Every successful woman has an unspoken hero behind her.
In Thailand, Petongtan is such an outstanding woman, and behind her stands an unnamed hero—Pithak Suksawat.
He has stood by Petongtan out of love. Though he is not well-known to the public, his importance in this love story is undeniable.
When mentioning the name "Pithak," many might feel unfamiliar with it. After all, he is not a public figure and has not stood before the people like Petongtan.
Yet, Pithak has silently supported Petongtan from behind the scenes, all the way until her name spread nationwide, making her one of the candidates for Thailand's prime minister.
Even so, Pithak maintains a low profile, continuing to contribute quietly behind the camera.
On March 25, 2023, Thai media *Thai Daily* conducted a brief interview with Pithak, with a clear goal: to let voters understand Petongtan’s family background.
At this moment, Pithak could no longer avoid the public’s gaze, but he still maintained his consistent humility and low profile.
"My duty is to ensure that Petongtan doesn't feel too much pressure, or to minimize it as much as possible," he candidly said. Clearly, he prefers to be a solid pillar of support rather than a spotlight-seeking figure.
Pithak and Petongtan’s encounter seemed like a modern-day fairy tale.
In 2017, through a friend, Pithak met Petongtan.
Their relationship didn’t have a long courtship period; instead, they quickly decided to spend their lives together.
On July 23, 2018, they got engaged, beginning a new chapter of their lives.
The following year, on March 17, they married under the officiation of Petongtan’s mother, Mrs. Pao, the former wife of Thailand's former prime minister, Thaksin.
Although Thaksin couldn’t attend the wedding in person due to his exile, he still sent blessings to his daughter through social media.
On March 23, 2019, Thaksin held another wedding ceremony for the couple in Hong Kong and invited Princess Ubolratana to be the officiant.
The wedding was grand, with numerous Thai political figures and family friends gathering in Hong Kong, indicating Thaksin’s deep affection for his son-in-law.
Pithak's royal lineage and distinguished family background clearly garnered Thaksin’s high regard.
Pithak’s story is not only a romantic love story but also a legendary tale of sacrifice for love.
Born in the southern Thai province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pithak had aspired to become a pilot from a young age.
After graduating from the King Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladkrabang in Bangkok, he successfully realized his dream of becoming a pilot.
However, after marriage, Pithak’s life took a turn.
Due to the unpredictable schedule of a pilot’s job, Pithak’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Pao, grew worried about his time away from home.
In order to balance family and career, Pithak decided to give up his career as a pilot and return to the family to take care of his wife and relatives.
Like a bird returning to its nest, Pithak resolutely gave up the freedom of flying in the sky to choose the warmth and responsibility of family life.
After giving up his dream of being a pilot, Pithak didn’t easily relinquish his career aspirations.
He switched careers to become an investor and gradually made his mark in the field.
Pithak believes that there are similarities between being a pilot and an investor—both professions require analyzing a large amount of data to make rational decisions.
“As a pilot, we analyze weather, flight conditions, and even make the best decisions for takeoff and landing. This process is very similar to the role of an investor. Investment also requires analyzing data to help make the best decisions,” Pithak explained his career transition.
Eventually, he successfully transitioned and became the Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Rend Development Co., Ltd., continuing to work hard in his career.
Outside of work, Pithak has a major passion—soccer, especially Liverpool Football Club.
Pithak recalled, “Liverpool was the first football team I ever saw. At the time, they were not a top-tier team, but their fighting spirit deeply attracted me.”
He has remained a loyal supporter of the team, even though Liverpool has not won the English top league title for nearly 30 years.
Pithak’s loyalty to Liverpool can be seen as a recognition of their team spirit.
He firmly believes that football, like life, requires never giving up on any opportunity and persevering until success is achieved.
This persistent spirit is also the principle he adheres to in both his personal life and career.
When Petongtan entered politics, Pithak consistently supported her career.
As a husband, he did not want his wife to bear too much pressure. “I don’t want to be a source of pressure for her. My duty is to help her stay calm and minimize external interference,” Pithak said, showing his deep love and care for his wife.
During Petongtan’s election campaign, Pithak remained steadfastly by her side, offering silent support, even though he never sought to be in the spotlight.
When the campaign moved to Pithak’s hometown of Nakhon Si Thammarat, he took photos with the voters, expressing his support for his wife in his own way.
Petongtan continued her campaign despite being pregnant, which made Pithak feel both proud and touched.
Pithak is not just Petongtan’s husband; he is the strong force behind her.
On her path to success, Pithak has never wavered in his support for her.
He has never asked Petongtan to do anything for him but has silently dedicated himself, expressing his love and responsibility through actions.
Whether for the family or for Petongtan’s career, Pithak has quietly given his all, offering endless support and encouragement.
“I always see Petongtan as someone who gives her all to any goal. She always tries her best, sometimes not even realizing she’s doing too much,” Pithak said.
And he hopes that while Petongtan works hard, she will also take care of her health and maintain balance.
Pithak is a man who dedicates himself to love and fully supports his wife. Through his actions—giving up his dream of being a pilot, transitioning to an investment career, and supporting his wife’s political career—he exemplifies qualities that a great man should have: sacrifice, loyalty, perseverance, and support.
Though he may not be well-known to the public, it is because of his quiet contributions behind the scenes that Petongtan can boldly move forward toward success.
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