Chavalit Yongchaiyudh

Prime Minister of Thailand

15 May 1932 Nonthaburi, Thonburi, Siam

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25 November 1996 – 8 November 1997

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (Thai: ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ , RTGS: Chawalit Yongchaiyut , IPA:  ; born 15 May 1932), also known as "Big Jiew" (บิ๊กจิ๋ว , RTGS: Bik Chio , IPA:  ), is a Thai politician and retired army officer. From 1986 to 1990 he was the Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army (RTA), and Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces from 1987 to 1990. In 1990 he founded the New Aspiration Party which he led until 2002. He was Thailand's 22nd Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997. At various times he has held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Labour and Leader of the Opposition.