Samak Sundaravej สมัคร สุนทรเวช
Prime Minister of Thailand
Incumbent
Assumed office  29 January 2008
Monarch	Rama IX
Preceded by	Surayud Chulanont
Born	13 June 1935 (1935-06-13) (age 72) Bangkok, Thailand
Political party	PPP
Spouse	Surat Sundaravej
Religion	Buddhism

Samak Sundaravej (Thai: สมัคร สุนทรเวช) (born June 13, 1935) has been the Prime Minister of Thailand since January 2008, as well as the leader of the People's Power Party since August 2007. The following is a list of Prime Ministers of Thailand: Phraya Manopakorn Nititada, (1932-1933) General Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena, (1933-1938) Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, (1938-1944) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1944-1945) Tawee Boonyaket, (1945) Seni Pramoj, (1945) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1946) Luang Praditmanutham, (1946) Rear Admiral Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi... Open seat redirects here. ... is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ; IPA: ; Royal Institute: Phumiphon Adunyadet;  ) (born Saturday,December 5, 1927 in the Year of the Rabbit), is the current King of Thailand. ... General (ret. ... is the 164th day of the year (165th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... Location within Thailand Coordinates: , Country Settled Ayutthaya Period Founded as capital 21 April 1782 Government  - Type Special administrative area  - Governor Apirak Kosayothin Area  - City 1,568. ... Buddhism is a variety of teachings, sometimes described as a religion[1] or way of life that attempts to identify the causes of human suffering and offer various ways that are claimed to end, or ease suffering. ... is the 164th day of the year (165th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... The following is a list of Prime Ministers of Thailand: Phraya Manopakorn Nititada, (1932-1933) General Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena, (1933-1938) Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, (1938-1944) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1944-1945) Tawee Boonyaket, (1945) Seni Pramoj, (1945) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1946) Luang Praditmanutham, (1946) Rear Admiral Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi...

Early life and family

Samak was born in Bangkok, Thailand to Sewok Eak Phraya Bumrungrajabhariphan (Samien Sundaravej) and Khunying Bumrungrajabhariphan (Umphan Sundaravej), and is of Chinese descent (ancestral surname Lee (李)).^[1] He has five siblings, studied at Saint Gabriel's College, Assumption Commercial College and Thammasat University. He also got certificates from Chulalongkorn University and Bryant & Stratton College.^[2] Location within Thailand Coordinates: , Country Settled Ayutthaya Period Founded as capital 21 April 1782 Government  - Type Special administrative area  - Governor Apirak Kosayothin Area  - City 1,568. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... St. ... Thammasat redirects here. ... Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand [1] and has long been considered one of the countrys most prestigious universities. ... Bryant and Stratton is a proprietary college with campuses in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. ...

As well as being a politician, Samak is a well-known television chef. For seven years until the military coup of September 2006, he hosted a cooking show called Tasting, Grumbling on the Thailand ITV television network. He has said that once he becomes Prime Minister, he will also resume his career as a TV chef. "The constitution does not restrict a prime minister from talking about food," he said. "I think I'll have a one-hour programme on Sundays."^[3] Samak is married to Khunying Surat Sundaravej, a financial adviser to the Charoen Pokphand Group. They have two children. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Charoen Pokphand is a huge business group based in Thailand. ...

Political career

In 1968 Samak joined the Democrat Party. Well connected to the military, Samak became head of its renegade right-wing faction.^[4] In the 1976 general election, he defeated Kukrit Pramoj and was made Deputy Interior Minister in the cabinet of Seni Pramoj. He quickly became prominent for arresting several left-wing activists.^[5] This article is part of or related to the Liberalism series Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Liberal parties | Thai political parties ... Maj. ... Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj (May 20, 1905 - July 28, 1997), (Thai: ) was three times prime minister of Thailand and a politician active in the Democrat Party. ...

In late August 1976, Seni sent Samak to Singapore for the purpose of persuading Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn not to return to Thailand.^[6] Paul M. Handley contends, however, that Samak was a close confidant of Queen Sirikit and had been sent by King Bhumibol to guarantee royal support for the exiled Field Marshal.^[7] This charge is apparently supported by Samak's claim during a cabinet meeting that the King had endorsed Thanom's return. Thanom Kittikachorn Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn (August 11, 1912 -June 16, 2004, Thai ถนอม กิตติขจร) was a Thai military leader and former prime minister of Thailand. ... Her Majesty Queen Sirikit (born August 12, 1932), is the wife and Queen Consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), King of Thailand. ... Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX of Thailand His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej (ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช, Phumiphon Adunyadet), King Rama IX of Thailand (royal name Phra Chaoyuhua Bhumibol Adulyadej), the Great (born December 5, 1927), has been King of Thailand since 1946. ...

Samak was removed from his ministerial position, and in reaction organised an anti-government demonstration calling for the removal of three young liberal Democrat ministers who he branded as being "communists".^[8] On the evening of the massacre on October 6 he headed a lynch mob which confronted Prime Minister Seni in front of Government House.^[9] Although in 2008 interviews with CNN and al-Jazeera Samak denied complicity with the 6 October 1976 massacre that left officially at least 46 dead, Samak insists only 1 person was left dead. Accounts from witnesses, documents and published reports clearly identify Samak as chief operator of the "Armoured Car" radio programme, an ultra-right wing broadcast that constantly expounded anti-communist and pro-right propaganda.^{[citation needed]} Samak used this programme to stir up hatred against Thammasat University students, and intentionally disobeyed the Prime Minister's orders at the time to "stop creating divisiveness." In defending the return of 1973-ousted Field Marshal Praphat over the radio, Samak told listeners that students demonstrating against the dictator's return were committing suicide.^{[citation needed]} The Massacre of 6 October 1976 was a violent crackdown on students and protestors that occured in the grounds of Thammasat University and Sanam Luang in Thailand. ...

Following the coup of October 6, 1976, Samak became Minister of the Interior in the administration of Tanin Kraivixien, a palace-favoured anti-Communist with a reputation for honesty. Samak immediately launched a campaign which saw hundreds of supposed leftists, many of whom were writers and other intellectuals, arrested.^[10] Tanin Kraivixien (born April 5, 1927 in Bangkok, Thai: ธานินทร์ กรัยวิเชียร) was prime minister of Thailand between 1976 and 1977. ...

In 1979 Samak founded the right-wing Prachakorn Thai Party. In the 1979 General Elections it rocked the incumbent Democrat Party by winning 29 of the 39 seats in Bangkok. In 1983 it extended its base to 36 seats, and did not suffer too greatly from the Democrat surge in 1986.^[11]

In 1992, as Deputy Prime Minister in the Suchinda administration, Samak justified the military's brutal suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators by declaring that the government had the right to do so as long as the United States could send troops to kill people in other countries, a reference to the Gulf War against Iraq and Saddam Hussein taking place from 2 August 1990 to 28 February 1991. ^[12] He remains unrepentant and continues to stand by his justification, stating that the military was merely trying to restore law and order after the pro-democracy demonstrators, which he branded as "troublemakers", had resorted to "mob rule".^[13]

Political profile

• Member of Democrat Party (1968-1976)
• Member of Parliament (1973-1975, 1976, 1979-1983, 1986-1990, 1992-2000)
• Founder and Leader of Prachakornthai Party (Thai Citizen Party) (1979-2000)
• Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives (1975-1976)
• Deputy Minister of Interior (1976)
• Minister of Interior (1976-1977)
• Minister of Transport (1983-1986, 1990-1991)
• Governor of Bangkok (2000-2003)
• Senator-elected (2006; later nullified by coup d'état)
• Leader of People's Power Party (2007-Present)
• Prime Minister (2008-Present)

This article is part of or related to the Liberalism series Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Liberal parties | Thai political parties ... Wikinews has news related to: Category:2006 Thailand coup The 2006 Thailand coup détat took place on Tuesday 19 September 2006, when the Royal Thai Army staged a coup against the government of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. ... The following is a list of Prime Ministers of Thailand: Phraya Manopakorn Nititada, (1932-1933) General Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena, (1933-1938) Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, (1938-1944) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1944-1945) Tawee Boonyaket, (1945) Seni Pramoj, (1945) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1946) Luang Praditmanutham, (1946) Rear Admiral Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi...

The leader of People's Power Party

On July 29, 2007, some former members of the Thai Rak Thai Party MPs agreed to contest the 2007 election as candidates of the People's Power Party. This was after the Thai Rak Thai Party was dissolved by the Thai Supreme Court on May 30, 2007 and followed the ban on participating in politics for many former TRT party politicians, such as Newin Chidchob, Buriram and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Many other former TRT members have also formed their own parties, including Ruam Jai Thai and Puea Pandin Party. is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Thai Rak Thai Logo Thai Rak Thai (Thai: , lit. ... is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Thaksin redirects here. ...

Samak Sundaravej and former TRT Cabinet Minister Surapong Suebwonglee were elected People's Power Party leader and secretary general respectively on August 24, 2007. is the 236th day of the year (237th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

Samak has stated that he is a proxy for Thaksin Shinawatra.^[14] Thaksin redirects here. ...

On December 23, 2007 the PPP won 228 seats, sufficient to win the election ahead of the Democrat Party but short of the 241 seats needed for a majority of the 480-seat house.^[15] He was able to form a six-party coalition, however, gaining a parliamentary majority of about two-thirds.^[16] is the 357th day of the year (358th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... This article is part of or related to the Liberalism series Categories: Politics stubs | Liberal related stubs | Liberal parties | Thai political parties ...

In a parliamentary vote on January 28, 2008, Samak was elected Prime Minister, receiving 310 votes against 163 for Abhisit Vejjejava of the Democrat Party. He was endorsed as Prime Minister by the king on the next day.^[16] On February 6, his Cabinet, including himself as Minister of Defense, was endorsed by the king and sworn in.^[17]Sundaravej angrily insisted he was the country's real leader February 29, 2008 despite the triumphant return from exile of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the man considered the driving force behind the new government.^[18] is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... February 29 is a day added into a leap year of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... Thaksin redirects here. ...

Received Thai Decorations

This biographical article or section is written like a résumé. Please help improve it by revising it to be neutral and encyclopedic. (April 2008)

• 1974 Commander (Third Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.
• 1975 Commander (Third Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.
• 1976 Knight Commander (Second Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.
• 1977 King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Cypher Medal (Rama IX).
• 1979 Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.
• 1981 Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.
• 1983 Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.
• 1984 Knight Commander (Second Class,lower grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao.
• 1984 Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.
• 1996 Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn.
• 2002 Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao.

Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (not to be confused with Denmarks Order of the Elephant) is the highest order (decoration) of Thailand. ... Year 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... AUGUST 25 1981 US Marine Sean Vance is Born on the 25th of August {ear nav|1981}} Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... For the Jimi Hendrix song, see 1983. ... This article is about the year. ... This article is about the year. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

References

See also

• Samak Interview on Al Jazeera
• Cabinet of Thailand

v • d • e Prime Ministers of Thailand Phraya Manopakorn Nititada · Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena† · Plaek Pibulsonggram† · Khuang Abhaiwongse† · Tawee Boonyaket · Seni Pramoj · Khuang Abhaiwongse · Pridi Phanomyong · Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi† · Khuang Abhaiwongse† · Plaek Pibulsonggram† · Pote Sarasin† · Thanom Kittikachorn† · Sarit Dhanarajata† · Thanom Kittikachorn† · Sanya Dharmasakti · Seni Pramoj · Kukrit Pramoj · Seni Pramoj · Tanin Kraivixien · Kriangsak Chomanan† · Prem Tinsulanonda† · Chatichai Choonhavan · Anand Panyarachun† · Suchinda Kraprayoon† · Meechai Ruchuphan* · Anand Panyarachun · Chuan Leekpai · Banharn Silpa-Archa · Chavalit Yongchaiyudh · Chuan Leekpai · Thaksin Shinawatra · Sonthi Boonyaratglin† · Surayud Chulanont† · Samak Sundaravej * acting     † head of a military government