Suriya Juangroongruangkit

Suriya Juangroongruangkit was born on 10 December 1954 in Bangkok within a Thai Chinese family that traces its roots back to Fujian province. His Chinese surname is Zhuang (莊) in Mandarin Chinese. He attended Triam Udom Suksa School, Phaya Thai, and studied at the University of California, Berkeley, where he received a bachelor of science in manufacturing engineering in 1978. After working for various car companies in Thailand, he was appointed transport minister on 3 October 2002. On 11 March 2005 he started his second term in office. He is the uncle of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. == Political career ==

When Suriya was a member of the Thai Rak Thai, he served as the secretary-general of the party. As part of the Palang Pracharath party, he was an influential member of the Sam Mitr faction. Under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, he served as the Minister of Industry. At the beginning of 2023, there were rumours that both Suriya and Somsak Thepsuthin would defect from the Palang Pracharath party to Pheu Thai. They then informed the party's leader Prawit Wongsuwon of their intention to remain and run in the House of Representative elections. However, on 23 March 2023, Suriya and Somsak, along with Suirya's wife Anongwan joined the Pheu Thai party. Due to a cabinet reshuffle prearranged by Paetongtarn when she was prime minister, Suriya relinquished the acting premiership on 3 July to interior minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who had been appointed deputy prime minister. == Royal decorations ==

Suriya has received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand: • 2002 - Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant • 2001 - Knight Grand Cordon of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand • 1973 - Serving Free People Medal ==Notes==