This profile covers Songsak Thongsri, a prominent figure from Buriram and nine-time consecutive MP winner, who is a close friend of Newin Chidchob, a Blue faction leader. He has never lost his ministerial seat. In the second Anutin cabinet, he retains his position as Deputy Minister of Interior, marking his fifth term.
On 14 March 2026, the lineup of the second Anutin cabinet became clear, with the Kla Party not joining the coalition. The government holds 290 seats, comprising Bhumjaithai Party, Pheu Thai Party, Palang Pracharath Party, Prachachat Party, the Thai Economic Party, and 10 smaller parties. Anutin Charnvirakul will serve as prime minister and concurrently as Minister of Interior for another term, consolidating authority over security administration. Notably, the appointment of Songsak Thongsri, a friend of Newin, as Deputy Minister of Interior is a key point of interest.
Songsak Thongsri was born on 20 April 1958 and is currently 68 years old. Nicknamed Pom, he hails from La-wia Subdistrict, Prakhon Chai District, Buriram Province. He is the son of Boonruen and Sunee Thongsri. He married Waenfa Thongsri on 18 May 1992 (her maiden name Anantathat; sister of Si Phueak from Dan Kwean, a former life music singer). Waenfa is also the mayor of Bueng Kan Provincial Administrative Organization. They have five children: Surocha, Thayida (wife of Siam Phengthong, MP for Bueng Kan), Chollada, Wanchat, and Wasapol Thongsri.
Songsak Thongsri completed secondary education at Suankularb Wittayalai School. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Ramkhamhaeng University, a Master's degree in Public Administration from Eastern Asia University, and a Doctorate in Public Administration from Eastern Asia University.
Songsak Thongsri was first elected as MP for Buriram constituency in March 1992 representing the Samakkhitham Party. He then moved to the Chart Thai Party, winning the Buriram seat again in September 1992 and in 1995.
In 1996, he joined the New Aspiration Party and won the Buriram seat. Later, he shifted to the Thai Rak Thai Party, winning the Buriram seat in the 2001 and 2005 general elections. After Thai Rak Thai was dissolved, he joined the People's Power Party, serving on its executive committee. He won the Buriram seat again in the 2007 election. However, on 2 December 2008, the Constitutional Court dissolved the People's Power Party and banned its executives from politics for five years, causing him to take a political hiatus.
After the five-year ban ended, he joined the Bhumjaithai Party and was elected as a party-list MP in 2019 and again in 2023, making him a nine-term MP.
He has held key political roles including Assistant Secretary to the Minister of Finance, Assistant Secretary to the Minister of Education, Chairman of the Parliamentary Tourism Committee, and Deputy Minister of Transport under Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
In 2019, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Interior in the government of General Prayut Chan-o-cha, continuing in the same role under the governments of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra, and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's first cabinet.
In the second Anutin cabinet, Songsak Thongsri was again entrusted to serve as Deputy Minister of Interior, demonstrating his strong hold on the position without interruption.
Additionally, Songsak is a member of the 'Group of 16' MPs, co-founded by Newin Chidchob, earning him the nickname of Newin's friend and a key leader in Buriram.
