A look into the profile of Pinij Kanjanachusak, five-time champion of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council seat for Samphanthawong District, a major power base in inner Bangkok for the Democrat Party.
On 7 May 2026, reporters noted that when the Democrat Party announced its candidates for all 50 Bangkok Metropolitan Council districts, six current council members were included. Among them is Mr. Pinij Kanjanachusak, who will seek to retain his seat in Samphanthawong District. Pinij is the grandson of Sia Song Kanjanachusak, owner of a tapioca starch business. “Dragon Fish” trademark Well-known in the Yaowarat, Pathumwan, and Samphanthawong areas, Sia Song was also a famous former boxing promoter and former manager of Thailand’s national amateur boxing team, respected in the field at that time. Although Sia Song has passed away, his descendants continue to work in politics at both national and local levels to this day.
The Kanjanachusak family is regarded as a "major household." They are a prominent Sino-Thai family historically known for their significant influence, passing down success through generations. They began by building a trading business in Chinese neighborhoods, expanded influence into sports, and leveraged community connections to achieve political success. This has made the family widely recognized and respected.
In 1995, Sia Song’s daughter, Orathai Kanjanachusak (née Jaro), successfully ran for Member of Parliament for Bangkok’s 2nd District under the Palang Dharma Party.
In 1998, Mr. Pinij Kanjanachusak, grandson of Sia Song, ran for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council seat in Samphanthawong District as a Democrat Party candidate and has won successive terms. Pinij has served five terms as a council member and is a long-standing local politician trusted by the Yaowarat community for his hands-on work and problem-solving within the area.
In 2001, the Kanjanachusak family gained an additional seat in the Bangkok Metropolitan Council from Pathumwan District with Ms. Oranong Kanjanachusak, Pinij’s younger sister, as a Democrat Party candidate. Oranong later advanced to run for parliament, winning the Pathumwan–Samphanthawong seat for the Motherland Party (Phak Mae Pra Thoranee Beub Muem Phom) for two terms (2007, 2011). During some periods, she competed against Orathai, a relative with the same surname affiliated with the Thai Rak Thai Party.
Dousing the Orange Wave, Securing Council Seat Victory
Currently, Ms. Oranong, Pinij’s sister, remains active as a Democrat Party executive committee member. In the 2022 Bangkok Metropolitan Council election for Samphanthawong District, Mr. Pinij Kanjanachusak of the Democrat Party won with 4,613 votes, far ahead of the runner-up from the Move Forward Party, Mr. Jakkrit Thanadit, who received 1,672 votes — a margin of nearly 3,000 votes.
Mr. Pinij is currently 69 years old, born on 17 August 1956.
He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration (general management) from Krirk University, Thailand.
Work History:
Standing Committees 2022 - Present
1. Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Tourism and Sports
2. Member of the Public Health Committee
3. Member of the Committee on Governance and Public Order
Special Committees 2022
1. Member of the Special Committee reviewing the Bangkok Metropolitan Ordinance on Promotion Funds for Medical and Public Health Research B.E. ...
2. Member of the Special Committee reviewing the draft Bangkok Metropolitan Budget Ordinance for fiscal year 2023.
In 2023,
1. First Vice Chairman of the Special Committee on the Code of Ethics for Bangkok Metropolitan Council members.
2. Member of the Special Committee evaluating the cost-effectiveness of various projects under the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget.
- Member of the Special Committee on the transfer of traffic operations under Bangkok Metropolitan administration.
- Spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council.
- Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Tourism and Sports.
- Executive Committee member of the Democrat Party.
