Name Yongyuth Wichaidit Role Thai Politician | Party Pheu Thai Party Nationality Thai | |
Preceded by Suthep Thaugsuban
Trairong Suwankiri Preceded by Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech Born July 15, 1942 (age 81)
Surat Thani, Thailand ( 1942-07-15 ) Education National Institute of Development Administration, Chulalongkorn University | ||
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Preceded by Chaovarat Chanweerakul Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Succeeded by Surapong Tovichakchaikul | ||
Yongyuth Wichaidit (Thai: ยงยุทธ วิชัยดิษฐ; born July 15, 1942 in Surat Thani) is a Thai politician (Pheu Thai Party). He is the younger brother of Democrat politician Thawat Wichaidit. Yongyuth holds a bachelor's degree in Political science of Chulalongkorn University and a master's degree of National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA).
Yongyuth was high-rank public servant, served as Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Interior, director-general of the Department of Lands, chairman of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and chairman of the Audit Committee of the Government Lottery Office.
His political functions include assistant minister to Sudarat Keyuraphan, TRT-Health Minister under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (2003–05) and advisor to Minister of Interior Kowit Wattana in Somchai Wongsawat's PPP-led government (2008), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior in the government of Yingluck Shinawatra.
On 7 December 2008, Yongyuth Wichaidit was elected to leader of Pheu Thai (For Thai) Party, the main governing party and successor to the dissolved People's Power Party, which is close to ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin. He followed interim leader Suchart Thadathamrongwet in office. On 9 September 2010, Yongyuth announced to resign from the post to clear place for Kowit Wattana, but the voting party members asked him to carry on the leadership.
After his Pheu Thai Party won 2011 general election, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior in the government of Yingluck Shinawatra on 9 August 2011 and resigned on 28 September 2012. His resignation is effective on 1 October 2012. He also resigned from MP and Pheu Thai Party's leader on 4 October 2012. Prior to resignations he was accused of illegal land sale endorsements and later was found guilty by the National Anti-Corruption Commission of misfeasance. According to the Bangkok Post, even prime minister asked him to resign.