Banharn Silpa-Archa ThC PPh MPCh MWM |
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21st Prime Minister of Thailand | |
In office 13 July 1995 – 24 November 1996 |
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Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
Preceded by | Chuan Leekpai |
Succeeded by | Chavalit Yongchaiyudh |
Leader of the Opposition | |
In office 27 May 1994 – 19 May 1995 |
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Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
Preceded by | Pramarn Adireksarn |
Succeeded by | Chuan Leekpai |
Personal details | |
Born | 19 August 1932 Suphanburi, Siam |
Died | 23 April 2016 Bangkok, Thailand |
(aged 83)
Nationality | Thai |
Political party | Thai Nation Party |
Spouse(s) | Jamsai Silpa-archa |
Profession | Businessman, politician |
Signature |
Banharn Silpa-archa(Thai: บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา, rtgs: Banhan Sinlapa-acha, also spelled Banhan, Silapa-, Sinlapa-, -acha; Thai pronunciation: [banhǎːn sǐnláʔpàʔ aːt͡ɕʰaː], 19 August 1932 – 23 April 2016) was a Thai politician. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1995 to 1996. Banharn made a fortune in the construction business before he became a Member of Parliament representing his home province of Suphanburi. He held different cabinet posts in several governments. In 1994, he became the leader of the Thai Nation Party. In 2008, the party was dissolved by the Constitutional Court and Banharn was banned from politics for five years.
Banharn was born on 19 August 1932 in Suphanburi to a Chinese merchant family. His Chinese name was Tekchiang Saebe (Chinese: 馬德祥; pinyin: Mǎ Déxiáng;Thai: เต็กเชียง แซ่เบ๊). He married Khunying Jamsai Silpa-archa and they have three children.
Banharn dropped out of secondary school during World War II. He went to work with his older brother, then founded his own building company. Years later, when he was a politician, he completed his education at the open admission Ramkhamhaeng University, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1986, and finally a Master of Laws.