Abhisit Vejjajiva facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abhisit Vejjajiva
MPCh MWM
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อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ
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Abhisit in 2010
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| 27th Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 17 December 2008 – 5 August 2011 |
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| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Deputy |
See list
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| Preceded by | Chavarat Charnvirakul (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Yingluck Shinawatra |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 16 September 2011 – 8 December 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Yingluck Shinawatra |
| Preceded by | Himself (2008) |
| Succeeded by | Sompong Amornwiwat (2019) |
| In office 23 April 2005 – 17 December 2008 |
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| Prime Minister |
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| Preceded by | Banyat Bantadtan |
| Succeeded by | Himself (2011) |
| Member of the House of Representatives for the Democrat Party List |
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| In office 6 January 2001 – 5 June 2019 |
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| Member of the House of Representatives for Bangkok |
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| In office 22 March 1992 – 9 November 2000 |
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| Constituency |
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| Leader of the Democrat Party | |
| In office 6 March 2005 – 24 March 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Banyat Bantadtan |
| Succeeded by | Jurin Laksanawisit |
| Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister | |
| In office 14 November 1997 – 17 February 2001 |
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| Prime Minister | Chuan Leekpai |
| Preceded by |
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| Succeeded by |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva
3 August 1964 Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom |
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| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
Democrat (1992–2023) |
| Spouse | Pimpen Vejjajiva |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | St John's College, Oxford Ramkhamhaeng University |
| Signature |  |
Abhisit Vejjajiva (born August 3, 1964) is a Thai politician. He served as the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011. He was also the leader of the Democrat Party from 2005 until 2019.
Abhisit was born in England to Thai parents. He holds both Thai and British citizenship. He studied at Eton College and then at the University of Oxford. There, he earned degrees in philosophy, politics, and economics. After finishing his studies, he taught economics at two universities in Thailand.
Abhisit was first elected to the Thai House of Representatives when he was 27 years old. He later became a minister in the Office of the Prime Minister from 1997 to 2001. He became the leader of the Democrat Party in 2005.
He became prime minister of Thailand on December 17, 2008. This happened after the Constitutional Court of Thailand removed the previous Prime Minister from office. At 44 years old, Abhisit was the youngest prime minister in Thailand in over 60 years.
During his time as prime minister, Abhisit focused on improving life for people in Thailand. He launched plans to boost the economy and help families. He also worked to improve the country's infrastructure, like roads and buildings. His government faced big challenges, including large protests and political tensions.
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Early Life and Education
Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. As a child, he attended Chulalongkorn University Demonstration School in Thailand. From age eleven, he studied in England. He went to a prep school called Scaitcliffe and then to Eton College.
Abhisit earned a top bachelor's degree in philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) from St John's College, Oxford. He also received a master's degree in economics from Oxford. While studying in England, he visited Thailand many times. In 1983, he traveled with his classmate, who later became UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
After his studies in England, Abhisit moved to Thailand. He earned a law degree from Ramkhamhaeng University. He also taught at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and Thammasat University. He is fluent in both Thai and English.
Family Background
Abhisit is married to Pimpen Sakuntabhai. She was his classmate in elementary school. Pimpen used to be a dentist and now teaches mathematics at Chulalongkorn University. They have two children, a daughter named Prang and a son named Pannasit.
Abhisit has two sisters. One is a child psychiatrist, and the other is a well-known author. His family has a long history in Thailand. His grandfather, Dr. Long, was a public health minister. The family name Vejjajiva means 'medical profession'.
His father, Athasit Vejjajiva, was a president of Mahidol University. He was also a member of the Royal Institute of Thailand.
Start of Political Career
Abhisit started his political journey in 1992. He became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bangkok with the Democrat Party. He was re-elected several times. He served as a party spokesman and a government spokesman. He also worked as a minister in the Prime Minister's Office.
Education Reform Efforts
When Abhisit was a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, he helped create the national education law of 1999. This law aimed to improve education across Thailand.
Becoming Democrat Party Leader
In 2003, Abhisit was first considered to lead the Democrat Party. However, he lost that election. Two years later, the party's leader resigned after losing the 2005 general elections. Abhisit then became the new leader of the Democrat Party.
2006 Elections and Challenges
In 2006, the prime minister at the time called for new elections. Abhisit and other opposition parties decided not to take part. They believed the elections were not fair.
Later, the Constitutional Court canceled the election results. The Democrat Party faced accusations of trying to influence other parties. However, the court found Abhisit and the Democrats not guilty. Instead, the court banned the ruling party for similar reasons.
After the 2006 Military Coup
On September 19, 2006, the military took control of the government. Abhisit did not support this action. He urged the military leaders to quickly give power back to the people. He also asked them to lift all restrictions on political activities.
Abhisit and his party supported a new draft constitution in 2007. They believed it was important for democracy to return quickly. He said he would try to change the constitution if he became prime minister.
2007 Elections and Political Changes
After the December 2007 elections, the Democrat Party remained in opposition. In 2008, the Constitutional Court removed the prime minister from office. This led to a political crisis.
During this time, some members of the Democrat Party became leaders of a protest group. This group held large demonstrations. These protests ended after the Constitutional Court banned the ruling party. This event helped pave the way for Abhisit to become prime minister.
Becoming Prime Minister
When new elections were called in 2006, Abhisit stated he was ready to be prime minister. He promised to lead with good governance and strong ethics. He announced his plan for a "People's Agenda," focusing on education. His campaign slogan was "Putting People First."
He also promised not to sell off important public services like water and electricity. He wanted to improve popular government programs that helped people. Abhisit also said that all future Democrat MPs would need to declare their assets.
Abhisit raised a lot of money for his party's 60th anniversary. He talked about energy policies, like using money from the state oil company to pay off debts. He also planned to reduce petrol prices by removing certain taxes.
In July 2006, Abhisit promised to address the increasing violence in the southern provinces. He wanted to make these problems a public priority. He also promised policies like free education, textbooks, and milk for young students. He aimed to increase the minimum wage.
In December 2008, Abhisit became prime minister. This happened after the Constitutional Court removed the previous prime minister. His party formed a new government with other parties. Abhisit won a vote in parliament on December 15, 2008. King Bhumibol Adulyadej officially approved him as Prime Minister on December 17, 2008.
As Prime Minister of Thailand
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When Abhisit became prime minister, he appointed key people to his government. These included a foreign minister, an interior minister, and a finance minister.
During his time, Thailand faced economic challenges. The government's budget went into deficit. To help people, Abhisit's government subsidized the price of diesel, cooking gas, and electricity. Public bus and train rides were also made free for a time.
His government also focused on information and communication technology. This included increasing efforts to control internet content.
Abhisit's government faced significant political protests in 2009 and 2010. These events created challenges for his administration. He launched a plan to help bring peace and understanding after these events. His government also dealt with border clashes with Cambodian troops.
After his party lost the 2011 parliamentary elections, Abhisit resigned as party leader. However, he was later re-elected as leader at a party meeting. In 2018, he was re-elected as party leader again. But after a difficult result in the 2019 election, Abhisit resigned from his leadership role.
Honours and Recognition
Abhisit has received several important awards and honours in Thailand. These include:
- Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (1999)
- Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (1998)
He also holds military ranks:
- Sub Lieutenant of The Royal Thai Army
- Volunteer Defense Corps General
See Also
In Spanish: Abhisit Vejjajiva para niños
- Democrat Party (Thailand)
Images for kids
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Abhisit and his wife, Dr. Pimpen
