Thailand led by a Geordie
Dec 17 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal
A NEWCASTLE United-mad Geordie is the man charged with saving Thailand from political turmoil. The country’s new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is the son of two medical professors who studied in the city.
And, unlike fellow Newcastle United supporting politician Tony Blair, he was born and raised on Tyneside. Mr Vejjajiva once even spoke of his dreams about becoming a striker for United if he had not been involved in politics.
The charismatic Mr Vejjajiva was born in Newcastle in 1964 where his father and mother were both medical professors.
Drs Athasit and Sodsai Vejjajiva went back to Thailand when their son was still a boy, but Newcastle United stayed with him.
He was born into a family with deep roots in Asian politics. His family has had good relationships with the Thai ruling elite from as far back as the 18th Century.
But in one interview he admitted: “If I was not me, I would like to be a Newcastle United striker.”
His task as Prime Minister is to restore the country’s battered economic confidence, cool down its overheated political climate and impose his authority on a cabinet formed during days of bargaining with his coalition partners.
Mr Vejjajiva, leader of the Thailand Democratic Party, won by 235 votes to 198 to become Thailand’s fifth leader in two years. The previous prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, was forced out after a court ruling earlier this month.
Outside the parliament, about 200 supporters of the ousted government reacted furiously to what they called a “silent coup”, hurling barricades at the gates and stopping MPs from leaving.
Insiders say the new coalition may only last a few weeks, because by-elections will be held on January 11 to fill 29 seats held by supporters of the former government led by Thaksin Chinawatra, who was ousted two years ago in a military coup.
After early education back in Thailand, Mr Vejjajiva returned to England to continue his studies and at Scaitcliffe School, now Bishopgate School, and Eton College.
He went on to study at St John’s College, Oxford, where he graduated with a first class honours degree in philosophy, politics and economics.
Mr Vejjajiva taught briefly at Thailand’s Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, but returned to Oxford to study for a Masters degree in economics, then became a lecturer in the Faculty of Economics at Thammasat University in Thailand and earned a Bachelor degree in law from Ramkhamhaeng University in 1990.
He married Dr Pimpen Sakuntabhai, a former dentist and now a lecturer.
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