Chaiyasit Shinawatra
Encyclopedia
Chaiyasit Shinawatra is a former commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army. As a cousin of Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra
, his unexpected appointment was criticised as an act of nepotism
.
General Chaiyasit was transferred from the Army to become a special advisor to the Supreme Command Headquarters under the administration of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai
. In August 2001, General Chaiyasit was promoted to deputy commander of the Armed Forces Development Command. In August 2002, he was promoted to the post of deputy commander-in-chief.
Both General Chaiyasit and the Defence Minister, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
, denied accusations of nepotism. "If I'm appointed to a significant post in the Army because of my connection with the prime minister, I won't have any friends left in the armed forces," said Chaiyasit. Gen Chavalit said that Thaksin would not interfere with any high-level military reshuffles, and "It's a shame that the prime minister's name was tainted by such a groundless rumour."
General Chaiyasit replaced General Surayud Chulanont
(who was promoted to become supreme commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces) as commander-in-chief in August 2003.
He was replaced as army chief in 2004, succeeded by Prawit Wongsuwan, and was transferred to Supreme Command. Chaisit was then replaced as supreme commander in 2005, succeeded by Gen. Ruangroj Mararanont.
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
, his unexpected appointment was criticised as an act of nepotism
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
.
General Chaiyasit was transferred from the Army to become a special advisor to the Supreme Command Headquarters under the administration of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai
Chuan Leekpai
Chuan Leekpai was the Prime Minister of Thailand from September 20, 1992 to May 19, 1995 and again from November 9, 1997 to February 9, 2001. A third-generation Thai Chinese, Chuan was born in Trang province in a grass-roofed house. The walls of his family's house were woven from strips of...
. In August 2001, General Chaiyasit was promoted to deputy commander of the Armed Forces Development Command. In August 2002, he was promoted to the post of deputy commander-in-chief.
Both General Chaiyasit and the Defence Minister, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is a Thai politician and retired general. He was Thailand's 22nd Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997. He is of Sino-Thai and ethnic Lao descent....
, denied accusations of nepotism. "If I'm appointed to a significant post in the Army because of my connection with the prime minister, I won't have any friends left in the armed forces," said Chaiyasit. Gen Chavalit said that Thaksin would not interfere with any high-level military reshuffles, and "It's a shame that the prime minister's name was tainted by such a groundless rumour."
General Chaiyasit replaced General Surayud Chulanont
Surayud Chulanont
General Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008...
(who was promoted to become supreme commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces) as commander-in-chief in August 2003.
He was replaced as army chief in 2004, succeeded by Prawit Wongsuwan, and was transferred to Supreme Command. Chaisit was then replaced as supreme commander in 2005, succeeded by Gen. Ruangroj Mararanont.