Surapon rose rapidly in the
Thammasat University bureaucracy. In 1983, after just graduating with his bachelor's degree, he became Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law. In 1991, after graduating with his doctorate, he became assistant to the Deputy Rector of Treasury and Assets. In 1995, he was in charge of construction of the
Asian Games sports center at Thammasat's Rangsit campus. In 1999, he was in charge of contracting the construction of the Sociology Faculty buildings. From 1998 to 2003, he was head of the University's Asset Management Office. He was Dean of the Faculty of Law from 2001 to 2004. ==Appointment to the National Legislative Assembly==