Biography of Prasert Chanruangrongthong A profile of the trusted ally on a mission to restore faith in Thai education, tracing Prasert Chanruangrongthong's influential path within the Pheu Thai Party and his significant role as Education Minister.
On 31 March 2026, if one seeks a seasoned and dependable politician, the name Prasert Chanruangrongthong stands out prominently. Serving six terms as an MP for Nakhon Ratchasima, he has solidly secured the Isan region's support. Beginning his career in the provincial council and rising to secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party, Prasert has demonstrated enduring political influence passed down through generations, with his son, Patchara Chanruangrongthong, actively contributing as a younger party member.
Prasert's journey was far from easy, gaining extensive experience from serving as Deputy Minister of Transport during Yingluck's administration to Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE) and Deputy Prime Minister under the governments of Srettha and Paethongtarn. With a foundation in economics from Kasetsart University and a master's degree from NIDA, he became a key player trusted by the party to lead top-tier ministries.
Nicknamed "Kai," Prasert was born on 1 April 1960 in Sikhiu Subdistrict, Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. He completed early primary education at Mongkolkulwitthaya School, later primary at Thaiwatthana Pracharat School, lower secondary at Amnuaysilp School in Bangkok, and upper secondary at Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni) School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration from Kasetsart University, followed by a Master's degree in Public Administration from the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA).
Prasert's political career includes two terms as MP for Nakhon Ratchasima with the Thai Rak Thai Party in 2001 and 2005 before the party's dissolution. He then joined the People's Power Party, winning election again before that party was also dissolved, leading him to the Pheu Thai Party.
In 2011, Prasert was appointed Deputy Minister of Transport under Yingluck Shinawatra's cabinet (Yingluck 3). He left the ministerial post in June 2013. Later, in 2020, he became secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party, coordinating efforts to form a government after the 2023 election. In 2023, he was appointed Minister of Digital Economy and Society in Srettha Thavisin's government, and in 2024, under Paethongtarn Shinawatra's administration, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
His recent move to become Minister of Education in Anutin's government is no coincidence but a strategic placement to tackle the country's complex challenges in three dimensions. His urgent task is to restore confidence in Thailand's education system, which faces criticism over efficiency. Prasert is expected to overhaul the outdated system, leveraging his prior role as Minister of Digital Economy to integrate technology and transform education from rote learning to tech and AI-driven skills development, a key strategy to revitalize the Ministry of Education and empower Thai youth as a force for the future.
Thus, appointing Prasert as Education Minister represents sending a seasoned politician to address the deep-rooted issues in Thailand's education system. However, it remains to be seen whether his political savvy combined with digital vision will successfully reform Thai education to match that of advanced countries.