Former Thai Prime Minister ‘Gen Chavalit’ at 90 forms new political party and refuses leader’s post

Former Prime Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has confirmed that he is forming a new political party.

The announcement was made before a group of supporters led by Korn Dabbaransi, who also served in his cabinet, as well as former close associates of General Wichit Yathip and Major General Sornai Montriwat, who gathered at the residence of General Chavalit in Bangkok to celebrate his 90th birthday on Sunday May 15.

The former prime minister said he plans to name the party “Siam Civilize” after the “Siam Civilize Foundation” which he chairs.

General Chavalit, however, said he had no interest in running for prime minister again and would not be party leader. Instead, he said he would seek a candidate who can “serve the party and the people.”

General Chavalit resigned as army chief and supreme commander in 1990 to pursue his political ambitions and found the now defunct New Aspiration Party (NAP).

Following the NAP’s victory in the 1996 election, he became the country’s 22nd prime minister, but resigned the following year due to the Asian financial crisis before moving to the now defunct Thai Rak Thai party in 2001 .

General Chavalit also served as Deputy Prime Minister under the administrations of Thaksin Shinawatra and Somchai Wongsawat. (NNT)