Chaichanok Chidchob: Thailand’s top political dynasty and the casino crisis

Bhumjaithai Party secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob deepened the rift between the ruling coalition’s two largest partners with a shocking announcement in Parliament last week.

Observers predict his move could lead to Bhumjaithai’s expulsion from the Pheu Thai-led government, potentially triggering dissolution of the lower House and a fresh election.

Chaichanok dropped the bombshell during the April 9 House session, declaring his opposition to Pheu Thai’s push to legalise casinos in tourism hotspots across the country.

“As Bhumjaithai Party secretary-general, I will never agree with [legalising] casinos. I am against not just this particular draft law but any that follow – even any proposed by Bhumjaithai – for the benefit of Thailand,” he said.

Chaichanok spoke out after a public outcry forced Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to postpone the draft’s first reading till the next parliamentary session, which starts in July. Pheu Thai’s casino bill had already been endorsed by the Cabinet, gaining grudging support from Bhumjaithai and other coalition parties.

Playing a double game?

Chaichanok, 34, drew flak from some veteran Pheu Thai politicians, who called on Bhumjaithai to pull out of the ruling coalition. His move also reportedly angered the prime minister’s father, ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who has thrown his weight behind the entertainment complex plan as a way of boosting the economy.

Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters he was shocked by Chaichanok’s unexpected declaration in Parliament, insisting it was a personal view and not party policy. He also publicly apologised to PM Paetongtarn and reaffirmed Bhumjaithai’s support for the controversial bill, while denying accusations that his party was playing a double game.

However, observers believe Chaichanok’s outburst was carefully calculated to please conservative voters who strongly oppose the bill. Many suspect the move was influenced by his father, Bhumjaithai’s patriarch and former political “kingmaker” Newin Chidchob. Chaichanok took the unusual step of mentioning the names of his parents while addressing the House.

Newin, often referred to as “Headmaster” among Bhumjaithai politicians, co-founded the party in 2008 before officially quitting politics four years later. However, he retains strong influence over the coalition’s second largest party. Newin was also known as a loyal lieutenant of Thaksin when the latter led the country between 2001 and 2006.

A political family

Chaichanok was born on July 14, 1990, in the northeastern province of Buri Ram, as the eldest son of Newin and Karuna Chidchob. He was sent to study in England at the age of eight, attending Millfield School in Glastonbury and going on to study economics and finance at a London university.

After 17 years in England, he returned to Thailand aged 25 and applied to serve in the military – an experience he described as “life-changing” and “eye-opening”.

Chaichanok joined Bhumjaithai in 2022 and was elected as an MP for the first time in 2023, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in representing his native province.

Buri Ram has been the Chidchob family’s political fiefdom since long before the birth of Bhumjaithai. The party won all 10 MP seats up for grabs in the province at the last election in 2023.

Despite his junior status as a debutant MP, Chaichanok was fast-tracked into Bhumjaithai’s top ranks, appointed as party secretary-general in March last year to replace his uncle, former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob, who resigned over a shareholding scandal. Chaichanok helped lead Bhumjaithai negotiations with Pheu Thai and other parties to form the coalition government in August 2023.

Unmarried, Chaichanok declared assets of 161.6 million baht after becoming an MP. That included 50.5 million baht in bank deposits, 12.9 million in investments, 24.1 million in land, and 14.5 million worth of vehicles, including an 8-million-baht Bentley Continental GT.

Before entering politics, Chaichanok worked in senior executive posts for his family businesses, namely Buriram United football club and the Chang International Circuit motorsports arena. He also served as chief executive of Buriram United E-sports, which he founded at the age of 29, inspired by his love of video games.