Somchai Wongsawat
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Somchai Wongsawat | |
---|---|
สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์ | |
Wijit Srisa-arn | |
Succeeded by | Srimuang Chareonsiri |
Personal details | |
Born | Chawang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Siam (now Chang Klang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand) | 31 August 1947
Political party | Pheu Thai |
Spouse | Yaowapha Wongsawat |
Children | 3 |
Relatives | Thaksin Shinawatra (brother-in-law) Yingluck Shinawatra (sister-in-law) |
Alma mater | |
Signature | |
^ a: Acting: 9–18 September 2008 | |
Somchai Wongsawat (Thai: สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์, pronounced [sǒm.t͡ɕʰāːj wōŋ.sā.wàt] ⓘ; born 31 August 1947) is a Thai politician who was the prime minister of Thailand in 2008 and a former executive member of the People's Power Party (PPP) whose political rights were disenfranchised by the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) for five years.
Prior to entering electoral politics, he had served civil service and judicial service, having been appointed Permanent Secretary of Justice (the highest non-elected position in the civil service) in 2000 by the government of
Family life
Somchai was born at
Somchai's wife Yaowapha previously served as an
Education
Somchai completed his
Career
Public service
Somchai has been appointed to various offices in the juridical service and the civil service, including inter alia: assistant judge of the Ministry of Justice in 1974, ministerial justice in the next year, justice of
In 1998 Somchai was appointed as the Deputy
Somchai has been since appointed inter alia chairperson of the law committee of the National Research Council of Thailand, member of the Thai Bar Association's committee, member of the Board of Thailand's Electricity Generation Authority, member of the Board of the Narcotics Prevention and Suppression Board, member of the
Premiership
A member of the
Somchai became the prime minister on 9 September 2008, upon the Constitutional Court's decision that the premiership of Samak Sundaravej had been terminated for his having worked as the emcee of two cooking shows while in office, in violation of the law forbidden government ministers from holding any other paid employment.
On 17 September 2008, Somchai was elected prime minister of the country by
King Bhumibol Adulyadej issued a Royal Proclamation appointing Somchai as the 26th Prime Minister on 18 September 2008.[7]
Siege
On 7 October 2008, anti-government protesters attempted to hold 320 parliamentarians and senators hostage inside the Parliament building, cutting off power. Somchai Wongsawat escaped by climbing a rear fence after his policy address. Other legislators were trapped inside. The 6-week sit-in and siege on the area next to the prime minister's office led the government to transfer its activities temporarily to Don Muang. Eventually, Somchai authorised the police to use force against the demonstrations. Thousands were injured, some seriously, and two protestors died, one a young woman; both were killed by exploding police gas grenades, which also maimed a number who lost limbs.[8][9]
Investigation
On 29 September, Thailand's Election Commission spokesman Ruangrote Jomsueb said a subcommittee would investigate Somchai (30 days probe, to the Constitutional Court) per Senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattanaon's complaint on "whether Somchai violated the constitution by holding shares in Thailand's CS LoxInfo PCL, an Internet service provider that is a contract partner of CAT Telecom, a state-owned telecommunications service provider." The Thai constitution bars parliament members from holding shares in companies that do business with state enterprises, and if found guilty, Somchai would be disqualified as parliament member and ousted as prime minister.[10][11][12]
Neglected duty and removal
On 17 October, Thailand's anti-corruption body found Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat guilty of neglecting his duties while working in the justice department eight years ago. Members of the National Counter Corruption Commission said Somchai was wrong to suspend a corruption investigation into two senior officials while he was a permanent secretary at the justice ministry in 2000. The NCCC's investigation followed a complaint lodged by senior judge Chamnan Rawiwanpong after he petitioned for an investigation into alleged corruption involving a land sale in Pathum Thani province in 2000.
After the petition, Somchai set up a disciplinary panel, accusing Chamnan of serious wrongdoing and recommending he be fired, prompting Chamnan to make the counter-complaint.
Somchai Cabinet
The Cabinet was active from 24 September 2008 – 20 December 2008.
References
- ^ a b Ahuja, Ambika (9 September 2008). "Cooking show stint derails Thai prime minister". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 17 September 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- from the original on 26 September 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
- ^ "Mr. Somchai Wongsawat" (PDF). Thai Ministry of Education.
- ^ "Thaksin's in-law elected new Thailand PM". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 17 September 2008. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
- ^ "Thai party names nominee for PM". BBC News. 15 September 2008. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
- ^ "Somchai elected new prime minister". The Nation. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008.
- ^ "His Majesty signs royal command to appoint new PM". The Nation. 18 September 2008. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
- ^ Seth Mydans; Thomas Fuller (7 October 2008). "Thai protesters trap legislators". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
- ^ "Thai PM jumps fence to flee protesters". The Age. AFP. 7 October 2008. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- Inquirer.net. Associated Press. 29 September 2008. Archived from the originalon 30 September 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2008.
- ^ "New Thai prime minister faces investigation". USA Today. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ "New Thai PM Somchai faces legal challenge". Gulf News. 29 September 2008. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2014.