Thai Parliament Speaker Begins Official Visit to Vietnam

Mr. Sophon Zaram, Speaker of the National Assembly and the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand, began an official visit to Vietnam from August 5 to 7, at the invitation of Mr. Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Accompanying the Speaker on this visit were Ms. Urawadee Sriphiromya, Thai Ambassador to Vietnam; Mr. Salit Butnain, Member of Parliament; Mr. Lattachai Chokchaiwattanakorn, Member of Parliament; Police Major General Vichai Sangprapai, Advisor to the Speaker of the National Assembly; Mr. Ek Aunchitwattana, Secretary-General of the House of Representatives; Mr. Sirote Patpan, Deputy Secretary-General of the House of Representatives; and Mr. Steejit Taipiboonsuk and Ms. Jongduan Suttirat, Deputy Secretary-Generals of the House of Representatives. Speaker Sophon Zaram was born on March 31, 1959, in Buriram, Thailand. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Primary Education and from Buriram Teachers College. He was elected as a Member of Parliament representing Buriram province (Chart Thai Party) in 2001; as a Member of Parliament representing Buriram province (Thai Rak Thai Party) in 2005; as a Member of Parliament representing Buriram province (Palang Prachachon Party) in 2007; and as a Member of Parliament representing Buriram province (Bhumjaithai Party) in 2010, 2011, 2019, 2023, and 2026. Mr. Sophon Zaram was elected Chairman of the Transport Committee of the House of Representatives in the 25th legislature in 2019; and Chairman of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives in the 26th legislature in 2023. In 2008, he successively held the positions of Deputy Minister of Transport and Minister of Transport. In 2025, Mr. Sophon Zaram was elected Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. From March 2026 to the present, he has held the position of Speaker of the National Assembly and the House of Representatives of Thailand. This visit is expected to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy between Vietnam and Thailand, further developing friendly relations and practical cooperation between the two countries. Particularly, as bilateral relations within the ASEAN region gain importance, the meeting between the heads of the legislative bodies of both nations could also lead to enhanced collaboration within regional cooperation frameworks.