Chuan Leekpai

Chuan Leekpai ( Thai: ชวน หลีก ภัย [ ʨ ʰ uan lì ː ʰ aj kp ]; born July 28, 1938 in Trang ) is a Thai politician. From 1991 to 2003 he was chairman of the Democratic Party from 1992 to 1995 and from 1997 to 2001 Prime Minister of the country.

Youth and Education

Chuan comes from a very humble background. He was born in Trang province in southern Thailand, the son of Chinese immigrants. His father worked as a teacher and market vendors. Chuan received his training at the Trang Wittaya and Silpa Suksa School. He began studying law at Thammasat University in Bangkok and graduated in 1962 with the bachelor's degree. In 1964 he received a license as a lawyer by the Thai Bar Association. In 1985 he was awarded the Srinakarinwirot University in Bangkok and in 1988 by the Ramkhamhaeng University honorary doctorate.

Political career

Chuan worked as a lawyer at choir Chanasongkram Law, a large law firm in Bangkok, but it drew him quickly into politics. In 1969 he was elected deputy for the province of Trang.

During the brief democratic phase mid -1970s chuan was considered to be representative of the moderate- left wing of the Democrats. From right hardliners he was accused in 1976 close to the Communists.

Government career:

In addition to his political activities Chuan was also active in various academic institutions:

• Vice- President of the Assembly of Prince Songhkla University
• Guest lecturer in forensic medicine at Chulalongkorn University
• Honorary Member of the Council of Srinakarinwirot University Bangkok
• Honorary Member of the Council of Thammasat University, Bangkok

Chuan gained notoriety as an important advocate of democracy in Thailand. He was considered unresponsive to corruption and was perceived as one of the most honest politician in the country. For example, was the Department of Commerce prior to his appointment to the director as a breeding ground for corruption during his tenure, however, there were no such allegations. Unlike other Thai politician, he has amassed no great wealth during his tenure.

Terms as party chief and Prime Minister

Following the resignation of party leader Bhichai Rattakul he was in 1991 elected chairman of the Democratic Party. Subsequently, the Popualarität the Party increased markedly. Chuan has particular responsibility for the ongoing success of the Democrats in his home region of southern Thailand. During the reign of General Suchinda Kraprayoon Chuan claimed to have received several death threats. On September 20, 1992 Chuan was appointed on the proposal of five parties that had opposed the military rule as prime minister. During his reign he cared primarily about economic stability and the decentralization of policy decisions that should be better placed in the hands of the provincial administrations.

Chuan showed immune to the influences of militants. So he went in 1993, contrary to the orders of the military along with eight Nobel Peace Prize winners to the border of Burma, demanding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. In the spring he tried in vain to reduce the influence of the military, which was given by the Constitution since 1991. The influence of the military wing in the Senate was too overweight. His big project on land reform, however, was widely rejected and one of the coalition partners - Palang Dharma - left the coalition, so he had to dissolve Parliament on 19 May 1995. The subsequent elections then led to the appointment of Banharn Silapa - Archa.

After the severe economic crisis in the summer of 1997, which had affected practically all the countries of Southeast Asia, Chuan was again appointed Prime Minister on 9 November 1997. He was the first elected Prime Minister, who was appointed for a second term. During this time the constitution was revised and improved civil rights, as well as set up an anti - corruption agency, who had taken his successor Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the beginning of his tenure increasingly under the microscope. Since a conflict of interest as Premier, while the main shareholder was at the Shin Corporation.

Chuan's term of office ended on 17 February 2001. Democrats won in the election, only half as many seats as the new Thai Rak Thai Party of Thaksin Shinawatra and had to go into opposition. In 2003 he resigned as party leader.