Profile of Nikorn Somklang, Pheu Thai MP for Nakhon Ratchasima from Kamnan Por faction, under watch as he prepares to take the post of Minister of Social Development in Anutin's second cabinet, replacing Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol, who failed the ministerial qualification check.
On 27 Mar 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that after submitting documents for the background and qualification check of ministerial candidates in Anutin's second cabinet, Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol, a party-list MP and deputy leader of Pheu Thai, nominated as Minister of Social Development and Human Security, failed the ministerial qualification check. The position remains Sudawan's quota, but reports indicate that Nikorn Somklang, MP for Nakhon Ratchasima from Pheu Thai and a close associate, is being prepared to take over the post.
Profile of Nikorn Somklang
Nikorn Somklang, nicknamed Pop, is the Member of Parliament for Nakhon Ratchasima’s 8th district and an executive committee member of Pheu Thai. He was born on 9 Feb 1981 in Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, and is currently 45 years old. He is the son of Somsak Somklang, a former MP of Nakhon Ratchasima. Nikorn earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from Suranaree University of Technology and a master's degree in science from the University of Hannover, Germany.
Work Experience
Nikorn is a politician affiliated with Kamnan Por (Wirasak Wangsupakitkosol), former Deputy Minister of Transport. He began his political career as secretary to the president of the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Administrative Organization (Nang Yolda Wangsupakitkosol, Kamnan Por’s wife). In the 2023 election, he ran for MP in Nakhon Ratchasima’s 8th district under Pheu Thai and won.
Nikorn was appointed as vice chairman and spokesperson of the committee studying and monitoring budget management, and secretary of the special committee reviewing the 2026 fiscal year budget bill in the 26th Thai House of Representatives.
In the 2026 election, Nikorn, the incumbent, again ran for election in the 8th district with support from the influential Wangsupakitkosol faction. He earned the trust of voters in Phimai and Chum Phuang districts and successfully retained his seat for another term.
