Apimongol’s hung up his crash helmet to contest a new race

Published on Nov 3, 2004

“I owe this country a debt!”



That was how new opposition Democrat candidate ML Apimongol Sonakul described his decision to turn his back on motor racing to jump into the political arena at the age of only 26.

“My four years of work experience is enough to prepare me for a post in the parliament,” Apimongol said, adding that he will not return to racing even if he’s not elected in the upcoming February election. Apimongol is the only son of former Bank of Thailand Governor MR Chatumongol. But he’s not known only as his father’s son - Apimongol attracted plenty of attention on his own speed after wining Thailand car championships in 2002 and 2003, recording a top speed of more than 200km per hour.

He is certainly better educated than the average petrol head. He went to Harrow School before gaining both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering from Oxford University by the age of 22. He also earned a master’s degree in economics from Chulalongkorn University after returning to Thailand four years ago. After completing his education, Apimongol did a stint with stock brokerage firm Phatra Merrill Lynch and then became a planning analyst in the Energy Ministry’s National Energy Policy Office. But despite a wealth of opportunities, his childhood dream of holding a seat in parliament has made him a young-blood Democrat today.

Apimongol says his father had no influence over his decision to enter politics.

“I made my own decision to join the Democrat Party,” he said.

Perhaps surprisingly for one so young, his political inspiration comes from former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and her drastic restructuring of the UK economy in the 1980s. Despite his affiliation with the opposition Democrats, Apimongol has few concrete ideas for the country and couldn’t clarify his party’s policies.

“The public knows the Democrat Party has four main policies and will soon launch a new campaign,” Apimongol said when asked about Democrat policies. Apimongol already has a support base and a preferred constituency, but the electorate he ultimately runs in will be his party’s decision. “I hope people will consider me for my determination, knowledge and experience,” he said.

Whatever the result, Apimongol insists he won’t return to racing.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation