Profile of Suriya Jungrungreangkit, election director of the Pheu Thai Party, rising to become a prime ministerial candidate, pledging to continue one of the country's largest tasks and dedicate himself to working for all Thai people.
On 16 December 2025, reporters reported that the Pheu Thai Party held a press conference to unveil its prime ministerial candidates. The three candidates for the 2026 election are Professor Dr. Yotsanan Wongsawat, ranked first; Mr. Chulapan Amornwiwat, party leader, ranked second; and Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, ranked third.
Previously, on 2 July 2025, during the Pattongtharn 2 cabinet reshuffle, Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport. However, after the Constitutional Court voted 7 to 2 to suspend Prime Minister Ms. Pattongtharn Shinawatra from her duties, and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Vechayachai was reassigned to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Mr. Suriya, as the second deputy prime minister, acted as the caretaker prime minister pending the new cabinet's oath-taking.
Regarding Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, nicknamed “Off,” was born on 10 December 1954 in Bangkok. He is of Chinese-Thai descent. His father was Ah Hong Sae Jung and his mother Muy Siang Sae Pow. He has five siblings: Mr. Sansoen Chulangkool, Mr. Pattana Jungrungreangkit (deceased), father of Mr. Thanathorn Jungrungreangkit, former leader of the Future Forward Party, Mr. Komol Jungrungreangkit, and Ms. Arisda Jungrungreangkit. In his personal life, he is married to Mrs. Surisa Jungrungreangkit and has one son, Mr. Satanan Jungrungreangkit.
Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit completed his lower secondary education (Grade 9) at Saint John's School and graduated high school from Triam Udom Suksa School. He then studied medicine at Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine alongside Dr. Prommin Lertsiridej, secretary to Prime Minister Ms. Pattongtharn Shinawatra, but after a year and a half, he changed plans due to the political unrest in Thailand. He pursued a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, USA. He also attended the National Defense College (NDC), graduating in the same class as former Prime Minister Mr. Somchai Wongsawat. /
Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit's first political position was in 1998 under Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai's government as Minister of Industry under the Social Action Party quota. In 2001, he joined the Thai Rak Thai Party led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra and served again as Minister of Industry.
In 2002, he was nominated as Secretary-General of the Thai Rak Thai Party, before being reassigned as Minister of Transport. In 2007, he was banned from politics for five years following the dissolution of Thai Rak Thai. He later joined the Bhumjaithai Party. After the 2018 coup led by General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Mr. Suriya, leader of the Sam Mitr group, joined the Palang Pracharath Party. When General Prayut lost power, Mr. Suriya returned to work with the Pheu Thai Party and served as Minister of Transport in the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, continuing into the government of Pattongtharn Shinawatra. Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit also served again as Deputy Prime Minister.
Today (16 December), Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, prime ministerial candidate and election director of the Pheu Thai Party, expressed his vision, thanking the leadership for selecting him as one of the three Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidates. Before entering politics, he worked in the automotive industry for 20 years with considerable success. He observed that government bureaucracy slowed progress and that reform was needed. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra invited him to join politics with Thai Rak Thai, an offer he accepted immediately to help resolve these issues. Over 25 years, his strength has been delivering policies on time, leading to their success.
One proud achievement was completing Suvarnabhumi Airport within the planned timeframe in 2006, during Thaksin's premiership and his own tenure as Minister of Transport, disproving critics who said it was impossible due to the swampy terrain. This enabled Thailand to compete as a regional aviation hub and secured the airport's ranking as 10th best globally in 2006. However, after the coup, planned projects stalled, causing Thailand to lose ground to Singapore and Hong Kong. Suvarnabhumi fell to 77th place in 2022 but is now improving rapidly to 38th in 2025. Transport development is not just about travel but opening opportunities. Integrated roads, rail, and waterways can make Thailand a regional trade hub, not just transporting people but leading them to the future. This is what he aims to continue. With proper infrastructure, opportunities will reach even small businesses, raising incomes and stabilizing lives. If Pheu Thai returns to government, these missions can resume immediately.
Mr. Suriya also highlighted two policies to continue: a 20-baht flat fare for all electric trains, lamenting that as of December it has yet to be implemented and questioning the current Minister of Transport's commitment. He guarantees that within three months of a Pheu Thai government, the public will enjoy the 20-baht fare. Additionally, there will be 10-baht air-conditioned buses serving as feeder lines to the trains. Another policy is housing for Thai citizens—not just a dream but already underway with four pilot projects offering affordable homes in good locations, enabling Thai people to build their futures.
The Pheu Thai Party faces challenges. Many say it cannot return to its former status. However, those here do not think so; they still have passion, dreams, and shared ideals. They want to work and implement good policies for the people. He entered politics to improve obstacles and quality of life. He has full confidence in Pheu Thai, filled with experienced and creative young people working as a team. With that confidence, today he pledges to continue one of the nation's largest responsibilities as a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, to unite everyone in dedicating efforts for all Thai people. .
