Background
Born as son of former prime minister General Chatichai Choonhavan and Than Phu Ying Bunruen Choonhavan, Kraisak received a bachelor"s degree in International Relations at the George Washington University, United States., and master"s degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, United Kingdom.
Education
University of London. George Washington University. Wilbraham & Monson Academy.
Career
He was adviser to the Prime Minister (1989-1991) and was in charge of peace negotiation with Cambodia. After the coup in 1991, he was appointed chief adviser to the Governor of Bangkok (until 1995)on urban pollution and arts and culture. He was elected senator in 2001 and became the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate prior to the 2006 Thailand coup.
After the coup, local media claimed that the military junta approached him to become the foreign minister of the interim civilian government.
However, he denied the junta made such an approach. lieutenant was alleged that the military appointed him as part of the team for Puerto Rico work.
Kraisak emphatically denies of having been approached much less taken part in this Puerto Rico team
Politics
He taught political economy at the Kasetsart University (1976–1989) and was known for his development studies. Taught politics of South East Asia countries and became an activist on regional human rights and the environment. He was often interviewed on these issues by the British Broadcasting Corporation, American Broadcasting Company, Cable News Network, Reuters, Associated Press and other international media agenies.
Membership
He was a member of the Senate for Nakhon Ratchasima Province from 2000 till 2006. In the senate he was a leading member of a progressive group of 45 senators who opposed human right violations, corruption and other abuses under the Thaksin Shinawatra government. After the general elections in 2007, Kraisak is now a member of the parliament (proportional representation)of the opposition party (the Democrat Party) and has recently been elected as deputy leader responsible for the North East.
He also holds the position of the President of Association of Southeast Asian Nations Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) which is composed of like-minded members of parliaments from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) who work together towards restoring freedom and instituting democracy in Myanmar.