Sanan Kachornprasart
Encyclopedia
Sanan Kachornprasart is a Thai
politician
and military officer (Major General
). He was deputy prime minister in the cabinet
of Abhisit Vejjajiva
, and is Chief Adviser of the Chartthaipattana Party.
and United States Army Armor School
, Fort Knox
. Afterwards he served as an officer in the tank force (in Thailand traditionally "Cavalry") of the Royal Thai Army until he was dismissed for supporting the 26 March coup in 1977, led by General Chalad Hiransiri against the Tanin Kraivixien
government. Sanan, by that time Lieutenant Colonel, was imprisoned in Lat Yao prison charged with treason
, just like his Military Academy and Fort Knox mate Manoonkrit Roopkachorn
. Later he was rehabilitated and even promoted Major General.
. From 1988 until his leave in 2000, he held the position of Secretary General of that party. He served as Minister of Agriculture
from 1988 to 1990 and Deputy Prime Minister for only three months in autumn 1990 under Chatichai Choonhavan
, as Minister of Industry
from 1992 to 1994 and as Interior Minister
from 1994 to 1995 in Chuan Leekpai
's first government. When, after two years of opposition, the Democrats regained government in 1997, Premier Chuan re-apoointed Sanan Minister of Interior for a second term until 2000, coevally he was Chuan's Deputy Prime Minister from 1998 to 2000.
In 2000 Sanan came under the suspicion of corruption. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) initiated investigations on the hint by an oppositional MP, that a 45 Million Baht loan by A.A.S. Autoservice, in fact was no loan. On August 23 the Constitutional Court
ruled that Sanan had given false information about his assets and banned him from politics for 5 years in accordance with article 295 of the 1997 Constitution
.
After his ban, Sanan Kachornprasart left the Democrat Party. In 2004 he founded the Great People's Party, together with Anek Laothamatas. Sanan served as the chairman of this party. The GPP won 8.3 % of the votes and 2 of the 500 seats in the 2005 election. In 2007 Sanan and his son Siriwat left the party for the conservative-populist Thai Nation Party, coalition partner of the People's Power Party
(PPP) in the Somchai Wongsawat
government. In early December 2008, the Constitutional Court dissolved all governing parties, the Nation Party was mostly refounded as the Thai Nation Development Party (Chartthaipattana Party, CTP), of which Sanan is the mainstay and chief adviser.
On December 15, 2008 the CTP joined the Democrat-led coalition government under Abhisit and Sanan was appointed Deputy Prime Minister with focus on social policies. After the 2011 election, he resigned from the cabinet, even though the CTP is also part of the new Pheu Thai Party-led coalition.
's cabinet. Sanan owns the biggest ostrich
farm in Thailand, called "Kajorn Farm" and a vineyard in Dong Charoen District, Phichit Province, where he cultivates the wine "Chateau de Shala One".
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
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and military officer (Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
). He was deputy prime minister in the cabinet
Abhisit cabinet
The Abhisit Cabinet was announced after the appointment of Abhisit Vejjajiva as Prime Minister of Thailand on the 17 December 2008. The Cabinet line-up itself was announced on the 20 December, to the news media. The Cabinet was formally sworn in by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the 22...
of Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party...
, and is Chief Adviser of the Chartthaipattana Party.
Military service
Sanan Kachornprasart graduated from the Chulachomklao Royal Military AcademyChulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy or CRMA is the military academy of Royal Thai Army. Established in 1887 it has graduated the vast majority of Thailand's military leaders and many of them become Thai Prime Ministers.-History:...
and United States Army Armor School
United States Army Armor School
The United States Army Armor School is a training school located at Fort Benning. Its primary focus is the training of United States Army soldiers, NCOs, and commissioned officers in the operation, tactics, and maintenance of Armor forces and equipment, including the M1 Abrams main battle tank, the...
, Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
. Afterwards he served as an officer in the tank force (in Thailand traditionally "Cavalry") of the Royal Thai Army until he was dismissed for supporting the 26 March coup in 1977, led by General Chalad Hiransiri against the Tanin Kraivixien
Tanin Kraivixien
Tanin Kraivixien or Thanin Kraivixien was the prime minister of Thailand between 1976 and 1977. Tanin is a son of Hae and Pa-ob Kraivixien, and is of Chinese-Thai descent. Tanin studied law at Thammasat University, graduating in 1948. He then went to the London School of Economics to continue with...
government. Sanan, by that time Lieutenant Colonel, was imprisoned in Lat Yao prison charged with treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
, just like his Military Academy and Fort Knox mate Manoonkrit Roopkachorn
Manoonkrit Roopkachorn
Major General Manoonkrit Roopkachorn is a former Thai military officer, Senator and Speaker of the Senate...
. Later he was rehabilitated and even promoted Major General.
Political career
Later, Sanan entered politics. He became a member of the Democrat PartyDemocrat Party (Thailand)
The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative...
. From 1988 until his leave in 2000, he held the position of Secretary General of that party. He served as Minister of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (Thailand)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Kingdom of Thailand is a Cabinet ministry in the Government of Thailand. The Ministry is one of the oldest ministry in the government, tracing back its existence since the 14th century...
from 1988 to 1990 and Deputy Prime Minister for only three months in autumn 1990 under 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...
, as Minister of Industry
Ministry of Industry (Thailand)
The Ministry of Industry of the Kingdom of Thailand is a Cabinet ministry in the Government of Thailand. The Ministry is responsible for the promotion and regulation of Industries...
from 1992 to 1994 and as Interior Minister
Ministry of Interior (Thailand)
The Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Thailand is an important Cabinet-level department in the Government of Thailand. The Ministry is given wide ranging responsibilities over many aspects...
from 1994 to 1995 in Chuan Leekpai
Chuan Leekpai
Chuan Leekpai was the Prime Minister of Thailand from September 20, 1992 to May 19, 1995 and again from November 9, 1997 to February 9, 2001. A third-generation Thai Chinese, Chuan was born in Trang province in a grass-roofed house. The walls of his family's house were woven from strips of...
's first government. When, after two years of opposition, the Democrats regained government in 1997, Premier Chuan re-apoointed Sanan Minister of Interior for a second term until 2000, coevally he was Chuan's Deputy Prime Minister from 1998 to 2000.
In 2000 Sanan came under the suspicion of corruption. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) initiated investigations on the hint by an oppositional MP, that a 45 Million Baht loan by A.A.S. Autoservice, in fact was no loan. On August 23 the Constitutional Court
Constitutional Court of Thailand
The Constitutional Court of Thailand is an independent Thai court originally established under the 1997 Constitution with jurisdiction over the constitutionality of parliamentary acts, royal decrees, draft legislation, as well as the appointment and removal of public officials and issues regarding...
ruled that Sanan had given false information about his assets and banned him from politics for 5 years in accordance with article 295 of the 1997 Constitution
1997 Constitution of Thailand
For legal and historical context, see the Constitutions of Thailand articlethumb|275px|Bangkok's [[Democracy Monument, Bangkok|Democracy Monument]]: a representation of the 1932 Constitution sits on top of two golden offering bowls above a turret....
.
After his ban, Sanan Kachornprasart left the Democrat Party. In 2004 he founded the Great People's Party, together with Anek Laothamatas. Sanan served as the chairman of this party. The GPP won 8.3 % of the votes and 2 of the 500 seats in the 2005 election. In 2007 Sanan and his son Siriwat left the party for the conservative-populist Thai Nation Party, coalition partner of the People's Power Party
People's Power Party (Thailand)
The People's Power Party was a Thai political party founded on November 9, 1998 by Police Lieutenant Colonel Garn Tienkaew. The party leader was Somchai Wongsawat, the Party Secretary General was Surapong Suebwonglee, and the Party Spokesperson was Kuthep Saikrajarng...
(PPP) in the Somchai Wongsawat
Somchai Wongsawat
Somchai Wongsawat is a Thai politician, as well as former executive member of the People's Power Party whose political rights have been disfranchised by the Constitutional Court for five years....
government. In early December 2008, the Constitutional Court dissolved all governing parties, the Nation Party was mostly refounded as the Thai Nation Development Party (Chartthaipattana Party, CTP), of which Sanan is the mainstay and chief adviser.
On December 15, 2008 the CTP joined the Democrat-led coalition government under Abhisit and Sanan was appointed Deputy Prime Minister with focus on social policies. After the 2011 election, he resigned from the cabinet, even though the CTP is also part of the new Pheu Thai Party-led coalition.
Private life
Sanan Kachornprasart is married to Chawiwan Kachornprasart and has four children. His third son is the CTP-politician Siriwat Kachornprasart, who is Deputy minister of commerce in Yingluck ShinawatraYingluck Shinawatra
Yingluck Shinawatra , or nickname Pu , is a Thai businesswoman and politician, member of the Pheu Thai Party, and the 28th Prime Minister of Thailand following the 2011 general election...
's cabinet. Sanan owns the biggest ostrich
Ostrich
The Ostrich is one or two species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living member of the genus Struthio. Some analyses indicate that the Somali Ostrich may be better considered a full species apart from the Common Ostrich, but most taxonomists consider it to be a...
farm in Thailand, called "Kajorn Farm" and a vineyard in Dong Charoen District, Phichit Province, where he cultivates the wine "Chateau de Shala One".