Abhisit Vejjajiva

Birth Name: Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva

Place of Birth: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Date of Birth: 3 August, 1964

Ethnicity: Thai, Han Chinese

Abhisit Vejjajiva is a Thai politician. He served as Prime Minister of Thailand, from 17 December, 2008 to 5 August, 2011. He has also been Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister, from 14 November, 1997 to 17 February, 2001, Leader of the Democrat Party, from 6 March, 2005 to 24 March, 2019, and Leader of the Opposition, from 23 April, 2005 to 17 December, 2008, and again, from 16 September, 2011 to 8 December, 2013.

Abhisit is the son of Sodsai (Sutabutra) and Athasit Vejjajiva. He attended Eton College. He moved to Thailand after school. Abhisit is married to Pimpen Sakuntabhai, with whom he has two children.

Abhisit’s paternal grandfather was Long Vejjajiva (also known as Phra Bamrad Naradura, the son of Nai Jinsang Vejjajiva). Jinsang was the son of Nai Peng Jejjajiva. Phra and Nai are titles.

Abhisit’s ancestors surnamed Yuan, which is of Chinese origin, moved from China to Vietnam, and later moved to Thailand. The family name Vejjajiva was granted by King Rama VI to Abhisit’s paternal grandfather Long, together with Long’s father Nai Jinsang, grandfather Nai Peng, and great-grandfather Nai Go.