A profile of Zabida Thaiset, a young politician from the Bhumjaithai Party, who is attracting attention for her role related to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
On 16 Feb 2026 GMT+7, amid recent political role reshuffles, the name Zabida Thaiset has drawn attention as a young politician involved in sports-related work.
Zabida Thaiset, nicknamed Dida, is a Thai businesswoman and politician currently serving as Minister of Culture in the government of Anutin Charnvirakul, and a party-list member of parliament. She previously served as Deputy Minister of Interior in the government of Pha Thongtarn Shinawatra and is the daughter of Chada Thaiset, former Deputy Minister of Interior.
Her education includes a bachelor's degree in law from Assumption University and a master's degree in the same field from a university in London, United Kingdom.
The Thaiset family is connected to sports through Uthai Thani FC, a Thai League 1 club managed by Boss Benz Thanachai Pan-ngam, who is Chada Thaiset’s son, with Chada serving as an advisor.
Over several decades, the position of Minister of Tourism and Sports has changed hands many times, held by major party politicians, local politicians, and figures from the tourism business sector. Each brought different contexts and management challenges depending on the country’s situation at the time, for example:
Sonthaya Kunplome, 3 Oct 2002 - 10 Mar 2004
Somsak Thepsutin, 10 Mar 2004 - 2 Aug 2005
Pracha Maleenont, 2 Aug 2005 - 19 Sep 2006
Lieutenant Colonel Suwit Yodmani, 9 Oct 2006 - 6 Feb 2008
Weerasak Kowsurat, 6 Feb 2008 - 9 Sep 2008 and 9 Sep 2008 - 2 Dec 2008
Chumpol Silpa-archa, 20 Dec 2008 - 9 Aug 2011 and 9 Aug 2011 - 21 Jan 2013
Somsak Purisrisak, 2 Apr 2013 - 22 May 2014
Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, 30 Aug 2014 - 23 Nov 2017
Weerasak Kowsurat, 23 Nov 2017 - 8 May 2019
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, 10 Jul 2019 - 1 Sep 2023
Sutawan Wangsupakitkosol, 1 Sep 2023 - 27 Apr 2024
Sermsak Pongpanich, 27 Apr 2024 - 3 Sep 2024
Sruang Thienthong, 3 Sep 2024 - 19 Sep 2025
Attakorn Sirilakthyakon, 19 Sep 2025 - Present
Importantly, if it is Zabida Thaiset’s time, she will bring experience from Uthai Thani, lessons from promoting the football club, and her political heritage to apply in managing the ministry at the national level.
Her rise to this position is not only a personal challenge but also potentially a new chapter in the political history of the Thaiset family, closely watched by both political and sports communities in Thailand at this time.