Catalyzes the phosphorylation of thiamine to thiamine pyrophosphate. Can also catalyze the phosphorylation of pyrithiamine to pyrithiamine pyrophosphate. ATP + thiamine = AMP + H(+) + thiamine diphosphate Cofactor biosynthesis; thiamine diphosphate biosynthesis; thiamine diphosphate from thiamine: step 1/1. Homodimer. Detected in heart, kidney, testis, small intestine and peripheral blood leukocytes, and at very low levels in a variety of tissues. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the thiamine pyrophosphokinase family.