Surapong Tovichakchaikul

Surapong Tovichakchaikul
สุรพงษ์ โตวิจักษณ์ชัยกุล

MPCh MWM MP

Surapong with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (2011)
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office
28 October 2012  7 May 2014
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
Preceded by Yongyuth Wichaidit
Yuthasak Sasiprapha
Succeeded by NCPO
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
9 August 2011  7 May 2014
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
Preceded by Kasit Piromya
Succeeded by Thanasak Patimaprakorn (NCPO)
Personal details
Born (1953-05-01) 1 May 1953
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Political party Pheu Thai Party
Relations Thaksin Shinawatra (cousin in-law)
Children Nuttapong Tovichakchaikul
Supisara Tovichakchaikul
Alma mater Montfort College
Khon Kaen University
Youngstown State University
University of Akron
Profession Politician
Religion Buddhism

Surapong Tovichakchaikul is Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand,[1][2][3] party-list MP and Pheu Thai Party deputy leader.

Early life

Surapong Tovichakchaikul was born on 1 May 1953 at Chiang Mai Province. He is Thaksin Shinwatra's cousin in-law because Sumalee Tovichakchaikul (Surapong's aunt) married to Satien Shinawatra, Thaksin's uncle.[4] Surapong has 2 children: Nuttapong Tovichakchaikul and Supisara Tovichakchaikul. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering from Khon Kaen University.

Entry into politics

Surapong entered politics by has been elected as MP for Chiang Mai Province on behalf of Democrat Party in 1996 general election. He also has been elected for Democrat Party executive. In 2001 general election, he was a MP candidate for the same party but lost to Pakorn Buranupakorn from Thai Rak Thai Party. In 2005 general election, he was a 41st party-list MP candidate for Democrat Party but was not elected. When he was Democrat Party member, Surapong played important role to criticize Thaksin Shinwatra.

Later, Surapong moved to join Thai Rak Thai Party in 2006. After coup d'état and Thai Rak Thai Party was dissolved, he and most of Thai Rak Thai Party members moved to People's Power Party. He was elected as MP for Chiang Mai Province again in 2007 general election on behalf of People's Power Party by leadership of Samak Sundaravej.

In 2009, Surapong was among United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship supporters who signed petition for Thaksin's amnesty. Later, Surapong moved to Pheu Thai Party and has been appointed as deputy leader of the party in September 2010. In 2011 general election, he was elected as 20st party-list MP for Pheu Thai Party and has been appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Yingluck Shinawatra's government. Later, Surapong was also appointed as deputy Prime Minister. The Yingluck government was ousted by a coup d'état on 22 May 2014.

References

  1. "Remarks With Thai Foreign Minister Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul Before Their Meeting". US Department of State. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  2. "Foreign Secretary meets with Foreign Minister of Thailand". http://www.fco.gov.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2012. External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. "Thailand - Heads of Government Listing". Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  4. Piyanart Srivalo, Naya Jaikawang, Hassaya Chartmontree Govt review to take more than two months, August 19, 2009, The Nation (newspaper)
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