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 politician from Thailand. She has held many important jobs in the Thai government. She was a minister in charge of different areas like public health and agriculture. Today, she leads the Thai Sang Thai Party, a political group she helped create.

About Sudarat Keyuraphan

Early Life and Family

Sudarat Keyuraphan was born in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 1, 1961. Her parents are Sompon and Renu Keyuraphan. Her father was also a politician, serving as a Member of Parliament.

Sudarat is married to Somyos Leelapunyalert. He works as a real estate entrepreneur. They have three children together:

• Phumphat Leelapunyalert (Boss)
• Peeraphat Leelapunyalert (Best)
• Yossuda Leelapunyalert (Jinny)

Education and Learning

Sudarat went to St. Joseph Convent School for high school in Bangkok. She studied at Chulalongkorn University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in business and accounting. She also received a master's degree from the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration. Later, in 2018, she earned a special doctoral degree in Buddhist studies. She also has an honorary doctorate in social and environmental development.

Sudarat's Political Journey

Starting in Politics

Sudarat began her political career with the Palang Dharma Party. She was first elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bangkok in March 1992. An MP is a person chosen by voters to represent them in the country's parliament. She was re-elected later that year. She also worked as a spokesperson for the government led by Chuan Leekpai.

In 1994, Sudarat became the Secretary-General of her party. She was also appointed as the Deputy Minister of Transport. A Deputy Minister helps the main minister manage a government department.

Becoming a Minister

Sudarat continued to be elected as an MP. In 1995, she became the Deputy Minister of Interior. This role involves helping with internal affairs of the country.

In 1998, Sudarat helped start a new political party called the Thai Rak Thai Party. She co-founded it with Thaksin Shinawatra and other politicians. She became a Deputy Leader of this new party.

When the Thai Rak Thai Party won the election in 2001, Sudarat was appointed Minister of Public Health. This meant she was in charge of the country's health system. In 2005, she became the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. This role focuses on farming and helping farmers work together.

Later Political Roles

After some political changes in 2006, Sudarat was not allowed to be involved in politics for five years. This is sometimes called a political ban.

She returned to 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 seats, she did not win a party-list seat herself.

Later, Sudarat left the Pheu Thai Party. She then helped create a new party called the Thai Sang Thai Party. She is now the leader of this new party.

Helping Others in Society

Sudarat has also done a lot of work to help people outside of government.

• In 1993, she started a foundation to help women learn about politics. This group aimed to encourage women to get more involved in political activities.
• In 1998, during a time when many people lost their jobs, 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 to help people affected by national disasters. She also leads the Thai Pueng Thai Foundation and is the founding chairman of the Sang Thai Institute.

Awards and Recognition

Sudarat has received several awards for her work and contributions:

• 1996 - Thailand Tatler Award for "Most talked about personality of the year"
• 1997 - Notable Alumni Awards from Chulalongkorn University
• 2003 - Tobacco-Free World Award from the World Health Organization (WHO)
• 2003 - Mental Health Princess Award for supporting mental health
• 2014 - World Buddhist Outstanding Leader Award
• 2015 - Asoka Pilla Trophy Religion Leader Award

Royal Honours

Sudarat has also received special royal decorations from the King of Thailand. These are high honors given to people who have served the country well:

• 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