Banharn Silpa-archa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Banharn Silpa-archa
บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา
21st Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 13 July 1995 – 24 November 1996
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Chuan Leekpai
Succeeded by	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
4th Leader of the Opposition
In office 27 May 1994 – 19 May 1995
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Prime Minister	Chuan Leekpai
Preceded by	Pramarn Adireksarn
Succeeded by	Chuan Leekpai
Minister of Transport
In office 7 April 1992 – 9 June 1992
Prime Minister	Suchinda Kraprayoon
Preceded by	Nukul Prachuabmoh
Succeeded by	Nukul Prachuabmoh
In office 5 August 1986 – 3 August 1988
Prime Minister	Prem Tinsulanonda
Preceded by	Samak Sundaravej
Succeeded by	Montri Pongpanich
Minister of Finance
In office 14 December 1990 – 23 February 1991
Prime Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan
Preceded by	Veeraopng Ramangkoon
Succeeded by	Sutee Singsane
Minister of Interior
In office 9 January 1990 – 9 December 1990
Prime Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan
Preceded by	Pramarn Adireksarn
Succeeded by	Pramarn Adireksarn
Minister of Industry
In office 3 March 1988 – 9 January 1990
Prime Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan
Preceded by	Pramual Sabhavasu
Succeeded by	Pramarn Adireksarn
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
In office 3 March 1980 – 4 March 1981
Prime Minister	Prem Tinsulanonda
Preceded by	Kriangsak Chamanan
Succeeded by	Arnat Arpapirom
Personal details
Born	19 August 1932 Suphan Buri, Siam
Died	23 April 2016(2016-04-23) (aged 83) Bangkok, Thailand
Nationality	Thai
Political party	Thai Nation Party
Spouse	Jamsai Silpa-archa
Children	Varawut Silpa-archa Kanchana Silpa-archa Parichat Silpa-archa
Relatives	Chumpol Silpa-archa (brother)
Profession	Businessman politician
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Volunteer Defense Corps
Years of service	1990-2016
Rank	VDC Gen. (Honour Rank)

Banharn Silpa-archa (Thai: บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา, born August 19, 1932 – died April 23, 2016) was a well-known Thai politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1995 to 1996. Before entering politics, Banharn built a successful construction business. He later became a Member of Parliament for his home province of Suphan Buri. He held many important jobs in different governments. In 1994, he became the leader of the Thai Nation Party.

Early Life and Business Success

Banharn was born on August 19, 1932, in Suphan Buri. His family were Chinese merchants. He married Khunying Jamsai Silpa-archa, and they had three children.

Banharn left school during World War II. He started working with his older brother. Later, he created his own building company. His construction company became very successful in the 1960s. This was a time when a lot of money was spent on big building projects. His business made Banharn a very rich person. Even after becoming a politician, he continued his education. He earned a law degree in 1986 and later a master's degree in law.

Starting a Political Career

Abhisit Vejjajiva and Banharn Silpa-archa (right)

Banharn Silpa-archa was encouraged to join politics by Booneua Prasertsuwan. In 1976, Banharn was elected as a Member of Parliament. He represented his home province of Suphan Buri. He joined the Thai Nation Party. This party was a conservative group.

His party was part of a government led by Prime Minister Seni Pramoj. Banharn was made the deputy minister of industry. In 1977, he was elected to the Senate. But the next year, he returned to represent his area in the House of Representatives. Banharn was re-elected for Suphan Buri in every election after that. He often received a very high number of votes.

Serving in Government Roles

Banharn helped build many schools, bridges, and other important structures in his home province. Many of these were named after him. People often joked that he "owned the province" because of all he did there.

From 1980 to 1983, his party was a partner in the government of Prem Tinsulanonda. During this time, Banharn served as the Minister of Agriculture. In 1981, he became the secretary-general of the Thai Nation Party. Banharn was one of the main people who funded the party. This gave him a lot of power within the party.

In 1986, Prime Minister Prem again asked him to join the government. This time, Banharn became the Minister of Transport. After his party won the elections in 1988, Chatichai Choonhavan became Prime Minister. Banharn was then appointed Minister of Industry. In 1990, he became the Minister of Interior. Later that year, Chatichai made him the Minister of Finance.

The Chatichai government was removed by a military coup in 1991. Banharn returned to the government in April 1992. He became Minister of Transport again in the short-lived government of General Suchinda Kraprayoon. His party then became the opposition after elections in September 1992. In 1994, Banharn took over as the leader of the Thai Nation Party. He also became the official leader of the opposition.

Becoming Prime Minister

Under Banharn's leadership, the Thai Nation Party won the parliamentary election in 1995. He then became the 21st Prime Minister of Thailand. He led a government made up of seven different parties. His time as Prime Minister was short. His government faced some challenges, which led him to resign. Some people believe his administration's difficulties contributed to the economic crisis in 1997.

Later Life and Legacy

Portrait of Banharn on a Thai Nation Party campaign poster for the 2007 general election

In 2008, Banharn's Thai Nation Party joined a group with the People's Power Party. This party was connected to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

On December 2, 2008, the Constitutional Court decided to dissolve his Thai Nation Party. Banharn Silpa-archa was then not allowed to be involved in politics for five years. Members of the Thai Nation Party who were not in leadership roles quickly formed a new party. This new party was called the Chartthaipattana Party. Banharn's younger brother, Chumpol Silpa-archa, became its chairman. Banharn's son, Varawut Silpa-archa, became deputy transport minister. His daughter, Kanchana, became deputy education minister.

Banharn passed away on April 23, 2016, at the age of 83. He died from asthma.

On April 23, 2019, a bronze statue of Banharn Silpa-archa was unveiled. It was placed near the city shrine in Suphanburi province. The people of Suphanburi and the Silpa-archa family helped pay for it. This statue was made to remember all the things Banharn did for Suphanburi Province over more than 40 years.

Honors and Awards

Banharn received many important awards from Thailand and other countries. These awards recognize his service and achievements.

Thai Honors

• Knight Commander (Second Class, lower grade) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn
• Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• Red Cross Medal of Appreciation (First Class)
• Border Service Medal

International Honors

•  Japan: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
•  United Kingdom: Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)

See also

In Spanish: Banharn Silpa-Archa para niños