Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan (Thai: นิวัฒน์ธำรง บุญทรงไพศาล, RTGS: Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan, pronounced [ní.wát.tʰam.roŋ bun.soŋ.pʰaj.sǎːn] ; born 25 January 1948) is a Thai businessman and politician who served as the acting ⓘPrime Minister of Thailand following Yingluck Shinawatra's removal from office by the Constitutional Court of Thailand on 7 May 2014 until his deposition in a coup d'état three weeks after taking office.[1] Before becoming acting premier, he was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, and before that managed the country's rice pledging scheme.[2][3]
Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan | |
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นิวัฒน์ธำรง บุญทรงไพศาล | |
Acting Prime Minister of Thailand | |
In office 7 May 2014 – 22 May 2014 | |
Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
Preceded by | Yingluck Shinawatra |
Succeeded by | Prayut Chan-o-cha |
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand | |
In office 30 June 2013 – 22 May 2014 | |
Prime Minister | Yingluck Shinawatra |
Minister of Commerce | |
In office 30 June 2013 – 22 May 2014 | |
Prime Minister | Yingluck Shinawatra |
Preceded by | Boonsong Teriyapirom |
Succeeded by | Chatchai Sarikalya |
Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister | |
In office 18 January 2012 – 30 June 2013 | |
Prime Minister | Yingluck Shinawatra |
Preceded by | Kritsana Seehalak Surawith Konsomboon |
Succeeded by | Santi Promphat |
Personal details | |
Born | Bangkok, Thailand | 25 January 1948
Political party | Pheu Thai Party |
Spouse | Boonphatcharee Boonsongpaisan |
Education | |
Niwatthamrong was born on 25 January 1948. He holds a bachelor's degree in education from Srinakharinwirot University and a master's degree in computer science from Chulalongkorn University and is married to Boonphatcharee Boonsongpaisan.[1]
A close business associate of Thaksin Shinawatra, Niwatthamrong served as the Chairman of the Executive Committee-Media and Advertising front of Shin Corporation since 1995 and as Vice-Chairman since 2000.[1] He served from 2001 to 2002 as Vice-Chairman of iTV and from 1993 to 1995, director of that company between 2002 and 2008, and a member of the board of directors between 2008 and 16 March 2010.[1]
Niwatthamrong served as director of the controversial rice pledging scheme, where rice was bought at inflated prices from farmers and subsequently was left to rot due to lack of buyers.[3] On 30 June 2013 he was appointed Minister of Commerce and a deputy prime minister in the cabinet of Yingluck Shinawatra.[citation needed]
On 7 May 2014, Niwatthamrong became acting Prime Minister following the removal of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and several members of her cabinet from office.[2] On 22 May 2014 he was himself removed from office following a military coup.
Niwatthamrong has received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand: