Noppadon Pattama
Encyclopedia
Noppadon Pattama Thai
politician, became Foreign Minister of Thailand on 6 February 2008, in the Cabinet of Prime Minister
Samak Sundaravej
. He is a member of Samak's People's Power Party
. He is a former legal adviser to Thaksin Shinawatra
, who was deposed as Prime Minister by the September 2006 military coup.
Noppadon was born in Nakhon Ratchasima
and educated at Thammasat University
, Bangkok
, where he graduated top of his class in law in 1982 and won a Fulbright scholarship to study in the United States
. After receiving a prestigious Ananda Mahidol Scholarship, however, he chose instead to study at the University of London
(LLM 1990) and the University of Oxford
(MA 1992). He was President of Thai Students’ Association in Britain
1988-1989. While in Britain he met Chuan Leekpai
, leader of the Democrat Party
, who became his political patron.
Returning to Thailand, Noppadon practised law in Bangkok and became Chuan's secretary during his period as Leader of the Opposition in 1995-97. He was elected as a Democrat Party Member of Parliament in 1996. He was a member of the Parliament of Thailand's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs from 1996, and when Chuan became Prime Minister in 1997 he became an influential figure. He was Parliamentary Secretary to Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan
in 1999-2001.
Chuan's government was defeated at the 2001 election, and Noppadon was not re-elected to Parliament and returned to his law practice. In May 2006 he defected to Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai
party, and was briefly Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in Thaksin's government before it was deposed in the September coup. His defection was engineered by Thaksin's Natural Resources and Environment minister, Yongyuth Tiyapairat, also a former Democrat MP. He maintains he defected for "ideological reasons" and not for personal gain.
In November 2006 Thaksin, who was in exile following the coup, appointed Noppadon as his legal adviser, in matters relating both to his status in Thailand and his business affairs in Britain and elsewhere. In this capacity he defended Thaksin against the National Counter Curruption Commission (NCCC), which had alleged that Thaksin's purchase of the Manchester City Football Club showed that he was concealing assets allegedly gained through corruption while in office. He challenged the NCCC to examine Thaksin's asset statements, arguing that the purchase of the club was not financed by hidden wealth. He argued that Thaksin financed the purchase with "honest earnings" and that Thaksin was "not obliged" to declare funds held by his adult children, relatives and close associates.
In 2007 Noppadon became a member of Samak's new People's Power Party, which is generally regarded as the successor to Thai Rak Thai. As an adviser to Thaksin, he acted as a link between Thaksin in exile and the People's Power leadership in Thailand. Soon after taking office, he expressed his view that Thaksin's diplomatic passport, revoked after the coup, should be restored. He also expressed the view that Thaksin would return to Thailand, where he faces corruption charges, "before May."
Samak Sundaravej
's 5-month-old government was in great trouble on July 10, 2008 after Noppadon Pattama, as 3rd top official in the ruling People Power Party
(PPP) resigned, effective Monday. Its deputy leader Yongyut Tiyapairat, was banned from politics for 5 years, after the Supreme Court affirmed vote buying charges against him. Then, Chiya Sasomsub was removed from office by another top court, for illegally concealing his wife's assets. The Constitutional Court ruled on July 8 that Noppadon and the entire cabinet violated the charter by failing to ask parliamentary approval for a Cambodia deal. Noppadon signed the agreement on June, to support Cambodia's bid to seek World Heritage status for the 900-year-old Preah Vihear
temple
. The Opposition filed a petition with deputy Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanit to impeach Noppadon Pattama over Preah Vihear Temple issue. Sathit Wongnongtoei submitted 141 signatures of MPs. Noppadon was accused of violating Article 190 and 270 of the Constitution. The Opposition filed the motion before Noppadon stepped down.
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
politician, became Foreign Minister of Thailand on 6 February 2008, in the Cabinet of Prime Minister
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....
Samak Sundaravej
Samak Sundaravej
Samak Sundaravej was a Thai Chinese politician who briefly served as the Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defense in 2008, as well as the leader of the People's Power Party in 2008.-Early life and family:...
. He is a member of Samak's People's Power Party
People's Power Party (Thailand)
The People's Power Party was a Thai political party founded on November 9, 1998 by Police Lieutenant Colonel Garn Tienkaew. The party leader was Somchai Wongsawat, the Party Secretary General was Surapong Suebwonglee, and the Party Spokesperson was Kuthep Saikrajarng...
. He is a former legal adviser to 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....
, who was deposed as Prime Minister by the September 2006 military coup.
Noppadon was born in Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima or is a city in the north-east of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district...
and educated at Thammasat University
Thammasat University
Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
, Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, where he graduated top of his class in law in 1982 and won a Fulbright scholarship to study in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. After receiving a prestigious Ananda Mahidol Scholarship, however, he chose instead to study at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
(LLM 1990) and the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
(MA 1992). He was President of Thai Students’ Association in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
1988-1989. While in Britain he met 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...
, leader of the Democrat Party
Democrat Party (Thailand)
The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative...
, who became his political patron.
Returning to Thailand, Noppadon practised law in Bangkok and became Chuan's secretary during his period as Leader of the Opposition in 1995-97. He was elected as a Democrat Party Member of Parliament in 1996. He was a member of the Parliament of Thailand's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs from 1996, and when Chuan became Prime Minister in 1997 he became an influential figure. He was Parliamentary Secretary to Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan
Surin Pitsuwan
Surin Pitsuwan is a longtime Thai politician. He was born in Nakhon Si Thammarat, into an assimilated Thai family of Malay descent.-Early life:...
in 1999-2001.
Chuan's government was defeated at the 2001 election, and Noppadon was not re-elected to Parliament and returned to his law practice. In May 2006 he defected to Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
party, and was briefly Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in Thaksin's government before it was deposed in the September coup. His defection was engineered by Thaksin's Natural Resources and Environment minister, Yongyuth Tiyapairat, also a former Democrat MP. He maintains he defected for "ideological reasons" and not for personal gain.
In November 2006 Thaksin, who was in exile following the coup, appointed Noppadon as his legal adviser, in matters relating both to his status in Thailand and his business affairs in Britain and elsewhere. In this capacity he defended Thaksin against the National Counter Curruption Commission (NCCC), which had alleged that Thaksin's purchase of the Manchester City Football Club showed that he was concealing assets allegedly gained through corruption while in office. He challenged the NCCC to examine Thaksin's asset statements, arguing that the purchase of the club was not financed by hidden wealth. He argued that Thaksin financed the purchase with "honest earnings" and that Thaksin was "not obliged" to declare funds held by his adult children, relatives and close associates.
In 2007 Noppadon became a member of Samak's new People's Power Party, which is generally regarded as the successor to Thai Rak Thai. As an adviser to Thaksin, he acted as a link between Thaksin in exile and the People's Power leadership in Thailand. Soon after taking office, he expressed his view that Thaksin's diplomatic passport, revoked after the coup, should be restored. He also expressed the view that Thaksin would return to Thailand, where he faces corruption charges, "before May."
Samak Sundaravej
Samak Sundaravej
Samak Sundaravej was a Thai Chinese politician who briefly served as the Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defense in 2008, as well as the leader of the People's Power Party in 2008.-Early life and family:...
's 5-month-old government was in great trouble on July 10, 2008 after Noppadon Pattama, as 3rd top official in the ruling People Power Party
People Power Party
People Power is a populist political movement in Australia that was Federally registered as a political party in March 2006. The party contested its first election in the Victorian state election, 2006.- Policies :...
(PPP) resigned, effective Monday. Its deputy leader Yongyut Tiyapairat, was banned from politics for 5 years, after the Supreme Court affirmed vote buying charges against him. Then, Chiya Sasomsub was removed from office by another top court, for illegally concealing his wife's assets. The Constitutional Court ruled on July 8 that Noppadon and the entire cabinet violated the charter by failing to ask parliamentary approval for a Cambodia deal. Noppadon signed the agreement on June, to support Cambodia's bid to seek World Heritage status for the 900-year-old Preah Vihear
Prasat Preah Vihear
Preah Vihear Temple is a Hindu temple built during the reign of Khmer Empire, that is situated atop a cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, in the Preah Vihear province, Cambodia...
temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
. The Opposition filed a petition with deputy Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanit to impeach Noppadon Pattama over Preah Vihear Temple issue. Sathit Wongnongtoei submitted 141 signatures of MPs. Noppadon was accused of violating Article 190 and 270 of the Constitution. The Opposition filed the motion before Noppadon stepped down.