（Singapore, 03.02.2026）As Thailand approaches its Feb. 8 general election, political power is once again concentrating far from Bangkok’s parliament buildings and protest-prone streets. Instead, it runs through Buriram, a largely rural province near the Cambodian border — and through one man who has mastered the art of influence without holding office.
That man is Newin Chidchob, a former lawmaker turned behind-the-scenes kingmaker whose reach now extends across Thai politics, sports, business and state institutions. Once dismissed by Bangkok elites as a rough provincial boss, Newin has become essential to the royalist establishment’s effort to block pro-democracy reformers and piece together the next governing coalition, according to reporting by Bloomberg.
On an October afternoon last year, the balance of power was on full display. At Newin’s 67th birthday ceremony beside the Chang Arena football stadium, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and other senior figures traveled from Bangkok to pay their respects. As elephant handlers tied ceremonial threads around Anutin’s wrist, Newin publicly urged them to bless the prime minister with another four-year term. It was symbolic, but unmistakable: real leverage in Thai politics often lies outside official titles.
Although Anutin leads the ruling Bhumjaithai Party, Newin is widely regarded as its chief decision-maker. His influence can be seen in policies that have reshaped Thailand’s economy and image, from cannabis decriminalization — which led to thousands of marijuana shops nationwide — to a nationalist stance in border tensions with Cambodia that has strengthened ties with the military.
That power rests on geography and loyalty. Buriram is one of Thailand’s most electorally valuable provinces, delivering 10 parliamentary seats. The Chidchob family has dominated local politics for decades and hasn’t lost a seat there since 2011. This reliable bloc allows Newin to play kingmaker, joining coalitions across the ideological spectrum so long as cabinet posts and influence are secured.
“In Thailand, there are no permanent friends or enemies,” Newin once said — a philosophy that has defined his career.
Politics as a business model and a national bottleneck
For investors and businesses watching Thailand’s underwhelming economic performance, Newin’s rise offers insight into why reform has been so elusive. The International Monetary Fund forecasts Thailand will grow just 1.6% in 2026, trailing far behind regional peers such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. Years of political instability — coups, court interventions and frequent changes in leadership — have weighed heavily on confidence, leaving Thailand’s stock market among the world’s weakest performers since 2023.
Yet at the local level, Newin’s style of politics has delivered results. His ability to channel billions of baht in public funds has helped lift Buriram from the ranks of Thailand’s poorest provinces. Infrastructure investment, tourism and sports-related businesses have flourished, creating new commercial opportunities — including for the Chidchob family itself. Businesses linked to family members are estimated to be worth nearly US$100 million.
Sports have been central to that transformation. Newin owns Buriram United, one of Southeast Asia’s most valuable football clubs, as well as a racetrack that hosts MotoGP events. Football jerseys emblazoned with Chang Beer logos are worn nationwide, while international races and pop-culture tourism — boosted by Buriram being the birthplace of Blackpink star Lisa — have turned the province into a national brand.
This soft power has also reshaped Newin’s image. Once known for allegations of vote-buying and political betrayal, he is now seen locally as a benefactor who pays restaurant bills, funds hospitals and makes residents proud of their hometown.
As election day nears, Bhumjaithai is seeking to build on its 71-seat performance in 2023 by consolidating pro-military voters and cutting into support for both the Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai and the pro-democracy People’s Party. Even if it fails to win outright, the party’s financial resources and institutional influence — including sway over the Senate — position it as a crucial coalition partner.
That influence has drawn scrutiny. Investigations are underway into alleged interference in Senate elections, and in 2024 Newin’s brother was forced out of politics after a court ruling over concealed assets. The family is also embroiled in a land dispute with the State Railway of Thailand. Still, loyalty in Buriram remains strong, reinforcing Newin’s political base.
For Thailand, Newin Chidchob represents both stability and stagnation. He is highly effective at organizing power, delivering votes and directing resources, yet he offers little vision for how the country should adapt to global shifts in technology, supply chains and geopolitics.
As voters head to the polls, the central question is not only who will win the most seats — but whether Thailand’s future will continue to be shaped by quiet provincial strongmen, where money, networks and loyalty matter more than policy blueprints or long-term economic reform.
