Thanong Bidaya

Thanong Bidaya (Thai: ทนง พิทยะ; RTGS: Thanong Phitthaya), born Thanong Lamyai (ทนง ลำใย), is a Thai politician and deposed finance minister. After the military overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, he remained in Singapore where he was attending the annual meeting of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund.

Thanong Bidaya
Finance Minister of Thailand
In office 21 June 1997 – 24 October 1997
Prime Minister	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Preceded by	Amnuay Weerawan
Succeeded by	Kosit Panpiemras
In office 3 August 2005 – 19 September 2006
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
Preceded by	Somkid Jatusripitak
Succeeded by	Pridiyathorn Devakula
Minister of Commerce
In office 11 March 2005 – 2 August 2005
Prime Minister	Thaksin Shinawatra
Preceded by	Somkid Jatusripitak
Succeeded by	Watana Muangsook
Personal details
Born	July 28, 1947 Suphan Buri, Thailand
Nationality	Thai
Political party	Thai Rak Thai Party
Alma mater	Yokohama National University Northwestern University
Profession	Economist Politician
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Early life and education

Thanong was born in Suphanburi Province. He has four siblings, all of whom are teachers. Thanong was the only boy in his village to earn a bachelor's degree. He later earned a PhD.

Academic and research career

Thanong became the Dean of the Graduate School of Business Administration or NIDA Business School, National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). He also worked for a time as a researcher at the World Bank in Washington, DC.

He later left his academic career for a career in business, citing insufficient income. From April to August 2007, Thanong was a visiting professor at the International Graduate School of Social Sciences, Yokohama National University, Japan.

Business career

Thanong became president of Thai Military Bank.

Political career

Thanong was invited by the government of Premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to be finance minister from June to October 1997, the height of the Asian financial crisis.

He served as finance minister in the government of Thaksin Shinawatra for a second term from August 2005 until the military coup of September 2006.

References

• Bangkok Post, Back to school for Thanong?, 22 September 2006