Phumtham Wechayachai facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Phumtham Wechayachai MPCh MVM
ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย
Wechayachai in 2021
Acting Prime Minister of Thailand
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 August 2024
Monarch	Vajiralongkorn
Preceded by	Srettha Thavisin
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 September 2023 Serving with Somsak Thepsuthin, Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara, Anutin Charnvirakul, Patcharawat Wongsuwon, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Pichai Chunhavajira
Prime Minister	Srettha Thavisin
Preceded by	Prawit Wongsuwon
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 28 April 2024 – 30 April 2024
Prime Minister	Srettha Thavisin
Preceded by	Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara
Succeeded by	Maris Sangiampongsa
Minister of Commerce
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 September 2023
Prime Minister	Srettha Thavisin
Preceded by	Jurin Laksanawisit
Deputy Leader of the Pheu Thai Party
In office 30 October 2012 – 27 October 2023
Leader	Yingluck Shinawatra Sompong Amornwiwat Cholnan Srikaew Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Preceded by	Jarupong Ruangsuwan
Succeeded by	Anudit Nakornthap
Deputy Minister of Transport
In office 11 March 2005 – 19 September 2006
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
Preceded by	Nikorn Chamnong
Succeeded by	Pichet Satirachawan
Personal details
Born	(1953-12-05) 5 December 1953 (age 71) Phasi Charoen, Bangkok, Thailand
Political party	Pheu Thai
Other political affiliations	Thai Rak Thai (1998–2007) Democrat (1977–1997) Communist (1976–1977)
Spouse	Apinaya Wechayachai ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	3
Residences	Government House Phitsanulok Mansion
Education	Chulalongkorn University National Defence College
Occupation	Businessman politician
Signature
Nickname	Uan (อ้วน)
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Volunteer Defense Corps
Years of service	1969–2004
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars	Communist insurgency in Thailand

Phumtham Wechayachai MPCh MVM (Thai: ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย, RTGS: Phumtham Wetchayachai born 5 December 1953) is a Thai politician who served as the Minister of Transport in the Thaksin II cabinet, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand in the Srettha cabinet. He is expected to take over as Acting Prime Minister after the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin.

Early life and career

Phumtham was born on 5 December 1953 native to Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok. He graduated high school from Taweethapisek School. Pursuing higher education, Wechayachai obtained a Bachelor of Political Science from Chulalongkorn University in 1975, followed by a Master of Political Science in 1984.

Wechayachai joined the Volunteer Defense Corps and passed the National Defense Course from the National Defense College (NDC) in 2004 obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Wechayachai was Chief executive officer of Shin Corporation from 1997–1998.

Political career

Phumtham as Deputy Prime Minister in 2023

Phumtam was a member of the Communist Party of Thailand from 1977 to 1978. He was later a member of the Democrat Party from 1978 until 1997, joining Thai Rak Thai.

Phumtam worked an advisor to the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra before being appointed Deputy Minister of Transport in the Thaksin II cabinet.

Following the 2006 coup d’état, Wechayachai was banned from political office for 5 years.

Returning to politics, Wechayachai served as Secretary-General and Deputy Leader of Pheu Thai Party from 2012 to 2023.

Following the 2023 Thai general election, Wechayachai was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce in the Srettha cabinet.

On 28 April 2024, Wechayachai was appointed Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs after the resignation of Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara. He was succeeded on 30 April by Maris Sangiampongsa.

On 14 August 2024, Wechayachai was appointed Acting Prime Minister of Thailand following the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin by the Constitutional Court.

Royal decorations

•  Thailand:
  • 2024 – Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
  • 2008 – Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant