Chuan Leekpai

Chuan Leekpai MPCh MWM TCW
ชวน หลีกภัย
Chuan in 2010
20th Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 9 November 1997 – 9 February 2001
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Succeeded by	Thaksin Shinawatra
In office 20 September 1992 – 13 July 1995
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Anand Panyarachun
Succeeded by	Banharn Silpa-archa
Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the National Assembly of Thailand
In office 28 May 2019 – 20 March 2023
Monarch	Vajiralongkorn
Prime Minister	Prayut Chan-o-cha
Preceded by	Pornpetch Wichitcholchai (President of the National Legislative Assembly)
Succeeded by	Wan Muhamad Noor Matha
Speaker of the House of Representatives and Vice President of the National Assembly of Thailand
In office 4 August 1986 – 29 April 1988
Prime Minister	Prem Tinsulanonda
Preceded by	Uthai Pimchaichon
Succeeded by	Panja Kesornthong
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 29 December 1988 – 26 August 1989
Prime Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan
Ministerial offices 1976–2001 Minister of Defence In office 14 November 1997 – 5 February 2001 Prime Minister Himself Preceded by Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Succeeded by Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives In office 26 August 1990 – 9 December 1990 Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan Preceded by Arnat Arpapirom Succeeded by Narong Wongwan Minister of Public Health In office 4 August 1988 – 29 December 1989 Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan Preceded by Arnat Arpapirom Succeeded by Narong Wongwan Minister of Commerce In office 11 March 1981 – 19 December 1981 Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda Preceded by Punnami Poonnasri Succeeded by Punnami Poonnasri Minister of Justice In office 3 March 1980 – 5 March 1981 Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda Preceded by Sutham Patrakom Succeeded by Marut Bunnag In office 25 September 1976 – 6 October 1976 Prime Minister Seni Pramoj Preceded by Prasit Kanchanawat Succeeded by Sangad Chaloryu
Leader of the Opposition
In office 11 March 2001 – 3 May 2003
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
Preceded by	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Succeeded by	Banyat Bantadtan
In office 4 August 1995 – 8 November 1997
Prime Minister	Banharn Silpa-archa Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Preceded by	Banharn Silpa-archa
Succeeded by	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Leader of the Democrat Party
In office 26 January 1991 – 4 May 2003
Preceded by	Bhichai Rattakul
Succeeded by	Banyat Bantadtan
Member of the House of Representatives for the Democrat Party List
Incumbent
Assumed office 6 January 2001
Member of the House of Representatives for Trang 1st District
In office 10 February 1969 – 9 November 2000
Preceded by	Korkieart Sudsen
Succeeded by	Suwan Kusujarit
Personal details
Born	(1938-07-28) 28 July 1938 (age 85) Mueang Trang, Trang, Siam
Nationality	Thai
Political party	Democrat
Domestic partner	Phakdiporn Sucharitakul [th] (cohabitating wife)
Children	Surabot Leekpai [th]
Alma mater	Thammasat University (LL.B.) The Thai Bar (Barrister)
Profession	Politician, barrister
Signature

Chuan Leekpai (Thai: ชวน หลีกภัย, RTGS: Chuan Likphai, pronounced [tɕʰūan lìːk.pʰāj]; Chinese: 呂基文; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lū Ki-bûn; born 28 July 1938) is a Thai politician who is the former president of the National Assembly of Thailand as well as the speaker of the Thai House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023.^[1] Previously he twice served as the Thai prime minister, from 20 September 1992 to 19 May 1995 and from 9 November 1997 to 9 February 2001.

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.^[2]