Chavalit Yongchaiyudh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chavalit Yongchaiyudh MPCh MWM TChW RMK LOM PMN CCLH GCM
ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ
Chavalit in 1996
22nd Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 25 November 1996 – 8 November 1997
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Banharn Silpa-archa
Succeeded by	Chuan Leekpai
Leader of the Opposition
In office 26 November 1997 – 30 April 2000
Prime Minister	Chuan Leekpai
Preceded by	Chuan Leekpai
Succeeded by	Chuan Leekpai
In office 15 May 1992 – 16 June 1992
Prime Minister	Suchinda Kraprayoon
Preceded by	Pramarn Adireksarn
Succeeded by	Pramarn Adireksarn
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 17 February 2001 – 11 March 2005
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
In office 13 July 1995 – 24 November 1996
Prime Minister	Banharn Silpa-archa
In office 14 July 1994 – 25 October 1994
Prime Minister	Chuan Leekpai
In office 30 March 1990 – 21 June 1990
Prime Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan
Minister of Defence
In office 17 February 2001 – 3 October 2002
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
In office 25 November 1996 – 8 November 1997
Prime Minister	himself
In office 13 July 1995 – 24 November 1996
Prime Minister	Banharn Silpa-archa
In office 30 March 1990 – 21 June 1990
Prime Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan
Minister of Interior
In office 29 September 1992 – 11 December 1994
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
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
Preceded by	Supha Gajaseni
Succeeded by	Sunthorn Kongsompong
Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army
In office 27 May 1986 – 31 March 1990
Preceded by	Arthit Kamlang-ek
Succeeded by	Suchinda Kraprayoon
Personal details
Born	(1932-05-15) 15 May 1932 (age 93) Nonthaburi, Krung Thep, Siam
Nationality	Thai
Political party	Pheu Thai (2009–2013) People's Power (2007–2008) Thai Rak Thai (2002–2005) New Aspiration (1990–2002)
Spouses	Vipha (div.) Prasertsri Chan-aporn (div.) Pankruea Yongchaiyudh (div.) Orathai Sorakan ​ (m. 2018)​
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Royal Thai Army
Rank	General Admiral Air Chief Marshal
Commands	Commander-in-Chief (1986–1990) Supreme Commander (1987–1990)

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (born May 15, 1932), also known as "Big Jiew," is a Thai politician and a retired army officer. He served as the Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army from 1986 to 1990. He was also the Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces during that time.

In 1990, he started his own political group called the New Aspiration Party. He led this party until 2002. From 1996 to 1997, he was Thailand's 22nd prime minister. Over the years, he has held many important jobs in the government, like Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

Early Life and Military Career

Chavalit comes from both Thai Chinese and Lao families. His father was a captain in the army. Chavalit went to special military schools, including the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. He became a second lieutenant in 1953.

He worked in the army's Signal Corps, which deals with communications. He also got more training in the United States. In the 1960s and 1970s, Chavalit helped fight against a communist group in Thailand's jungles. He also prepared Thai soldiers for their missions in the Vietnam War.

Fighting Against Insurgency

In 1979, Chavalit became a major-general. He helped create special army units called Thahan Phran (meaning "hunter soldiers"). These units used special fighting methods to go against the communist group. They became very important in the army's efforts to stop the fighting.

Chavalit believed that simply fighting was not enough. He thought that solving problems like poverty and unfairness was also important to stop the communist group from getting support. He helped write special government orders that offered a chance for communist fighters to stop fighting and return to normal life. These orders helped end the fighting and the communist movement in Thailand.

Rising Through the Ranks

Chavalit was promoted to lieutenant-general in 1982. His rise in the army was special because he was from the signal corps, not the usual fighting branches. He became very successful because he was close to Prime Minister Prem and was very smart in military and political matters.

In 1986, he became the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army. A year later, he became the supreme commander of all armed forces. Under his leadership, the army started projects to help develop rural areas. These included the "Green Isan" program in the northeastern part of Thailand and the "New Hope" program in the southern provinces.

These projects aimed to improve the economy and reduce differences between regions. Chavalit involved big companies in these projects, which helped the country's development. He retired from the military in 1990 when he was 58 years old.

Political Journey

Chavalit started his political work while still in the military. From 1984 to 1987, he was a member of the Senate. In 1990, he became the Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister. He also helped with public campaigns, like one to stop the spread of AIDS, using military radio stations.

Starting a New Party

In 1990, he started his own political group called the New Aspiration Party. He wanted it to be a very strong and leading party in Thailand. A big company called Charoen Pokphand Group supported his party. Chavalit used his connections from his army days to get former soldiers and local officials to join his party, especially in the Northeast.

In March 1992, Chavalit was elected to the House of Representatives. As the leader of the biggest opposition party, he became the Leader of the Opposition. Later, he served as Minister of the Interior from 1992 to 1994. He was also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence from 1995 to 1996.

Becoming Prime Minister

After a general election in November 1996, Chavalit's New Aspiration Party won the most seats. With the help of five other parties, Chavalit became the 22nd Prime Minister of Thailand on November 25, 1996.

However, during his time as prime minister, he faced many challenges. He resigned on November 6, 1997, during a big economic problem known as the Asian financial crisis.

The Asian Financial Crisis

In 1997, Thailand's money, called the baht, faced big problems. The government tried to keep its value steady, but it couldn't. In July 1997, the government had to let the baht's value drop. This event started the Asian financial crisis, which affected many countries.

Thailand's economy slowed down a lot. Many people lost their jobs in finance, real estate, and construction. The value of the baht dropped by more than half, and the Thai stock market lost a lot of its value. Because of these big problems, Chavalit stepped down as prime minister in November 1997.

Later Political Life

After his time as prime minister, Chavalit became the Leader of the Opposition again. His New Aspiration Party lost popularity. Many of its members, including Chavalit, later joined the Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT), led by Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chavalit then served as Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of internal security, from 2001 to 2005. He was also Minister of Defence from 2001 to 2002. In 2008, he resigned from another Deputy Prime Minister role, taking responsibility for an event where protesters were injured.

In 2009, Chavalit joined the Pheu Thai Party, which was also connected to Thaksin Shinawatra. He continues to be involved in politics and community projects. In 2022, he announced plans to form a new political party called Siam Civilized Party.

Honours

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)

See also

In Spanish: Chavalit Yongchaiyudh para niños

• New Aspiration Party