Pidok Sooksawas: From high-flyer to Thailand’s First Gentleman

The ruling Pheu Thai Party may not have a single MP in the South, but its leader and new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has found love with a southerner.

Pidok “Por” Sooksawas, born in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, has been by her side since their wedding in 2019. Their extravagant wedding reception in Hong Kong was given a royal stamp, presided over by Princess Ubolratana.

“I’m here to offer her moral support. I want her to feel secure when she looks around and sees me,” Pidok said of his wife and her political trips.

Recognising Paetongtarn’s passion for politics and relentless pursuit of her ambitions, Pidok has made it his mission to alleviate her stress whenever and however he can.

“We talk a lot and we reflect together,” said Thailand’s First Gentleman, who has two children with Paetongtarn, a three-year-old girl and a 16-month-old boy.

Paetongtarn has voiced gratitude for the support she receives from Pidok.

“Thank you for always taking good care of me physically and emotionally … you’ve done everything for me,” she posted online.

Prince Charming?

Born in 1982, Pidok was once considered among the crème de la crème of eligible bachelors. On top of his impressive height and bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, he made his living as an airline pilot.

His cousin, Khanapoj Joemrith, introduced him to billionaire Paetongtarn, and since then their relationship has gone from strength to strength.

Khanapoj has been a close friend of Paetongtarn since their years studying at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science. After graduating, both chose London to further their education.

Pidok and Paetongtharn had reportedly known each other for about two years before deciding to go public with their relationship. The bond strengthened, and he finally decided to surprise her with a proposal ceremony in 2018. A grinning Paetongtarn said “yes”.

Love will find a way

When it comes to life choices, Pidok’s priorities are clear. He sacrificed his dream career as a pilot after his mother-in-law Potjaman Na Pombejra voiced concerns.

“Being a pilot meant I was away from home and my work schedule kept changing. The safety factor also weighed on her mind,” Pidok said of Potjaman’s worries.

After settling for a life on the ground, Pidok co-founded MWP Co Ltd last year. The company operates from Shinawatra Tower 3 with a registered capital of 5 million baht. Pidok’s stake in the company is worth about 1.65 million baht. The company had yet to turn a profit as of the end of last year.

Paetongtarn, meanwhile, has declared shareholdings of over 9.33 billion baht. Among that sum is a major stake in property company Rende Development, which has appointed her husband as chief deputy officer of investment.

“I am in charge of managing investment portfolios in Thailand and overseas,” Pidok said. “Thinking and analytical skills honed during my time as a pilot have helped me a lot in my current job.”

Pidok explained that, much like a pilot, an investor must absorb and analyse information carefully to make accurate decisions.

Established in 1987, Rende Development was last year valued at around 3 billion baht and recorded a loss of around 138 million.

Liverpool fan

Pidok has been a Liverpool FC supporter for over two decades. He admits his love affair with the Reds was born of a simple fact: they won the first football match he ever watched.

“Since that victory, I have followed the team even when they weren’t doing well. In the 90s, Manchester United ruled but I always cheered for Liverpool.”

Can he continue to keep low profile?

Despite marrying into one of the country’s most-watched families, Pidok has so far managed to keep a low profile. While he often accompanies his wife to public events, he has maintained his distance from politics.

However, observers reckon politicians will seek to win Pidok’s favour now that his wife is the most powerful person in the country.