Wannarat Channukul

Who is Wannarat Channukul?

Wannarat Channukul is a Thai physician and politician. He is the leader of the Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party. From 2008 to 2011, he was Minister of Energy in the cabinet of Abhisit Vejjajiva. and from 2011 to 2012 Minister of Industry in the cabinet of Yingluck Shinawatra.

Wannarat Channukul studied Medicine at the Chulalongkorn University, graduating with an M.D., and Law at the Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, graduating with an LL.B. He continued his education at the University of Hawaii, receiving a Master of Public Health degree. Subsequently, he worked as a doctor at the Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.

In 1992, Wannarat was elected to the parliament to represent Nakhon Ratchasima Province and the National Development Party. He was five times re-elected. From 2004 to 2007 he belonged to the Thai Rak Thai Party of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, until the government was overthrown by the military and the Constitutional Court banned the party. Wannarat's political faction merged with the Thais United party to form the Thais United National Development Party.