Ministerial offices 1976–2001

Minister of Defence
In office 14 November 1997 – 5 February 2001
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Succeeded by	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
In office 26 August 1990 – 9 December 1990
Prime Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan
Preceded by	Arnat Arpapirom
Succeeded by	Narong Wongwan
Minister of Public Health
In office 4 August 1988 – 29 December 1989
Prime Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan
Preceded by	Arnat Arpapirom
Succeeded by	Narong Wongwan
Minister of Commerce
In office 11 March 1981 – 19 December 1981
Prime Minister	Prem Tinsulanonda
Preceded by	Punnami Poonnasri
Succeeded by	Punnami Poonnasri
Minister of Justice
In office 3 March 1980 – 5 March 1981
Prime Minister	Prem Tinsulanonda
Preceded by	Sutham Patrakom
Succeeded by	Marut Bunnag
In office 25 September 1976 – 6 October 1976
Prime Minister	Seni Pramoj
Preceded by	Prasit Kanchanawat
Succeeded by	Sangad Chaloryu

Leader of the Opposition

In office
11 March 2001 – 3 May 2003

Prime Minister

Thaksin Shinawatra

Preceded by

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh

Succeeded by

Banyat Bantadtan

In office
4 August 1995 – 8 November 1997

Prime Minister

Banharn Silpa-archa
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh

Preceded by

Banharn Silpa-archa

Succeeded by

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh

Leader of the Democrat Party

In office
26 January 1991 – 4 May 2003

Preceded by

Bhichai Rattakul

Succeeded by

Banyat Bantadtan

Member of the House of Representatives

Incumbent

Assumed office
6 January 2001

Constituency

Party list

In office
10 February 1969 – 9 November 2000

Preceded by

Korkieart Sudsen

Succeeded by

Suwan Kusujarit

Constituency

Trang 1st District

Personal details

Born

28 July 1938 (age 87)
Mueang Trang, Trang, Siam

Political party

Democrat

Domestic partner

Phakdiporn Sucharitakul [th] (cohabitating wife)

Children

Surabot Leekpai [th]

Alma mater

Thammasat University (LL.B.)
The Thai Bar (Barrister)
National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA)

Profession

Politician
Barrister

Signature

Chuan Leekpai (born 28 July 1938) is a well-known Thai politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Thailand two times. His first term was from 1992 to 1995, and his second was from 1997 to 2001. He also held the important role of Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives and President of the National Assembly of Thailand from 2019 to 2023.

As the leader of the Democrat Party, Chuan became Thailand's first prime minister who did not come from a royal family or military background. His first government was a group of five different political parties working together. He took power again in 1997 after the previous government faced a big economic problem in Thailand. Chuan's time as prime minister was known for trying to fix the economy and expand social support for people.

Early Life and Education
First Time as Prime Minister (1992–1995)
- Key Policies of the First Government
Second Time as Prime Minister (1997–2001)
- Economic Changes
- Education Reform
Political Career After Premiership
Personal Life
Awards and Honors
- National Honors (Thailand)
- Foreign Honors
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Education

Chuan Leekpai was born on July 28, 1938, in Mueang Thap Thiang, Trang province, Thailand. His parents were Niyom and Tuan Leekpai. Niyom was a teacher. Chuan is the third of ten children in his family.

He moved to Bangkok and lived at a temple school called Wat Amarintraram for six years. Later, he studied law at Thammasat University in Bangkok. He then became a barrister-at-laws, which means he was qualified to argue cases in court. Chuan's family has Chinese roots, specifically from the Hokkien group, and they have lived in Thailand for three generations.

First Time as Prime Minister (1992–1995)

After a difficult period in May 1992, Chuan's Democrat Party won the most seats in the September 1992 elections. They formed a government with other parties. This was called a "coalition government" because several parties joined forces.

Key Policies of the First Government

Chuan's first government focused on several important areas:

Working with Burma: His government continued to engage with the military government of Burma (now Myanmar). This policy was called "constructive engagement."
Reforestation Program: A large program was started to plant five million rai of trees. This was done to honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 50th year on the throne. However, the program did not meet its goals.
Economic Stability: The government worked to keep Thailand's economy stable. They also aimed to spread power and economic opportunities to areas outside of the capital city.

Chuan's first government ended when some members were accused of problems related to land documents. This led to strong public criticism and the government had to step down.

Second Time as Prime Minister (1997–2001)

With United States President Bill Clinton in Wellington, New Zealand at the APEC summit, 1999

Chuan became prime minister for the second time on November 9, 1997. He took over from Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. His new government was also a coalition, made up of six political parties and some independent politicians.

Economic Changes

Chuan's second government introduced several economic changes. These changes were meant to help Thailand recover from the economic crisis of 1997. Some people felt that these policies mainly helped large financial companies and made Thailand more reliant on foreign investors. However, many of the changes were similar to policies used in other market economies. The government that followed Chuan's built on some of these economic ideas.

Education Reform

During Chuan's second time as prime minister, an important law called the National Education Act 1999 was passed. This law aimed to improve education in Thailand.

Political Career After Premiership

After his second term as prime minister, Chuan Leekpai continued to be an important figure in Thai politics. He served as the Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2003. In this role, he led the main party that was not part of the government. He stepped down as the Leader of the Democrat Party in 2003.

More recently, Chuan served as the President of the National Assembly of Thailand and Speaker of the House of Representatives from May 2019 to March 2023. This is a very important position, overseeing the main law-making body of Thailand.

Personal Life

Chuan Leekpai has one son, Surabot Leekpai, with his common-law wife, Pakdiporn Sujaritkul. Chuan's first language is Southern Thai, but he speaks Central Thai perfectly. He is also able to speak English well. He is known for his honesty and simple way of life.

Awards and Honors

Chuan Leekpai has received many important awards and honors throughout his career, both from Thailand and other countries.

National Honors (Thailand)

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 Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
Order of Symbolic Propitiousness Ramkeerati
Recipient of the King Rama IX Coronation Medal
25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal
Serving Free Peoples Medal
First Class (Gold Medal) of the Red Cross Medal of Appreciation