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Surayud Chulanont

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Surayud Chulanont
สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์
Incumbent
Assumed office 
1 October 2006
Preceded by Thaksin Shinawatra
Born 28 August 1943
Phetchaburi
Spouse Chitravadee Chulanont
Religion Buddhism

General Surayud Chulanont (Thai: สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์, RTGS: Surayut Chulanon) is the current Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government. He was a former Thai military officer, Army Commander, Supreme Commander, and Privy Councilor to King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He was appointed Premier on 1 October 2006 by Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, the head of a military junta that had overthrown the elected government of Thaksin Shinawatra less than 2 weeks earlier. He is married to Chitravadi Chulanont.

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[edit] Family and education

Surayud came from a long line of military leaders. His maternal grandfather was Phraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram, a royalist leader during the failed Boworadej Rebellion. Surayud's father was Lt. Colonel Phayom Chulanont, a Royal Thai Army military officer who, as "Comrade Too Khamtan" (Thai: สหายตู้คำตัน, RTGS: sahai tu khamtan), became a member of the Central Committee Communist Party of Thailand and Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army of Thailand.<ref>The Nation, Comrades-In-Arms: Their war gone by, 12 January 2006</ref>

Surayud completed his early education at Saint Gabriel's College and Suankularb Wittayalai School in Bangkok. He graduated from the inaugural class of Armed Forces Preparatory Academy.

As a boy, Surayud's father left his family to go underground to join the Communists. Phayom explained his defection by citing corruption in the army and its inability to defend the powerless.<ref name="Time">Time Magazine, Surayud Chulanont: A soldier who answered to the people, 28 April 2003</ref>

Surayud entered the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) and graduated from Class 12.

[edit] Military career

Early in his army career, Surayud served in several Army divisions including a light artillery unit, a paratrooper unit. He conducted operations against the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) while his father was a leader of the CPT. From 1972 to 1978, he was an instructor at the Special Warfare School. He was a close aide to General Prem Tinsulanonda when Prem was appointed Army Commander and later Prime Minister of Thailand. Surayud was appointed Commander of the Special Warfare Command in 1992, where he was the commanding officer of Sonthi Boonratklin.<ref>(Thai) Surayud Chulanont's official resume from the Royal Thai Army website</ref>

During Bloody May, the violent crackdown 1992 on anti-government protestors, Surayud's men were seen shooting protesters and dragging them through the bloody lobby of the Royal Hotel. He later claimed that he never gave orders for his soldiers to shoot.<ref name="IHT_2006Oct01">IHT, Thai junta shores up role in politics, 1 October 2006</ref> According to a later interview, "It convinced me that the army should never be involved in politics."<ref name="Time" /> Days later he told a national television audience that he deplored the loss of life and that he had not given any orders to shoot, an account that was never disputed.<ref name="Time"/> In 1994, he was appointed Commander of the 2nd Army Region.

Surayud was promoted to Army Commander in late 1998. At the time, his promotion was controversial, as Surayud had been promoted above the heads of several officers more senior to him. Surayud appointed several of his classmates from Class 12 of the CRMA to key lucrative positions. Among these were Lt Gen Sompong Maivichit, who he made head of Army controlled Channel 5 television station, replacing Gen Pang Malakul na Ayudhya, and Lt Gen Boonrod Somtap, who he promoted to a key subordinate position to replace Gen Charn Boonprasert.<ref>The Nation, Editorial & Opinion: Surayuth guns for reforms, 18 February 1999</ref> He also ended a policy of deporting Burmese refugees, especially ethnic Karens, back to Burma. "He's been a friend to us," said Pastor Robert Htway of the Karen Refugee Committee.<ref name="Time" /> Under his term, Thai soldiers took part in the United Nations Peace Keeping Force, assisting UN-PKF efforts in East Timor.

In March 2002, Surayud ordered one of Thailand's largest military operations in recent times, when Thai troops moved deep into Myanmar territory to destroy drug labs and military bases controlled by the United Wa State Army.<ref name="AsiaTimes">Asia Times, Unplugging Thailand, Myanmar energy deals, 14 November 2006</ref>

In 2003, after over 4 years as Army Commander, Surayud was promoted to the position of Supreme Commander, a loftier but less influential post, during the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. He was replaced as Army Commander by Somthad Attanan. His promotion was rumored to be the result of a conflict with the Prime Minister.<ref name="Time" />

[edit] Privy Councilor

Upon his retirement from the Army, Surayud briefly joined the Buddhist monkhood. On 14 November 2003, King Bhumibol Adulyadej appointed Surayud to his Privy Council of personal advisors. From retirement, Surayud and Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda played a key role in the promotion of General Sonthi Boonratklin to the position of Army Commander.<ref>The Statesman, Sonthi: The man who made it happen, 20 September 2006</ref><ref name="Nation_2006Sep28">The Nation, Warning from Surayud: Thaksin's return 'a threat', 28 September 2006</ref>

Facing an escalating insurgency in the south of Thailand, Surayud urged the media to paint a more positive picture of the violence. "Truthful words that may not be beneficial should be avoided," noted Surayud to the Press Council of Thailand. He was contradicted by Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang, who noted that he couldn't think of any news about the conflict in the South that could or should not be reported by the media.<ref>The Nation, Media criticised over 'unhelpful news', 4 July 2005</ref>

In response to numerous claims made by anti-Thaksin activist Sondhi Limthongkul that his People's Alliance for Democracy was "fighting for the King", Surayud resonded by saying that "Recent references to the monarchy were inappropriate. The institution should not be involved in politics. Political disputes should be solved in a political way."<ref>DPA, New Prime Minister a respected former army commander, 1 October 2006</ref>

Sarayud was already considered a strong candidate for appointment as civilian prime minister premiership immediately after General Sonthi overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra in a coup in 2006.<ref name="Nation_2006Sep28" /><ref>The Bangkok Post, Surayud leads nominees for PM, 27 September 2006</ref>. Indeed, Surayud was appointed as Prime Minister on 1 October 2006.

[edit] Environmental Policies

Surayud is chairman of the Khao Yai National Park Protection Foundation, and has led activities to help protect the environment.<ref>The Bangkok Post, New Highway Planned to Let Herds Mingle, 26 April 2004</ref>

[edit] Prime Minister of Thailand

Main article: Thailand 2006 interim civilian government

Surayud's appointment to the Premiership was confirmed by junta leader Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on the morning of Sunday 1 October 2006. Sonthi had a formal audience with King Bhumibol Adulyadej at 4 pm that day to nominate Surayud's name to the monarch.<ref>The Nation, Sonthi to be granted an audience to nominate interim PM at 4 pm, 1 October 2006</ref><ref>The Nation, Sonthi: Surayud to be PM, 1 October 2006</ref> "Security and social unity" were cited by Sonthi as the key reasons for appointing Surayud.<ref>The Bangkok Post, Surayud's military past posed worry, 2 October 2006</ref>

Surayud announced that as Premier, he would "Focus on self-sufficiency, more than focusing on the GDP numbers. I will focus on the happiness of the people, more than the GDP."<ref>CNN, Former Thai army chief sworn in as interim PM, 1 October 2006</ref> He also claimed that he would be "Friendly to every party, trying to receive information from every side and meeting people as much as possible. I will lead a government based on justice."<ref name="IHT_2006Oct01" />

[edit] Popularity

The Surayud government's initial nation-wide approval rating in October 2006 stood at 60%, with 8% disapproving. By early November, this fell to 55% approving and 15% disapproving.<ref>The Nation, Thai public support for post-coup government falls: poll, 14 November 2006</ref> For comparison, a nation-wide poll in July 2006 found that 49% of respondants would have voted for Thaksin Shinawatra in the cancelled October elections.<ref>"Embattled TRT Still Holds Edge Over Opposition: Poll", The Nation, Nation Multimedia Group, 2006-07-31. Retrieved on 2006-09-20.</ref>

[edit] Drafting of a permanent constitution and elections

The junta's 2006 Interim Constitution authorized the junta to appoint a 2,000 person Nation Assembly which would select members to become candidates for a Constitution Drafting Assembly. From the onset of his appointment as Premier, Surayud Chulanont was urged by academics to override the junta's control of the constitution drafting process. Somchai Siripreechakul, Dean of Law at Chiang Mai University, urged Surayud to call a general election as soon as possible and hand the task of drafting a charter to an elected parliament.<ref>The Nation, Poll should precede new charter: law experts, 2 October 2006</ref> Banjerd Singkhaneti of Thammasat University noted of the constitution drafting process, "I think it will be a mess and the next constitution will be just that."<ref>The Bangkok Post, Draft charter loopholes can 'resurrect Thaksin regime', 28 September 2006</ref>

After the coup, the military junta had originaly promised to draft a permanent charter within eight months and to hold elections in October 2007. However, the Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan later announced that it elections might not occur until one year and five months.<ref>The Nation, Drafting new charter 'may take 17 mths', 18 October 2006</ref>

[edit] Cabinet appointments

Prem Tinsulanonda, President of the King's Privy Council, played a significant role in picking the members of Surayud's Cabinet. General Boonrawd Somtas, a former CDRMA classmate and longtime friend of Surayud, was appointed Defense Minister.<ref>Associated Press, THAI KING TO SWEAR-IN CABINET, 9 October 2006</ref> former Interior Permanent Secretary Aree Wong-araya was appointed Interior Minister, former Energy Policy and Planning Office director Piyasvasti Amranand became Energy Minister, central bank governor Pridiyathorn Devakula became Finance Minister, and Bangkok Bank Chairman Kosit Panpiemras became Industry Minister. Michael Nelson of Chulalongkorn University noted that the Cabinet was dominated by bureaucrats and that "It's very strongly guided by military ideas combined with some technocrats, some people in economic areas and some former bureaucrats."<ref>The Australian, Thailand's post-coup cabinet unveiled, 9 October 2006</ref>

[edit] Key policies

[edit] Telecommunications

[edit] Culture

[edit] Public health

  • Making the 30-baht universal healthcare program completely free.<ref name="Nation_14Oct2006" /> The Budget Bureau criticized the move.<ref>The Nation, NHSO backs plan to ditch Bt30 fee, 31 October 2006</ref>

[edit] Energy

[edit] Security and the southern insurrection

Image:Tom yum.jpg

[edit] Education

[edit] Economy and agriculture

  • A budget deficit of 147 billion Baht for fiscal year 2007. In contrast, the government had sustained budget surpluses from 2003 to 2006.<ref>The Nation, Massive loss from Thaksin projects, 16 November 2006</ref>
  • Elimination of subsidies for rice farmers. The price of rice, set at 30% above market prices during the deposed Thaksin Shinawatra government, was dramatically lowered. It was claimed that the high price of rice seriously affected farmers and caused social burdens.<ref>The Nation, Pridiyathorn explains sufficiency economy concept to investors, 10 November 2006</ref>
  • The cancellation of the Million Cows project. Under the project, the government lent five million cows to one million farming families. The families were allowed to sell milk and calves for profit. The program was highly popular.<ref>Bangkok Post, Ministry scraps one-million-cows project, 29 November 2006</ref>

[edit] Human rights

  • Censorship of broadcast television. An interview with the late Nuamthong Phaiwan broadcast by television channel iTV came to an abrupt end after the Director of Army-owned Channel 5 called the station to warn them against the broadcast.<ref>The Nation, Taxi driver 'sacrificed himself for democracy', 2 November 2006</ref> Additional troops were dispatched to keep order at the station.
  • Changing the publically-listed state-enterprise media company MCOT's policy from focusing on monetary benefits to social benefits. This included the cancellation of the popular but controversial news talkshows "Kuy Kui Khao" and "Kob Nork Kala." MCOT's stock prices dropped 5.13% to an 11-month low as a result.<ref>The Nation, MCOT plunges on policy reversal, 4 November 2006</ref>
  • The repeal of junta restrictions against organizing protests on 9 November 2006. However, martial law was not repealed at the time.<ref>The Nation, NLA revokes ban on demonstrations, 12 November 2006</ref>

[edit] Other

[edit] Thaksin Shinawatra

Surayud warned deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra several times against returning to Thailand, calling his return "a threat".<ref>The Nation, Thaksin's return 'a threat', 28 September 2006</ref> During a November 2006 trip to China for the ASEAN-China Summit, Surayud refused to meet Thaksin, who was also in China at the time.<ref>The Nation, Deposed PM's in China to meet Surayud : Gen Sonthi, 2 November 2006</ref> Surayud later denied Thaksin the opportunity to return to Thailand to contest in eventual elections, and said that the appropriate time for him to return would be "after a year," when a newly elected government was already in place.<ref>The Nation, PM quashes Thaksin return, 13 November 2006</ref>

[edit] References

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[edit] External links

[edit] Further reading

Preceded by:
Thaksin Shinawatra 		Prime Minister of Thailand
2006 		Succeeded by:
Incumbent
Persondata
NAME Chulanont, Surayud
ALTERNATIVE NAMES สุรยุทธ จุลานนท์ (Thai)
SHORT DESCRIPTION Prime Minister of Thailand
DATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH Thailand
DATE OF DEATH living
PLACE OF DEATH
de:Surayud Chulanont

et:Surayud Chulanont es:Surayud Chulanont eo:Surayud Chulanont fr:Surayud Chulanont id:Surayud Chulanont ms:Surayud Chulanont nl:Surayud Chulanont ja:スラユット・チュラーノン sh:Surayud Chulanont fi:Surayud Chulanont th:สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์ vi:Surayud Chulanont zh:素拉育·朱拉暖

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