Chuan Leekpai

Chuan Leekpai
ชวน หลีกภัย
Chuan in 2010
20th Prime Minister of Thailand
In office
9 November 1997 – 9 February 2001
MonarchBhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded byChavalit Yongchaiyudh
Succeeded byThaksin Shinawatra
In office
23 September 1992 – 13 July 1995
MonarchBhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded byAnand Panyarachun
Succeeded byBanharn Silpa-archa
Speaker of the House of Representatives
and President of the National Assembly of Thailand
In office
28 May 2019 – 20 March 2023
MonarchVajiralongkorn
Prime MinisterPrayut Chan-o-cha
Preceded byPornpetch Wichitcholchai
(President of the National Legislative Assembly)
Succeeded byWan Muhamad Noor Matha
Speaker of the House of Representatives
and Vice President of the National Assembly of Thailand
In office
4 August 1986 – 29 April 1988
Prime MinisterPrem Tinsulanonda
Preceded byUthai Pimchaichon
Succeeded byPanja Kesornthong
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office
29 December 1988 – 26 August 1989
Prime MinisterChatichai Choonhavan
Ministerial offices
1976–2001
Minister of Defence
In office
14 November 1997 – 5 February 2001
Prime MinisterHimself
Preceded byChavalit Yongchaiyudh
Succeeded byChavalit Yongchaiyudh
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
In office
26 August 1990 – 9 December 1990
Prime MinisterChatichai Choonhavan
Preceded byArnat Arpapirom
Succeeded byNarong Wongwan
Minister of Public Health
In office
4 August 1988 – 29 December 1989
Prime MinisterChatichai Choonhavan
Preceded byArnat Arpapirom
Succeeded byNarong Wongwan
Minister of Commerce
In office
11 March 1981 – 19 December 1981
Prime MinisterPrem Tinsulanonda
Preceded byPunnami Poonnasri
Succeeded byPunnami Poonnasri
Minister of Justice
In office
3 March 1980 – 5 March 1981
Prime MinisterPrem Tinsulanonda
Preceded bySutham Patrakom
Succeeded byMarut Bunnag
In office
25 September 1976 – 6 October 1976
Prime MinisterSeni Pramoj
Preceded byPrasit Kanchanawat
Succeeded bySangad Chaloryu
Leader of the Opposition
In office
11 March 2001 – 3 May 2003
Prime MinisterThaksin Shinawatra
Preceded byChavalit Yongchaiyudh
Succeeded byBanyat Bantadtan
In office
4 August 1995 – 8 November 1997
Prime MinisterBanharn Silpa-archa
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Preceded byBanharn Silpa-archa
Succeeded byChavalit Yongchaiyudh
Leader of the Democrat Party
In office
26 January 1991 – 4 May 2003
Preceded byBhichai Rattakul
Succeeded byBanyat Bantadtan
Member of the House of Representatives
for the Democrat Party List
Assumed office
6 January 2001
Member of the House of Representatives
for Trang 1st District
In office
10 February 1969 – 9 November 2000
Preceded byKorkieart Sudsen
Succeeded bySuwan Kusujarit
Personal details
Born (1938-07-28) 28 July 1938 (age 86)
Mueang Trang, Trang, Siam
Political partyDemocrat
Domestic partnerPhakdiporn Sucharitakul [th] (cohabitating wife)
ChildrenSurabot Leekpai [th]
Alma materThammasat University (LL.B.)
The Thai Bar (Barrister)
Profession
  • Politician
  • barrister
Signature

Chuan Leekpai MPCh MWM TCW (Thai: ชวน หลีกภัย, RTGSChuan Likphai, pronounced [tɕʰūan lìːk.pʰāj]; Chinese: 呂基文; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lū Ki-bûn; born 28 July 1938) is a Thai politician who is the former president of the National Assembly of Thailand as well as the speaker of the Thai House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023.[1] Previously he twice served as the 20th Prime Minister of Thailand, from 20 September 1992 to 19 May 1995 and from 9 November 1997 to 9 February 2001.

As the leader of the Democrat Party, Chuan was elected in September 1992, becoming Thailand's first prime minister to come to power without either aristocratic or military backing. His first administration consisted of a five party coalition of the Democrat, New Aspiration, Palang Dhamma, Social Action, and Social Unity Parties until he was defeated in the 1995 election, but assumed power in late-1997 following the fall of the Chavalit Yongchaiyudh administration, which was held responsible for the economic crisis that beset Thailand that year. Although criticised as a slow actor and allowing numerous corruption scandals, Chuan managed to meet factional demands and extend Thailand's social security system.[2]

  1. ^ ‘ชวน’ แถลงปิดฉาก ‘ปธ.สภา’ ภูมิใจทำหน้าที่ 4 ปี ฝ่าวิกฤตสารพัด
  2. ^ "Welcome to World Bank Intranet" (PDF).