Introducing the profile of Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, the second prime ministerial candidate of the New Thai Forward Party, who left the Democrat Party to join forces with Dr. Ae Suchatvee in founding the new party.
On 24 Dec 2025 GMT+7, it was confirmed that the New Thai Forward Party unveiled two prime ministerial candidates for the 2026 election: the first is Mr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, also known as Dr. Ae, party leader and first candidate; the second is Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, party advisory chairperson and second candidate.
Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, known to many as “Dr. Kalaya,” was born on 21 Sep 1940 GMT+7. Now 85 years old, she hails from Nakhon Ratchasima province and grew up in a Thai-Chinese merchant family.
In her personal life, she is married to Chote Sophonpanich, son of Chin Sophonpanich, founder of Bangkok Bank. They married on 29 Oct 1970 GMT+7 and have four children: Mrs. Chotiya Haluya, Mr. Chalit Sophonpanich, Miss Supana Sophonpanich (Wan), and Mrs. Kitiya Sophonpanich (Waen).
Academically, Khunying Kalaya is a true scholar, holding a bachelor's degree in science with honors from Chulalongkorn University. She earned a government scholarship to study abroad, completing a PhD in nuclear physics (High Energy Physics) at Imperial College London, University of London, UK.
After graduation, she worked as a physics lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Science and was among the founders of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) in 1986 GMT+7.
Her political journey began when she ran as an independent candidate for Bangkok governor in 2000 GMT+7. Although not elected, she gained notable popularity, finishing fifth. Later, she joined the Democrat Party, running as a party-list MP candidate in the 2001 and 2005 elections. In the 2007 election, she ran for Bangkok's 8th district (Suan Luang, Prawet, Bang Na, Phra Khanong) under the Democrat Party, won the seat, and was appointed Minister of Science and Technology in Abhisit Vejjajiva’s cabinet.
In 2019, when the Democrat Party joined the government led by Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha under party leader Jurin Laksanawisit, Khunying Kalaya was appointed Deputy Minister of Education. She made significant contributions, notably promoting the “Coding” policy as a fundamental curriculum for Thai children.
Khunying Kalaya was a longtime Democrat Party member for over 20 years, serving as deputy party leader. She resigned from the party amid leadership changes under Chalermchai Sri-on on 19 Sep 2025 GMT+7 and joined the New Thai Forward Party led by Dr. Ae Suchatvee Suwansawat.
A former Democrat Party Bangkok governor candidate, she explained her move was to focus on education and human development politics more freely and fully.
Recently, Khunying Kalaya was nominated as the second prime ministerial candidate and continues to serve as the party's advisory chairperson.
