Introducing Chaiyachonok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society and eldest son of Newin Chidchob, who launched the TH-AI Passport project aimed at developing the Thai workforce but has been heavily criticized by opposition MPs for a lack of transparency.
On 15 March 2025, Chaiyachonok Chidchob, Secretary-General of the Bhumjaithai Party and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, once again drew public attention when the ministry launched the TH-AI Passport project. The initiative aims to grant 5 million Thais access to professional-level AI under a “Learn to Earn” model, intended to enhance workforce capabilities and reduce inequality, with a budget target of 1.6 billion baht. However, the project faced severe criticism from MPs of the opposition People's Party regarding its transparency.
Chaiyachonok Chidchob, nicknamed “Nok,” was born on 14 July 1990. He is the eldest son of Newin Chidchob, chairman of Buriram United Football Club, former minister of several ministries, and five-term Member of Parliament for Buriram Province. Currently, Chaiyachonok serves as Secretary-General of the Bhumjaithai Party and as a party-list Member of Parliament.
Chaiyachonok completed high school at Millfield Preparatory School in England and earned a Bachelor of Political Science in Local Government from the Faculty of Political Science, Chalermkarnchanakun University, Buriram Campus.
In addition, Chaiyachonok has a strong interest in sports, particularly football. He has assisted his father in managing Buriram United Football Club and the Chang International Circuit racetrack. He also founded Buriram United Esports and helped lead the team to victories in the Arena of Valor Pro League twice (Winter 2019 and Summer 2020) and internationally in 2021. His sports-related career includes:
In his political career, Newin introduced Chaiyachonok as the prospective candidate for Member of Parliament for Buriram Province on behalf of the Bhumjaithai Party during a ceremony to open the party’s office building in Nang Rong District, Buriram, on 26 June 2022.
Subsequently, Chaiyachonok joined the Bhumjaithai Party as a candidate for Member of Parliament for Buriram in the 2023 general election, becoming the third generation of the Chidchob family to run, following his grandfather Chai Chidchob and father Newin. He ran for the Buriram constituency 2 seat and was elected for the first time.
In 2024, at the Bhumjaithai Party’s general meeting, Chaiyachonok was elected Secretary-General of the party, replacing his uncle Sak Siam Chidchob, who resigned from the position.
Ahead of the 2026 election, Chaiyachonok was second on the Bhumjaithai party list and was re-elected. Upon forming the second Anutin cabinet, he was appointed to continue as Minister of Digital Economy and Society. He has been nicknamed the leader of the “Son of Deity Gang” within the blue party, which later was renamed the “Gang of Native Sons.”
