Career
Later, as executive of the Thai Rak Thai party, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment. While a Cabinet minister, he was investigated by the National Counter Corruption Committee for abusing state power. He was alleged to have illegally acquired a plot of land reserved for the poor.
The NCCC ruled that although the acquisition of the land was illegal, the offence had taken place before he became a Cabinet minister.
The election was cancelled due to the 19 September military coup that overthrew the government.
