36 Facts About Samak Sundaravej

Samak Sundaravej was of Chinese ancestry and had five siblings.

Samak Sundaravej studied at Saint Gabriel's College and Assumption Commercial College, then graduated from Faculty of Law, Thammasat University.

Besides being a politician, Samak Sundaravej was a well-known television chef.

Samak Sundaravej said when he became Prime Minister that he would resume his career as a TV chef and did so, though warned not to.

Samak Sundaravej quickly became prominent for arresting several allegedly leftist activists.

However, writer Paul M Handley claims Samak was a close confidant of Queen Sirikit and was told to guarantee royal support for the exiled Field Marshal.

Samak Sundaravej was prominent in the events leading to the 6 October 1976 Massacre at Thammasat University, in which leftist students protesting against the return of a former military dictator were killed by rightwing mobs.

Samak Sundaravej had played a crucial role in instigating the violence that ensued against the protestors, whom he considered to be disloyal communists.

In interviews he gave to CNN and al-Jazeera in 2008, Samak Sundaravej denied any involvement in the attacks that left at least 46 dead, and he insisted only one person was killed intentionally.

Samak Sundaravej immediately launched a campaign that caused the arrest of hundreds of alleged leftists, including many writers and other intellectuals.

In 1992, as Deputy Prime Minister in the military-appointed Suchinda administration, Samak Sundaravej justified the military's brutal suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators by declaring the government had the right to do so as long as the United States could send its troops to kill people in other countries, referring to the Gulf War which defeated Saddam Hussein's Iraq in 1991.

Samak Sundaravej remained unrepentant and continued to stand by his justification, stating the military was merely trying to restore law and order after the pro-democracy demonstrators, whom he branded as "troublemakers", had resorted to "mob rule".

Samak Sundaravej was promptly accused of being a proxy for the exiled Thaksin, resulting in massive street protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Samak Sundaravej was convicted of libel on an old charge and was sentenced to two years in jail, though the sentence was suspended pending appeal.

Samak Sundaravej jumped bail and left for the United States to receive cancer treatment.

Samak Sundaravej returned ashen-faced from the meeting but soon recovered his brazen approach.

On 2 September 2008, following the clashes between the pro and anti-government protesters which led to at least one pro government protesters death, Samak Sundaravej declared a controversial state of emergency.

Samak Sundaravej said he is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and that he is happy to accept the post.

Samak Sundaravej is the leader of our party so he is the best choice.

The complaints requested the ConCourt to decide whether the premiership of Samak Sundaravej is terminated upon Section 91, Section 182 Paragraph One and Section 267 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The essence of the first complaint could be summarised as follows: as Samak Sundaravej was a holder of the political position as a Prime Minister, he was under the subject of Section 267 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand prohibiting the Prime Minister and Ministers from having any position in a partnership, a company or an organisation carrying out business with a view to sharing profits or incomes or being an employee of any person.

However, Samak Sundaravej, who acknowledged the purpose of Section 267, continued to work for the Face Media Co.

The essence of the second complaint could be summarised as follows: On 17 April 2008, Senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana lodged with the ECT a complaint that Samak Sundaravej, pending his premiership, worked for Face Media Co.

Samak Sundaravej, after having received a quo warranto, represented to the accusation through submitting the letters dated 30 June 14 and 25 August 2008 to the ConCourt, stated that:.

Therefore, the ConCourt, by the unanimous resolution, held that Samak Sundaravej has performed the acts in breach of Section 267 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand which individually led to the termination of his premiership in accordance with Section 182 Paragraph One of which, and called forth the vacating from office of the entire Council of Ministers under Section 180 Paragraph One.

However, as the premiership has individually been terminated, all Ministers other than Samak Sundaravej could remain in office as a caretaker government and continuing their functions until the new Council of Ministers is sworn in.

Samak Sundaravej said he is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and that he is happy to accept the post.

Samak Sundaravej is the leader of our party so he is the best choice.

Finally Samak Sundaravej gave up his re-election bid, allowing his party to choose new a nominee.

Samak Sundaravej was able to form a six-party coalition gaining a parliamentary majority of about two-thirds.

Samak Sundaravej was endorsed as Prime Minister by the king on the next day.

Samak Sundaravej angrily insisted he was the country's real leader on 29 February 2008 despite the triumphant return from exile of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the man considered the driving force behind the new government.

Samak Sundaravej ended his campaign to regain his position on 12 September 2008.

At age 73, Samak Sundaravej admitted he had liver cancer and underwent laser surgery to remove a tumour and was treated at Bumrungrad International Hospital on 2 October 2008.

Samak Sundaravej's ashes were scattered in Sattahip Bay in a final ceremony.

Samak Sundaravej has received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:.