Cholnan Srikaew

Cholnan Srikaew (Thai: ชลน่าน ศรีแก้ว; RTGS: Chonnan Sikaeo; born 4 June 1961) is a Thai politician and former physician. He was previously the Opposition Leader in the House of Representatives of Thailand from 23 December 2021 to 20 March 2023. He was the leader of the Pheu Thai Party from 28 October 2021 to 30 August 2023.^[1][2][3]

Cholnan Srikaew
ชลน่าน ศรีแก้ว
Cholnan in 2023
Minister of Public Health
In office 1 September 2023 – 27 April 2024
Prime Minister	Srettha Thavisin
Preceded by	Anutin Charnvirakul
Succeeded by	Somsak Thepsuthin
Deputy Minister of Public Health
In office 28 October 2012 – 30 June 2013
Prime Minister	Yingluck Shinawatra
Minister	Pradit Sinthawanarong
Leader of the Opposition
In office 23 December 2021 – 20 March 2023
Monarch	Vajiralongkorn
Prime Minister	Prayut Chan-o-cha
Preceded by	Sompong Amornwiwat
Succeeded by	Chaithawat Tulathon
Leader of the Pheu Thai Party
In office 28 October 2021 – 30 August 2023
Preceded by	Sompong Amornwiwat
Succeeded by	Chusak Sirinil (acting) Paetongtarn Shinawatra (officially)
Member of the House of Representatives for Nan
Incumbent
Assumed office 6 January 2001
Constituency	2nd district (2001, 2005, 2011, 2019, 2023) 1st district (2007)
Personal details
Born	(1961-06-04) 4 June 1961 (age 64) Nan, Thailand
Political party	Pheu Thai (2008–present)
Other political affiliations	Democrat (1983–2000) Thai Rak Thai (2000–2007) People's Power (2007–2008)
Spouse	Nualsakul Bamrungprom
Alma mater	Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University National Institute of Development Administration
Signature

Early life

Cholnan was born on 4 June 1961, at Lai Nan Subdistrict, Wiang Sa District, Nan Province. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in medicine from the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University in 1986 and a master's degree in Public Administration from the National Institute of Development Administration in 1999.^{[citation needed]}

Cholnan was a physician at Wiang Sa Hospital, Wiang Sa District, Nan Province, and used to be the Director of Somdej Phra Yuparat Pua Hospital, Pua District, Nan Province between 1995 and 2000.^{[citation needed]}

Political career

Cholnan was elected a member of the House of Representatives for the first time in 2001 under the Thai Rak Thai Party and currently serves as a member of the House of Representatives for the Nan Province under the Pheu Thai Party. In 2004, he was appointed as the Secretary to Deputy Minister of Public Health and in 2005 as the Secretary to Professor Suchai Charoenratanakul, the Minister of Public Health under the Thaksin Shinawatra premiership.

Under Yingluck Shinawatra's government, Srikaew was appointed Deputy Minister of Public Health on 27 October 2012, until June 2013.^[4][5]

On 28 October 2021, he was elected leader of the Pheu Thai Party and on 23 December 2021, was appointed as Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives.^[6]

On 1 September 2023 he became Minister of Public Health under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, also from the Pheu Thai Party.

Royal decorations

• 2008 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant^[7]
• 2005 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand^[8]
• 2002 - Bitaksa Seri Chon - Freemen Safeguarding Medal (Second Class, Second Category)^[9]