UPDATE Chalong Riewraeng: Nonthaburi veteran's political career Picture courtesy of Komchadluek Former Nonthaburi MP Chalong Riewraeng has had a long and varied political career. Chalong, a three-time elected member of parliament, has represented or stood for a succession of parties since first winning a Nonthaburi seat in 1996. His most recent election bid was with Bhumjaithai in 2023, when he was not elected. Three terms in parliament Born on 18 February 1955, Chalong is the son of Siri and Chaliao Riewraeng and is one of seven siblings. He was previously married to Charoen Thongthawee; they divorced and have two children, Jirawan Riewraeng and Paramee Riewraeng, both of whom have connections to politics. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Suan Dusit Rajabhat Institute and a Master's degree in social development arts from the National Institute of Development Administration, or NIDA. Chalong first entered national politics in the 1996 general election, winning a Nonthaburi parliamentary seat for the Thai Citizen Party. He moved to Chart Pattana for the 2001 election but lost to Thai Rak Thai candidate Apiwan Wiriyachai. He joined Thai Rak Thai for the 2005 election and returned to parliament. After unsuccessfully contesting the 2007 election for the Pracharaj Party, he won again in 2011 as a Pheu Thai candidate, taking his total number of elected terms to three. Roles beyond parliament His local and political appointments have included membership of Nonthaburi Municipal Council. He also served as an adviser to the interior minister when Major General Sanan Kachornprasart held the post, and as an adviser to the labour minister during Uraiwan Thienthong's tenure. In 2019, Chalong stood in Nonthaburi for Palang Pracharath but was not elected. He was subsequently appointed a political official attached to the Office of the Prime Minister. He made another unsuccessful Nonthaburi bid in 2023, this time under Bhumjaithai. His career has therefore covered the Thai Citizen Party, Chart Pattana, Thai Rak Thai, Pracharaj, Pheu Thai, Palang Pracharath and Bhumjaithai. Past political episodes Two nicknames from earlier political reporting are also frequently associated with Chalong. "Long Ngu Hao", or "Long Cobra", was linked to events in late 1997, when a group of Thai Citizen Party MPs did not follow the party resolution and instead backed Democrat Party leader Chuan Leekpai for prime minister. Another nickname, "Long CD", appeared in political background accounts following a search of his private home in Nonthaburi. Published information said no illegal items were found. During Thailand's major floods in 2011, his name also appeared in reports concerning the distribution of donated relief supplies in Nonthaburi. Chalong expressed dissatisfaction with what he viewed as uneven distribution within his area. 10 August 2026
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