Chalermchai Sri-on

Chalermchai Sri-on (Thai: เฉลิมชัย ศรีอ่อน; RTGS: Chaloemchai Si-on) is a Thai politician who is the current leader of the Democrat Party. He previously served as Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives in the second cabinet of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.^[1][2]

Chalermchai Sri-on
เฉลิมชัย ศรีอ่อน
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 September 2024
Prime Minister	Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Preceded by	Patcharawat Wongsuwan
Leader of the Democrat Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 December 2023[a]
Preceded by	Jurin Laksanawisit
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
In office 10 July 2019 – 1 September 2023
Prime Minister	Prayut Chan-o-cha
Preceded by	Krisada Boonyarat
Succeeded by	Thamanat Prompow
Minister of Labour
In office 8 June 2010 – 9 August 2011
Prime Minister	Abhisit Vejjajiva
Preceded by	Paitoon Kaewtong
Succeeded by	Padermchai Sasomsap
Personal details
Born	(1965-03-07) 7 March 1965 (age 60) Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand
Political party	Democrat
Spouse	Thanyavee Sri-on
Alma mater	Ramkhamhaeng University
Signature
^ a: Acting: 14 November – 9 December 2023

Early life and education

Chalermchai Sri-on was born on 7 March 1965 in Pran Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. His father was an overseas Chinese who has wives in both China and Thailand.^[3] He graduated high school from Phrommanuson School, Phetchaburi Province. Undergraduate from Faculty of Law, Ramkhamhaeng University and master's degree in Art (Policy and Planning) from Krirk University.^[4]

Political careers

Chalermchai started his political careers as a member of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Council in 1990 - 2000 and as the Chairman of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Council in 1995 to 1997 and was the first member of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial House of Representatives in 2001 election and subsequent elections in 2005, 2007 and 2011. Chalermchai is the Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party responsible of the central region. Subsequently, in the Cabinet reshuffle of the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva on 6 June 2010, he was appointed Minister of Labor.

In the government of Prayut Chan-o-cha, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives.^[5]

On December 9, 2023, he was elected with 88.5% of the votes as the leader of the Democrat Party, considered the ninth Democrats leader.^[6]

Mr Chalermchai has been facing resistance from the public during his reign of the Democrat Party. To counter this, he has called for changes within the party to win back the previous dominance this party had back in its golden era of Mr Chuan Leekpai.^[7]

Royal decorations

Chalermchai has received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:

• 2010 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant^[8]
• 2008 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand^[9]

Notes