Sanon Wangsrangboon
Thai politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sanon Wangsrangboon (Thai: ศานนท์ หวังสร้างบุญ; RTGS: Sanon Wangsangbun; born 10 October 1989)[1] is a Thai social entrepreneur and politician, currently serving as a Deputy Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Appointed in 2022, he is the youngest deputy governor in the city's history.[2]
Sanon Wangsrangboon | |
|---|---|
ศานนท์ หวังสร้างบุญ | |
| Deputy Governor of Bangkok | |
| Assumed office 1 June 2022 | |
| Governor | Chadchart Sittipunt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 October 1989[1] |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Chulalongkorn University (BEng) |
Early life and education
The eldest of four children,[1] Sanon completed his secondary education at Saint Gabriel's College[3] and graduated from Chulalongkorn University with a Bachelor of Engineering degree. During his studies, he served as the president of the university's student union in 2010.[1]
After working as an industrial engineer for five years,[1] Sanon co-founded several social enterprises focused on urban development.[1][4] He previously campaigned against evictions in the Mahakan Fort community.[5] Sanon is married and has one child.[2]
Deputy Governor of Bangkok
Sanon was appointed Deputy Governor of Bangkok on 1 June 2022 by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.[6] His portfolio directly oversees the city's education, social development, and cultural policies.[7]
Education reform
In the education sector, Sanon introduced a policy framework aimed at modernizing BMA schools. His initiatives focused on reducing inequality and student burdens. Notable policies included easing strict uniform and hairstyle regulations to promote inclusivity and providing free sanitary pads to students.[8] To create safer environments for students, he extended the operating hours of BMA schools, allowing them to serve as public recreation spaces during evenings and weekends.[9] He also led efforts to upgrade school technology by distributing reconditioned laptops integrated with Google Classroom across all 437 BMA schools.[10] To address school conflict and lower dropout rates, Sanon partnered with the Thailand Institute of Justice to train teachers in restorative justice practices.[11]
Social development and welfare
To address urban inequality, Sanon prioritized the city's homeless population. He advocated for a shift in public perception, encouraging society to view the homeless as a vulnerable group needing assistance rather than a social burden.[12] Working alongside NGOs, he facilitated the establishment of temporary drop-in shelters and introduced measures to ease employment rules for the newly homeless.[12] For child and youth development, he established a youth council to involve young people in urban policy-making, and initiated a process to integrate unregistered childcare centers in low-income communities into the BMA's official subsidy system.[9] Additionally, Sanon launched the "Open Bangkok Data Project," a digital transparency initiative designed to publicly identify accident hotspots and monitor air quality across the capital.[13]
Urban revitalization and green spaces
Sanon has been actively involved in Bangkok's ecological redevelopment and the promotion of nature-based public spaces. He supported the ecological management and diverse public utilization of Benjakitti Forest Park, a former tobacco factory site transformed into a 300-rai urban ecosystem. Emphasizing the "forest park" concept, Sanon advocated for integrating urban biodiversity while managing the complexities of land consolidation and seasonal maintenance. He has also promoted regional cooperation with other Southeast Asian cities, such as Hanoi,[14] and showcased Benjakitti's architectural concepts to visiting dignitaries such as the Governor of Fukuoka.[15]
Culture and tourism
Sanon directed the "12 Months 12 Festivals" (Colorful Bangkok) campaign. The initiative was designed to revitalize Bangkok's post-pandemic economy and promote neighborhood-level tourism.[16][17] Under his management, the city hosted a variety of monthly events to stimulate local businesses, including the Awakening Bangkok digital light festival in the Charoen Krung area,[17] the Bangkok Food Fest in Chinatown,[18] and the Wit in Bangkok science festival.[19] He also supported the use of historical public spaces for contemporary art, such as co-hosting the international "KAWS:HOLIDAY" exhibition, a public art project by artist Brian Donnelly, at Sanam Luang in 2025.[20]
Royal decorations
- 2025 –
Knight Commander (Second Class) of the Order of the Crown of Thailand[21] - 2023 –
Commander (Third Class) of the Order of the White Elephant[22]
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