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Banharn Silpa-archaThai politician, businessman
Date of Birth: 19.08.1932
Country:  Thailand |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Banhan Silpa-archa was born on either July 19 or August 19, 1932, in Suphanburi, Thailand. Raised in a Chinese merchant family, he discontinued his education during the Japanese invasion during World War II. After working alongside his older brother, Silpa-archa established a construction company.
Later in life, he resumed his studies, earning a bachelor's degree in law from Ramkhamhaeng University in 1986 and a master's degree in law. His construction company flourished during Thailand's infrastructure boom in the 1960s, making him a billionaire.
Political Career
Silpa-archa entered politics in 1976 as a member of parliament from Suphanburi. Joining the conservative Thai Nation Party, he served as deputy minister of industry and later minister of agriculture from 1980 to 1983. He became a major party financier and a powerful figure within the party, despite not belonging to the dominant Rajakru clan.
As secretary-general of the Thai Nation Party, he earned the nickname "Mr. ATM" due to his perceived buying of political loyalty. He held various ministerial positions, including minister of transportation and minister of finance, under Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan.
Premiership
After a military coup in 1991, Silpa-archa became minister of transportation under General Suchinda Kraprayoon. His Thai Nation Party won the 1995 parliamentary elections, and he became Thailand's 21st prime minister, leading a seven-party coalition. However, his premiership was marred by corruption scandals, ultimately leading to his resignation in 1996. His government's mishandling of the economy is believed to have paved the way for the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
Later Years
In 2008, Silpa-archa's Thai Nation Party merged with the People's Power Party, a successor to Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai Party. His return to politics ended in 2008 when the Constitutional Court dissolved the Thai Nation Party and banned him from politics for five years.
