Biography of new PM

Abhisit Vejjajiva is elected Thailand's 27th Prime Minister on Monday. Here is his biography.

Abhisit Vejjajiva

Biography

Personal Information

Abhisit Vejjajiva

Born: 3 August 1964, in Newcastle, England - Father: Dr Athasit Vejjajiva - Mother: Dr Sodsai Vejjajiva - Spouse: Assistant Professor Dr Pimpen (Sakuntabhai) Vejjajiva - Lecturer at the Faculty of Science's Department of Mathematics, Chulalongkorn University - Children: Prang and Pannasit

Education:
 
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), First Class honours, Oxford University, UK - Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Economics, Oxford University, UK - Bachelor of Law, Ramkhamhaeng University - Honorary Doctorate in Law, Ramkhamhaeng Univerity Schools - Eton College, UK - Chulalongkorn Demonstration School, Thailand

Professional Experience
 
Prior to 1992:
- Special lecturer in Economics at Oxford University
- Lecturer at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (rank second lieutenant)
- Lecturer at Thammasart University's Faculty of Economics

After 1992: Member of Parliament, Democrat Party
- 1992 Bangkok District 6
- 1995 Bangkok District 5
- 2001 Democrat Party List
- 2005 Democrat Party List, until February 2006
- 2007 (23 dec 07) Democrat Party List Zone 6

1992 - 1994: Government Spokesperson
1994: Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister (for political affairs)
1995: Chair, House Committee on Education Affairs
1998: Chair, Committee to Consider the National Education Bill of 1999

2001: Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, in charge of
     - Board of Investment (BOI)
     - Counter Corruption Commission
     - Office of the Education Council
     - Office of the Decentralization to Local Government Organization Committee

1999: Deputy Leader, Democrat Party
2005 - Present: Leader of the Democrat Party
2005 - February 2006: Leader of the Opposition, House of Representatives
27 February 2008 - Present: Leader of the Opposition, House of Representatives

1998: Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand

1999: Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
International recognition
 
• One of 100 Global Leaders for Tomorrow, by World Economic Forum 1992

• One of 20 Leaders for the Millennium Politics & Power, by Asiaweek magazine 5 November 1999

• One of 6 up and coming leaders for Asia, Time magazine 6 October 1997, New Voices for New Asia