# Somchai Wongsawat

_Prime minister of Thailand form september to december 2008_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/somchai-wongsawat
Last updated: 2026-11-06

> Somchai Wongsawat is a Thai politician who served as the 26th prime minister of Thailand in 2008. He is a former executive member of the People's Power Party (PPP) whose political rights were disenfranchised by the Constitutional Court for five years.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 31 August 1947 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298088#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Suan Khan ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298088#P19))
- **Citizenship:** Thailand ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298088#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; judge; executive; businessperson; civil servant ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298088#P106))
- **Political party:** Pheu Thai Party (2021–2024); Pheu Tham Party (2017–2020); People's Power Party (2007–2008) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298088#P102))
- **Education:** Amnuay Silpa School; Thammasat University; Thai Bar; National Defence College of Thailand ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298088#P69))
- **Spouse:** Yaowapha Wongsawat ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298088#P26))
- **Positions held:** leader (30 September 2008 – 2 December 2008); Prime Minister of Thailand (18 September 2008 – 2 December 2008); Minister of Defence of Thailand (18 September 2008 – 2 December 2008); Minister of Education of Thailand (6 February 2008 – 9 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand (6 February 2008 – 24 September 2008); Member of the House of Representatives of Thailand (23 December 2007 – 10 May 2011); Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour (14 February 2006 – 21 September 2006); Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice (11 November 1999 – 13 February 2006) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298088#P39))
- **Awards:** Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown of Thailand; Chakrabarti Mala Medal; Boy Scout Citation Medal of Vajira; Order of the Sun of Peru ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298088#P166))

## Questions

**When was Somchai Wongsawat born?**  
Somchai Wongsawat was born on 31 August 1947 in Suan Khan.

**What positions has Somchai Wongsawat held?**  
Positions held by Somchai Wongsawat include: leader (2008–2008); Prime Minister of Thailand (2008–2008); Minister of Defence of Thailand (2008–2008); Minister of Education of Thailand (2008–2008); Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand (2008–2008).

**Where did Somchai Wongsawat study?**  
Somchai Wongsawat was educated at Amnuay Silpa School, Thammasat University, Thai Bar, National Defence College of Thailand.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Somchai Wongsawat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somchai_Wongsawat) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q298088](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298088) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: The Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Somchai Wangsawat meeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on November 13, 2008 (cropped) (cropped).jpg by Prime Minister's Office (GODL-India)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Prime_Minister_of_Thailand,_Mr._Somchai_Wangsawat_meeting_the_Prime_Minister,_Dr._Manmohan_Singh,_in_New_Delhi_on_November_13,_2008_(cropped)_(cropped).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Somchai Wongsawat, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: The Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Somchai Wangsawat meeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on November 13, 2008 (cropped) (cropped).jpg — Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India.

## Cite this page

"Somchai Wongsawat". DigiNepal. Last updated 6 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/somchai-wongsawat. Retrieved 7 November 2026.