappropriate.[15]

During an official visit to Singapore with her husband, the couple was honored with a new orchid hybrid named Vanchoanthe Anutin Thananon Charnvirakul in recognition of their visit.[16][17]

Notes

  1. ^ As Partner of the Prime Minister of Thailand until 13 February 2026.

References

  1. ^ Pakkawan, Assawin (8 September 2025). "Wind beneath PM Anutin's wings". Bangkok Post.
  2. ^ "The Sweetheart Behind Anutin, Thailand's New Prime Minister". Khaosod English. 5 September 2025.
  3. ^ Suwannatada, Sutannaraj. "'อนุทิน' เป็นประธานพิธีพระราชทานน้ำหลวงอาบศพแม่ภริยา 'จ๋า ธนนนท์'". เดลินิวส์ (in Thai).
  4. ^ a b c d "Thananon 'Jaa' Niramit: The caffeinated rise of Thailand's new first lady". Thai PBS. 11 September 2025.
  5. ^ "เปิดวาร์ป 6 นักธุรกิจเจนใหม่ เรียน 'มินิ วปอ.รุ่น 1' เพื่อนร่วมรุ่น 'อุ๊งอิ๊ง'". Bangkokbiz News (in Thai). 16 March 2024.
  6. ^ "ธนนนท์ นิรามิษ : The Essence of Grace". HiSoPartyOfficial. 27 July 2025.
  7. ^ "มท.1 เปิดการประชุมแม่บ้านมหาดไทยสัญจร ครั้งที่ 4 ประจำปี 2568 พื้นที่ภาคเหนือ ที่จังหวัดเชียงใหม่". chiangmai.prd.go.th/.
  8. ^ "The Sweetheart Behind Anutin, Thailand's New Prime Minister". Khaosod. 5 September 2025.
  9. ^ "Anutin makes first overseas visit to Laos to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties". nationthailand. 16 October 2025.
  10. ^ "อนุทินอัพเดตทรัพย์สินภรรยาคนที่ 3 "ธนนนท์" ค้างค่าหย่าภรรยาคนที่ 2". Prachachat (in Thai). 6 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Anutin makes first overseas visit to Laos". The Nation. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  12. ^ "Spouses Of Leaders Play Key Role In Fostering Wider ASEAN Friendship". BERNAMA. 27 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  13. ^ "PM's wife takes heat for calling out 'mean' reporters". Bangkok Post. October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  14. ^ "PM Anutin's wife stirs press row with 'mean' comment to reporters". The Thaiger. October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  15. ^ Reporters, Online (1 November 2025). "PM Anutin's wife apologises for calling reporters 'mean'". Bangkok Post.
  16. ^ "Singapore names new orchid species in honour of Anutin and his wife". Nation Thailand. 7 November 2025.
  17. ^ Tantivangphaisal, Puntid (7 November 2025). "Singapore names orchid after Thai PM Anutin and his wife". Thaiger.