Despite his recent appointment as Democrat Party spokesman, ex-controversial DJ-turned satellite TV presenter Theema Kanchanapairin never imagined himself in politics.
MARK MAN: Democrat Party spokesman Theema Kanchanapairin.
"I stepped into the political fold by chance after I made a video critical of the government," he said.
Two years ago, Mr Theema, nicknamed Judge, was a successful DJ on an army-run radio station, but he lost his job after making a video that criticised the government's handling of the flood disaster in 2011.
Just a month after being sacked, the 31 year old joined the pro-Democrat Blue Sky satellite TV channel, where he was given the host spot on the political commentary show, Fah Thalai Jone.
He soon became an audience favourite.
Through a friend, Mr Theema was introduced to Democrat deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij and agreed to work for him as an MP's assistant. For the first time in his career, he had a political position printed on his name card.
About the same time, Democrat supporters and fans of the Sai Lor Fah (lightning rod) show on Blue Sky, pushed Mr Theema to speak at the Democrats' Pah Kwam Jing (Bare the Truth) mobile forums.
He agreed and soon was up on stage rubbing shoulders with party bigwigs and rousing the crowds.
While the anti-government flood video might have been the catalyst for Mr Theema's move into politics, it was not the first time he was in the political spotlight.
Several years earlier, while working as a radio DJ, he was almost suspended after playing what some people regarded as a disrespectful song following the death of former premier Samak Sundaravej.
The lyrics spoke of how when people die they can take nothing with them.
Mr Theema dismissed claims his choice was inappropriate and denied any ulterior motive in playing it. He said Samak had made a valuable contribution to Thai politics. In 2008, Samak was stripped of the premier's job, which he had held for just nine months, for being paid to host a TV cookery show.
After steadily gaining a name for himself in political circles, Mr Theema's big break came several months ago when Mr Korn offered him the job of spokesman for the opposition. He accepted.
The new boy was advised by opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to always be straightforward and avoid ruffling feathers.
Mr Theema responded by saying he would have to "tone down my boldness".
In his new role, Mr Theema will mostly prepare materials to help Mr Abhisit contest allegations of draft dodging and defend his role in containing red shirt protests in 2010 while he was prime minister.
A graduate of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Communication Arts, Mr Theema had no aspirations of a political career. His work as a broadcaster helped him to hone his communication and oratory skills, but he has openly admitted that the political arena is challenging.
He said that when his mother and sister heard about his new job, they were concerned for his safety. But after learning more about politics, they became less worried, he said.
"I got my mum to watch TV so she could see there's nothing dangerous [about what he does]," he said.
Despite his reassurance to his mother, Mr Theema said that after seeing the recent attacks on the Pah Kwam Jing forum in Lamphun he realised just how violent Thai politics can be.
Nevertheless, he admitted to perhaps one day running as an MP.
Mr Theema said he has voted for the Democrats in every general election since getting the right to vote.
On the possible future of Thai politics, he said that politicians who present new ideas but who are dishonest and do not respect the higher institution are doomed.
Mr Abhisit is the great hope to lead the country in the right direction, he said.