Introducing Korn Chatikavanij, heir of a longstanding family, returning to the Democrat Party during the Abhisit era as the party's second prime ministerial candidate for the 2026 election fight.
On 28 December 2025 GMT+7, the Democrat Party unveiled its three prime ministerial candidates: Abhisit Vejjajiva, the party leader, as the first candidate; Korn Chatikavanij as the second; and Dr. Kardi Lieopairoj as the third. Abhisit stated that all three share similar origins in their thoughts, intentions, and vision, having worked together in various roles and opportunities. Therefore, their collaboration will be harmonious. Before finalizing the candidates, they had multiple discussions about campaign policies.
Korn Chatikavanij was born on 19 February 1964 in London, United Kingdom, and returned to live in Thailand at age three. Nicknamed “Don,” he is the middle child of Kraisri Chatikavanij, former Director-General of the Customs Department and former Director of the Fiscal Policy Office, and Rampa Chatikavanij (née Pornhamol), daughter of Phraya Bureesadungkit, former Director-General of the Royal Thai Police.
Korn is the middle son among three siblings. His elder brother is Athikrai, and his younger brother is Anutra, who closely resembles Korn to the point that people have mistaken one for the other.
Looking back to his grandfather's generation and relatives with significant roles in Thai civil service: his grandfather Phraya Athikornprakat (Louis Chatikavanij or Saothian Louis) was Thailand's second Director-General of the Royal Thai Police and was appointed Privy Councillor during King Rama VII's reign.
His grandfather Phraya Bureesadungkit (Ruay Pornhamol) was the third Director-General of the Royal Thai Police, succeeding Phraya Athikornprakat.
His uncle, Professor Dr. Kasarn Chatikavanij, is a former Rector of Mahidol University. He married Lady Sumalee (Yuktasewi) Chatikavanij, and their daughter is Khunying Kasama Worawan Na Ayutthaya, a former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Secretary-General of the Basic Education Commission.
Another uncle, Kasem Chatikavanij, nicknamed “Super K,” was the founder and first governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and chairman of the BTS Skytrain. He married Khunying Chatchanee Chatikavanij (Lamsam), an executive of the Loxley Group.
In his married life, Korn is married to Warakorn Chatikavanij (née Sutabut), with whom he has two children: Kan Chatikavanij (Jam) and Kraisiri Chatikavanij (Jom). Additionally, Warakorn has two children from a previous marriage: Pongsakorn Mahapauraya (Tank) and Panthamit Mahapauraya (Ting).
Regarding education, after returning to Thailand as a child, Korn began kindergarten at Somthawin School and continued primary education at Srinakharinwirot University Demonstration School (Pathumwan). He then attended Winchester College in England for secondary education, where he was head boy and captain of the swimming and water polo teams. After finishing high school, he studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Oxford University, graduating with honors.
Before entering politics, Korn worked at the fund management company S.G. Warburg & Co. in London. He co-founded and chaired JF Thanakom Securities Co., Ltd. from age 24 and later served as chairman of JP Morgan Securities (Thailand).
In 2005, Korn seriously entered politics by running for MP of Bangkok's Yannawa-Sathorn district under the Democrat Party, winning his first term. He was subsequently re-elected for four more terms in 2005, 2007, 2011, and 2019. He played an important role in the Democrat Party, positioned as the party's economic expert and rising to deputy party leader.
In 2006, Korn became more well-known in politics through his key role in investigating the Shin Corp share sale by the Shinawatra family, leading to a court ruling to seize former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's assets.
In 2007, although Korn was an opposition MP, he demonstrated economic expertise under the Democrat Party's strategy, which was the sole opposition party in the House of Representatives to establish a Shadow Cabinet to monitor and advise on government administration based on international models. Korn, as the economic team leader, was appointed Shadow Finance Minister.
When the Democrat Party led the government formation on 20 December 2008, Korn secured the real position of Minister of Finance in Abhisit's cabinet. During 2008–2010, amid the global 'Hamburger Crisis' originating in the US, Korn showcased his capabilities with the 'Strong Thailand' measures, enabling Thailand to recover rapidly as the second fastest worldwide.
Korn often cites recovery indicators such as turning the GDP growth rate from double-digit negative to positive 7.8%, with exports soaring 28.5%, earning him the title of World Finance Minister by The Banker magazine, part of the Financial Times group—the first Thai to receive this honor.
In 2019, although Korn was elected as a party-list MP, changes occurred within the Democrat Party when Abhisit Vejjajiva resigned as party leader after failing to achieve his pledge of winning at least 100 MP seats. Consequently, the party elected a new executive team under leader Jurin Laksanawisit, who appointed Preecha Panitchpakdi to lead the party's economic team instead of Korn.
Korn then resigned from the Democrat Party membership on 15 January 2020, followed by stepping down as MP. He went on to help establish the Kla Party with Atthawit Suwanpakdee, another former Democrat MP.
However, Korn's Kla Party failed to gain traction. In the 30 January 2022 by-election for Bangkok's 9th district (Lak Si–Chatuchak), Atthawit came in third behind Pheu Thai and Move Forward candidates. The party's ambitions were further dashed in the 22 May 2022 Bangkok gubernatorial and council elections, where Kla fielded 12 council candidates but faced a complete defeat. This led Korn to reconsider, eventually joining the Chart Pattana Kla Party. In the 2023 election, the party won only two MP seats, prompting Korn to resign as party leader in June 2023 and later leave the party.
In 2025, Korn returned to the Democrat Party under Abhisit's leadership, appointed deputy party leader for economic affairs and chairman of the policy committee. He was named one of three prime ministerial candidates (alongside Abhisit Vejjajiva) preparing for the 8 February 2026 election, promoting an economic platform. “Thailand will overcome poverty; we must rely on those who know how to do it.”
