Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has promised the next four months of his administration will not be wasted, signalling a strong push for reform and national progress. He also emphasised the importance of equal justice for all citizens, not just a select few.
Speaking at the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), Mr Anutin, who also serves as an interior minister, delivered a keynote address titled “The Rule of Law: A National Agenda for Enhancing Thailand’s Competitiveness”.
Mr Anutin said the concept of the rule of law is one of the most frequently invoked terms in public discourse — yet all too often, it is misunderstood or misused for inappropriate purposes. “Though I am not a legal expert,” he said, “I firmly believe in and uphold the rule of law. This belief has guided me throughout my life — from my business career to my service in public office. It is a principle I have always adhered to and one that I credit for much of my resilience and success in various endeavours.”
Drawing on his background as an engineer, Mr Anutin underscored the importance of laying strong foundations, saying the rule of law serves as one of society’s most critical pillars. “We must be able to rely on the law. And the law must, in turn, serve justice for everyone, not just the privileged few,” he added.
He acknowledged that restoring structures and strengthening the rule of law is no easy task. It requires time, consistency, and sustained effort, and not just from the government. “This cannot be the government’s responsibility alone,” he said.
“It requires your cooperation and support. If we can begin to accomplish these goals, then the next four months of this administration will not be wasted. Instead, they will serve as a critical period in which we lay the foundations — driving in the first pilings and establishing a roadmap for the next government.”
In his policy address to parliament, he said any misconduct by state officials — such as the misuse of laws or state machinery for political gain, or the deliberate neglect of law enforcement to prevent and combat drug trafficking, illegal gambling, transnational crime, or cybercrime — would be dealt with decisively.