12 Facts About Prawit Wongsuwon

Prawit Wongsuwon previously served as the deputy chairman of the National Council for Peace and Order, a military junta which ruled Thailand from 2014 to 2019.

Prayut was thereafter able to resume carrying out duties as prime minister as a result of the court ruling and Prawit ceased to be the acting prime minister of Thailand on the same date of the court ruling.

Prawit Wongsuwon has four younger brothers: the Senator Admiral Sithawat Wongsuwan; Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan ; former jewelry and watch repair technician, deceased football manager Pongphan Wongsuwan; and Phanpong Wongsuwan.

Prawit Wongsuwon attended Saint Gabriel's College and Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.

Prawit Wongsuwon returned to command the 1st Army Region, before being promoted to deputy commander-in-chief of the army in 2003 and commander-in-chief in 2004.

In December 2008 Prawit Wongsuwon was appointed minister of defence in Abhisit Vejjajiva's cabinet, serving until August 2011.

Prawit Wongsuwon is known as the mentor of a military clique called the "Burapha Payak ", who typically start their careers in the 2nd Infantry Division based in Prachinburi in eastern Thailand.

Kasit Piromya, a former Democrat Party MP who served as foreign minister from 2008 to 2011, said that throughout his career, Prawit Wongsuwon has mentored Prayut, helping him climb up the ranks.

Prawit Wongsuwon is said to have filed asset declarations on 22 December 2008 when he became defence minister under Abhisit Vejjajiva; on 10 August 2011 when stepping down from that role; on 9 August 2012, one year after stepping down from his previous role; and on 4 September 2014 when he became deputy prime minister and defence minister.

The organisation accused Prawit Wongsuwon of being unusually wealthy under Section 66 of the National Anti-Corruption Act.

Prawit Wongsuwon enjoys jogging and playing golf in his free time.

Prawit Wongsuwon is not known to speak, read, or write any language other than Central Thai.