Chai Chidchob


Chai Chidchob was President of the National Assembly of Thailand and the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 15 May 2008 to 10 May 2011.

Political career

He began his career in politics by being appointed as a kamnan in Buriram Province and became known to locals as "Kamnan Chai".
His national political career began in 1957. Chai contested a seat as a Democrat Party candidate in Surin, but failed to get elected. In 1969, he ran in Buriram as an independent candidate and managed to win. He was then reelected many times. In 2007 Chai was elected to the National Assembly of Thailand as a People's Power Party representative, however, he was previously affiliated with many political parties, including Justice Unity Party, Chart Thai Party, Solidarity Party and Thai Rak Thai.

Personal life and education

He was married to La-ong. They had five sons and one daughter. One of Chai's sons is Newin Chidchob, a politician in the lower northeastern region. The PPP nomination of Chai as the house speaker is partly credited to Newin. He was an admirer of Israeli politician and soldier Moshe Dayan, sometimes even calling himself "Chai Moshe".
Chai graduated high school from Surawitthayakhan School in Surin Province. He was awarded a BA in political science by Ramkhamhaeng University and a bachelor's degree in agricultural extension and cooperative promotion from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.

Death

Chai died at age 92 at his house in Buriram on 24 January 2020.

Royal decorations

Chai received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand: