Chavalit Yongchaiyudh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
MPCh MWM TChW RMK LOM PMN CCLH GCM
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ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ
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Chavalit in 1996
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| 22nd Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 25 November 1996 – 8 November 1997 |
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| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Banharn Silpa-archa |
| Succeeded by | Chuan Leekpai |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 26 November 1997 – 30 April 2000 |
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| Prime Minister | Chuan Leekpai |
| Preceded by | Chuan Leekpai |
| Succeeded by | Chuan Leekpai |
| In office 15 May 1992 – 16 June 1992 |
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| Prime Minister | Suchinda Kraprayoon |
| Preceded by | Pramarn Adireksarn |
| Succeeded by | Pramarn Adireksarn |
| Deputy Prime Minister | |
| In office 17 February 2001 – 11 March 2005 |
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| Prime Minister | Thaksin Shinawatra |
| In office 13 July 1995 – 24 November 1996 |
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| Prime Minister | Banharn Silpa-archa |
| In office 14 July 1994 – 25 October 1994 |
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| Prime Minister | Chuan Leekpai |
| In office 30 March 1990 – 21 June 1990 |
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| Prime Minister | Chatichai Choonhavan |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 17 February 2001 – 3 October 2002 |
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| Prime Minister | Thaksin Shinawatra |
| In office 25 November 1996 – 8 November 1997 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| In office 13 July 1995 – 24 November 1996 |
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| Prime Minister | Banharn Silpa-archa |
| In office 30 March 1990 – 21 June 1990 |
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| Prime Minister | Chatichai Choonhavan |
| Minister of Interior | |
| In office 29 September 1992 – 11 December 1994 |
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| Prime Minister | Chuan Leekpai |
| Preceded by | Pao Sarasin |
| Succeeded by | Sanan Kachornprasart |
| Minister of Labour and Social Services | |
| In office 15 September 1993 – 1 January 1994 |
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| Prime Minister | Chuan Leekpai |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Succeeded by | Paitoon Kaewtong |
| Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces | |
| In office 1 October 1987 – 31 March 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Supha Gajaseni |
| Succeeded by | Sunthorn Kongsompong |
| Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army | |
| In office 27 May 1986 – 31 March 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Arthit Kamlang-ek |
| Succeeded by | Suchinda Kraprayoon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 May 1932 Nonthaburi, Krung Thep, Siam |
| Nationality | Thai |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Thailand |
| Branch/service |  Royal Thai Army |
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Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (born 15 May 1932) is a Thai politician and a retired army officer. He is also known by his nickname "Big Jiew". He served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1996 to 1997.
Before becoming Prime Minister, he held important military roles. He was the Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army from 1986 to 1990. He also served as the Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces from 1987 to 1990. In 1990, he started his own political party called the New Aspiration Party. He led this party until 2002. Over the years, he also held other key government jobs. These included Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Labour, and Leader of the Opposition.
Contents
Early Life and Military Career
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has both Thai Chinese and Lao family roots. His father was a captain in the army. Chavalit went to Triam Udom Suksa School and then to military academies. He graduated from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. In 1953, he became a second lieutenant.
Military Training and Service
He joined the Royal Thai Army's Signal Corps. He received advanced training in Thailand and in the United States. He studied at the US Army Signal Corps School at Fort Monmouth. He also trained with the US IX Corps in Okinawa.
In 1963, he completed training at the RTA Command and General Staff College. A year later, he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. During the 1960s and 1970s, Chavalit worked to stop the communist uprising in Thailand's jungles. He also helped prepare Thai soldiers for their missions in the Vietnam War.
Fighting the Communist Insurgency
In 1979, Chavalit became a major-general. He was made Director of Army Operations. He created special paramilitary units called Thahan Phran ("hunter soldiers"). These units used guerrilla tactics against the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT). By 1982, they were doing most of the army's counter-insurgency work.
Chavalit believed that military action alone could not defeat the communists. He thought it was also important to fix the political, economic, and social problems that led people to support the CPT. He helped write government orders that offered a way for communist fighters to give up and return to normal life. These orders greatly helped end the communist uprising in Thailand.
Rise in the Army
In 1982, Chavalit was promoted to lieutenant-general. He became assistant chief-of-staff. A year later, he was deputy chief-of-staff of the army. His rise to the top of the army was unusual because he was from the signal corps. Usually, only officers from infantry, artillery, or tank units reached such high ranks.
His success was partly due to his close relationship with Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda. He was one of Prem's main supporters in the army. Chavalit was also known for his strong military, strategic, and political skills.
In 1986, he became the Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army. A year later, he was made the Supreme Commander of the armed forces. Under his leadership, the army started projects to help develop rural areas. These included the Isan Khiao ("Green Isan") program in the poor northeastern region. Another project was Khwam Wang Mai ("New Hope") in the southern provinces. These projects aimed to improve the economy and reduce differences between regions. Chavalit believed this was important for national security. He retired from the military in 1990 at age 58.
Political Career
Chavalit started his political work while still in the military. From 1984 to 1987, he was a member of the Senate of Thailand. In 1987, he suggested that the prime minister should be directly chosen by the people. Some people thought this was an attempt to weaken the monarchy, which temporarily hurt his public image.
In 1990, he became Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. This was in the government led by Chatichai Choonhavan. In the early 1990s, Chavalit controlled many military radio stations and two of Thailand's five television networks. He used these to help with public health campaigns, like an anti-AIDS campaign.
Founding the New Aspiration Party
In 1990, Chavalit started his own political party, the New Aspiration Party. He hoped it would become the main ruling party in Thailand. The party received support from a large Thai company, Charoen Pokphand. Chavalit used his connections from his army days to get former soldiers, government workers, and local officials to join his party. Many of these new members were from the Northeast region.
In March 1992, Chavalit was elected to the House of Representatives. He represented a district in Nonthaburi Province. As the leader of the largest non-government party, he became the Leader of the Opposition. Later, he served as Minister of the Interior from 1992 to 1994. From 1995 to 1996, he was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
Premiership (1996–1997)
After a general election on 17 November 1996, Chavalit's New Aspiration Party won the most seats. With support from five other parties, Chavalit became the 22nd Prime Minister of Thailand on 25 November 1996.
However, his time as Prime Minister was difficult. He faced pressure from many political groups. He was forced to resign on 6 November 1997, during the Asian financial crisis.
The Asian Financial Crisis
In May 1997, the Thai currency, the baht, faced huge attacks from people trying to make money by betting its value would drop. Chavalit first said he would not lower the baht's value. But in July 1997, the government had no choice but to let the currency's value fall. This event started the Asian financial crisis.
At that time, Thailand had a very large amount of money it owed to other countries. This made the country almost bankrupt even before its currency collapsed. Thailand's fast-growing economy stopped. Many people lost their jobs in finance, real estate, and construction. Hundreds of thousands of workers had to return to their home villages or countries. The baht quickly lost more than half its value. The Thai stock market also dropped by 75% in 1997. Because of this crisis, Chavalit resigned in November 1997.
Later Political Life
After his time as Prime Minister, Chavalit again became the Leader of the Opposition. His New Aspiration Party quickly lost popularity. The Charoen Pokphand Group, which had supported him, started supporting Thaksin Shinawatra and his new Thai Rak Thai Party. After his party lost the 2001 election, Chavalit joined the Thai Rak Thai Party. Most of his party members and lawmakers followed him.
Chavalit then served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2001 to 2005. He was in charge of internal security under Prime Minister Thaksin. He also served as Minister of Defence from 2001 to 2002.
In 2008, he was Deputy Prime Minister in Somchai Wongsawat's government. On 7 October 2008, he resigned. He said he was partly responsible for violence that happened when police used tear gas at a protest. His resignation letter stated he wanted to show responsibility because his actions did not achieve what he planned.
On 2 October 2009, Chavalit joined the Pheu Thai Party. This party was made up of supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra. He said he would be a regular member until the party decided on a future role for him. He is currently involved in a plan for peace in the southern provinces of Thailand.
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is also an Honorary Co-President of The International Academy of Social Sciences in the USA. He shares this role with Alfredo Palacio, a former President of Ecuador. In May 2022, Yongchaiyudh announced plans to form a new political party called Siam Civilized Party. He stated he would not be the leader of this new party.
Honours
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has received many awards and honours from Thailand and other countries.
Royal Decorations
- 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
- Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn
- Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
- Knight Commander (Second Class) of the Honourable Order of Rama
- Order of Symbolic Propitiousness Ramkeerati
- The Victory Medal - Vietnam War
- The Freeman Safeguarding Medal (First Class)
- The Border Service Medal
- Chakra Mala Medal
- King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, 4th Class
Military Ranks
- General, Admiral and Air Chief Marshal
Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand Rank
- Volunteer Defense Corps General
Foreign Honours
South Vietnam :
- Gallantry Cross with palm
- Staff Service Medal, First Class
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
United States :
- Commander of the Legion of Merit (1988)
- Bronze Star Medal with "V" device
Malaysia :
- Honorary Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (P.M.N.) (1988)
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Military Service (P.G.A.T.)
Indonesia :
- Army Meritorious Service Star, 1st Class (1987)
Singapore :
- Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (1988)
Belgium :
- Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold (1988)
Philippine :
- Chief Commander of the Legion of Honor (1997)
Argentina :
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín(1997)
Federal Republic of Germany :
- Grand Cross 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Cambodia :
- Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Monisaraphon (2023)
Images for kids
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Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's signature
See also
In Spanish: Chavalit Yongchaiyudh para niños
