BANGKOK — When Anutin Charnvirakul won a parliamentary majority to become Thailand’s 32nd Prime Minister, the woman at his side naturally attracted increased public attention.
Thananont Niramit, originally named Supanan Nirasit and also known as Jajaa, is 39 years old and the partner of Anutin, 58, who had already been through two divorces before they met. Their love story began when Anutin became a regular customer at her coffee shop, JaJaa Coffee, in Ranong Province. After two years together, he introduced her to his family.
Public Debut at Royal Ceremony
The couple made their first official public appearance on May 4, 2022, when Anutin brought her to the royal blessing ceremony for His Majesty the King on Coronation Day at Santi Maitree Building, Government House. This marked their formal recognition as a couple, particularly in political circles.
Family Background and Education
Jajaa comes from a Chinese-Thai family with four sisters. Her family originally operated a car parts business in Ranong under the names Jin Heng Auto Parts and Jin Heng Auto Glass, which younger generations continue to run today. Her father has passed away.
She attended Sriarunothai School for primary education, then Phichairattanakarn School—a well-known provincial school in Ranong—for lower secondary. She moved to Bangkok for upper secondary school at the prestigious Triam Udom Suksa School, before studying at Thammasat University, where she gained recognition as the drum major at the annual traditional Chulalongkorn-Thammasat football match.
Coffee Shop Owner Turned First Lady
Jajaa owns JaJaa Coffee on Phetkasem Road in Bang Rin sub-district, Mueang district, Ranong municipality. The coffee shop has become one of the province’s most popular destinations, and she frequently posts appealing photos of food, coffee, and cakes to promote the business.
The couple have no children together, though Anutin has two children—a son and daughter—from his first marriage to Sanongnuch Wattanawarangkul. He used to jokingly tell people, before becoming Prime Minister, that he was “president of the hen-pecked husbands association.”
Orange Cake and Political Irony
Currently, Jajaa also owns a coffee shop called Jaristaa at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, which also serves cakes. On the day the People’s Party (known as the “Orange Party”) voted to elect Anutin as Prime Minister—despite the two parties having polar opposite policies—reporters teasingly asked Jajaa if she would start selling orange cake at her shop. She replied that the shop already sold orange cake and that sales had actually increased recently.
From Disinterest to Love
Jajaa recalls that initially, she had no interest in or knowledge of politics before meeting Anutin, who was then Health Minister. He came to Ranong on official business, and she was chosen to pick him up from the airport—their first meeting. They met again when his entourage stopped by her coffee shop. At the time, she thought Anutin resembled her father.
She reveals there was no instant attraction or “spark” at first, but when he began visiting her shop regularly and asking about her mother’s wellbeing, she was touched by his attention to small details.
Getting to know his true character, she discovered he deeply values family. Even today, no matter how busy he gets, he still has dinner with his father and regularly arranges family meals with children and grandchildren.
The Man Behind the Politics
“He’s warm, simple, down-to-earth, and has a sense of humor, just like you see in the news. He’s detail-oriented and always respects those around him. He especially supports people who work hard. He notices small things and pays attention to details. At work, he can be stern, but when we’re together, we tease and joke around. Wherever we go together, there’s always something that makes us laugh,” she said.
Work-Life Balance
Most importantly, his partner praises the Prime Minister for clearly separating work from personal life. He never brings stress or pressure home. When he returns home, it becomes a true place of rest—he never brings work frustrations or irritations back to their domestic life.
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