A highly influential figure, his works range from thalassaemia-related research and helping develop Thailand's healthcare systems to initiating and backing the 1997 constitution of Thailand.
Born in Kanchanaburi Province, Prawase graduated medicine from Siriraj Hospital and undertook postgraduate studies at University of Colorado and London University.
He returned to teach as a professor at Siriraj (under Mahidol University, where he became vice president), publishing over 100 research articles, as well as advocating for rural public health development.
He promoted democratic decentralization, and supported the establishment of various non-governmental organizations.
He chaired the Democracy Development Committee, which led to the drafting of the 1997 constitution, and successfully pushed for its adoption.