สมชายวงศ์สวัสดิ์

Somchai Wongsawat is a Thai politician who served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from September to December 2008. His premiership was brief but significant, occurring during a period of intense political turmoil in the country.

Born on August 31, 1947, in Chiang Mai province, Somchai Wongsawat has a distinguished legal background. He graduated with a law degree from Thammasat University and later became a judge. His career in the judiciary spanned many years, culminating in his appointment as a Permanent Secretary of Justice. His wife, Yaowapa Wongsawat, is the sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister whose influence loomed large over Thai politics during Somchai’s tenure.

Somchai’s entry into politics was relatively late in life. He became the leader of the People’s Power Party (PPP) following the dissolution of Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai party. This connection to Thaksin significantly shaped public perception of Somchai, with opponents often viewing him as a proxy for the exiled former leader.

His appointment as Prime Minister came after the resignation of Samak Sundaravej, who was removed from office due to his violation of conflict of interest regulations. The PPP-led coalition government, however, continued to face strong opposition from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), also known as the “Yellow Shirts,” who accused the government of corruption and being controlled by Thaksin.

During Somchai’s short time in office, Thailand experienced significant political instability. The PAD staged prolonged protests, occupying Government House and, later, both of Bangkok’s airports. These airport occupations crippled the country’s tourism industry and international trade, causing significant economic damage.

The political crisis reached its peak in December 2008. While Somchai was attending the APEC summit in Peru, the Constitutional Court of Thailand ruled that the PPP was guilty of electoral fraud in the 2007 general election. As a result, the PPP was dissolved, and Somchai Wongsawat was disqualified from holding political office for five years.

Following his removal from office, Somchai largely retreated from the political spotlight. While he remained associated with the political network linked to Thaksin Shinawatra, he did not actively seek public office again. His legacy remains intertwined with the turbulent period of Thai politics in the late 2000s, marked by deep political divisions and the enduring influence of Thaksin.

In conclusion, Somchai Wongsawat’s brief time as Prime Minister of Thailand was characterized by intense political conflict and ultimately ended with his disqualification from office. His premiership serves as a significant chapter in the ongoing saga of Thai politics and the enduring impact of Thaksin Shinawatra.