Samak Sundaravej
Samak Sundaravej (13 June 1935 - 24 November 2009) was the 25th Prime Minister of Thailand, Minister of Defence and also the leader of People’s Power Party. He was named by the mass media as "Uncle Mak"[2] or "Mr. Rose Apple Nose" because of the shape of his nose.[3] He was forced to resign as prime minister because he was also acting as chef on a TV show.[4] The constitutional court in Thailand said he could not have two jobs.[5]
Samak Sundaravej | |
|---|---|
สมัคร สุนทรเวช 李沙馬 | |
 | |
| 25th Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 29 January 2008 – 9 September 2008 | |
| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Surayud Chulanont |
| Succeeded by | Somchai Wongsawat |
| Governor of Bangkok | |
| In office 23 July 2000 – 28 August 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Bhichit Rattakul |
| Succeeded by | Apirak Kosayodhin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 June 1935 Bangkok, Siam |
| Died | 24 November 2009 (aged 74) Bangkok, Thailand |
| Political party | People's Power Party (2007–2008) |
| Other political affiliations | Democrat Party (1966–1976) Citizens Party (1978–2007)[1] |
| Spouse(s) | Surat Sundaravej |
| Alma mater | Thammasat University Chulalongkorn University Bryant and Stratton College |
Early life
Sundaravej was the son of Samian Sundaravej and Amphan Jitrakorn. He was born in Bangkok in 1935.[6] He married Lady Surat Sundaravej and they had twins called Kandapha and Kanjanakorn. After finishing university, he began writing articles about politics for ‘Siam government’ and ‘Bangkokian’.
Politics
He started in politics as a member of "Democrat Party" in 1968. He became well–known in 1976 from radio managing which has the information that attack education organization in that age. He also encouraged the people to loathe the education organization. He was the one who gave the command to move the student protest group on 16th October 1976. At the end of that, he became the Minister of Interior, as well as resigning from the Democrat Party. In 1979, he set up the new party and became the leader of ‘Thai Population Party’.
He was elected to be a Bangkok governor in 2000 with 1,016,096 votes, which was more votes than ever before. The person who came second was Sudarat Keyuraphan (the member from the Thais Love Thailand Party).
Sundaravej took a position of a governor during 2000-2004.[6] But after he passed the office, he’d been suspected to relate with the lawsuit about buying fire engines until now. He decided not to apply for a governor, but applied to be a senator instead.
Until 29th January 2008, the House of Representatives had a resolution to appoint Samak to be Prime Minister. He was agreed to be a Minister of Defence. He was suspected to be Taksin (23rd Prime Minister; the one who was fleeing imprison punishment to foreign country)’s nominee.
On 12th September 2008, Samak resigned from being the leader of the ‘People’s Power Party’ with the reason that he had done his duty, so he wanted to end his political role and let the members decide what to do next.
Death
Sundaravej died at the age of 74 in Bangkok. He died because of liver cancer, which he had been fighting for one year.[7]
Samak Sundaravej Media
Thai interior minister Samak Sundaravej (Sunthoravej), ca. 1976, by Norman Peagam
Samak Sundaravej
President George W. Bush signs guest book with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej in the Ivory Room of the Government House
Order of the White Elephant - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon
Order of the Crown of Thailand - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon
Order of the Direkgunabhorn 1st class (Thailand) ribbon
Order of Chula Chom Klao - 2nd Class upper (Thailand) ribbon
Border Service Medal (Thailand) ribbon
Ribbon for the Boy Scout Commendation Medal (second class)
King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon
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References
- ↑ Samak Sundaravej, celebrity chef and prime minister of Thailand, died on 24 November, aged 74, 3 December 2009, The Economist
- ↑ "Samak, Judicial System, and the Economy". Bangkok Pundit. March 11, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ↑ "Touching nose to refer to Thailand's new PM is no joke, says sign language interpreter". Encyclopedia.com. January 30, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ↑ "Samak Sundaravej". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. 24 Nov 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- ↑ Lewis, Leo (September 10, 2008). "Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej forced out over TV chef role". Times Online. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Obituary: Samak Sundaravej". BBC News. 12 September 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- ↑ "Former Thai PM Samak dies at 74". 24 November 2009. Archived from the original on 1 March 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2011.