Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn is preparing to propose at the traveling Cabinet meeting the appointment of Buriram's prominent figure Chayut Lohakit as the new Director General of the Department of Highways and Kiatchai Chaireungyos as the new Director General of the Department of Airports, overseeing regional airports throughout Thailand.
On 2 Nov 2026, reporters at the Ministry of Transport reported that at tomorrow’s (3 Nov) offsite Cabinet meeting in Udon Thani province, Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakarn will propose agenda items for appointing and transferring two senior executives within the Ministry of Transport. The proposal includes appointing Chayut Lohakit, Deputy Director General of the Department of Highways, to serve as the new Director General of the Department of Highways, as recommended by the selection committee. At the same time, Danai Ruangsorn, Director General of the Department of Airports, will be proposed for transfer to the position of inspector general of the Ministry of Transport, and Kiatchai Chaireungyos, currently an inspector general at the Ministry, will be appointed as the new Director General of the Department of Airports.
Reporters further noted that Chayut Lohakit, the incoming Director General of the Department of Highways, is widely recognized as a direct associate and close ally of Buriram’s dominant political faction, including Nevin Chidchob and former Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. Beyond his close ties with Buriram’s influential group, Chayut also maintains a strong relationship with Sopon Sarum, Speaker of the House of Representatives. When Sopon served as Transport Minister in 2009-2010, Chayut joined the Buriram Highway District, establishing a connection and close association with Buriram’s leading faction from that time. Additionally, Chayut is originally from Songkhla province, the same hometown as Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn.
Meanwhile, Kiatchai Chaireungyos, inspector general of the Ministry of Transport, previously served as Deputy Director General of the Department of Airports and was responsible for regional airports across Thailand, including overseeing Buriram Airport during the facilitation of the MotoGP event. In recent years, he has developed a close and trusted relationship with Buriram’s dominant political faction. Importantly, he is an alumnus of the same institution, OSK, as members of that group.
Currently, Chayut Lohakit serves as Deputy Director General of Operations at the Department of Highways. He earned a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai Campus, in 2007, and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Civil Engineering major, from Southeast Asia University in 1992.
Chayut began his civil service career on 31 July 1991 and joined the Department of Highways in November 2010 as Director of the Buriram Highway District. He subsequently held positions as Director of Ubon Ratchathani Highway District 2, Director of Buriram Highway District, Deputy Director of Highway Office 18, Specialist Engineer in civil engineering (road maintenance) at Highway Office 14, Deputy Director of Highway Office 10, and Director of Highway Office 9 before assuming his current role as Deputy Director General of Operations at the Department of Highways on 4 Feb 2026.
Regarding his training background, Chayut completed the Mid-Level Executive Course (7-8) Class 6 in 2007, the Transportation Executive Management Course (Operational) Class 6 in 2010, the Public Economic Management Course for Senior Executives (PES) Class 12 in 2014, and the Senior Executive Development Program (SEDP) in 2015.
Kiatchai Chaireungyos currently serves as inspector general at the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport. He holds a Master’s degree with honors in Public Administration from the National Institute of Development Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Power Engineering from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.
His work experience includes serving as Director of the Air Navigation and Mechanical Equipment Division at the Department of Airports, Director of the Planning Division, and Director of the Airport Business Promotion Division. He was appointed Deputy Director General of the Department of Airports in 2022 and on 24 February 2026 was approved by the Cabinet to serve as inspector general at the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport.