Surachai is known for his anti-monarchist views, which have resulted in a past arrest under Thailand's lèse majesté laws.

[citation needed] In 2006, Surachai participated in protests to oust the Council for National Security junta.

[citation needed] On 6 August 2007, while on stage at a United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship rally, Surachai allegedly insulted then-Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai.

Surachai graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.

Two of his aides, Chatcharn "Puchana" Buppawan and Kraidej "Kasalong" Luelert,[7] also in exile in Vientiane, were last seen in Laos on 11 December before they too disappeared.

[17] In February 2024, a Nakhon Si Thammarat court declared Surachai missing following a 23 December 2023 petition by his wife.