Bhichai Rattakul (Thai: พิชัย รัตตกุล, RTGSPhichai Rattakun, IPA: [pʰí.t͡ɕʰaj rát.tà.kun]; 16 September 1924 – 28 February 2022) was a Thai politician who served as the Deputy Prime Minister from 1983 to 1990 and 1997 to 2000, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and President of the National Assembly. He was also leader of the Democrat Party between 1982 and 1990, and the World President of Rotary International from 2002 to 2004.

Bhichai Rattakul
พิชัย รัตตกุล
Bhichai in 2010
Speaker of the House of Representatives
and President of the National Assembly of Thailand
In office
30 June 2000 – 9 November 2000
MonarchBhumibol Adulyadej
Prime MinisterChuan Leekpai
Preceded byWan Muhamad Noor Matha
Succeeded byUthai Pimchaichon
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office
14 November 1997 – 28 June 2000
Prime MinisterChuan Leekpai
In office
30 April 1983 – 9 December 1990
Prime MinisterPrem Tinsulanonda
Chatichai Choonhavan
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
21 April 1976 – 6 October 1976
Prime MinisterSeni Pramoj
Preceded byChatichai Choonhavan
Succeeded byUpadit Pachariyangkun
In office
21 February 1975 – 17 March 1975
Prime MinisterSeni Pramoj
Preceded byChatichai Choonhavan
Succeeded byJaroonpan Isarangkul Na Ayuthaya
Leader of the Democrat Party
In office
4 April 1982 – 20 January 1989
Preceded byThanat Khoman
Succeeded byChuan Leekpai
Personal details
Born(1924-09-16)16 September 1924
Bangkok, Siam
Died28 February 2022(2022-02-28) (aged 97)
Bangkok, Thailand
NationalityThai
Political partyDemocrat
SpouseJaruay Rattakul
ChildrenBhichit Rattakul
Signature

Early life and education

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Bhichai Rattakul (陳裕財) was born on 16 September 1924 into a Thai Chinese family. He graduated from Bangkok Christian College and St Stephen's College in Hong Kong.[1]

Political career

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He served as the Deputy Prime Minister between 1983-1990 and 1997–2000, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the National Assembly, the leader of the Democrat Party between 1982 and 1990, and the World President of Rotary International between 2002 and 2004.

He was a past president of Rotary International, serving from 2002 to 2004,[2] as well as an advisor and member of Rotary Club of Bangkok,[3] the first Rotary Club in Thailand.

Personal life

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He was married to Khunying Jaruay Rattakul and had two sons and one daughter, whose names are Bhichit Rattakul, the former Governor of Bangkok between 1996 and 2000, Anatchai Rattakul and Khunying Patchari Wongphaitoon.

Death

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Bhichai died of lung cancer at Siriraj Hospital, on 28 February 2022, at the age of 97.[4][5][6]

Honours

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References

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  1. ^ สิ้น "พิชัย รัตตกุล" อดีตประธานรัฐสภาฯ-หัวหน้าปชป. ในวัย 96 ปี
  2. ^ "Biography". 24 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Rotary Club Of Bangkok".[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Pafun (28 February 2022). "พิชัย รัตตกุล เสียชีวิตอย่างสงบที่โรงพยาบาลศิริราช". ประชาชาติธุรกิจ (in Thai). Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  5. ^ Former deputy prime minister Bhichai Rattakul dies of cancer aged 96
  6. ^ Former Democrat leader Bhichai dies aged 96
  7. ^ แจ้งความสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ (เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ชั้นสายสะพาย) เล่ม ๑๐๐ ตอน ๒๐๗ ฉบับพิเศษ ๓๑ ธันวาคม พ.
  8. ^ แจ้งความสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ (เครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ชั้นสายสะพาย) เล่ม ๑๐๐ ตอน ๒๐๗ ฉบับพิเศษ ๓๑ ธันวาคม พ. [verification needed]
  9. ^ "Biography". 24 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2019. [verification needed]
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