‘We want change. We dream of a different future. We believe this country can be better.’

This is a political memoir—a record of Pita Limjaroenrat that has never been told anywhere before. From his years studying abroad and working in business to becoming the unexpected face of Thailand’s pro-democracy movement, Pita recounts the personal and political journey that led to the 2023 election victory of the Move Forward Party, backed by more than 14 million voters.

Set against the backdrop of military coups, political upheaval, and growing public disillusionment, The Almost Prime Minister captures the hopes of a generation demanding reform, dignity, and equal opportunity. Blending intimate reflections with sharp political insights, Pita reveals the human story behind the headlines—a journey shaped by faith, sacrifice, public faith, and an unwavering belief in a better tomorrow.

When hope has already been awakened in a nation, can it ever truly be silenced?

About the Author

Pita Limjaroenrat

Born on September 5, 1980, in Bangkok, Pita Limjaroenrat holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the International Program at the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Thammasat University. He later earned a joint master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and Business Administration from MIT Sloan School of Management in the United States.

After completing his studies, Pita began his career across multiple sectors—including management consulting, agribusiness, his family’s enterprise, and a digital technology startup—before entering politics. He was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2019 under the Future Forward Party.

Following the party’s dissolution, he became the leader of the Move Forward Party and led the party in the 2023 general election, where it won the highest number of votes nationwide. Pita himself received over 14 million votes—making it the most participated general election in Thailand’s democratic history.

But Pita was not endorsed as Prime Minister by the unelected Senate. He was later suspended from duty by an order of the Constitutional Court, before ultimately winning the case.

He later returned to Parliament as an opposition Member of Parliament, with the Move Forward Party still holding the largest number of seats in the House at the time. That changed when the Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the party and banned Pita from holding political office for ten years.

Today, Pita splits his time between Bangkok and Boston, where he serves as a Senior Fellow at Harvard University. He is passionate about working with young people—especially nurturing the next generation of leaders and helping them find the courage to step into politics, not only in Thailand but across ASEAN and the broader Asian region. He believes that politics should be a place of hope, not fear. And he’s more than willing to be a bridge for young people to walk across. He is also the proud father of Pipim, his nine-year-old daughter, who continues to be a vital source of inspiration in every role he plays.