Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Political party Democrat Party Party Democrat Party Preceded by Korbsak Sabhavasu Spouse(s) Nut Suwankiri Succeeded by Kittiratt Na-Ranong | Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai Name Trairong Suwankiri Children Rudklao Suwankiri Nationality Thai Role Thai Politician | |
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Born June 24, 1944 (age 79)
Songkhla, Thailand ( 1944-06-24 ) Education Thammasat University, University of Hawaii at Manoa | ||
Trairong Suwankiri (Thai: ไตรรงค์ สุวรรณคีรี; born June 24, 1944 in Songkhla) is a Thai politician (Democrat Party). He was deputy prime minister in the cabinet of Abhisit Vejjajiva, and vice leader of the Democrats.
Trairong holds a master's degree and a Doctoral degree in Economics of the University of Hawaii.
Trairong Suwankiri has started his career as private secretary to Professor Puey Ungpakorn, at this time prominent rector of the Thammasat University. In this function he had to witness the Thammasat University massacre of 6 October 1976.
In 1986 Trairong was for the first time elected to the House of Representatives on the Democrat Party list. Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda appointed him government spokesman. From 1988 to 1991 he was deputy minister of Interior in the administration of Chatichai Choonhavan and from 1992 to 1994 deputy minister of Finance under the first premiership of Chuan Leekpai.
He has served as Minister of Industry from 1994 to 1995 in Chuan's first, Minister of Labour from 1997 to 1998 and Deputy Prime Minister in 1999, in his second cabinet. 2005 he was elected vice president of the Democrat Party. From 15 January 2010 to 9 August 2011, he was one of three deputy prime ministers under Abhisit Vejjajiva and in charge of economic affairs.
In parliament and public he is known for his jokes and his heavy Southern accent.
Trairong means tricolour and is the name of the Thai national flag.
Trairong Suwankiri is decorated with the highest class (Knight Grand Cordon) of both the Order of the White Elephant and the Order of the Crown of Thailand.