Apiwan Wiriyachai
Apiwan Wiriyachai อภิวันท์ วิริยะชัย | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 22 January 2008 – 10 May 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Lalita Rerksamran |
| Succeeded by | Wisut Chainarun |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 20, 1949 Nonthaburi, Thailand |
| Political party | Pheu Thai Party |
| Spouse | Ratchanee Wiriyachai |
| Alma mater | Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, Illinois Institute of Technology |
| Profession | Politician Civil servant |
Apiwan Wiriyachai (Template:Lang-th; born April 20, 1949 in Nonthaburi) is a Thai politician (Pheu Thai Party) and a member of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship.
Early Career
In 1996 Apiwan entered politics as a New Aspiration Party MP for the province of his birth. A close confidante of provincial godfather Sanoh Thienthong, Apiwan gravitated towards Thaksin Shinawatra's inner circle following his mentor's resignation from the latter's Thai Rak Thai Party.
Pheu Thai
Following Pheu Thai's 2011 electoral victory Apiwan was at one point tipped to become the speaker of the house, but his close association with the UDD eventually forced the party to pick Somsak Kiatsuranont instead.[1][2]
In October 2012 Apiwan proposed that Jarupong Ruangsuwan serve as leader of the Pheu Thai Party. His nomination went unchallenged.[3]
In early November 2013 Apiwan was among the seven Red Shirt MPs who voted to pass a controversial amnesty bill that would have pardoned those responsible for the army's massacre of UDD protesters in 2010.[4] The bill met widespread opposition from both the UDD and the opposition, prompting the government to abandon it.[5]
Controversies
Apiwan believes that the legitimacy of the monarchy rests on the faith and goodwill of the populace, and is an opponent of Thailand's draconian lèse-majesté law, which he asserts has been used without the king's consent. Apiwan has explicitly declared his approval of several known republicans, ranging from Red Shirt activist Sombat Boonngam-anong to the Nitirat Group, and has also praised Somsak Jeamteerasakul, the most brazen academic critic of King Bhumibol's monarchy, as a man of "consistent morality."[6] Such statements have previously provoked calls for Apiwan to be investigated on charges of holding the monarchy in contempt.[7]
Apiwan is a firm believer that privy council president Prem Tinsulanonda as being the chief architect of the 2006 coup.[8] He alleges that Prem had cajoled General Sonthi Boonyaratglin into overthrowing Thaksin by deceitfully invoking the king's authority.[9]
References
- ^ "Yingluck, Yongyuth to pick seats". Pattaya Today. Pattaya. 27 July 2011.
- ^ "Unbiased gavel in the House?". Bangkok Post. Bangkok. 4 August 2011.
- ^ "Jarupong elected new Pheu Thai leader". Pattaya Today. Pattaya. 31 October 2012.
- ^ "Red shirts feel betrayed". The Nation (Thailand). Bangkok. 2 November 2013.
- ^ "Blowing the Whistle". The Economist. Singapore. 16 November 2013.
- ^ "Apiwan at a Red Shirt Rally (Youtube video)". 22 June 2012.
- ^ "Govt eases tight security in Parliament". The Nation (Thailand). Bangkok. 26 March 2010.
- ^ "Apiwan wants amataya toppled". Bangkok Post. Bangkok. 1 April 2010.
- ^ "Apiwan at a Red Shirt Rally (Youtube video)". 22 June 2012.