44 Facts About Anand Panyarachun

Anand Panyarachun was effective in initiating economic and political reforms, one of which was the drafting of Thailand's "People's Constitution", which was promulgated in 1997 and abrogated in 2006.

Anand Panyarachun was the youngest of twelve children of a wealthy family of Mon heritage on his father's side and Thai-Chinese on his mother's.

Anand Panyarachun's father, Sern was a son of a high-ranking official of Mon ancestry.

Anand Panyarachun's father studied in England on a king's scholarship, and later oversaw all royal schools and thereafter a successful businessman in the 1930s.

Anand Panyarachun is distantly related to Korn Chatikavanij through this branch of his family.

Anand Panyarachun attended Dulwich College and later read law at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating with honours in 1955.

Anand Panyarachun spent 23 years in the foreign service, serving at times as the Ambassador of Thailand to the United Nations, Canada, the United States, and West Germany.

Anand Panyarachun became the Vice-Chairman of the Saha-Union Group in 1979 and the Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1991.

Anand Panyarachun has been a Director of Siam Commercial Bank since 1984.

Anand Panyarachun, closely linked to the palace and held in respect by both the bureaucracy and the business community, proved acceptable to the people and the international community.

Anand Panyarachun was regarded as being astute and disciplined, and had never been associated with any financial scandals.

Anand Panyarachun angered the NPKC by suggesting that Chatichai be released immediately upon a cabinet being appointed.

However, Anand Panyarachun was allowed relative freedom to select his own cabinet members.

Anand Panyarachun filled his cabinet with well-known academics, technocrats, and ex-bureaucrats with proven records.

Amongst those selected by Anand Panyarachun were Prem's previous finance minister and economic advisor.

Anand Panyarachun was able to shake off the stigma of being a junta-installed prime minister, instead successfully presenting the image of an administration determined to deregulate, cut red tape, and create an environment conductive to free enterprise.

Thailand under Anand Panyarachun became deeply involved in the Cambodian peace process, while relations with Vietnam went through a period of fence-mending and confidence-building.

The only foreign relations area where there were serious reasons for criticising Anand Panyarachun's administration was Thailand's soft stance towards the repressive military junta of Burma.

Anand Panyarachun disagreed with the military junta's plans to increase the defence budget.

Anand Panyarachun denied the military's request for supplemental funding that would have totalled 53 billion baht.

Anand Panyarachun voiced disagreement with the junta's draft constitution, although the constitution was ultimately promulgated.

Anand Panyarachun had a comprehensive environmental bill passed, but it was ignored by the military, which continued its corrupt activities.

Anand Panyarachun was succeeded by General Suchinda, who was appointed by parliament after general elections.

Four days later Anand Panyarachun announced the formation of his cabinet, which included twenty respected technocrats who had held ministerial portfolios during his previous tenure as prime minister.

The top tasks of Anand Panyarachun's government were the rehabilitation of the economy, the organisation of free and fair elections, and the removal of top armed forces commanders from their posts.

Anand Panyarachun was succeeded by democratically elected Chuan Leekpai later in 1992.

Anand Panyarachun rejoined the Saha-Union Group as chairman after the general elections of 1992.

Anand Panyarachun's government had awarded Saha-Union a major Independent Power Producer concession.

In 1996, Anand Panyarachun was elected as a member of the Constitution Drafting Assembly and was appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

Anand Panyarachun oversaw the drafting of what became known as the "Peoples' Constitution" of 1997.

From March 2005, Anand Panyarachun served as chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission, tasked with overseeing that peace was restored to the troubled south.

Anand Panyarachun finally submitted the NRC's recommendations on 5 June 2006.

Anand Panyarachun is a member of the Trilateral Commission and the International Advisory Board of American International Group.

Anand Panyarachun is a member of the Carlyle Group and sits on the Carlyle Group's advisory board for Asia-Pacific.

Anand Panyarachun supported the 2006 military coup that abrogated the People's Constitution and overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra.

Anand Panyarachun had been a sharp critic of Thaksin for several years prior to the coup, and he blamed the coup on Thaksin.

Anand Panyarachun stated fears that the military junta would fail and that Thaksin could make a comeback.

Anand Panyarachun claimed that the coup was well received by the people and that the military junta's ban against opposition or political activity would not last long.

Anand Panyarachun noted surprise at the international community's condemnation to the coup.

Anand Panyarachun stated that the kingdom would be better off if the Crown Prince did not succeed his father; however, he noted that King Bhumibol was unlikely to change the succession.

Anand Panyarachun said that the Prince's succession would face "complicating factors" if he continued interfering in politics and making "embarrassing financial transactions".

Anand Panyarachun neither confirmed nor denied that he made the statements.

Anand Panyarachun's alleged negative opinion of the Crown Prince was repeated by Privy Counsellor Prem Tinsulanonda and Siddhi Savetsila in their meetings with the US Ambassador, the reports of which were all leaked by Wikileaks.

Anand Panyarachun has received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:.