A biography of Naraphat Kaewthong, former deputy leader of the Democrat Party, who switched parties when Abhisit Vejjajiva made his comeback, becoming the third prime minister candidate of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party.
On 22 December 2025 GMT+7, the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party officially announced its three prime minister candidates. The first was Peerapat Salirathavibhaga, the party leader; second was Attawit Suwanpakdee, deputy party leader. The announcement caused a stir when the third candidate was Naraphat Kaewthong, who had just become deputy party leader and switched to Ruam Thai Sang Chart only a few months earlier.
Naraphat Kaewthong, nicknamed Tum, was born on 2 August 1969 in Phichit Province. He is a significant political figure, especially in Phichit, and is the son of Phaithoon Kaewthong, former Minister of Labor and Social Welfare. In his personal life, he is married to Umaporn Kaewthong.
Naraphat completed secondary education at Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni) School, earned a bachelor's degree in business administration (accounting) from Ramkhamhaeng University, and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from National University in the United States.
Naraphat began his career in the business sector, serving as chief accountant and managing director at several private companies, including Saraluang Construction Co., Ltd. He then followed his father's political path by joining the Democrat Party in 2000. He was elected multiple times as MP for Phichit, continuing his father Phaithoon Kaewthong's voter base. He was trusted with the role of deputy party secretary responsible for internal party management and later appointed deputy party leader overseeing the northern region, a strategic area where he managed candidate selection and campaign planning.
Within the Democrat Party, Naraphat was considered a "middle-generation leader" who bridged older and younger members. He controlled key northern region operations for nearly two decades. In 2023, after Jurin Laksanawisit resigned as party leader, Naraphat was nominated as a candidate for party leader, presenting a vision to "rebrand" and revitalize the party to appeal to younger voters.
In 2025, when Abhisit Vejjajiva returned as Democrat Party leader, Naraphat officially ended his affiliation with the party on 31 October 2025 GMT+7. He posted a photo paying respects to Phra Mae Thorani (Earth Goddess) and described his decision as "difficult," motivated by a desire to work with people who respect and share a mutual understanding in driving policies for the people.
He then joined the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party led by Peerapat, was appointed deputy party leader, and was recently endorsed as the party's prime minister candidate.
