Surakiart's supporters maintain that although he inherited a national economy beset by structural challenges that ultimately exposed it to the Thai financial crisis, Dr. Surakiart designed and implemented reforms that, while deeply unpopular, moved the economy in the right direction and have become an essential part of Thailand's economic policy.

[1] After his tenure at the Finance Ministry, Surakiart went on to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Advisory Council on Economic and Foreign Affairs under Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh until 1997.

[2] His intention in this political exodus is still unknown but the military junta of Thailand has announced to continue supporting his bid for UN top job.

[4] Surakiart's candidature may have been adversely affected by the controversial policies of Thaksin Shinawatra, whose relations with the military junta in Myanmar and handling of unrest in the predominantly Muslim south of the country were particularly contentious.

[5] Notably, the Asian Human Rights Commission campaigned against Surakiart on account of Thailand's policy toward Myanmar.

In July 2006 a straw poll was held among the UNSG candidates and Dr. Surakiat placed third, behind Ban Ki-moon from South Korea and Shashi Tharoor from India.

[7] In a straw poll held on September 28, however, Surakiart fell into fourth place, winning only 5 encouragements, 7 discouragements and 3 no opinions.

The entry of additional candidates, including former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, into the race, combined with the military coup that took place only weeks before the poll, were likely causes of Surakiart's loss of support.

In a mass rally in front of thousands of anti-Thaksin protesters, former ambassador to the UN Asda Jayanama noted "Because we have a weak foreign minister who responded to Thaksin as if he were his servant, we have been unable to solve any problems".[4].

[5] The former diplomat blasted Surkiart's candidacy as a lost cause and an embarrassment for Thailand's international standing, claiming that it was "silly" to believe that handshakes from 127 countries amounted to formal endorsements.

He is married to Thanpuying Dr. Suthawan Sathirathai, a niece to the Queen of Thailand, who holds several advanced degrees including a doctorate in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge (UK).