Editor's Pick

once-upon-a-time-s2-ep15

Once Upon A Time

Series 2, Episode 15 The Queen Is Dead 23 May 13 00:41:02

Top Shows

Contact ONE News

FACTBOX - Somchai Wongsawat

Published: 6:12PM Monday September 15, 2008 Source: Reuters

Following are five facts about Thailand's new Prime Minister-in-waiting, Somchai Wongsawat:
  
- Somchai, 61, is best known as the brother-in-law of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a coup two years ago. Somchai's wife, Yaowapa Wongsawasdi, was an influential MP in her older brother's Thai Rak Thai party before it was disbanded after the putsch.
   
- A law graduate and appeals court judge, most of his top government experience was as Permanent Secretary of the Justice Ministry from 1999 to 2006 and then briefly in the same position at the Labour Ministry.
   
He served as Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet of Samak Sundaravej, who was sacked last week by the Constitutional Court.
   
- His relationship with Thaksin has led to frequent cries of nepotism, especially when several justice ministers with whom he clashed lost their jobs.
   
He countered such accusations by noting his Justice Ministry appointment came two years before Thaksin came to power.
   
- As well as his senior positions within the bureaucracy, he also sat on the board of several state-owned firms, including Airports of Thailand, national petroleum company PTT and Krung Thai Bank.
   
- Bespectacled and softly-spoken, Somchai has seldom had to endure the glare of the television cameras and appeared nervous and unsure of himself as he chaired a People Power Party (PPP) news conference last week.

World News

Most Popular

  1. Woman 'dragged behind car' is critically injured
  2. Katy Perry thinks Robert Pattinson deserves better
  3. New Zealanders join global movement against GM food video
  4. Queenstown blaze raises fire-fighting concerns video
  5. British security services in spotlight after soldier murder video

rssLatest News

How do you want your news?

  • Mobile Devices

    ONE News is available on iPhone, iPad, and as a mobile site.

  • News Feeds

    See when TVNZ have added new content. You can get the latest headlines anywhere.

  • Podcasts

    Enjoy TVNZ on the move - a wide range of programmes and highlights are available.