Kraisak Choonhavan
Encyclopedia
Kraisak Choonhavan is a Thai
politician. He was a member of the Senate
for Nakhon Ratchasima Province
from 2000 till 2006.
Born as son of former prime minister General Chatichai Choonhavan
and Than Phu Ying Bunruen Choonhavan, Kraisak received a Bachelor Degree in International Relations
at the George Washington University
, U.S.
, and Master degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies
, University of London, United Kingdom. He taught political economy at the Kasetsart University (1976–1989)and was known for his development studies; taught politics of South East Asia countries and was became an activist on regional human rights and the environment. He was adviser to the Prime Minister (1989–91) and was in charge of peace negotiation with Cambodia. After the coup in 1991, he was appointed chief adviser to the Governor of Bangkok (until 1995)on urban pollution and arts and culture. He was elected senator in 2001 and became the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate prior to the 2006 Thailand coup.
In the senate he was a leading member of a progressive group of 45 senators who opposed human right violations, corruption and other abuses under the Thaksin Shinawatra government. He was often interviewed on these issues by the BBC, ABC, CNN, Reuters, AP and other international media agenies.
After the coup, local media claimed that the military junta
approached him to become the foreign minister of the interim civilian government
. However, he denied the junta made such an approach.
It was alleged that the military appointed him as part of the team for PR work. Kraisak emphatically denies of having been approached much less taken part in this PR team.
After the general elections in 2007, Kraisak is now a member of the parliament (proportional representation)of the opposition party (the Democrat Party) and has recently been elected as deputy leader responsible for the North East.
He also holds the position of the President of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC)http://www.aseanmp.org/news/index.php which is composed of like-minded members of parliaments from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) who work together towards restoring freedom and instituting democracy in Myanmar.
Dr. Kraisak's official personal Thai language webpage appears at *http://www.kraisak.net/
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
politician. He was a member of the Senate
Senate of Thailand
The Senate of the Kingdom of Thailand is the upper house of the National Assembly of Thailand, . In accordance with the 2007 Constitution of Thailand, the Senate is a non-partisan legislative chamber, composed of 150 members...
for Nakhon Ratchasima Province
Nakhon Ratchasima Province
Nakhon Ratchasima or , often shortened to Korat or Khorat , is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand...
from 2000 till 2006.
Born as son of former prime minister General Chatichai Choonhavan
Chatichai Choonhavan
General Chatichai Choonhavan was the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1988 to 1991. He was the only son of Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan, and is of Thai Chinese descent with ancestry from Chenghai District...
and Than Phu Ying Bunruen Choonhavan, Kraisak received a Bachelor Degree in International Relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
at the George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and Master degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
, University of London, United Kingdom. He taught political economy at the Kasetsart University (1976–1989)and was known for his development studies; taught politics of South East Asia countries and was became an activist on regional human rights and the environment. He was adviser to the Prime Minister (1989–91) and was in charge of peace negotiation with Cambodia. After the coup in 1991, he was appointed chief adviser to the Governor of Bangkok (until 1995)on urban pollution and arts and culture. He was elected senator in 2001 and became the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate prior to the 2006 Thailand coup.
In the senate he was a leading member of a progressive group of 45 senators who opposed human right violations, corruption and other abuses under the Thaksin Shinawatra government. He was often interviewed on these issues by the BBC, ABC, CNN, Reuters, AP and other international media agenies.
After the coup, local media claimed that the military junta
Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy
The Council for National Security or, in brief, CNS , formerly known as the Council for Democratic Reform or, in brief, CDR , also translated as the Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy, was the name of the military regime that governed Thailand following the 2006...
approached him to become the foreign minister of the interim civilian government
Thailand 2006 interim civilian government under military control
The Thai 2006 interim civilian government is the Thai provisional civilian government headed by Interim Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont...
. However, he denied the junta made such an approach.
It was alleged that the military appointed him as part of the team for PR work. Kraisak emphatically denies of having been approached much less taken part in this PR team.
After the general elections in 2007, Kraisak is now a member of the parliament (proportional representation)of the opposition party (the Democrat Party) and has recently been elected as deputy leader responsible for the North East.
He also holds the position of the President of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC)http://www.aseanmp.org/news/index.php which is composed of like-minded members of parliaments from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) who work together towards restoring freedom and instituting democracy in Myanmar.
External links
Dr. Kraisak's official personal Thai language webpage appears at *http://www.kraisak.net/