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Phumtham Wechayachai

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Phumtham Wechayachai
ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย
Phumtham in 2021
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
Assumed office
1 September 2023
Prime MinisterSrettha Thavisin
Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Minister of Defence
Assumed office
3 September 2024
Prime MinisterPaetongtarn Shinawatra
Preceded bySutin Klungsang
Acting Prime Minister of Thailand
In office
14 August 2024 – 16 August 2024
MonarchVajiralongkorn
Preceded bySrettha Thavisin
Succeeded byPaetongtarn Shinawatra
Minister of Commerce
In office
1 September 2023 – 3 September 2024
Prime MinisterSrettha Thavisin
Himself (acting)
Preceded byJurin Laksanawisit
Succeeded byPichai Naripthaphan
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Acting
28 April 2024 – 30 April 2024
Prime MinisterSrettha Thavisin
Preceded byParnpree Bahiddha-nukara
Succeeded byMaris Sangiampongsa
Deputy Minister of Transport
In office
11 March 2005 – 19 September 2006
Prime MinisterThaksin Shinawatra
Personal details
Born (1953-12-05) 5 December 1953 (age 70)
Phasi Charoen, Bangkok, Thailand
Political partyPheu Thai
Other political
affiliations
Thai Rak Thai (1998–2007)
Democrat (1977–1997)
Communist (1976–1977)
Spouse
Apinaya Wechayachai
(m. 1980)
Children3
Education
Occupation
  • Businessman
  • politician
Signature
NicknameUan (อ้วน)
Military service
AllegianceThailand
Branch/serviceVolunteer Defense Corps
Years of service1969–2004
RankLieutenant Colonel
Battles/warsCommunist insurgency in Thailand

Phumtham Wechayachai MPCh MVM (Thai: ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย, RTGSPhumtham Wetchayachai, pronounced [pʰūːm.tʰām wêːt.tɕʰá.já.tɕʰāj]; born 5 December 1953) is a Thai politician who served as acting Prime Minister of Thailand from 14 to 16 August 2024, following the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin.[1] He served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand in the Srettha cabinet.[2]

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, Phumtham obtained a Bachelor of Political Science from Chulalongkorn University in 1975, followed by a Master of Political Science in 1984.

Phumtham was chief executive officer of Shin Corporation from 1997 to 1998.

Political career

Phumtham as Deputy Prime Minister in 2023

Phumtham 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.

Phumtham worked as 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, Phumtham was banned from political office for five years. Returning to politics, Phumtham served as Secretary-General and Deputy Leader of Pheu Thai Party from 2012 to 2023.

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

On 28 April 2024, Phumtham was appointed Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs after the resignation of Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara. He was succeeded on 30 April by Maris Sangiampongsa.[3]

On 14 August 2024, Phumtham was appointed acting Prime Minister of Thailand following the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin by the Constitutional Court.[4][5]

Royal decorations

References

  1. ^ "Thai court dismisses PM Srettha over cabinet appointment". Reuters.
  2. ^ นายภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย รองนายกรัฐมนตรีและรัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงพาณิชย์ พร้อมด้วย นายนภินทร ศรีสรรพางค์ รัฐมนตรีช่วยว่าการกระทรวงพาณิชย์ เข้าสักการะสิ่งศักดิ์สิทธิ์ประจำกระทรวงพาณิชย์
  3. ^ เพื่อไทยทาบ "มาริษ เสงี่ยมพงษ์" เต็งหนึ่งว่าที่ "รมว.ต่างประเทศ"
  4. ^ ภูมิธรรม เรียกถกด่วน ครม.ชุดรักษาการ พรุ่งนี้ หลัง เศรษฐา พ้นเก้าอี้นายกฯ
  5. ^ ภูมิธรรม ชี้เร่งหารือพรรคร่วมรัฐบาล ทำงานต่อเพื่อประชาชน หลัง "เศรษฐา" พ้นนายกฯ