Sudarat Keyuraphan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Khun Ying Sudarat Keyuraphan
สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธุ์
Sudarat Keyuraphan in 2020
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
In office 11 March 2005 – 19 September 2006
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
Preceded by	Wan Muhamad Noor Matha
Succeeded by	Theera Sutabut
Minister of Public Health
In office 17 February 2001 – 10 March 2005
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
Preceded by	Korn Dabbaransi
Succeeded by	Suchai Charoenratanakul
Deputy Minister of the Interior
In office 28 May 1996 – 14 August 1996
Prime Minister	Banharn Silpa-archa
Preceded by	Suchart Tancharoen
Succeeded by	Arsa Meksawan
Deputy Minister of Transport
In office 25 October 1994 – 19 May 1995
Prime Minister	Chuan Leekpai
Preceded by	Jarad Phuachuai
Succeeded by	Sombat Uthaisang
Leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 September 2022
Personal details
Born	(1961-05-01) 1 May 1961 (age 64) Bangkok, Thailand
Political party	Thai Sang Thai (2021–Present)
Other political affiliations	Palang Dharma (1992–1998) Thai Rak Thai (1998–2007) Pheu Thai (2012–2020)
Spouse	Somyos Leelapanyalert
Children	3
Education	Chulalongkorn University (BS and MBA) Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (PhD)
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Volunteer Defense Corps
Rank	VDC Col

Sudarat Keyuraphan (Thai: สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธุ์) is a well-known Thai politician. She has held many important government jobs, serving as a minister in different governments. She was also involved in protests in May 1992. Today, she is the leader and founder of the Thai Sang Thai Party. She also chairs the Thai Pueng Thai Foundation.

About Sudarat's Family and Life

Sudarat Keyuraphan was born in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 1, 1961. Her parents are Sompon and Renu Keyuraphan. Her father was a Member of Parliament (MP) from Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Sudarat is married to Somyos Leelapunyalert, who works in real estate. They have three children:

1. Phumphat Leelapunyalert (Boss)
2. Peeraphat Leelapunyalert (Best)
3. Yossuda Leelapunyalert (Jinny)

Sudarat's Education

Sudarat went to St. Joseph Convent School in Bangkok for high school. She earned her first degree in commerce and accountancy from Chulalongkorn University. Later, she received a master's degree from the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration. In 2018, she completed her doctoral degree in Buddhist studies at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. She also received an honorary doctorate from Nakhon Phanom University.

Sudarat's Political Journey

Sudarat started her political career with the Palang Dharma Party. She was first elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bangkok in March 1992. She was re-elected later that year and became a deputy government spokesperson.

Early Roles in Government

In 1994, Sudarat became the Secretary-General of the Palang Dharma Party. She was also appointed as the Deputy Minister of Transport. This role meant she helped manage transportation in the country.

In 1995, she was re-elected as an MP. She then became the Deputy Minister of Interior in Banharn Silpa-archa's government. This job involved helping with internal affairs and public safety.

In 1996, Sudarat was elected as an MP again. She was the only person from her party to win a seat that year.

Founding a New Party

In 1998, Sudarat helped create the Thai Rak Thai Party with Thaksin Shinawatra and 21 other people. She became the Deputy Leader of this new party.

In the 2001 election, Sudarat was elected as an MP once more. On February 17, 2001, she was appointed Minister of Public Health under the Thaksin government. During this time, she faced some challenges related to the purchase of computers for hospitals.

In the 2006 election, her party won a large number of votes. Sudarat was then appointed Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. However, she lost this position after the military took control of the government in September 2006.

After the 2006 event, Sudarat and 110 other leaders of the Thai Rak Thai party were not allowed to take part in political activities for five years.

Return to Politics

Sudarat returned to Thai politics and ran in the 2019 election. She was a candidate for prime minister for the Pheu Thai Party. Even though her party won many local seats, they did not win any party-list seats.

Later, Sudarat left the Pheu Thai Party. She then helped create the Thai Sang Thai Party and became its leader.

Sudarat's Social Contributions

Sudarat has also done important work outside of government. In 1993, she started the Foundation for Women for Democracy. This group aimed to help women learn more about Thai politics and encourage them to get involved.

In 1998, during a time when Thailand faced economic problems, she started the "Thai Pueng Thai" project. This project helped unemployed women find jobs and build their own careers.

In 2011, Sudarat became the chairman of a project called "Together...to assist all victims and fight national disasters." This project helped people affected by natural disasters. Today, she is the chairman of the Thai Pueng Thai Foundation and the Founding Chairman of the Sang Thai Institute.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Sudarat has received several awards for her work:

• 1996 - Thailand Tatler Award for “Most talked about personality of the year”
• 1997 – Notable Alumni Awards from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy at Chulalongkorn University
• 2003 – Tobacco-Free World Award from the World Health Organization (WHO)
• 2003 – Mental Health Princess Award for supporting mental health from Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana
• 2014 – World Buddhist Outstanding Leader Award from the World Fellowship of Buddhists
• 2015 – Asoka Pilla Trophy Religion Leader from The Association of Distinguished Contributors to Buddhism of Thailand

Royal Decorations

Sudarat has also received special honors from the Thai royal family:

• 1999 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• 1996 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 2005 - Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn
• 2005 - Member of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao

See also

In Spanish: Sudarat Keyuraphan para niños