Surakiart Sathirathai
Encyclopedia
Surakiart Sathirathai was, until September 19 2006, a Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
overseeing Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture.
. He graduated with a First Class (Valedictorian) degree in law from Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University
. He earned two masters degrees, a Masters in Law (LL.M.) from Harvard Law School with a thesis on human rights and another in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. Surakiart was the first Thai to earn a doctorate in law from Harvard Law School. His doctoral thesis, “An Understanding of the Relationship Among International Legal Discourse About Development, Third World Countries, and International Peace,” (1985) explored the global trade law regime from the perspective of the third world. He later co-edited Third World Attitudes Toward International Law: An Introduction (1987) and authored various articles on law and development including "Peace and Security: The Challenge and the Promise", 41 Texas International Law Journal 513 (2006). From the late 1980s until the late 1990s, Surakiart taught in the Faculty of Law at Chulalongkorn University and ultimately became Dean.
under Prime Minister
Banharn Silapa-Archa. Surakiart's supporters maintain that although he inherited a national economy beset by structural challenges that ultimately exposed it to the Thai financial crisis, Dr. Surakiart designed and implemented reforms that, while deeply unpopular, moved the economy in the right direction and have become an essential part of Thailand's economic policy. Nevertheless, he resigned less than a year after his appointment over his handling of the collapse of the Bangkok Bank of Commerce.http://www.pathfinder.com/asiaweek/96/0607/biz3.html
After his tenure at the Finance Ministry, Surakiart went on to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Advisory Council on Economic and Foreign Affairs under Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
until 1997. Following that, he was President of the Institute of Social and Economic Policy (ISEP), a think tank
, from 1997 to 2001. In the late 1990s, Surakiart led several major Thai corporations through restructurings and bankruptcy proceedings, and founded and chaired a major Bangkok law firm.
In 2001, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
appointed Dr. Surakiart as Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position he held until early 2005 when he became Deputy Prime Minister
. As Foreign Minister, Surakiart sought to promote regional economic development through various cooperative networks, including Ayeyarwaddy-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). As Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Culture, Surakiart now oversees the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Culture.
On 2 October, 2006, he became an independent politician by resigning from his last political party Thai Rak Thai
following the coupe d'tat of Thailand
. http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/03/headlines/headlines_30015251.php His intention in this political exodus is still unknown but the military junta of Thailand has announced to continue supporting his bid for UN top job.
Secretary-General
. Many other nations, including the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) had pledged to support Dr. Surakiart’s bid. He was also rumored to have the backing of China
, a permanent member of the Security Council. Surakiart's candidature may have been adversely affected by the controversial policies of Thaksin Shinawatra, whose relations with the military junta in Myanmar and handling of unrest in the predominantly Muslim south of the country were particularly contentious. Most notably, the Asian Human Rights Commission
campaigned against Surakiart on account of Thailand's policy toward Myanmar.http://www.ahrchk.net/pr/mainfile.php/2005mr/363/ However, Surakiart's supporters contended that he spear-headed Thailand's "prosper thy neighbor" policy of regional economic coordination and that his quiet diplomatic style had helped resolve numerous long-standing regional disputes.
The Secretary General is appointed by the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Security Council. To be elected, a candidate to the post needs 9 votes from the Security Council, including those of all 5 permanent members. The General Assembly then holds a vote; two-thirds of Member States need to support the candidacy for the Secretary General to be appointed.
from India. Surakiart scored 7 encouragements, 3 discouragements, and 5 no opinions. Ban scored 12-1-2 and Tharoor scored 10-2-3.http://www.unsg.org/wordpress/archives/115
In a second September 14 straw poll, Surakiart gained some ground, scoring 9 encouragements, 3 discouragements, and 3 no opinions. However, he still scored third behind Ban and Tharoor
. Ban scored 14-1-0 and Tharoor scored 10-3-2.
In a straw poll held on September 28, however, Surakiart fell into fourth place, winning only 5 encouragments, 7 discouragements and 3 no opinions. The entry of additional candidates, including former Latvian
President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
, into the race, combined with the military coup
that took place only weeks before the poll, were likely causes of Surakiart's loss of support.
South Korea's foreign minister, Ban Ki-Moon
, won the support of the Security Council's five permanent members in an informal vote on the next UN secretary general held on 3 October 2006, and was subsequently elected Secretary-General.
noted "Because we have a weak foreign minister who responded to Thaksin as if he were his servant, we have been unable to solve any problems".http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/16/politics/politics_20002865.php. Asda also claimed that Surakiart Sathirathai parked his car outside the official residence of UN secretary-general at night so he could see it. "It's very embarrassing," Asda told the crowd. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30000200 The former diplomat blasted Surkiart's candidacy as a lost cause and an embarrassment for Thailand's international standing, claiming that it was "silly" to believe that handshakes from 127 countries amounted to formal endorsements. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/17/opinion/opinion_20001050.php He has also publicly called Surakiart “a third rate politician”, http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/17/opinion/opinion_20001050.php "clumsy", "bungling",http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=9696 and "lacking a brand name".http://www.unescap.org/unis/eye_on_unescap/issue92_17feb2006.doc.
Surakiart responded by accusing Asda of defaming him, and threatened to file a defamation suit if he didn't stop attacking him in public. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30000318.
While Foreign Minister, Surakiart transferred Asda's younger brother Surapong Jayanama to become ambassador to Germany (from Director General of the East Asia Department of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs). He also transferred Asda's younger brother Apipong Jayanama to become head of the Institute of Foreign Affairs (from Director General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs). Some have speculated that Asda's opposition to Surakiart might stem from these eventshttp://www.thailife.de/archiv/2002/meinung-diskussion/botschafter_sulak_g.htm.
, who holds several advanced degrees including a doctorate in Land Economy
from the University of Cambridge
(UK). They have one son, Santitaran, a graduate of the London School of Economics
, who recently left the Thai Ministry of Finance to continue his postgraduate studies at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
, Harvard University.
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...
overseeing Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture.
Family and early career
Surakiart grew up in Bangkok. His father was a Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Finance and mother was a Professor in French literature at Chulalongkorn UniversityChulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
. He graduated with a First Class (Valedictorian) degree in law from Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
. He earned two masters degrees, a Masters in Law (LL.M.) from Harvard Law School with a thesis on human rights and another in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. Surakiart was the first Thai to earn a doctorate in law from Harvard Law School. His doctoral thesis, “An Understanding of the Relationship Among International Legal Discourse About Development, Third World Countries, and International Peace,” (1985) explored the global trade law regime from the perspective of the third world. He later co-edited Third World Attitudes Toward International Law: An Introduction (1987) and authored various articles on law and development including "Peace and Security: The Challenge and the Promise", 41 Texas International Law Journal 513 (2006). From the late 1980s until the late 1990s, Surakiart taught in the Faculty of Law at Chulalongkorn University and ultimately became Dean.
Career in Thai politics
In 1995, Dr. Surakiart became Thailand’s youngest Finance MinisterFinance minister
The finance minister is a cabinet position in a government.A minister of finance has many different jobs in a government. He or she helps form the government budget, stimulate the economy, and control finances...
under Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
Banharn Silapa-Archa. Surakiart's supporters maintain that although he inherited a national economy beset by structural challenges that ultimately exposed it to the Thai financial crisis, Dr. Surakiart designed and implemented reforms that, while deeply unpopular, moved the economy in the right direction and have become an essential part of Thailand's economic policy. Nevertheless, he resigned less than a year after his appointment over his handling of the collapse of the Bangkok Bank of Commerce.http://www.pathfinder.com/asiaweek/96/0607/biz3.html
After his tenure at the Finance Ministry, Surakiart went on to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Advisory Council on Economic and Foreign Affairs under Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is a Thai politician and retired general. He was Thailand's 22nd Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997. He is of Sino-Thai and ethnic Lao descent....
until 1997. Following that, he was President of the Institute of Social and Economic Policy (ISEP), a think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
, from 1997 to 2001. In the late 1990s, Surakiart led several major Thai corporations through restructurings and bankruptcy proceedings, and founded and chaired a major Bangkok law firm.
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
appointed Dr. Surakiart as Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position he held until early 2005 when he became Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some counties, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president, but is significantly different, though both...
. As Foreign Minister, Surakiart sought to promote regional economic development through various cooperative networks, including Ayeyarwaddy-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). As Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Culture, Surakiart now oversees the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Culture.
On 2 October, 2006, he became an independent politician by resigning from his last political party Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
following the coupe d'tat of Thailand
2006 Thailand coup d'état
The 2006 Thai coup d'état took place on Tuesday 19 September 2006, when the Royal Thai Army staged a coup d'état against the elected caretaker government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra...
. http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/03/headlines/headlines_30015251.php His intention in this political exodus is still unknown but the military junta of Thailand has announced to continue supporting his bid for UN top job.
Campaign to become UN Secretary General
The Royal Thai Government had nominated Dr. Surakiart as Thailand’s candidate for United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Secretary-General
United Nations Secretary-General
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is the head of the Secretariat of the United Nations, one of the principal organs of the United Nations. The Secretary-General also acts as the de facto spokesperson and leader of the United Nations....
. Many other nations, including the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly abbreviated ASEAN rarely ), is a geo-political and economic organization of ten countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Since then, membership has...
(ASEAN) had pledged to support Dr. Surakiart’s bid. He was also rumored to have the backing of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, a permanent member of the Security Council. Surakiart's candidature may have been adversely affected by the controversial policies of Thaksin Shinawatra, whose relations with the military junta in Myanmar and handling of unrest in the predominantly Muslim south of the country were particularly contentious. Most notably, the Asian Human Rights Commission
Asian Human Rights Commission
The Asian Human Rights Commission is an independent, non-governmental body, which seeks to promote greater awareness and realisation of human rights in the Asian region, and to mobilise Asian and international public opinion to obtain relief and redress for the victims of human rights violations...
campaigned against Surakiart on account of Thailand's policy toward Myanmar.http://www.ahrchk.net/pr/mainfile.php/2005mr/363/ However, Surakiart's supporters contended that he spear-headed Thailand's "prosper thy neighbor" policy of regional economic coordination and that his quiet diplomatic style had helped resolve numerous long-standing regional disputes.
The Secretary General is appointed by the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Security Council. To be elected, a candidate to the post needs 9 votes from the Security Council, including those of all 5 permanent members. The General Assembly then holds a vote; two-thirds of Member States need to support the candidacy for the Secretary General to be appointed.
Straw poll results
In July 2006 a straw poll was held among the UNSG candidates and Dr. Surakiat placed third, behind Ban Ki Moon from South Korea and Shashi TharoorShashi Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala...
from India. Surakiart scored 7 encouragements, 3 discouragements, and 5 no opinions. Ban scored 12-1-2 and Tharoor scored 10-2-3.http://www.unsg.org/wordpress/archives/115
In a second September 14 straw poll, Surakiart gained some ground, scoring 9 encouragements, 3 discouragements, and 3 no opinions. However, he still scored third behind Ban and Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala...
. Ban scored 14-1-0 and Tharoor scored 10-3-2.
In a straw poll held on September 28, however, Surakiart fell into fourth place, winning only 5 encouragments, 7 discouragements and 3 no opinions. The entry of additional candidates, including former Latvian
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga was the sixth President of Latvia, the first female President of Latvia and the first female leader in eastern Europe. She was elected President of Latvia in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.Dr...
, into the race, combined with the military coup
2006 Thailand coup d'état
The 2006 Thai coup d'état took place on Tuesday 19 September 2006, when the Royal Thai Army staged a coup d'état against the elected caretaker government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra...
that took place only weeks before the poll, were likely causes of Surakiart's loss of support.
South Korea's foreign minister, Ban Ki-Moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
, won the support of the Security Council's five permanent members in an informal vote on the next UN secretary general held on 3 October 2006, and was subsequently elected Secretary-General.
Jayanama Family's Opposition to Campaign
Opposition to Surakiart has been especially vocal among the Jayanama family of Thai diplomats. In a mass rally in front of thousands of anti-Thaksin protesters, former ambassador to the UN Asda JayanamaAsda Jayanama
Asda Jayanama is a former career diplomat of the Kingdom of Thailand. He is noted for his criticisms of the Myanmar military regime, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and Former Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai.- Family and Education :...
noted "Because we have a weak foreign minister who responded to Thaksin as if he were his servant, we have been unable to solve any problems".http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/16/politics/politics_20002865.php. Asda also claimed that Surakiart Sathirathai parked his car outside the official residence of UN secretary-general at night so he could see it. "It's very embarrassing," Asda told the crowd. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30000200 The former diplomat blasted Surkiart's candidacy as a lost cause and an embarrassment for Thailand's international standing, claiming that it was "silly" to believe that handshakes from 127 countries amounted to formal endorsements. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/17/opinion/opinion_20001050.php He has also publicly called Surakiart “a third rate politician”, http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/17/opinion/opinion_20001050.php "clumsy", "bungling",http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=9696 and "lacking a brand name".http://www.unescap.org/unis/eye_on_unescap/issue92_17feb2006.doc.
Surakiart responded by accusing Asda of defaming him, and threatened to file a defamation suit if he didn't stop attacking him in public. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30000318.
While Foreign Minister, Surakiart transferred Asda's younger brother Surapong Jayanama to become ambassador to Germany (from Director General of the East Asia Department of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs). He also transferred Asda's younger brother Apipong Jayanama to become head of the Institute of Foreign Affairs (from Director General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs). Some have speculated that Asda's opposition to Surakiart might stem from these eventshttp://www.thailife.de/archiv/2002/meinung-diskussion/botschafter_sulak_g.htm.
Personal life
In keeping with Thai tradition, Dr. Surakiart spent a period as a monk in a Buddhist monastery. He is married to Thanpuying Dr. Suthawan Sathirathai, a niece to the QueenSirikit
Somdet Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat , is the queen consort of Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand. She is the second Queen Regent of Thailand...
, who holds several advanced degrees including a doctorate in Land Economy
Land economy
Land economy is the study of law, economics, and the environment. The University of Cambridge and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology are currently the only universities in the world offering such a degree at undergraduate level....
from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
(UK). They have one son, Santitaran, a graduate of the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, who recently left the Thai Ministry of Finance to continue his postgraduate studies at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
, Harvard University.
External links
- Official Website
- UNSG.org - Who will be the Next Secretary General?
- Chapter 15 - Another blog following the UNSG race
- UNSGselection.org - For a Democratic, Transparent and Effective Selection Process for the United Nations Secretary-General
- A Campaign of the World Federalist MovementWorld Federalist MovementThe World Federalist Movement is a global citizens movement with member and associate organizations around the world. The WFM International Secretariat is based in New York City across from the United Nations headquarters...
- A Campaign of the World Federalist Movement
- Candidate for U.N. Secretary-General speaks on campus
- ASEAN Nations Back Thai Foreign Minister as Next UN Secretary-General
- Diplomats in Bangkok have reduced his chances of winning the UN post
- US Lawmakers Want Bush to Slam Thaksin