Chavarat Charnvirakul
Chavarat Charnvirakul (Thai: ชวรัตน์ ชาญวีรกูล, RTGS: Chawarat Chanwirakun, Thai pronunciation: [t͡ɕʰá.wá.rát t͡ɕʰaːn.wiː.rá.kun]; born 7 June 1936 in Bangkok) is a Thai politician. He had served as an Acting Prime Minister of Thailand as a result of the 2008 Thai political crisis.
Chavarat Charnvirakul | |
|---|---|
ชวรัตน์ ชาญวีรกูล | |
Chavarat in 2009 | |
| Acting Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 2 December 2008 – 17 December 2008 | |
| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Somchai Wongsawat |
| Succeeded by | Abhisit Vejjajiva |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 24 September 2008 – 16 December 2008 | |
| Prime Minister | Somchai Wongsawat |
| Minister of the Interior | |
| In office 20 December 2008 – 6 August 2011 | |
| Prime Minister | Abhisit Vejjajiva |
| Preceded by | Kowit Wattana |
| Succeeded by | Yongyuth Wichaidit |
| Ministry of Public Health | |
| In office 2 August 2008 – 23 September 2008 | |
| Prime Minister | Samak Sundaravej |
| Preceded by | Chaiya Sasomsub |
| Succeeded by | Chalerm Yubamrung |
| Minister of Social Development and Human Security | |
| In office 24 May 2008 – 2 August 2008 | |
| Prime Minister | Samak Sundaravej |
| Preceded by | Sutha Chansaeng |
| Succeeded by | Anusorn Wongwan |
| Leader of the Bhumjaithai Party | |
| In office 14 February 2009 – 3 September 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Pipat Promvaraporn |
| Succeeded by | Anutin Charnvirakul |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 June 1936 Bangkok, Siam |
| Political party | Bhumjaithai (2009–14) |
| Other political affiliations | People's Power (2007–08) |
| Spouse | Tassanee Chanweerakul |
| Children | Anutin Charnvirakul |
| Alma mater | Thammasat University |
| Signature | |
Education
Chaovarat graduated from Thammasat University in 1966 with a degree in economics.[1]
Political career
After spending many years in the public sector, he joined the government in 1994 as Deputy Minister of Finance, his tenure lasted till 1997. In 2008 he rejoined the government as Minister of Public Health and later Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand.[1]
On 2 December 2008, the Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the People's Power Party and other coalition parties, at the same time banning their chief executives. The incumbent Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, was then removed along with several other members of the Cabinet. Chaovarat, however, was the only senior Cabinet figure who was not a party executive and was therefore the only viable candidate. Either the House of Representatives of Thailand had to confirm him as the new Prime Minister, or the new political grouping must vote for a new leader and submit his name for approval.[2] There has been some questions - even a letter submitted to the Constitutional Court by Senators - concerning the legality of his temporary appointment as Prime Minister (even in a caretaker capacity). This is because the 2007 Constitution of Thailand states that the Prime Minister must be a member of the House of Representatives; Chaovarat was not an MP.[3] Chaovarat was replaced by Abhisit Vejjajiva on 15 December 2008. He was appointed Minister of Interior of Thailand in the Abhisit cabinet, a post which he held until the government's electoral defeat in 2011. On 14 February 2009, Chaovarat became the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party until 4 September 2012, in which he was succeeded by his son, Anutin Charnvirakul.
Royal decorations
- Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand[4]
- Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant[5]
- Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)[6]
References
- ^ a b . The Nation. Archived from the original on 6 March 2009. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
- ^ Somroutai Sapsomboon (3 December 2008). . The Nation. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 10 December 2008.
- ^ ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ (ชั้นสายสะพาย จำนวน ๔,๒๓๘ ราย)
- ^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ (ชั้นต่ำกว่าสายสะพาย ชั้นสายสะพาย สมาชิกวุฒิสภา เนื่องในวโรกาสพระราชพิธีเฉลิมพระชนมพรรษา วันที่ ๕ ธันวาคม ๒๕๓๗)
- ^ ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานพระบรมราชานุญาตให้ประดับเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ต่างประเทศ