Chaikasem Nitisiri

Chaikasem Nitisiri (; born 26 August 1948) is a Thai lawyer, politician and professor. He served as the Minister of Justice in the Yingluck Shinawatra cabinet until his dismissal in the 2014 coup d'état. Chaikasem is a Pheu Thai member and was one of the 2019 and 2023 prime ministerial candidates.

Early life and education Chaikasem started his primary and secondary education at Assumption College, and then transferred to Triam Udom Suksa School. He received his bachelor's degree from faculty of political science, Chulalongkorn University. With the government's scholarship, he continued his studies at Columbia University and received a master's degree in law (LL.M.). Chikasem was also admitted to the bar by the Thai Bar Association and started his career as an assistant public prosecutor. He did steadily thrive in his legal career path until his retirement as the Attorney General of Thailand and also adjunct professor to the faculty of law, Chulalongkorn University.

Career Chaikasem started his career as an assistant prosecutor in the Litigation Division for the Samut Sakhon province until he was promoted to be the Director-General of the Prosecutor for Intellectual Property and International Trade Litigation in Phuket province.

On 30 July 2009, Chaikasem was appointed by royal command as a professor at Chulalongkorn University in the Faculty of Law. Between 2011 and 2012, Chaikasem held several positions in the Yingluck Shinawatra government, such as chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Special Investigation, and PTT Exploration and Production.

Chaikasem contested in a Parliamentary vote for the 32nd Prime Minister of Thailand as a candidate for the Pheu Thai party against Anutin Charnvirakul, losing out to him by 152 to 311 seats in Parliament.

Honours, decorations and awards