An overview of Sutthichai Weerakulsunthorn, known as “Hia Lan,” a prominent figure in Chom Thong district, confirming his candidacy for the 2026 Bangkok Council (BC) election. He aims to serve a seventh term but has not yet clarified whether he will run under the Pheu Thai Party or as an independent.
On 13 May 2026, Sutthichai Weerakulsunthorn officially announced his intention to run again for a seat on the Bangkok Council (BC) in the 2026 election, which the Election Commission (EC) has scheduled to coincide with the Bangkok gubernatorial election on Sunday, 28 June 2026. He currently serves as the BC member for Chom Thong district and is well known locally.
Sutthichai Weerakulsunthorn, also called “Hia Lan,” was born on 21 November 1955, and will turn 71 in 2026. He is a Thai of Chinese descent residing in Chom Thong district. He is married to Nantaporn Weerakulsunthorn, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Bangkok. They have three children: Saranyasan Weerakulsunthorn, a former advisor to Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit; Pimpen Weerakulsunthorn, a prospective BC candidate for Rat Burana district; and Pirakorn Weerakulsunthorn, who served two terms as a BC member.
Regarding education, Sutthichai holds a Bachelor of Arts from Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University and a Master of Arts from Ramkhamhaeng University. Previously, Sutthichai and his wife operated a plastic pellet manufacturing and recycling business before transitioning to real estate. He later entered politics motivated by a desire to help those who have been treated unfairly, as he himself has experienced exploitation.
In the 1994 BC election, Sutthichai was first elected as the BC member for Chom Thong district, representing the Thai Citizens’ Party. He was elected to the party’s executive committee in 1997. Subsequently, he won elections in 1998 and 2002 under the Thai Rak Thai Party. In the 2006 election, he switched to the Democrat Party and ran alongside his son Pirakorn; both were elected. They were re-elected in 2010, during which Sutthichai also served as the 18th President of the Bangkok Council from 7 October 2010 to 6 October 2012.
In 2020, Sutthichai briefly joined the Move Forward Party and publicly criticized the Democrat Party, his former party, for neglecting its members. In the 2022 BC election, he ran under the Pheu Thai Party banner and was elected for his sixth term. He was also appointed chair of the Special Committee to consider the draft Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act in the current council.
For the 2026 BC election, Sutthichai, considered a major figure in Chom Thong, has not yet clarified whether he will run under the Pheu Thai Party or as an independent. His final decision is awaited. Regardless, it remains to be seen whether “Hia Lan” will continue to earn the trust of Chom Thong residents and secure his seventh term as a BC member.
Additionally, according to reports, Pheu Thai Party leader Julaphan Amornwiwat stated that the party has not officially nominated any BC candidates under its name. However, despite announcing that it would not field candidates or long-serving party personnel, many supporters remain loyal and confident in working under the party's banner. Requests have been made to use the party logo by some candidates affiliated with the party. As party leader, Julaphan said he would consider approving such requests case by case and expressed willingness to support candidates who wish to run under the party's name, with no objections.
