Anand Panyarachun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anand Panyarachun MPCh MWM TChW
อานันท์ ปันยารชุน
Anand in 2010
18th Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 10 June 1992 – 22 September 1992
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Meechai Ruchuphan (acting)
Succeeded by	Chuan Leekpai
In office 2 March 1991 – 23 March 1992
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Sunthorn Kongsompong (as Head of the National Peacekeeping Council)
Succeeded by	Suchinda Kraprayoon
Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs
In office 12 August 1975 – 11 March 1977
Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan Bhichai Rattakul Upadit Pachariyangkun
Preceded by	Phan Wannamethee
Succeeded by	Wong Phonnikon
Ambassador of Thailand
In office to West Germany 1979 – 1984 to the United States 1972 – 1976 to Canada 1967 – 1972 to the United Nations 1964 – 1976
Personal details
Born	(1932-08-09) 9 August 1932 (age 92) Bangkok, Krung Thep, Siam (now Bangkok, Thailand)
Spouse	M.R. Sodsri Panyarachun (née Chakrabandhu) (d. 2023)
Education	Dulwich College
Alma mater	Trinity College, Cambridge
Profession	Diplomat
Signature

Anand Panyarachun (Thai: อานันท์ ปันยารชุน; born 9 August 1932) is a Thai retired politician. He served as Prime Minister two times. His first term was from 1991 to 1992. His second term was later in 1992.

Anand helped start important changes in Thailand's economy and government. He played a key role in writing Thailand's "People's Constitution" in 1997. This constitution brought many new ideas for how the country should be run. In 1997, Anand received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his work in government.

Anand's Early Life and Career

Family Background and Education

Anand was the youngest of twelve children. His family was quite wealthy. His father's family had Mon roots. His mother's family was Thai-Chinese. Anand's father, Sern, studied in England. He later became a successful businessman.

Anand went to Dulwich College in England. After that, he studied law at Trinity College, Cambridge. He finished his studies with high honors in 1955.

Working for the Government and in Business

Anand worked for the Thai foreign service for 23 years. This means he worked for Thailand's government in other countries. He was an ambassador to many places. These included the United Nations, Canada, the United States, and West Germany.

In 1976, he became the top official in the foreign ministry. He helped make sure the US military left Thailand. After a military takeover that year, some people accused him of being a communist. This was because the foreign ministry had worked to improve relations with China. An investigation cleared his name. However, he was given less important jobs. In 1979, he left government work.

Anand then moved to the private business world. He became a leader at the Saha-Union Group. He also joined the board of Siam Commercial Bank.

Anand's First Time as Prime Minister

Anand in 2010

In February 1991, the military took control of the government. They arrested the elected leader, Chatichai Choonhavan. The military formed a group called the National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC). To improve their image, they asked Anand to be the temporary prime minister.

Anand was respected by many people. He had strong ties to the royal palace. He was also seen as smart and honest. This made him a good choice for the country and for other nations.

When he became prime minister, Anand said he would be independent. He did not agree with everything the military had done. He even suggested that the arrested leader, Chatichai, should be released.

Forming His Government

The military still wanted to keep a lot of power. However, Anand was mostly free to choose his own cabinet members. He picked many smart people. These included university professors, experts, and former government officials. Many people thought his cabinet was one of the best Thailand had ever seen.

Important Changes and Reforms

Anand's government worked very hard. They focused on many important changes. These included improving education, public health, and trade. They also worked on agriculture, industry, and the environment. Many people supported these efforts. A survey in Bangkok showed that most people felt Anand's government was more honest.

One big change was to the tax system. They introduced a value added tax (VAT). They also lowered taxes for companies and individuals. His government made it easier for money to move in and out of Thailand. Thai people could invest abroad more easily. Foreign banks could open more branches. Rules for opening factories were also made simpler.

The government also worked on big projects started by the previous leader. They set up a board to watch over these projects. This was to help prevent corruption.

To help ordinary people, government workers received a pay raise. The minimum wage was also increased. The government also gave money directly to villages. This money could be spent as the villages saw fit.

Some key achievements of Anand's government included:

• Helping create the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). This made trade easier between countries in Southeast Asia.
• Creating an effective policy to fight AIDS/HIV.
• Changing rules for electricity production.
• Giving a big contract to Telecom Asia to build telephone lines in Bangkok.
• Stopping a large rail-train airport project called Hopewell.

Foreign Relations

Anand did well in dealing with other countries. Even though there was a military takeover, other nations quickly started working with Thailand again. Anand visited China, Japan, and the United States. He showed that his government wanted to make business easier and reduce bureaucracy.

His government also improved relations with neighboring countries. Relations with Laos got much better. Thailand also played a big role in the peace process in Cambodia. Relations with Vietnam also improved.

Disagreements with the Military

Anand did not always agree with the military leaders. He disagreed with their plans to spend more money on defense. He believed that a country's security came from its economy and political growth, not just military power. He said that people needed freedom to express themselves.

Anand also spoke out against the military's proposed new constitution. He disagreed with parts that gave too much power to appointed officials. Even though he was disappointed, the military-led group passed their draft constitution.

Human Rights Concerns

Anand's government did not stop all actions by the military. For example, the military started a project to move villagers from forest areas. These villagers had lived there for many years. The military promised new homes, but often did not provide them.

There were also concerns about freedom of information. The military controlled the media. Any criticism of the military was not allowed to be published. News about protests was kept from the public. Anand did not take action against this censorship.

Anand's first term ended when General Suchinda became prime minister after elections.

Anand's Second Time as Prime Minister

General Suchinda resigned in May 1992. This happened after large protests against his government. The king stepped in to help end the unrest. The political parties that supported Suchinda still wanted to stay in power. They suggested another leader.

However, the House Speaker, Arthit Urairat, surprised everyone. He recommended Anand's name to the king instead. Most people were very happy with this choice.

Four days later, Anand formed his new cabinet. It included many respected experts. Their main goals were to fix the economy, hold fair elections, and remove top military commanders.

Anand's government quickly removed a law that allowed the military to use force against protesters. He also removed several top military leaders from their positions.

Anand was succeeded by Chuan Leekpai later in 1992, who was chosen in a democratic election.

Anand's Life After Being Prime Minister

After his second term, Anand went back to the Saha-Union Group as chairman. He left this group in 2002.

Helping Draft a New Constitution

In 1996, Anand was chosen to be part of the Constitution Drafting Assembly. He led the committee that wrote what became known as the "People's Constitution" of 1997. This constitution brought many important changes, such as:

• Giving more power to local governments.
• Creating independent government groups, like the Election Commission.
• Requiring members of parliament to have a university degree.
• Making it easier for larger political parties to form stable governments.

This constitution was later cancelled in 2006 after a military takeover. Anand supported this takeover, which removed the government of Thaksin Shinawatra.

National Reconciliation Commission

From 2005, Anand led the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC). This group was created to help bring peace to the southern parts of Thailand, where there was conflict. Anand often criticized how the government handled the situation. He believed that arresting innocent people caused more problems.

The NRC made several suggestions to help the south. These included:

• Allowing Islamic law to be used.
• Making the local Pattani-Malay (Yawi) an official language in the region.
• Creating an unarmed peacekeeping force.

However, some of these suggestions were not accepted by other leaders.

Other Important Roles

Anand has also been involved in many international groups. He is a member of the Trilateral Commission and an advisory board for American International Group (AIG). He is also part of the Carlyle Group.

Since 1996, Anand has been a UNICEF Ambassador for Thailand. UNICEF works to help children around the world. From 2003 to 2004, the United Nations Secretary-General asked Anand to lead a special panel. This panel looked at global threats and challenges. It made recommendations for how the UN could be improved.

Support for the 2006 Military Takeover

Anand supported the 2006 military takeover. This event cancelled the "People's Constitution" and removed the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Anand had been a strong critic of Thaksin for several years. He believed Thaksin was responsible for the military takeover.

Anand thought that many people welcomed the takeover. He also believed that the military's ban on political activity would not last long. He was surprised that other countries criticized the takeover.

Royal Decorations

Anand has received many honors from the King of Thailand. These include:

• 1991 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• 1988 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 2003 - Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn
• 1991 - Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• 1967 - King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (Third Class)

Foreign Decorations

He has also received honors from other countries:

• 1961 - Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Third Class)
• 1970 - Order of Diplomatic Service Merit Grand Gwanghwa Medal (First Class), Republic of Korea
• 1971 - Star of Merit 1st Class, Indonesia
• 1990 - Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown (Second Class), Belgium
• 1991 - Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan
• 1996 - Honorary Knight Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), United Kingdom
• 2007 - Commander Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Sweden

Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand Rank

• Volunteer Defense Corps General (Honorary rank)

See Also

In Spanish: Anand Panyarachun para niños

• List of prime ministers of Thailand
• Constitution of Thailand