Prof Surapon: Can former junta ally pull off People’s Party coup in Bangkok?

The People’s Party’s appointment of Prof Surapon Nitikraipot to head its campaign for the Bangkok governor election has triggered shock and dismay among many of the reformist party’s supporters.

Angry followers criticised the party’s decision to recruit Surapon, who supported the 2006 military coup that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra’s government and played a prominent role in the regime that followed. He had previously called for a royally appointed prime minister to replace Thaksin.

Surapon, a former Thammasat University rector, was appointed to the National Legislative Assembly that replaced the elected House of Representatives after the 2006 power seizure. He also served as an adviser to post-coup prime minister General Surayud Chulanont, who resigned from the Privy Council to assume the post.

Critics argue his appointment as master strategist for Chaiwat Sathawornwichit’s Bangkok campaign is in direct conflict with the strong pro-democracy stance of the “Orange” party.

Defending Move Forward

However, in recent years, Surapon appears to have shifted towards the Orange movement. He defended Move Forward, the People’s Party’s predecessor, when it faced charges of undermining the monarchy and national security two years ago.

In his written testimony, the scholar argued that Move Forward’s push to amend the lese majesté (royal insult) law did not constitute a threat to the country’s political system and should not result in the party’s disbandment. The Constitutional Court was unconvinced, eventually ordering Move Forward’s dissolution in August 2024.

Surapon, 65, conceded last week that it was no surprise when People’s Party supporters reacted negatively to his selection for Chaiwat’s campaign team. However, he dismissed allegations that he condoned military coups or the appointment of an unelected prime minister.

The veteran academic said he decided to work for the People’s Party, despite not being a member, because he had witnessed the “many injustices it has suffered”. He also expressed confidence in the party’s youthful membership to bring reforms he deems necessary to lift Thailand out of its chronic corruption crisis.

Turning enemies into allies

People’s Party leaders explained that Surapon was hired for the job due to his expertise in public law and his experience as former chairman of Krung Thep Thanakom Co Ltd, Bangkok City Hall’s investment arm. He chaired the company’s board of directors from 2014 to 2016.

Chaiwat, the party’s gubernatorial candidate, said Surapon could also help broaden the campaign’s appeal by drawing support from voters who normally disagree with the party on certain issues. “We will turn these people into our supporters to help us push policies so that Thai society moves forward with us,” he said.

Defending the controversial appointment, Chaiwat said the decision to appoint Surapon was made collectively by the party’s executives.

Phicharn Chaowapatanawong, secretary-general of the People’s Party, emphasised that the Orange movement has a longstanding policy of building a broad coalition for national reform.

“Changing the minds of those who disagree with us – convincing those who once opposed us and the democratic system we believe in – is the only path that can truly lead to political victory and bring real change to this country,” he said.

Phicharn said Surapon now acknowledges the devastating toll that past military interventions he supported have taken on the country. “He has abandoned his former stance and, for many years now, has supported the youth-led struggle and the democracy movement,” the secretary-general added.

4 decades in academia

Surapon earned his bachelor’s degree in law from Thammasat University and a master’s and doctorate in public law from Robert Schuman University in France.

After graduating from Thammasat in 1982, Surapon became a law lecturer at his alma mater. Just a year later, he was appointed the Law Faculty’s assistant dean in charge of student affairs.

An expert in public law, Prof Surapon taught at the university for four decades, from 1982 to 2022.

He served as dean of the Law Faculty from 2001 to 2004 before becoming rector of Thammasat University – a position he held until 2010.

Surapon also branched out into the political, bureaucratic and business arenas.

In 1995, he was appointed as legal advisor to then-prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa. He served the Election Commission in the same role between 2012 and 2024.

He has also served on the boards of several companies, including MCOT and PTT.

At present, Surapon is council president of Thammasat and Navamindradhiraj universities, the latter of which comes under the supervision of the BMA.