Somsak Kiatsuranont
Encyclopedia
Somsak Kiatsuranont is a Thai
politician (Pheu Thai Party). He has been serving as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand
who is ex officio also the President of the National Assembly of Thailand, since 3 August 2011.
Somsak Kiatsuranont studied engineering. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the Khon Kaen University
, and a Master's degree from the Chulalongkorn University
.
Somsak is a Member of Parliament
, representing Khon Kaen. In 1997, he - at the time member of the New Aspiration Party
- was Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives. During this time, he acquired the nickname "The Hammer Man" ("ขุนค้อน") for his impartiality in presiding over the House's meetings and intensive use of the presidium's finishing hammer. Later, he was a memeber of the Thai Rak Thai Party of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
, which was banned after the 2006 coup d'etat, and transferred into the People's Power Party
(PPP). In the PPP-led government of Samak Sundaravej
, Somsak was Minister of Culture
from August to September 2008, and Minister of Justice
in Somchai Wongsawat
's cabinet from September to December 2008. Then, the PPP suffered the same fate as the Thai Rak Thai, and was dissolved by the Constitutional Court, but was revived as the Pheu Thai Party, of which Somsak Kiatsuranont has been the vice chairman since September 2010.
After the Pheu Thai Party won the 2011 general election, Somsak Kiatsuranont was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, on 2 August 2011. Somsak who exercised restraint during the 2010 Thai political protests
, is considered to be also acceptable for the parliamentary opposition. The Democrat Party
did not field an opposing candidate. He was formally approved by the king on 3 August.
Somsak was decorated with the highest class (Knight Grand Cordon) of both the Order of the White Elephant
, and the Order of the Crown of Thailand.
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 (Pheu Thai Party). He has been serving as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand
House of Representatives of Thailand
The House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand is the lower house of the National Assembly of Thailand, the legislative branch of the Thai Government. The system of government of Thailand is that of a Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Democracy. The system of the Thai...
who is ex officio also the President of the National Assembly of Thailand, since 3 August 2011.
Somsak Kiatsuranont studied engineering. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the Khon Kaen University
Khon Kaen University
Khon Kaen University is an internationally-recognized university in Asia. It is located in the Isan region of Thailand. The university is a central hub of education in north-east Thailand.-History:...
, and a Master's degree from the Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
.
Somsak is a Member of Parliament
House of Representatives of Thailand
The House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand is the lower house of the National Assembly of Thailand, the legislative branch of the Thai Government. The system of government of Thailand is that of a Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Democracy. The system of the Thai...
, representing Khon Kaen. In 1997, he - at the time member of the New Aspiration Party
New Aspiration Party
The New Aspiration Party was a political party in Thailand. In the legislative elections, on February 6, 2005, the party won 0.4 % of the popular vote and no seats in the House of Representatives....
- was Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives. During this time, he acquired the nickname "The Hammer Man" ("ขุนค้อน") for his impartiality in presiding over the House's meetings and intensive use of the presidium's finishing hammer. Later, he was a memeber of the Thai Rak Thai Party of Prime Minister 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....
, which was banned after the 2006 coup d'etat, and transferred into the 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...
(PPP). In the PPP-led government of 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:...
, Somsak was Minister of Culture
Ministry of Culture (Thailand)
The Ministry of Culture , is a Thai government body responsible for the oversight of Culture Religion and Art in Thailand.-Departments:* The Fine Arts Department -External links:* - Official Website in Thai* - Official Website in English...
from August to September 2008, and Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice (Thailand)
The Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom of Thailand is a Cabinet Ministry in the Government of Thailand. The Ministry is in charge of the criminal justice system in the Kingdom. As well as running prisons and aiding the Royal Thai Police, the ministry also run the government's drug and narcotic...
in Somchai Wongsawat
Somchai Wongsawat
Somchai Wongsawat is a Thai politician, as well as former executive member of the People's Power Party whose political rights have been disfranchised by the Constitutional Court for five years....
's cabinet from September to December 2008. Then, the PPP suffered the same fate as the Thai Rak Thai, and was dissolved by the Constitutional Court, but was revived as the Pheu Thai Party, of which Somsak Kiatsuranont has been the vice chairman since September 2010.
After the Pheu Thai Party won the 2011 general election, Somsak Kiatsuranont was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, on 2 August 2011. Somsak who exercised restraint during the 2010 Thai political protests
2010 Thai political protests
A prolonged series of political protests occurred in Bangkok, Thailand in 2010 from March to May against the Democrat Party-led government. The protests were organized by the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship...
, is considered to be also acceptable for the parliamentary opposition. 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...
did not field an opposing candidate. He was formally approved by the king on 3 August.
Somsak was decorated with the highest class (Knight Grand Cordon) of both the Order of the White Elephant
Order of the White Elephant
The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant is the most awarded order of Thailand. It was established in 1861 by King Rama IV of the Kingdom of Siam.The Order consists of eight classes:...
, and the Order of the Crown of Thailand.