Sompong Amornwiwat

Sompong Amornvivat (Thai: สมพงษ์ อมรวิวัฒน์; born 3 July 1941) is a Thai politician for the Pheu Thai Party.

Sompong Amornvivat MPCh MWM
สมพงษ์ อมรวิวัฒน์
Sompong Amornvivat in 2019
Leader of the Opposition
In office 17 August 2019 – 28 October 2021
Prime Minister	Prayut Chan-o-cha
Preceded by	Abhisit Vejjajiva (2013)
Succeeded by	Chonlanan Srikaew
Leader of the Pheu Thai Party
In office 12 July 2019 – 28 October 2021
Preceded by	Viroj Pao-in
Succeeded by	Chonlanan Srikaew
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 24 September 2008 – 2 December 2008
Prime Minister	Somchai Wongsawat
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 24 September 2008 – 2 December 2008
Prime Minister	Somchai Wongsawat
Preceded by	Saroj Chavanavirat
Succeeded by	Kasit Piromya
Minister of Justice
In office 6 February 2008 – 9 September 2008
Prime Minister	Samak Sundaravej
Preceded by	Charnchai Likhitchittha
Succeeded by	Somsak Kiatsuranont
Minister of Industry
In office 14 April 1992 – 9 June 1992
Prime Minister	Suchinda Kraprayoon
Preceded by	Sippanon Kettat
Succeeded by	Sippanon Kettat
Minister of Labour and Social Services
In office 5 October 1998 – 9 July 1999
Prime Minister	Chuan Leekpai
Preceded by	Trairong Suwankiri
Succeeded by	Threewut Sukosol
In office 14 April 1992 – 9 June 1992
Prime Minister	Chuan Leekpai
Preceded by	Paitoon Kaewthong
Succeeded by	Pisan Moonsartsathorn
Personal details
Born	(1941-07-03) 3 July 1941 Chiang Mai, Thailand
Political party	Pheu Thai
Other political affiliations	Thai Rak Thai People’s Power
Spouse	Phetchari Amornwiwat
Alma mater	Curry College Chiang Mai University

Early life and education

Sompong Amornvivat was born on 3 July 1941. He is the younger brother of Police General Sawat Amornvivat, a former Chief of Police. He graduated from primary and secondary education at Amnuay Silpa School and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Curry College in the United States and holds a master's degree in political science (politics and government) from Chiang Mai University.

Political careers

On 2 December 2008, the Constitutional Court of Thailand passed a resolution to dissolve the People's Power Party and cut the political rights of the party executive committee for 5 years each. Therefore, as he was Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, and the Deputy Leader of the People Power Party, he had to vacate the position and was disqualified for 5 years. During his disqualification period, he attended the senior executive course of the Capital Market Academy of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, in the 11th edition.

In the past, Sompong was the leader of the Group 16, with important members of the Group 16, namely Suchat Tancharoen, Newin Chidchob, Sora-at Klinpratoom under Thai Rak Thai together. After the Thai Rak Thai Party was dissolved, Sompong took over the chairmanship of the Thai Rak Thai Group.

In the 2014 general election of the Thai House of Representatives, he was elected in the roster for Pheu Thai Party, but the election was invalidated. In 2018, He moved to join the Pheu Thai Party and was elected to the position of party leader until in November he resigned from being a member. In the 2019 general election of the Thai House of Representatives he ran in the 5th constituency for Chiang Mai Province in the name of the Pheu Thai Party and was elected.

In 2018, he was nominated as the President of the House of Representatives, and finished in second place behind Chuan Leekpai MP of the Democrat Party, 258 votes to 235, with one abstention. As the leader of Pheu Thai, the largest opposition party in the legislature, Sompong has been the leader of the opposition in the House of Representatives since 2019.

On 28 October 2021, At the Pheu Thai Party Annual General Meeting of 2021 Sompong resigned as Pheu Thai Party leader to provide opportunities for new generations to continue their duties, he will turn to support the strategy and direction of the party.

Personal life

Sompong married with Pecharee Amornvivat, having children as follows business executive Roselyn Amornvivat, oil executive Pongpun Amornvivat, architect and designer Goil Amornvivat and Thai politician Julapun Amornvivat, who is currently serving as Thailand's Deputy Minister of Finance.

Royal decorations

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

• Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant