Introduction Profile of Sopon Sarum A close confidant of Newin Chidchob from Buriram, Sopon Sarum has been named in the new government. Moving from Deputy Prime Minister, he is set to become the head of the legislature, serving as Speaker. He will be the 35th Speaker of the House of Representatives.
On 17 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters noted that the new cabinet lineup under Anutin has begun to emerge, revealing who will hold which ministerial posts. Although Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the media that the official announcement will follow the Election Commission's formal results, political negotiations continue behind the scenes, seeking alliances with smaller and larger parties to join the coalition. Of particular interest is Sopon Sarum, a loyalist from the influential Buriram faction, currently serving as Deputy Prime Minister, who is reportedly being positioned for a legislative role. Rumors strongly suggest he will become Speaker of the House of Representatives. However, members of the Bhumjaithai Party have stated that the position will be contested between Sopon and Pradorn Prissanantakul, the prospective MP for Ang Thong from Bhumjaithai, who previously served as Deputy Speaker and earned widespread praise for his effective management of parliamentary sessions.
Sopon Sarum was born on 31 March 1959, making him 67 years old. He hails from Lam Plai Mat district, Buriram province. His father, Sanan Sarum, was a village headman. Sopon has one elder brother, Sombun Sarum, a former MP for Buriram’s 3rd district representing Bhumjaithai Party. Sombun was embroiled in a vote-rigging scandal but was cleared by the National Anti-Corruption Commission due to insufficient evidence.
Sopon is married to Areeyaporn Sarum, mayor of Lam Plai Mat municipality. They have three children, including Anatphon Sarum, a former member of the Buriram provincial administrative organization council, who tragically died in an accident in 2017 at age 30. Following his son's death, Sopon established and now chairs the Anatphon Sarum Foundation (Luk Teng) to provide community assistance.
Regarding education, Sopon graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education from Buriram Teachers’ College before embarking on his political career. Initially a teacher, he entered politics in 2001 by running for MP in Buriram under the Chart Thai Party, winning election. In 2005, he switched to Thai Rak Thai Party and was re-elected. After Thai Rak Thai was dissolved, he joined the People’s Power Party, which was also later disbanded.
In 2007, Sopon, known as a close associate of Newin Chidchob, joined the Bhumjaithai Party, which split from People’s Power and merged with MPs from the Neutral Democratic Party to support the Democrat Party’s Abhisit Vejjajiva as Prime Minister.
Sopon Sarum has held several important political positions: Deputy Minister of Transport in Somchai Wongsawat’s government, Minister of Transport under Abhisit Vejjajiva, Chair of the Transport Committee during Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration, and currently Chair of the Education Committee. Recently, he was named Deputy Prime Minister in Anutin’s first cabinet, marking his return to ministerial office after 14 years.
In the 2026 election, Bhumjaithai Party won a landslide victory with 193 seats, bringing Sopon back into prominence. This time, he is poised to serve as Speaker of the House. If confirmed, Buriram province will hold both the Speaker and the Senate President positions, with Mongkol Surasatja currently serving as Senate President, both prominent figures from the powerful Buriram political faction.
