Introducing Associate Professor Dr. Munin Pongsapan, a young legal scholar and former dean of the Faculty of Law at Thammasat University, now unveiled by the People's Party as their candidate for Minister of Justice if they win the government.
On 7 January 2025, drawing significant attention as the election approached, the People's Party began unveiling The Professionals, their government management team. They started by introducing the justice reform segment, led by Associate Professor Dr. Munin Pongsapan, former dean of Thammasat University's Faculty of Law, who will be the candidate for Minister of Justice if the party forms the government.
Associate Professor Dr. Munin Pongsapan, commonly known as Dr. Munin, is currently 46 years old. He earned his Bachelor of Laws with first-class honors from Thammasat University, receiving the Bhumibol Scholarship for achieving the highest faculty score. He holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Cambridge, UK, and also completed a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Edinburgh, UK.
Dr. Munin is well known as a "new generation legal scholar" focused on reforming Thai legal education to international standards. He served as dean of the Faculty of Law at Thammasat University from 2019 to 2022 and founded the International LL.B., the first English-language law degree program in Thailand.
Dr. Munin specializes in civil law, contract and obligations law, comparative law, and the history of Thai law. He has authored and edited several important legal texts, including "Explanations of the Law of Juristic Acts and Contracts" and the legal writings of Professor Seni Pramoj. His work has been published by international publishers such as Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press.
He has also served as chairman of the Legal Education Council and was a member of the fact-finding committee reviewing the decision not to prosecute 'Boss Worayut' in 2020.
On 5 January 2026, the People's Party introduced Dr. Munin as part of their management team, The Professionals, assigning him a key role as candidate for Minister of Justice, should the party form a government after the 8 February 2026 election. His main task will be to "reform the justice system."
Dr. Munin stated he agreed to join for three reasons: first, the party's policies, especially on justice reform, align with his principles and beliefs.
Second, the party holds a strong ideology and steadfast faith in democracy and the rule of law, having proven repeatedly that it remains firm despite challenges and attempts to undermine it.
Finally, he has a family and children and dreams of a better Thai society—not just for himself but one that benefits his children and everyone.
In a party introduction video, Dr. Munin also acknowledged that as a legal expert he understands that managing the justice system is among the most challenging government tasks, since most justice organizations are independent constitutional entities. The executive branch is only one part of the justice process. Nevertheless, the executive has the capacity and resources to proactively promote citizens' rights and freedoms and coordinate with the legislature and justice organizations to create positive change.
"I do not know whether the People's Party will win the election and have the chance to form a government, but I hereby express my willingness to leave the classroom where I teach theory and work together to turn dreams into reality—for democratic politics and a legal system under the rule of law," said Dr. Munin.
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