Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit: Surprise cabinet appointment with a familiar name

If the name of new Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the third member of his family to step into Thailand’s political spotlight.

Pongkawin, one of 14 new Cabinet members appointed on June 30 amid government turmoil, has assumed a ministerial post for the first time since launching his political career six years ago.

Pongkawin may not be widely known, but his family boasts two titans of Thai politics – his uncle is Deputy PM and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, while his cousin is Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, founder of the now-defunct Future Forward Party and on the opposite side of the political divide.

Although Pongkawin spells his surname differently in English, all three family members use the same spelling in Thai.

Pongkawin, who turns 45 on July 9, led several of the family’s businesses before joining the military-backed Palang Pracharath Party in 2018 and entering Parliament the following year.

His father, Komon, a prominent business tycoon, is the elder brother of Suriya and uncle to Thanathorn.

From adviser to minister

Pongkawin and his uncle left Palang Pracharath to join Pheu Thai, Suriya’s previous party, shortly before the 2023 general election.

After Pheu Thai formed the current coalition government, Suriya was appointed transport minister and Pongkawin became his adviser.

Suriya retained his transport portfolio in the latest Cabinet reshuffle, triggered by the withdrawal of the coalition’s second largest party, Bhumjaithai.

However, news of his nephew’s appointment as Labour Minister sparked widespread surprise – and dismay among veteran Pheu Thai politicians who believed they were better qualified.

Suriya defended Pongkawin’s promotion, saying that Paetongtarn Shinawatra – now suspended as prime minister but still Pheu Thai leader – was clearly impressed with his performance as a deputy party leader.

“Pongkawin has worked closely with party executives, and I believe the prime minister is aware of his efforts. He is fully committed to his public communications role, managing social media and regularly meeting with local politicians,” Suriya said.

Pongkawin succeeds Bhumjaithai’s Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who stepped down as labour minister on June 18 when his party withdrew from government.

Arriving for his first day at the ministry on Friday (July 4), Pongkawin voiced confidence in his ability to handle the job but admitted to feeling nervous as a first-time minister.

He said he would use his “deep understanding of the perspectives of both employers and employees” – gained from years as a business executive – to formulate effective policies for tackling key labour issues.

Questioned over his lack of ministerial experience, Pongkawin stood firm, saying: “I have no doubts about my ability to do the job.”

From business to politics

Born in Bangkok on July 9, 1980, Pongkawin graduated with a bachelor's degree in engineering from Rangsit University before earning a master’s in business administration at the same institution.

On completing his studies, he was appointed as a senior executive of his family’s businesses, serving as board chairman of several companies, including International Engineering PLC and Summit Footwear Co Ltd.

Pongkawin switched to politics in 2018, serving as a Palang Pracharath executive. He was elected as a list MP in the 2019 election, which saw Palang Pracharath form a coalition government that handed post-coup prime minister, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, another four years in office.

His uncle Suriya was also elected as a Palang Pracharath list MP in 2019. However, both quit the party ahead of the 2023 election to join Pheu Thai, which came second in the vote but managed to form a ruling coalition with Palang Pracharath and other conservative parties from Prayut’s government.

Although Pongkawin failed in his 2023 election bid, he was appointed as a deputy Pheu Thai leader in October that year and became Suriya’s adviser when his uncle was at the transport helm in Srettha Thavisin’s government.

Pongkawin declared assets totalling 279 million baht and debts of 8.5 million baht upon completing his MP term in March 2023, according to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

His fortune includes 151.3 million baht in investments, 44.5 million in bank accounts, 11.8 million worth of land, buildings valued at 10.4 million, and over 700,000 baht in cash.