Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol: First-time MP ready to blaze trail as tourism minister

Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol

Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, a first-time MP, has surprised observers by winning a post in Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s new Cabinet. The 41-year-old was catapulted to the top of Thailand’s political tree as the scion of one of the country’s most influential political clans. 

Sudawan was handed the sought-after post of tourism and sports minister on September 2, becoming the youngest member of the Cabinet.

Family matters

Born in 1982, Sudawan is the eldest daughter of Weerasak Wangsuphakijkosol, a former deputy commerce minister, and his wife Yolada, who is chief executive of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Administrative Organization.

Weerasak, widely known as Kamnan Por, earned his nickname after spending decades as a kamnan or subdistrict chief in Nakhon Ratchasima. After twice being named as an outstanding kamnan, he…