Chavalit Yongchaiyudh: Difference between revisions

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
MPCh MWM TChW RMK LOM PMN CCLH GCM
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh MPCh MWM TChW RMK LOM PMN CCLH GCM
ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ
	Chavalit in 1996
22nd Prime Minister of Thailand
	In office; 25 November 1996 – 8 November 1997
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Banharn Silpa-archa
Succeeded by	Chuan Leekpai
Leader of the Opposition
	In office; 26 November 1997 – 30 April 2000
Prime Minister	Chuan Leekpai
Preceded by	Chuan Leekpai
Succeeded by	Chuan Leekpai
	In office; 15 May 1992 – 16 June 1992
Prime Minister	Suchinda Kraprayoon
Preceded by	Pramarn Adireksarn
Succeeded by	Pramarn Adireksarn
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
	In office; 17 February 2001 – 11 March 2005
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
	In office; 13 July 1995 – 24 November 1996
Prime Minister	Banharn Silpa-archa
	In office; 14 July 1994 – 25 October 1994
Prime Minister	Chuan Leekpai
	In office; 30 March 1990 – 21 June 1990
Prime Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan
Minister of Defence
	In office; 17 February 2001 – 3 October 2002
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
	In office; 25 November 1996 – 8 November 1997
Prime Minister	himself
	In office; 13 July 1995 – 24 November 1996
Prime Minister	Banharn Silpa-archa
	In office; 30 March 1990 – 21 June 1990
Prime Minister	Chatichai Choonhavan
Minister of Interior
	In office; 29 September 1992 – 11 December 1994
Prime Minister	Chuan Leekpai
Preceded by	Pao Sarasin
Succeeded by	Sanan Kachornprasart
Minister of Labour and Social Services
	In office; 15 September 1993 – 1 January 1994
Prime Minister	Chuan Leekpai
Preceded by	position established
Succeeded by	Paitoon Kaewtong
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
	In office; 1 October 1987 – 31 March 1990
Preceded by	Supha Gajaseni
Succeeded by	Sunthorn Kongsompong
Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army
	In office; 27 May 1986 – 31 March 1990
Preceded by	Arthit Kamlang-ek
Succeeded by	Suchinda Kraprayoon
Personal details
Born	15 May 1932 (age 92); Nonthaburi, Krung Thep, Siam
Nationality	Thai
Political party	Pheu Thai (2009–2013); People's Power (2007–2008); Thai Rak Thai (2002–2005); New Aspiration (1990–2002);
Spouses	Vipha (div.); Prasertsri Chan-aporn (div.); Pankruea Yongchaiyudh (div.); Orathai Sorakan (m. 2018);
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Royal Thai Army
Rank	General; Admiral; Air Chief Marshal;
Commands	Commander-in-Chief (1986–1990); Supreme Commander (1987–1990);

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Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (Thai: ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ, RTGS: Chawalit Yongchaiyut, IPA: [t͡ɕʰá.wá.lít joŋ.t͡ɕaj.jút]; born 15 May 1932), also known as "Big Jiew" (บิ๊กจิ๋ว, RTGS: Bik Chio, IPA: [bík t͡ɕǐw]), is a Thai politician and retired army officer. From 1986 to 1990, he was the Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army (RTA), and Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces from 1987 to 1990. In 1990, he founded the New Aspiration Party which he led until 2002. He was Thailand's 22nd prime minister from 1996 to 1997. At various times he has held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Labour and Leader of the Opposition.

Education and military career

Chavalit is of Sino-Thai and Lao descent.^[2]^[3] His father was an infantry captain. Chavalit attended Triam Udom Suksa School and graduated from Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Class 1, same class as Surayud Chulanont,^[4] and Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, being appointed second lieutenant in 1953. He served in the RTA Signal Corps and completed advanced training courses at the RTA Signal Corps School, as well as at Fort Monmouth, a US Army Signal Corps School, and with the US IX Corps in Okinawa.

In 1963, he graduated from the RTA Command and General Staff College, and one year later from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. During the 1960s and 1970s, Chavalit served in the communist insurgency suppression campaign in the jungles of Thailand, and prepared Thai soldiers for their operations in the Vietnam War. During the period after the October 1973 popular uprising, he was considered close to the Thahan Prachathippatai ("Democratic Soldiers") group, even though he did not openly identify as a member of the group.^[5]

In 1979, Chavalit was promoted to major-general and Director of Army Operations.^[6] Intending to outwit Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) guerillas, he created the pro-government Thahan Phran ("hunter soldiers"), paramilitary units who would use guerilla tactics against the CPT. They took over a significant share of the army's counterinsurgency missions by 1982.^[7] However, Chavalit believed that the communists could not be defeated by purely military means, but that combating the political, economic and social causes of the insurgency was also necessary to destroy their popular support. He helped to author cabinet orders 66/2523 (1980) and 65/2525 (1982) of Prem Tinsulanonda's government, which offered amnesty and a return to civil life to surrendering communist fighters. The orders contributed significantly to the demise of the CPT and the end of the insurgency.^[8]^[9]^[10]

In 1982, Chavalit was promoted to lieutenant-general and assistant chief-of-staff, and one year later deputy chief-of-staff of the army.^[6] Chavalit's rise to the army's top posts was unusual for a signal corps officer, as its leading positions were traditionally reserved for infantrymen, artillerymen, and "cavalrymen" (i.e., tankers). He owed his exceptional career partly to his close relationship to Prime Minister Prem, being one of his core supporters in the army, but also to his military, strategic, and political acumen.^[11]

In 1986, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the RTA, and one year later the supreme commander of the armed forces. Under his leadership, the army began projects for rural development. These included the Isan Khiao ("Green Isan") programme in the underdeveloped northeastern region, and the Khwam Wang Mai ("New Hope") programme in the conflict-ridden southern provinces. These projects were based on the ideas of the former "Democratic Soldiers" and cabinet order no. 66/2523: that economic development and relief of regional disparities involved national security, and were therefore tasks for the army.^[12]^[13] For these projects Chavalit provided large corporations with lucrative contracts, including the leading Thai agribusiness corporation Charoen Pokphand.^[14] Chavalit retired from military service in 1990, at the age of 58.

Political career

Chavalit began his political activity while still serving in the military. From 1984 to 1987, during the "Semi-Democratic" phase, he was an appointed member of the Senate. In 1987, he publicly proposed to have a prime minister directly elected by the people; he was accused of attempting to undermine the monarchy's role, temporarily discrediting his public image.^[15] In 1990 he was appointed Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the administration of Chatichai Choonhavan. During the early 1990s, Chavalit controlled 126 military-run radio stations and two of the country's five television networks. Chavalit agreed to make military stations available for an anti-AIDS campaign. He also agreed to help Meechai Viravaidya spearhead a three-year blitz to halt the spread of the disease.^{[citation needed]}

In 1990, he launched his own party, the New Aspiration Party. His plan was to make it a dominant ruling party, modelled on the Golkar party of Indonesia's President Suharto. The party was backed by the Charoen Pokphand group and its chairman Dhanin Chearavanont.^[14] Chavalit used contacts from his time as army commander and head of the "Green Isan" programme to recruit former soldiers, civil servants, and local officials in the Northeast as members of his party.^[16]

In March 1992, Chavalit was elected a member of the House of Representatives for a constituency in Nonthaburi Province. Being the leader of the largest non-government coalition party, he was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition. He then served as Minister of the Interior in the cabinet of Chuan Leekpai from 1992 to 1994, and was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence in the government of Banharn Silpa-archa from 1995 to 1996.

Premiership

Following the Royal Decree of Parliament Closure a general election was held on 17 November 1996. Chavalit's New Aspiration Party won the most seats. With the support of five coalition parties — National Development, Social Action, Thai Citizens', Liberal Integrity and Mass Party — Chavalit was appointed by royal decree as the 22nd Prime Minister of Thailand on 25 November 1996. However, during his premiership he encountered pressure from many political movements, who forced him to resign on 6 November 1997, in the midst of the Asian financial crisis.

On 14 May and 15 May 1997, the Thai baht, which was then pegged to the US dollar, was hit by massive speculative attacks. Chavalit announced he would not devalue the baht, but in July 1997 the government had no choice but to devalue the currency. This sparked the Asian financial crisis, due to the Thai government's failure to defend the baht against international speculators.

At the time, Thailand had acquired a burden of foreign debt that made the country effectively bankrupt even before the collapse of its currency.^[17]

Thailand's booming economy ground to a halt amidst massive layoffs in finance, real estate, and construction, resulting in huge numbers of workers returning to their villages in the countryside and 600,000 foreign workers being sent back to their home countries. The baht devalued swiftly and lost more than half of its value, and the Thai stock market dropped 75% in 1997. Due to this crisis, Chavalit stepped down in November 1997.

According to some observers, King Bhumibol Adulyadej distrusted Chavalit as he saw him as a threat to his so-called "network monarchy", an informal alliance of politicians and officials favoured by the palace.^[18]

Later life

Chavalit then once again became Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives. The New Aspiration Party quickly lost popularity, as well as the support of the Charoen Pokphand Group, which began supporting Thaksin Shinawatra and his new Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT). After New Aspiration's electoral defeat in 2001, Chavalit abandoned it and switched over to the TRT, taking most party members and lawmakers with him. Subsequently, Chavalit served as Deputy Prime Minister responsible for internal security under Thaksin's premiership from 2001 to 2005 and as Minister of Defence from 2001 to 2002.

After holding the position of deputy prime minister in Somchai Wongsawat's cabinet, on 7 October 2008, he resigned, admitting partial responsibility for violence because of police use of tear gas at a Parliament blockade, injuring 116 protesters. His resignation letter stated: "Since this action did not achieve what I planned, I want to show my responsibility for this operation."^[19]^[20]^[21]

On 2 October 2009, Chavalit joined the Pheu Thai Party, which was composed of loyalists to Thaksin Shinawatra. He insisted that he would be a regular member until the party's executives considered a future role for him.^[22] Currently, he is active as a president for a South Thailand insurgency scheme, "Komuniti Pulang Kampong."^[23]

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is the Honorary Co-President of The International Academy of Social Sciences (Albany, USA) together with H.E. Alfredo Palacio, 44th President of the Republic of Ecuador.^[24]

On 16 May 2022, Yongchaiyudh announced he was planning to form a new political party called Siam Civilized Party, although he will not be the leader of such a party.^[25]

Honours

Royal decorations

Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn
Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
Knight Commander (Second Class) of the Honourable Order of Rama
Order of Symbolic Propitiousness Ramkeerati
The Victory Medal - Vietnam War
The Freeman Safeguarding Medal (First Class)
The Border Service Medal
Chakra Mala Medal
King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, 4th Class

Malaysia :
- Honorary Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (P.M.N.) (1988)^[28]
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Military Service (P.G.A.T.)
Indonesia :
- Army Meritorious Service Star, 1st Class (1987)
Singapore :
- Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (1988)
Belgium :
- Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold (1988)
Philippine :
- Chief Commander of the Legion of Honor (1997)
Argentina :
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín^[29](1997)

Federal Republic of Germany :
- Grand Cross 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Cambodia :
- Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Monisaraphon (2023)^[30]

References

^ "Former PM Chavalit, now 86, marries for 4th time". Bangkok Post. 10 July 2018.
^ Duncan McCargo, Ukrist Pathmanand (2004). The Thaksinization Of Thailand. Nordic Institute of Asian Studies. p. Introduction: Who is Thaksin Shinawatra?, 4. ISBN 978-87-91114-46-5.
^ Songsiri Putthongchai (2013), What is it Like to be Muslim in Thailand? (PhD thesis) (PDF), University of Exeter, p. 82
^ Tamada, Yoshifumi (1995). "Coups in Thailand, 1980-1991". Japanese Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 33 (3). Kyoto: Kyoto University: 317–339. doi:10.20495/tak.33.3_317.
^ Suchit Bunbongkarn (1987). The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 14, 21.
^ ^a ^b Suchit Bunbongkarn (1987). The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 108.
^ Alex P. Schmid; Albert J. Jongman (2005). "Ranger Units". Political Terrorism. Transaction Publishers. p. S. 672.
^ Suchit Bunbongkarn (1987). The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 15–16, 21.
^ John Girling (1996). Interpreting Development: Capitalism, Democracy, and the Middle Class in Thailand. Cornell Southeast Asia Program. p. 28.
^ Surin Maisrikrod (1992). Thailand's Two General Elections in 1992: Democracy Sustained. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 9–10.
^ Suchit Bunbongkarn (1987). The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 9, 21.
^ James Ockey (2001). Thailand: The Struggle to Redefine Civil-Military Relations. Stanford University Press. p. 197.
^ Gerald W. Fry (November 1988). "Old images and new realities: Thailand's political economy". Harvard International Review. 11 (1): 33. Also printed in Fry (2005). Thailand and Its Neighbors: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Chulalongkorn University. pp. 20–21.
^ ^a ^b Duncan McCargo; Ukrist Pathamanand (2005), The Thaksinization of Thailand, NIAS Press, p. 33
^ Surin Maisrikrod (1992). Thailand's Two General Elections in 1992: Democracy Sustained. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 9.
^ Duncan McCargo (1997). Thailand's political parties: Real, authentic and actual. Routledge. p. 128.
^ "Asian Financial Crisis: When the World Started to Melt". EuroMoney. December 1997. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
^ Duncan McCargo (December 2005). "Network monarchy and legitimacy crises in Thailand". The Pacific Review. 18 (4): 499–519, at pp. 509–510. doi:10.1080/09512740500338937. S2CID 144748431.
^ reuters.com, 6-Thai deputy PM quits after Bangkok clashes
^ ap.google.com, Thai deputy prime minister resigns Archived 29 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
^ bloomberg.com, Thai deputy prime minister resigns
^ Former PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to join Pheu Thai Party Archived 4 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine
^ "'บิ๊กจิ๋ว' ยังฟิตลงปัตตานี ชูโครงการ "ปูลังกำปง" แก้ปัญหาไฟใต้".
^ "About the IASS".
^ "Former PM Chavalit turns 90, unveils new party". Bangkok Post.
^ "ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี พระราชทานยศทหารและแต่งตั้งนายทหารพิเศษ" [Announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister Granting military ranks and appointing special officers] (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2018.
^ "ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานยศกองอาสารักษาดินแดนเป็นกรณีพิเศษ" [Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office. The story of the rank of the Volunteer Division of the Territory is a special case] (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2018.
^ "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat". Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
^ ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานพระบรมราชานุญาตให้ประดับเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ต่างประเทศ เล่ม 114 ตอนที่ 7 ข ราชกิจจานุเบกษา 9 เมษายน 2540
^ "Wassana Nanuam on Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 17 June 2024.

External links

'Nightmare Alliance' looms: Master-schemer Chavalit, power-hungry Thaksin

Political offices
Preceded by Banharn Silpa-archa	Prime Minister of Thailand 1996-1997	Succeeded by Chuan Leekpai

[1] "Former PM Chavalit, now 86, marries for 4th time". Bangkok Post. 10 July 2018.

[2] Duncan McCargo, Ukrist Pathmanand (2004). The Thaksinization Of Thailand. Nordic Institute of Asian Studies. p. Introduction: Who is Thaksin Shinawatra?, 4. ISBN 978-87-91114-46-5.

[3] Songsiri Putthongchai (2013), What is it Like to be Muslim in Thailand? (PhD thesis) (PDF), University of Exeter, p. 82

[4] Tamada, Yoshifumi (1995). "Coups in Thailand, 1980-1991". Japanese Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 33 (3). Kyoto: Kyoto University: 317–339. doi:10.20495/tak.33.3_317.

[5] Suchit Bunbongkarn (1987). The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 14, 21.

[Suchit108-6] Suchit Bunbongkarn (1987). The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 108.

[7] Alex P. Schmid; Albert J. Jongman (2005). "Ranger Units". Political Terrorism. Transaction Publishers. p. S. 672.

[8] Suchit Bunbongkarn (1987). The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 15–16, 21.

[9] John Girling (1996). Interpreting Development: Capitalism, Democracy, and the Middle Class in Thailand. Cornell Southeast Asia Program. p. 28.

[10] Surin Maisrikrod (1992). Thailand's Two General Elections in 1992: Democracy Sustained. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 9–10.

[11] Suchit Bunbongkarn (1987). The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 9, 21.

[12] James Ockey (2001). Thailand: The Struggle to Redefine Civil-Military Relations. Stanford University Press. p. 197.

[13] Gerald W. Fry (November 1988). "Old images and new realities: Thailand's political economy". Harvard International Review. 11 (1): 33. Also printed in Fry (2005). Thailand and Its Neighbors: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Chulalongkorn University. pp. 20–21.

[MccargoUkrist33-14] Duncan McCargo; Ukrist Pathamanand (2005), The Thaksinization of Thailand, NIAS Press, p. 33

[15] Surin Maisrikrod (1992). Thailand's Two General Elections in 1992: Democracy Sustained. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 9.

[16] Duncan McCargo (1997). Thailand's political parties: Real, authentic and actual. Routledge. p. 128.

[17] "Asian Financial Crisis: When the World Started to Melt". EuroMoney. December 1997. Retrieved 16 November 2015.

[18] Duncan McCargo (December 2005). "Network monarchy and legitimacy crises in Thailand". The Pacific Review. 18 (4): 499–519, at pp. 509–510. doi:10.1080/09512740500338937. S2CID 144748431.

[19] reuters.com, 6-Thai deputy PM quits after Bangkok clashes

[20] .google.com, Thai deputy prime minister resigns Archived 29 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine

[21] rg.com, Thai deputy prime minister resigns

[22] Former PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to join Pheu Thai Party Archived 4 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine

[23] "'บิ๊กจิ๋ว' ยังฟิตลงปัตตานี ชูโครงการ "ปูลังกำปง" แก้ปัญหาไฟใต้".

[24] "About the IASS".

[25] "Former PM Chavalit turns 90, unveils new party". Bangkok Post.

[26] "ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี พระราชทานยศทหารและแต่งตั้งนายทหารพิเศษ" [Announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister Granting military ranks and appointing special officers] (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2018.

[27] "ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานยศกองอาสารักษาดินแดนเป็นกรณีพิเศษ" [Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office. The story of the rank of the Volunteer Division of the Territory is a special case] (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2018.

[28] "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat". Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2018.

[29] ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานพระบรมราชานุญาตให้ประดับเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ต่างประเทศ เล่ม 114 ตอนที่ 7 ข ราชกิจจานุเบกษา 9 เมษายน 2540

[30] "Wassana Nanuam on Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 17 June 2024.

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@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
 {{Infobox officeholder
-| honorific-suffix    = [[Order of the White Elephant|MPCh]] [[Order of the Crown of Thailand|MWM]] [[Order of Chula Chom Klao|TChW]] [[Order of Rama|RMK]] [[Legion of Merit|LOM]] [[Order of the Defender of the Realm|P.M.N.]] [[Philippine Legion of Honor|CCLH]]
+| honorific-suffix    = [[Order of the White Elephant|MPCh]] [[Order of the Crown of Thailand|MWM]] [[Order of Chula Chom Klao|TChW]] [[Order of Rama|RMK]] [[Legion of Merit|LOM]] [[Order of the Defender of the Realm|PMN]] [[Philippine Legion of Honor|CCLH]] [[Royal Order of Monisaraphon|GCM]]
 | name                = Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
-| native_name         = ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ
+| native_name         = {{nobold|ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ}}
 | native_name_lang    = th
 | image               = Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.jpg
-| nationality         = [[Thailand|Thai]]
+| image_size          = 220px
+| caption             = Chavalit in 1996
+| nationality         = [[Thai nationality law|Thai]]
 <!-- -->| office              = 22nd [[Prime Minister of Thailand]]
@@ Line 20: / Line 22: @@
 | term_start1         = 26 November 1997
 | term_end1           = 30 April 2000
-| primeminister1      = [[Chuan Leekpai]]
+| primeminister1      = Chuan Leekpai
 | predecessor1        = Chuan Leekpai
 | successor1          = Chuan Leekpai
@@ Line 32: / Line 34: @@
 | term_start4         = 17 February 2001
 | term_end4           = 11 March 2005
-| primeminister5      = [[Banharn Silpa-archa]]
+| primeminister5      = Banharn Silpa-archa
 | term_start5         = 13 July 1995
 | term_end5           = 24 November 1996
-| primeminister6      = [[Chuan Leekpai]]
+| primeminister6      = Chuan Leekpai
 | term_start6         = 14 July 1994
 | term_end6           = 25 October 1994
@@ Line 41: / Line 43: @@
 | term_start7         = 30 March 1990
 | term_end7           = 21 June 1990
-| office8             = [[List of Defence Ministers of Thailand|Minister of Defence]]
+| office8             = [[List of defence ministers of Thailand|Minister of Defence]]
-| primeminister8      = [[Thaksin Shinawatra]]
+| primeminister8      = Thaksin Shinawatra
 | term_start8         = 17 February 2001
 | term_end8           = 3 October 2002
@@ Line 48: / Line 50: @@
 | term_start9         = 25 November 1996
 | term_end9           = 8 November 1997
-| primeminister10     = [[Banharn Silpa-archa]]
+| primeminister10     = Banharn Silpa-archa
 | term_start10        = 13 July 1995
 | term_end10          = 24 November 1996
-| primeminister11     = [[Chatichai Choonhavan]]
+| primeminister11     = Chatichai Choonhavan
 | term_start11        = 30 March 1990
 | term_end11          = 21 June 1990
 <!-- -->| office12            = [[Ministry of Interior (Thailand)|Minister of Interior]]
-| primeminister12     = [[Chuan Leekpai]]
+| primeminister12     = Chuan Leekpai
 | term_start12        = 29 September 1992
 | term_end12          = 11 December 1994
@@ Line 63: / Line 65: @@
 <!-- -->| office13            = [[Ministry of Labour (Thailand)|Minister of Labour and Social Services]]
-| primeminister13     = [[Chuan Leekpai]]
+| primeminister13     = Chuan Leekpai
 | term_start13        = 15 September 1993
 | term_end13          = 1 January 1994
@@ Line 75: / Line 77: @@
 | successor14         = [[Sunthorn Kongsompong]]
-<!-- -->| office15            = [[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Army|Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army]]
+<!-- -->| office15            = [[List of commanders-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army|Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army]]
 | term_start15        = 27 May 1986
 | term_end15          = 31 March 1990
@@ Line 81: / Line 83: @@
 | successor15         = [[Suchinda Kraprayoon]]
 | birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1932|5|15}}
-| birth_place         = [[Nonthaburi Province|Nonthaburi]], Krung Thep, Siam (now Nonthaburi, Thailand)
+| birth_place         = [[Nonthaburi Province|Nonthaburi]], Krung Thep, Siam
 | death_date          =
 | death_place         =
 | party               = {{ubl|[[Pheu Thai Party|Pheu Thai]] (2009–2013)|[[People's Power Party (Thailand)|People's Power]] (2007–2008)|[[Thai Rak Thai Party|Thai Rak Thai]] (2002–2005)|[[New Aspiration Party|New Aspiration]] (1990–2002)}}
-| spouse              = {{ubl|Vipha <small>(div.)</small>|Prasertsri Chan-aporn <small>(div.)</small>|Pankruea Yongchaiyudh <small>(div.)</small>|Orathai Sorakan (m. 2018)<ref>[https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1500986/former-pm-chavalit-marries-for-4th-time-at-age-86#cxrecs_s "Former PM Chavalit, now 86, marries for 4th time"]. Bangkok Post. 10 July 2018.</ref>}}
+| spouse              = {{ubl|Vipha <small>({{abbr|div.|divorced}})</small>|Prasertsri Chan-aporn <small>({{abbr|div.|divorced}})</small>|Pankruea Yongchaiyudh <small>({{abbr|div.|divorced}})</small>|{{marriage|Orathai Sorakan|2018}}<ref>[https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1500986/former-pm-chavalit-marries-for-4th-time-at-age-86#cxrecs_s "Former PM Chavalit, now 86, marries for 4th time"]. Bangkok Post. 10 July 2018.</ref>}}
 | allegiance          = {{flag|Thailand}}
 | branch              = {{Army|Thailand}}
 | rank                = {{ubl|[[File:RTA OF-9 (General).svg|15px]] [[General officer|General]]|[[file:RTN OF-9 (Admiral).svg|15px]] Admiral|[[file:RTAF OF-9 (Air Chief Marshal).svg|15px]] Air Chief Marshal}}
 | commands            = {{ubl|[[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Army|Commander-in-Chief]] {{nowrap|(1986–1990)}}|[[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters|Supreme Commander]] {{nowrap|(1987–1990)}}}}
-| signature           =
+| signature           = Chavalit Yongchaiyudh signature.png
-| image_size          = 220px
 }}
-'''Chavalit Yongchaiyudh''' ({{lang-th|ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ}}, {{RTGS|''Chawalit Yongchaiyut''}}, {{IPA-th|t͡ɕʰá.wá.lít joŋ.t͡ɕaj.jút|IPA}}; born 15 May 1932), also known as "Big Jiew" ({{lang|th|บิ๊กจิ๋ว}}, {{RTGS|''Bik Chio''}}, {{IPA-th|bík t͡ɕǐw|IPA}}), is a Thai politician and retired army officer. From 1986 to 1990 he was the [[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Army|Commander-in-chief]] of the [[Royal Thai Army]] (RTA), and Supreme Commander of the [[Royal Thai Armed Forces]] from 1987 to 1990. In 1990 he founded the [[New Aspiration Party]] which he led until 2002. He was [[Thailand]]'s 22nd Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997. At various times he has held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Labour and Leader of the Opposition.
+'''Chavalit Yongchaiyudh''' ({{langx|th|ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ}}, {{RTGS|''Chawalit Yongchaiyut''}}, {{IPA|th|t͡ɕʰá.wá.lít joŋ.t͡ɕaj.jút|IPA}}; born 15 May 1932), also known as "Big Jiew" ({{lang|th|บิ๊กจิ๋ว}}, {{RTGS|''Bik Chio''}}, {{IPA|th|bík t͡ɕǐw|IPA}}), is a Thai politician and retired army officer. From 1986 to 1990, he was the [[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Army|Commander-in-chief]] of the [[Royal Thai Army]] (RTA), and Supreme Commander of the [[Royal Thai Armed Forces]] from 1987 to 1990. In 1990, he founded the [[New Aspiration Party]] which he led until 2002. He was [[List of prime ministers of Thailand|Thailand's 22nd prime minister]] from 1996 to 1997. At various times he has held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Labour and Leader of the Opposition.
 == Education and military career ==
 Chavalit is of [[Thai Chinese|Sino-Thai]] and [[Lao people|Lao]] descent.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Thaksinization Of Thailand|author=[[Duncan McCargo]], Ukrist Pathmanand|publisher=Nordic Institute of Asian Studies|year=2004|isbn=978-87-91114-46-5|page=''Introduction: Who is Thaksin Shinawatra?'', 4}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |author=Songsiri Putthongchai |title=What is it Like to be Muslim in Thailand? (PhD thesis) |publisher=University of Exeter |url=https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10871/9321/PutthongchaiS.pdf?sequence=2|year=2013 |page=82}}</ref> His father was an infantry captain. Chavalit attended [[Triam Udom Suksa School]] and graduated from [[Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School]] Class 1, same class as [[Surayud Chulanont]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tamada |first1=Yoshifumi |title=Coups in Thailand, 1980-1991 |journal=Japanese Journal of Southeast Asian Studies |date=1995 |volume=33 |issue=3 |pages=317–339 |doi=10.20495/tak.33.3_317 |url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/tak/33/3/33_KJ00000131873/_article/-char/en |publisher=[[Kyoto University]]|location=Kyoto}}</ref> and [[Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy]], being appointed second lieutenant in 1953. He served in the RTA [[Signal Corps]] and completed advanced training courses at the RTA Signal Corps School, as well as at [[Fort Monmouth]], a US Army Signal Corps School, and with the US [[IX Corps (United States)|IX Corps]] in [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]].
-In 1963 he graduated from the RTA Command and General Staff College, and one year later from the [[United States Army Command and General Staff College]] at [[Fort Leavenworth]]. During the 1960s and 1970s, Chavalit served in the [[Communist insurgency in Thailand|communist insurgency]] suppression campaign in the jungles of Thailand, and prepared Thai soldiers for their operations in the [[Vietnam War]]. During the period after the [[1973 Thai popular uprising|October 1973 popular uprising]], he was considered close to the ''Thahan Prachathippatai'' ("Democratic Soldiers") group, even though he did not openly identify as a member of the group.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Suchit Bunbongkarn |title=The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |year=1987 |pages=14, 21}}</ref>
+In 1963, he graduated from the RTA Command and General Staff College, and one year later from the [[United States Army Command and General Staff College]] at [[Fort Leavenworth]]. During the 1960s and 1970s, Chavalit served in the [[Communist insurgency in Thailand|communist insurgency]] suppression campaign in the jungles of Thailand, and prepared Thai soldiers for their operations in the [[Vietnam War]]. During the period after the [[1973 Thai popular uprising|October 1973 popular uprising]], he was considered close to the ''Thahan Prachathippatai'' ("Democratic Soldiers") group, even though he did not openly identify as a member of the group.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Suchit Bunbongkarn |title=The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |year=1987 |pages=14, 21}}</ref>
 In 1979, Chavalit was promoted to major-general and Director of Army Operations.<ref name="Suchit108">{{Cite book |author=Suchit Bunbongkarn |title=The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |year=1987 |page=108}}</ref> Intending to outwit [[Communist Party of Thailand]] (CPT) guerillas, he created the pro-government ''[[Thahan Phran]]'' ("hunter soldiers"), paramilitary units who would use [[Guerrilla warfare|guerilla tactics]] against the CPT. They took over a significant share of the army's counterinsurgency missions by 1982.<ref>{{Cite book |author1=Alex P. Schmid |author2=Albert J. Jongman |title=Political Terrorism |publisher=Transaction Publishers |year=2005 |page=S. 672 |chapter=Ranger Units}}</ref> However, Chavalit believed that the communists could not be defeated by purely military means, but that combating the political, economic and social causes of the insurgency was also necessary to destroy their popular support. He helped to author cabinet orders [[Order 66/2523|66/2523]] (1980) and 65/2525 (1982) of [[Prem Tinsulanonda]]'s government, which offered amnesty and a return to civil life to surrendering communist fighters. The orders contributed significantly to the demise of the CPT and the end of the insurgency.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Suchit Bunbongkarn |title=The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |year=1987 |pages=15–16, 21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=John Girling |title=Interpreting Development: Capitalism, Democracy, and the Middle Class in Thailand |publisher=Cornell Southeast Asia Program |year=1996 |page=28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Surin Maisrikrod |title=Thailand's Two General Elections in 1992: Democracy Sustained |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |year=1992 |pages=9–10}}</ref>
@@ Line 105: / Line 107: @@
 In 1982, Chavalit was promoted to lieutenant-general and assistant chief-of-staff, and one year later deputy chief-of-staff of the army.<ref name="Suchit108"/> Chavalit's rise to the army's top posts was unusual for a signal corps officer, as its leading positions were traditionally reserved for infantrymen, artillerymen, and "cavalrymen" (i.e., tankers). He owed his exceptional career partly to his close relationship to Prime Minister Prem, being one of his core supporters in the army, but also to his military, strategic, and political acumen.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Suchit Bunbongkarn |title=The Military in Thai Politics, 1981-1986 |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |year=1987 |pages=9, 21}}</ref>
-In 1986 he was appointed commander-in-chief of the RTA, and one year later the supreme commander of the armed forces. Under his leadership, the army began projects for rural development. These included the ''Isan Khiao'' ("Green Isan") programme in the underdeveloped [[Isan|northeastern region]], and the ''Khwam Wang Mai'' ("New Hope") programme in the conflict-ridden [[Southern Thailand|southern provinces]]. These projects were based on the ideas of the former "Democratic Soldiers" and cabinet order no. 66/2523: that economic development and relief of regional disparities involved national security, and were therefore tasks for the army.<ref>{{Cite book |author=James Ockey |title=Thailand: The Struggle to Redefine Civil-Military Relations |work=Coercion and Governance: The Declining Political Role of the Military in Asia |publisher=Stanford University Press |year=2001 |page=197}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |author=Gerald W. Fry |title=Old images and new realities: Thailand's political economy |journal=Harvard International Review |volume=11 |number=1 |date=November 1988 |page=33}} Also printed in {{Cite book |author=Fry |title=Thailand and Its Neighbors: Interdisciplinary Perspectives |publisher=Chulalongkorn University |year=2005 |pages=20–21}}</ref> For these projects Chavalit provided large corporations with lucrative contracts, including the leading Thai agribusiness corporation [[Charoen Pokphand]].<ref name="MccargoUkrist33">{{Citation |author1=Duncan McCargo |author2=Ukrist Pathamanand |title=The Thaksinization of Thailand |publisher=NIAS Press |year=2005 |page=33}}</ref> Chavalit retired from military service in 1990, at the age of 58.
+In 1986, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the RTA, and one year later the supreme commander of the armed forces. Under his leadership, the army began projects for rural development. These included the ''Isan Khiao'' ("Green Isan") programme in the underdeveloped [[Isan|northeastern region]], and the ''Khwam Wang Mai'' ("New Hope") programme in the conflict-ridden [[Southern Thailand|southern provinces]]. These projects were based on the ideas of the former "Democratic Soldiers" and cabinet order no. 66/2523: that economic development and relief of regional disparities involved national security, and were therefore tasks for the army.<ref>{{Cite book |author=James Ockey |title=Thailand: The Struggle to Redefine Civil-Military Relations | publisher=Stanford University Press |year=2001 |page=197}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |author=Gerald W. Fry |title=Old images and new realities: Thailand's political economy |journal=Harvard International Review |volume=11 |number=1 |date=November 1988 |page=33}} Also printed in {{Cite book |author=Fry |title=Thailand and Its Neighbors: Interdisciplinary Perspectives |publisher=Chulalongkorn University |year=2005 |pages=20–21}}</ref> For these projects Chavalit provided large corporations with lucrative contracts, including the leading Thai agribusiness corporation [[Charoen Pokphand]].<ref name="MccargoUkrist33">{{Citation |author1=Duncan McCargo |author2=Ukrist Pathamanand |title=The Thaksinization of Thailand |publisher=NIAS Press |year=2005 |page=33}}</ref> Chavalit retired from military service in 1990, at the age of 58.
 ==Political career==
-Chavalit began his political activity while still serving in the military. From 1984 to 1987, during the "Semi-Democratic" phase, he was an appointed member of the [[Senate of Thailand|Senate]]. In 1987 he publicly proposed to have a prime minister directly elected by the people; he was accused of attempting to undermine the monarchy's role, temporarily discrediting his public image.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Surin Maisrikrod |title=Thailand's Two General Elections in 1992: Democracy Sustained |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |year=1992 |page=9}}</ref> In 1990 he was appointed Defence Minister and [[Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand|Deputy Prime Minister]] in the administration of [[Chatichai Choonhavan]].  During the early 1990s, Chavalit controlled 126 military-run radio stations and two of the country's five television networks. Chavalit agreed to make military stations available for an anti-AIDS campaign. He also agreed to help [[Meechai Viravaidya]] spearhead a three-year blitz to halt the spread of the disease.{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}}
+Chavalit began his political activity while still serving in the military. From 1984 to 1987, during the "Semi-Democratic" phase, he was an appointed member of the [[Senate of Thailand|Senate]]. In 1987, he publicly proposed to have a prime minister directly elected by the people; he was accused of attempting to undermine the monarchy's role, temporarily discrediting his public image.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Surin Maisrikrod |title=Thailand's Two General Elections in 1992: Democracy Sustained |publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |year=1992 |page=9}}</ref> In 1990 he was appointed Defence Minister and [[Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand|Deputy Prime Minister]] in the administration of [[Chatichai Choonhavan]].  During the early 1990s, Chavalit controlled 126 military-run radio stations and two of the country's five television networks. Chavalit agreed to make military stations available for an anti-AIDS campaign. He also agreed to help [[Meechai Viravaidya]] spearhead a three-year blitz to halt the spread of the disease.{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}}
-In 1990, he launched his own party, the [[New Aspiration Party]]. His plan was to make it a dominant ruling party, modelled on the [[Golkar]] party of [[Indonesia]]'s President [[Suharto]]. The party was backed by the Charoen Pokphand group and its chairman [[Dhanin Chearavanont]].<ref name="MccargoUkrist33"/> Chavalit used contacts from his time as army commander and head of the "Green Isan" programme to recruit former soldiers, civil servants, and local officials in the Northeast as members of his party.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Duncan McCargo |title=Thailand's political parties: Real, authentic and actual |work=Political Change in Thailand: Democracy and Participation |publisher=Routledge |year=1997 |page=128}}</ref>
+In 1990, he launched his own party, the [[New Aspiration Party]]. His plan was to make it a dominant ruling party, modelled on the [[Golkar]] party of [[Indonesia]]'s President [[Suharto]]. The party was backed by the [[Charoen Pokphand]] group and its chairman [[Dhanin Chearavanont]].<ref name="MccargoUkrist33"/> Chavalit used contacts from his time as army commander and head of the "Green Isan" programme to recruit former soldiers, civil servants, and local officials in the Northeast as members of his party.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Duncan McCargo |title=Thailand's political parties: Real, authentic and actual | publisher=Routledge |year=1997 |page=128}}</ref>
 In March 1992, Chavalit was elected a member of the [[House of Representatives (Thailand)|House of Representatives]] for a constituency in Nonthaburi Province. Being the leader of the largest non-government coalition party, he was sworn in as [[Leader of the Opposition (Thailand)|Leader of the Opposition]]. He then served as Minister of the Interior in the cabinet of [[Chuan Leekpai]] from 1992 to 1994, and was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence in the government of [[Banharn Silpa-archa]] from 1995 to 1996.
 ==Premiership==
 {{BLP sources section|date=March 2015}}
-Following the Royal Decree of Parliament Closure a [[1996 Thai general election|general election was held on 17 November 1996]]. Chavalit's [[New Aspiration Party]] won the most seats. With the support of five coalition parties—[[National Development Party (Thailand)|National Development]], [[Social Action Party|Social Action]], [[Thai Citizens' Party|Thai Citizens']], [[Liberal Integrity Party|Liberal Integrity]] and [[Mass Party (1995)|Mass Party]]—Chavalit was appointed by royal decree as the 22nd Prime Minister of Thailand on 25 November 1996. However, during his premiership he encountered pressure from many political movements, who forced him to resign on 6 November 1997, in the midst of the [[Asian financial crisis]].
+Following the Royal Decree of Parliament Closure a [[1996 Thai general election|general election was held on 17 November 1996]]. Chavalit's [[New Aspiration Party]] won the most seats. With the support of five coalition parties — [[National Development Party (Thailand)|National Development]], [[Social Action Party|Social Action]], [[Thai Citizens' Party|Thai Citizens']], [[Liberal Integrity Party|Liberal Integrity]] and [[Mass Party (1995)|Mass Party]] — Chavalit was appointed by royal decree as the 22nd [[Prime Minister of Thailand]] on 25 November 1996. However, during his premiership he encountered pressure from many political movements, who forced him to resign on 6 November 1997, in the midst of the [[Asian financial crisis]].
 On 14 May and 15 May 1997, the Thai [[baht]], which was then pegged to the US dollar, was hit by massive [[speculative attacks]]. Chavalit announced he would not devalue the baht, but in July 1997 the government had no choice but to devalue the currency. This sparked the [[1997 Asian Financial Crisis|Asian financial crisis]], due to the Thai government's failure to defend the baht against international speculators.
@@ Line 124: / Line 129: @@
 Thailand's booming economy ground to a halt amidst massive layoffs in finance, real estate, and construction, resulting in huge numbers of workers returning to their villages in the countryside and 600,000 foreign workers being sent back to their home countries. The baht devalued swiftly and lost more than half of its value, and the Thai stock market dropped 75% in 1997. Due to this crisis, Chavalit stepped down in November 1997.
-According to some observers, King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] distrusted Chavalit as he saw him as a threat to his so-called "network monarchy", an informal alliance of politicians and officials favoured by the palace.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Duncan McCargo |title=Network monarchy and legitimacy crises in Thailand |journal=The Pacific Review |volume=18 |number=4 |date=December 2005 |pages=499–519, at pp. 509–510|doi=10.1080/09512740500338937 |s2cid=144748431 }}</ref>
+According to some observers, King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] distrusted Chavalit as he saw him as a threat to his so-called "[[network monarchy]]", an informal alliance of politicians and officials favoured by the palace.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Duncan McCargo |title=Network monarchy and legitimacy crises in Thailand |journal=The Pacific Review |volume=18 |number=4 |date=December 2005 |pages=499–519, at pp. 509–510|doi=10.1080/09512740500338937 |s2cid=144748431 }}</ref>
 == Later life ==
 Chavalit then once again became Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives. The New Aspiration Party quickly lost popularity, as well as the support of the Charoen Pokphand Group, which began supporting [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] and his new [[Thai Rak Thai Party]] (TRT). After New Aspiration's electoral defeat in 2001, Chavalit abandoned it and switched over to the TRT, taking most party members and lawmakers with him. Subsequently, Chavalit served as Deputy Prime Minister responsible for internal security under Thaksin's premiership from 2001 to 2005 and as Minister of Defence from 2001 to 2002.
 After holding the position of deputy prime minister in [[Somchai Wongsawat]]'s cabinet, on 7 October 2008, he resigned, admitting partial responsibility for violence because of police use of tear gas at a Parliament blockade, injuring 116 protesters. His resignation letter stated: "Since this action did not achieve what I planned, I want to show my responsibility for this operation."<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSSP26598420081007 reuters.com, 6-Thai deputy PM quits after Bangkok clashes]</ref><ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hMF9SXQgcjmOw2uLVow4mnqJULMwD93LHGQG0 ap.google.com, Thai deputy prime minister resigns] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029172554/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hMF9SXQgcjmOw2uLVow4mnqJULMwD93LHGQG0 |date=29 October 2008 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aaSpVlNMZwbM&refer=asia bloomberg.com, Thai deputy prime minister resigns]</ref>
-On 2 October 2009, Chavalit joined the [[Pheu Thai Party]], which is composed of loyalists to [[Thaksin Shinawatra]]. He insists that he will be a regular member until the party's executives consider a future role for him.<ref>[http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30113515/Former-PM-Chavalit-Yongchaiyudh-to-join-Pheu-Thai- Former PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to join Pheu Thai Party] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004090524/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30113515/Former-PM-Chavalit-Yongchaiyudh-to-join-Pheu-Thai- |date=4 October 2009 }}</ref> Currently, he is active as a president for a [[South Thailand insurgency]] scheme, "Komuniti Pulang Kampong."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prachatai.com/journal/2014/11/56341|title='บิ๊กจิ๋ว' ยังฟิตลงปัตตานี ชูโครงการ "ปูลังกำปง" แก้ปัญหาไฟใต้}}</ref>
+On 2 October 2009, Chavalit joined the [[Pheu Thai Party]], which was composed of loyalists to [[Thaksin Shinawatra]]. He insisted that he would be a regular member until the party's executives considered a future role for him.<ref>[http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30113515/Former-PM-Chavalit-Yongchaiyudh-to-join-Pheu-Thai- Former PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to join Pheu Thai Party] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004090524/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30113515/Former-PM-Chavalit-Yongchaiyudh-to-join-Pheu-Thai- |date=4 October 2009 }}</ref> Currently, he is active as a president for a [[South Thailand insurgency]] scheme, "Komuniti Pulang Kampong."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prachatai.com/journal/2014/11/56341|title='บิ๊กจิ๋ว' ยังฟิตลงปัตตานี ชูโครงการ "ปูลังกำปง" แก้ปัญหาไฟใต้}}</ref>
 Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is the Honorary Co-President of The International Academy of Social Sciences (Albany, USA) together with H.E. [[Alfredo Palacio]], 44th President of the Republic of [[Ecuador]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japss.org/About-the-IASS.html|title = About the IASS}}</ref>
-On 16 May 2022, Yongchaiyudh announced he was planning to form a new political party called Siam Civilized Party, although he will not be the leader of such a party.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2310454/former-pm-chavalit-turns-90-unveils-new-party | title=Former PM Chavalit turns 90, unveils new party | newspaper=Bangkok Post }}</ref>
+On 16 May 2022, Yongchaiyudh announced he was planning to form a new political party called [[Siam Civilized Party]], although he will not be the leader of such a party.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2310454/former-pm-chavalit-turns-90-unveils-new-party | title=Former PM Chavalit turns 90, unveils new party | newspaper=Bangkok Post }}</ref>
 ==Honours==
 ===Royal decorations===
 * [[Image:Order of the White Elephant - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted [[Order of the White Elephant]]
 * [[Image:Order of the Crown of Thailand - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble [[Order of the Crown of Thailand]]
@@ Line 144: / Line 152: @@
 * [[Image:Order of Chula Chom Klao - 2nd Class upper (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious [[Order of Chula Chom Klao]]
 * [[File:Order of Rama 2nd Class ribbon.svg|80px]] Knight Commander (Second Class) of the Honourable [[Order of Rama]]
-* [[File:Order of Ramkeerati (Thailand) ribbon.png|80x80px]] The Order of Symbolic Propitiousness Ramkeerati (Special Class) - Boy Scout Citation Medal
+* [[File:Order of Ramkeerati ribbon.png|80x80px]] [[Order of Ramkeerati|Order of Symbolic Propitiousness Ramkeerati]]
 * [[File:Victory Medal - Vietnam War with flames (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80x80px]] The Victory Medal - [[Vietnam War]]
 * [[File:Freeman Safeguarding Medal - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80x80px]] The Freeman Safeguarding Medal (First Class)
 * [[File:Border Service Medal (Thailand) ribbon.png|80px]] The Border Service Medal
-* [[File:Chakra Mala Medal (Thailand) ribbon.png|80px]] Chakra Mala Medal
+* [[File:Chakra Mala Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] Chakra Mala Medal
 * [[Image:King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] [[Bhumibol Adulyadej|King Rama IX]] Royal Cypher Medal, 4th Class
-===Military rank===
+===Military ranks===
-* [[General]], [[Admiral]] and [[Air Chief Marshal]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225325/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2531/D/010/11.PDF] {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
+* [[General]], [[Admiral]] and [[Air Chief Marshal]]<ref>{{Cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225325/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2531/D/010/11.PDF | title=ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี พระราชทานยศทหารและแต่งตั้งนายทหารพิเศษ | trans-title=Announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister Granting military ranks and appointing special officers | url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2531/D/010/11.PDF | archive-date=2018-07-10}}</ref>
 ===Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand rank===
-* [[Volunteer Defense Corps (Thailand)|Volunteer Defense Corps General]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225314/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2536/D/020/1.PDF] {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
+* [[Volunteer Defense Corps (Thailand)|Volunteer Defense Corps General]]<ref>{{Cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225314/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2536/D/020/1.PDF | title=ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานยศกองอาสารักษาดินแดนเป็นกรณีพิเศษ | trans-title=Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office. The story of the rank of the Volunteer Division of the Territory is a special case | url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2536/D/020/1.PDF | archive-date=2018-07-10 }}</ref>
 ===Foreign honours===
@@ Line 173: / Line 183: @@
 *{{Flag|Indonesia}} :
 ** [[File:Bintang Kartika Eka Paksi Utama rib.svg|80x80px]] Army Meritorious Service Star, 1st Class (1987)
+* {{Flag|Singapore}} :
+** [[File:Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) ribbon.png|80x80px]] [[Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)]] (1988)
 * {{Flag|Belgium}} :
 ** [[File:BEL - Order of Leopold - Grand Cordon bar.svg|80x80px]] Grand Cordon of the [[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold]] (1988)
 * {{Flag|Philippine}} :
-** [[File:PHL Legion of Honor - Chief Commander BAR.png|80x80px]] Chief Commander of the [[Philippine Legion of Honor]] (1997)
+** [[File:PHL Legion of Honor - Chief Commander BAR.png|80x80px]] Chief Commander of the [[Philippine Legion of Honor|Legion of Honor]] (1997)
 * {{flag|Argentina}} :
 ** [[File:ARG Order of the Liberator San Martin - Grand Cross BAR.png|80x80px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Liberator General San Martín]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20211111095705/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2540/B/007/3.PDF ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานพระบรมราชานุญาตให้ประดับเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ต่างประเทศ เล่ม 114 ตอนที่ 7 ข ราชกิจจานุเบกษา 9 เมษายน 2540]</ref>(1997)
@@ Line 183: / Line 195: @@
 ** [[File:GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 7 Grosskreuz.svg|80x80px]] Grand Cross 1st Class of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
 *{{Flag|Cambodia}} :
-**[[File:KHM Royal Order of Monisaraphon - Grand Cross.png|80x80px]] Grand Cross of the [[Royal Order of Monisaraphon]] (2023)<ref>https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=6612238178834584&set=a.440635312661599</ref>
+**[[File:KHM Royal Order of Monisaraphon - Grand Cross.png|80x80px]] Grand Cross of the [[Royal Order of Monisaraphon]] (2023)<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=6612238178834584&set=a.440635312661599 | title=Wassana Nanuam on Facebook | website=[[Facebook]] | access-date=2024-06-17}}</ref>
 ==See also==
 * [[New Aspiration Party]]
@@ Line 214: / Line 228: @@
 [[Category:Chiefs of Defence Forces (Thailand)|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
 [[Category:Alumni of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
-[[Category:Prime Ministers of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
+[[Category:Prime ministers of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
 [[Category:New Aspiration Party politicians|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
 [[Category:Thai Rak Thai Party politicians|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
@@ Line 220: / Line 234: @@
 [[Category:Thai political party founders|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
 [[Category:Leaders of political parties in Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
-[[Category:Deputy Prime Ministers of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
+[[Category:Deputy prime ministers of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
-[[Category:Ministers of Interior of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
+[[Category:Ministers of interior of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
-[[Category:Ministers of Defence of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
+[[Category:Ministers of defence of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
 [[Category:Members of the Senate of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
-[[Category:Ministers of Labour of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
+[[Category:Ministers of labour of Thailand|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]
-[[Category:Thai anti-communists]]
+[[Category:Thai anti-communists|Chavalit Yongchaiyudh]]

v t e Prime ministers of Thailand (list)
Prajadhipok	Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena
Ananda Mahidol	Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena Plaek Phibunsongkhram Khuang Aphaiwong Thawi Bunyaket Seni Pramoj Khuang Aphaiwong Pridi Banomyong
Bhumibol Adulyadej	Pridi Banomyong Thawan Thamrongnawasawat Khuang Aphaiwong Plaek Phibunsongkhram Pote Sarasin Thanom Kittikachorn Sarit Thanarat Thanom Kittikachorn Sanya Dharmasakti Seni Pramoj Kukrit Pramoj Seni Pramoj Thanin Kraivichien Kriangsak Chamanan Prem Tinsulanonda Chatichai Choonhavan Anand Panyarachun Suchinda Kraprayoon Meechai Ruchuphan† Anand Panyarachun Chuan Leekpai Banharn Silpa-archa Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Chuan Leekpai Thaksin Shinawatra Chitchai Wannasathit† Thaksin Shinawatra Surayud Chulanont Samak Sundaravej Somchai Wongsawat Chavarat Charnvirakul† Abhisit Vejjajiva Yingluck Shinawatra Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan† Prayut Chan-o-cha
Vajiralongkorn	Prayut Chan-o-cha Prawit Wongsuwon† Prayut Chan-o-cha Srettha Thavisin Phumtham Wechayachai† Paetongtarn Shinawatra
"italics" indicate military officeholders "†" indicate acting or caretaker officeholders.

v t e Chiefs of the Royal Thai Army
Kingdom of Siam	Prince Damrong Rajanubhab Surasakmontri Prince Banubandhu Vongsevoradej Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong Prince Banubandhu Vongsevoradej Prince of Nakhon Chaisi Bodindhorn Dejanuchit I Bodindhorn Dejanuchit II Prince of Nakorn Sawan Boworadet Prince of Singha
Kingdom of Thailand	Phahonphonphayuhasena Phibunsongkhram Kriengsakpichit Phahonphonphayuhasena Adundetcharat Phibunsongkhram Choonhavan Thanarat Kittikachorn Charusathien Sivara Bamroongpong Na-Nakhon Tinsulanonda Jarumanee Kamlang-ek Yongchaiyudh Kraprayoon Noonpakdee Vongvanich Plasindhi Thannajaro Chulanont Attanand Shinawatra Wongsuwan Boonyaratglin Paochinda Chan-o-cha Sitabutr Nakwanich Sitthisart Kongsompong Jitkaewthae