- Source: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
2005 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
2002 - Bitaksa Seri Chon - Freemen Safeguarding Medal (Second Class, Second Category)