Samak Sundaravej
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Samak Sundaravej MPCh MWM PPh TCW |
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|---|---|
| สมัคร สุนทรเวช 李沙馬 |
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| 25th Prime Minister of Thailand | |
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In office 29 January 2008 – 9 September 2008 |
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| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Surayud Chulanont |
| Succeeded by | Somchai Wongsawat |
| Governor of Bangkok | |
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In office 23 July 2000 – 28 August 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Bhichit Rattakul |
| Succeeded by | Apirak Kosayodhin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
13 June 1935 Bangkok, Siam |
| Died | 24 November 2009 (aged 74) Bangkok, Thailand |
| Political party | People's Power Party (2007–2008) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democrat Party (1966–1976) Citizens Party (1978–2007) |
| Spouse(s) | Surat Sundaravej |
| Alma mater |
Thammasat University Chulalongkorn University Bryant and Stratton College |
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism |
| Signature |  |
Samak Sundaravej (13 June 1935 – 24 November 2009) (Thai: สมัคร สุนทรเวช, rtgs: Samak Sunthorawet, Thai pronunciation: [sàmàk sǔntʰɔráwêːt]) was a Thai politician who briefly served as the Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defense in 2008, as well as the leader of the People's Power Party in 2008.
Samak was born in Bangkok, Thailand to Phraya Bamrungratchaboriphan (Samian Sundaravej) and his wife Khunying Amphan Bamrungratchaboriphan (née Amphan Chittakon). He was of Chinese ancestry (ancestral surname Lee (李)) and had five siblings. According to Samak himself, his Chinese ancestors came to Thailand in the late 18th century. Samak studied at Saint Gabriel's College and Assumption Commercial College, then graduated from Thammasat University. He also received diplomas from Chulalongkorn University and Bryant & Stratton College.
Besides being a politician, Samak was a well-known television chef. For seven years before the military coup of September 2006, he had hosted a cooking show called Tasting, Ranting on the Thailand ITV television network and on Royal Thai Army Radio and Television. He said when he became Prime Minister that he would resume his career as a TV chef and did so, though warned not to. It is illegal for a government minister to hold any other paying job, and on 9 September 2008, the full bench of the Constitutional Court ruled it was unconstitutional for him to work for a private company (Thailand ITV) and therefore disqualified him from office.
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