About Chuan Leekpai
Chuan Leekpai MPCh MVM ThChW (Chinese: 呂基文; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lū Ki-bûn, Thai: ชวน หลีกภัย, RTGS: Chuan Likphai, pronounced [tɕʰūan lìːk.pʰāj]; born 28 July 1938) is a Thai politician who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 1992 to 1995, and from 1997 to 2001. He was President of the National Assembly of Thailand and speaker of the Thai House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023; he also held the latter role from 1986 to 1988. As the leader of the Democrat Party, Chuan was elected in September 1992, becoming Thailand's first prime minister to come to power without either aristocratic or military backing. His first administration consisted of a five party coalition of the Democrat, New Aspiration, Palang Dhamma, Social Action, and Social Unity Parties until he was defeated in the 1995 election, but assumed power in late-1997 following the fall of the Chavalit Yongchaiyudh administration, which was held responsible for the economic crisis that beset Thailand that year. Although criticised as a slow actor and allowing numerous corruption scandals, Chuan managed to meet factional demands and extend Thailand's social security system. Key policies of Chuan's first administration included: Engagement with Burma. The first Chuan administration fell when members of the cabinet were implicated in profiting from Sor Phor Kor 4-01 land project documents distributed in Phuket Province. In the aftermath of Bloody May, the Democrat Party won a plurality of seats in the September 1992 elections, with 79 seats, compared to the Chart Thai Party with 77 seats.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.