Narong Wongwan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Narong Wongwan
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ณรงค์ วงศ์วรรณ
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| Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 7 April 1992 – 9 June 1992 |
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| Prime Minister | Suchinda Kraprayoon |
| Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives | |
| In office 7 May 1983 – 5 August 1986 |
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| Prime Minister | Prem Tinsulanonda |
| Preceded by | Chuan Leekpai |
| Succeeded by | Han Leelanon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 December 1925 Phrae, Siam |
| Died | 10 September 2020 (aged 94) Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Political party |
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| Spouse | Urai Wongwan |
Narong Wongwan (Thai: ณรงค์ วงศ์วรรณ; born December 25, 1925 – died September 10, 2020) was an important Thai politician. He was also a successful businessman in the tobacco industry. Mr. Narong was a long-time member of parliament, representing his home area of Phrae. He also led two political parties: the Solidarity Party and the Justice Unity Party.
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Early Life and Business Success
Narong Wongwan was born in Phrae, a province in Thailand. His family was already quite wealthy from their wood production business. Narong went to college in the United States to study economics.
After returning home, he first worked in his family's saw mill. In the 1950s, he started his own business. He began growing and processing tobacco. During the 1970s, the tobacco business in Northern Thailand grew very quickly. Narong became a very rich man. Many people in Phrae and nearby areas worked on his farms and in his tobacco processing factories. This helped him gain a lot of economic and social power in the region. He used this influence as a starting point for his political career.
Political Journey
Narong Wongwan began his political life early. He was a member of Phrae's local council as far back as 1949. Later, he created his own political group, the Solidarity Party. He was first elected as a member of parliament in 1979. He was re-elected in every election until 1992.
He joined the government led by Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda. In 1980, he became a deputy minister for the interior. In 1981, he became a deputy minister for agriculture. By 1983, he was promoted to be the full Minister of Agriculture. After the 1986 election, his party was not part of the government. In 1989, he combined his party with three smaller parties. They kept the name Solidarity Party. After some changes in the government, his party joined the ruling group under Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan. Narong became the Minister of Agriculture again.
Leading a Party and Later Years
After a military takeover in 1991, and before the election in March 1992, Narong Wongwan helped form a new party. This party was called the Justice Unity Party. He became its leader. The party won the election, and Narong was expected to become the next prime minister. However, there were concerns from another country, which led to a change in who would become prime minister.
Instead, General Suchinda Kraprayoon was chosen as prime minister. Even so, as the leader of the largest party in the ruling group, Narong became Deputy Prime Minister under General Suchinda. After protests against the military-backed government, the Justice Unity Party lost public support and was dissolved. Narong then joined another political group, the Thai Nation Party.
Narong Wongwan passed away on September 10, 2020. He was 94 years old and had been ill due to old age. He died at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.
Awards and Recognition
Narong Wongwan received several important awards for his service to Thailand:
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