SUCHINDA KRAPRAYOON.

Suchinda Kraprayoon (Thai: สุจินดา คราประยูร, born August 6, 1933) was Prime Minister of Thailand from 7 April 1992 until 24 May 1992.
Suchinda, son of Juang and Sompong Kraprayoon, was born 6 August 1933 in the province of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, and is of Chinese[1][2][3] and Mon descent.[4] He married Khunying Wannee Kraprayoon (Noonpakdee).
Contents[hide]
1 Early life and education
2 Early military career
3 NPKC
4 Post-downfall
5 References
//
[edit] Early life and education
Suchinda first attended Wat Rajabopit School and later Amnuayslip School. He studied medicine at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok for 12 months before entering the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. He graduated from Class 5 of the Academy, many of which would join in the National Peace Keeping Council. He also attended the US Army Command and General Staff Course at the Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and the US Army Command and General Staff Course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
[edit] Early military career
Suchinda returned to Thailand in 1953 to serve as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Thai Army. On 25 January 1958 he became Troop Leader in an artillery infantry regiment. He was gradually promoted and given more responsibilities including:
Lecturer at Army Command and General Staff College
Director-General of Operations Department
Assisting Chief of Staff (Army Operations) of the Royal Thai Army
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Army
Sub-Commander of the Royal Thai Army
Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army (April 29, 1990)
Commander-in-Chief of the Supreme Command Headquarters (October 1, 1991)
[edit] NPKC
Suchinda was a leader of the National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC), which conducted a coup d'etat that ousted the elected government of Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan on 23 February 1991. The NPKC installed former diplomat Anand Panyarachun as Prime Minister.
After the general election on 22 March 1992, five parties (Rassadorn, Samakkee Dhamma, Social Action, Thai Citizen, Chart Thai) designated Suchinda as the prime minister. His appointment as Prime Minister on 7 April 1992 resulted in large protests, culminating in a general curfew and military deployment in Bangkok. In the event known as Black May, hundreds of people are believed to have died when soldiers opened fire on unarmed students and demonstrators during the protests.[5] Further escalation was avoided by the intervention of King Bhumibol.
Suchinda resigned from the Premiership on 24 May 1992. The Deputy Prime Minister, Meechai Ruchuphan, became caretaker Prime Minister for an interim period until the new government was assigned. He was succeeded by Anand Panyarachun.
[edit] Post-downfall
After resigning, General Suchinda was appointed Chairman of Telecom Holdings, the holding company of Telecom Asia.[6

CHAVALIT YONGCHAIYUDH.

General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (Thai ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ, born May 15, 1932 in Nonthaburi) is a Thai politician and retired general. He was Thailand's 22nd Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997. He is of Sino-Thai and ethnic Lao descent.[1]
Chavalit began his political career in 1988 as Defence Minister, with the rank of Deputy Prime Minister, in the administration of Chatichai Choonhavan. He held that position until 1991. He then served as Minister of Interior from 1992 to 1994, and was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence from 1995 to 1996.
In late 1996, following the Royal Decree of Parliament Closure a general election was held. On November 16, 1996, Chavalit's "New Aspiration Party" won the most seats. With the support of five coalition parties - Chart Pattana, Social Action, Thai Citizen, Seri Dhamma and Mass Citizen - Chavalit was appointed by royal decree as the 22nd Prime Minister on November 25, 1996. However, he encountered pressure from many political movements, who finally forced him to resign on November 6, 1997, in the midst to the Asian financial crisis.
On 14 May and 15 May 1997, the Thai baht was hit by massive speculative attacks. Prime Minister Chavalit announced he would not devalue the baht. This sparked the Asian financial crisis, since the Thai government failed to defend the baht, which was then pegged to the U.S. dollar, against the international speculators. Thailand's booming economy came to a halt amidst massive layoffs in finance, real estate, and construction that resulted in huge numbers of workers returning to their villages in the countryside and 600,000 foreign workers being sent back to their home countries.The baht devalued swiftly and lost more than half of its value. The Thai stock market dropped 75% in 1997. Due to the crisis, in November this year, the premier eventually stepped down.
During the early 1990s, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh controlled 126 military-run radio stations and two of the country's five television networks. Chavalit agreed to make military stations available for an anti-AIDS campaign. He also agreed to help Meechai Viravaidya spearhead a three-year blitz to halt the spread of the disease.
On October 7, 2008, Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh resigned and admitted partial responsibility for violence due to police tear gas clearance of Parliament blockade, causing injuries to 116 protesters, 21, seriously. His resignation letter stated: "Since this action did not achieve what I planned, I want to show my responsibility for this operation."[2][3][4] But after dispersal, 5,000 demonstrators returned and also blocked all 4 entries to the parliament building.[5] [6] [7]
On October 2, 2009, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh joined the Pheu Thai Party. He insists he will be a regular member until the party's executives consider a future role for him.[8]
On February 4, 2010, Thai news media reported that Thaksin Shinawatra was forming a "peoples' army" and named Chavalit as the Supreme Commander. [9]

THANOM KITTIKACHORN.

Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn (August 11, 1911 - June 16, 2004, Thai ถนอม กิตติขจร) was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-Communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down. His return from exile in 1976 sparked protests which led to a massacre of demonstrators, followed by a military coup.
Contents[hide]
1 Early life
2 Rise to power
3 Prime Minister
4 6 October 1976 massacre and aftermath
5 Royal decorations
6 References
//
[edit] Early life
[edit] Rise to power
As a lieutenant-colonel, he took part in the 1947 coup led by Colonel Sarit Thanarat and became a regimental Commander and head of the Lopburi military department. He was later promoted to colonel, commanding the 11th Infantry Division. He was appointed as an MP in 1951, his first political role.
In February 1953, he led the suppression of a rebellion, and was rewarded with a promotion to the rank of lieutenant-general. He represented Thailand at the ceremony to mark the end of the Korean War in July 1953 and was later promoted as Commander of the 1st Region Army.
He was appointed Deputy Cooperatives Minister in 1955. Thanom supported Sarit in his coup against the government of Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram, and was subsequently appointed Defence Minister in Pote Sarasin's puppet regime in 1957.
In subsequent years, Thanom consolidated his power base as the 2nd military leader behind Sarit. In 1958, he was appointed General and became Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Army Commander-in-Chief. He was the Prime Minister for 9 months. The following year he was replaced by Sarit as prime minister and was instead appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Armed Forces Deputy Supreme Commander in the new junta.
[edit] Prime Minister
Thanom was appointed Prime Minister one day after Sarit's death in 1963. He subsequently appointed himself Commander-in-Chief of the Army. One year later, he promoted himself to the concurrent ranks of Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet, and Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force. Thanom continued the pro-American and anti-Communist politics of his predecessor, which helped to ensure massive US economic and financial aid during the Vietnam War. His regime was infamously known for massive corruption. He established and led the Saha Prachathai Party in October 1968.
Thanom reappointed himself Prime Minister in February 1969 after general elections had been completed. Then, in November 1971, he staged a coup against his own government, citing the need to suppress communist infiltration. He dissolved Parliament and appointed himself Chairman of the National Executive Council, and served as a caretaker government for one year. He appointed himself Prime Minister for a fourth time, in December 1972, while also serving as Defence and Foreign Ministers. He, along with his son, Colonel Narong, and Narong's father-in-law Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien became known as the "Three Tyrants".
Public discontent grew, as well as demands for a general election. Student-led demands for a return to constitutional government, the so-called "14 October 1973 uprising", caused three days of violence and the downfall of his regime. Thanom and the other two "Tyrants" left for exile in the United States and Singapore. His departure was followed by a restoration of a democratic administration in Thailand.
[edit] 6 October 1976 massacre and aftermath
In October 1976, Thanom returned to Thailand as a novice monk at Wat Bowonniwet. His return triggered student protests which took place on the campus of Thammasat University. The far right, aided by government security forces, stormed the campus and massacred protesters on 6 October 1976. That evening, the military again seized power from the elected civilian government.
Thanom soon left the monkhood but never took a role in politics again. Later in his life, he made an effort to rehabilitate his tarnished image and recover properties that had been seized when he was overthrown.
In March 1999, Thanom was nominated to become a member of the honorary Royal Guard by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, which was a highly controversial act. Thanom turned down the appointment.
Thanom died at the age of 92 on 16 June 2004 in Bangkok General Hospital, after suffering a stroke and a heart attack in January 2004. His medical expenses were paid by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. His cremation was held on 25 February 2007 at Wat Debsirin. Queen Sirikit presided over the cremation ceremony, lighting the royal flame on behalf of King Bhumibol. Princess Chulabhorn also presided.
[edit] Royal decorations
Thanom received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:[1]
1925 - King Rama VII Coronation Medal
1934 - Safeguarding the Constitution Medal
1940 - Companion (Fourth Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1941 - Companion (Fourth Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
1943 - Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior
1944 - Chakra Mala Medal
1946 - King Rama IX Coronation Medal
1948 - Commander (Third Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
1950 - King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, Third Class
1950 - Knight Commander (Second Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1952 - Knight Commander (Second Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
1953 - Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1954 - Victory Medal - Korean War
1954 - Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
1955 - Flame pin to adorn the Victory Medal - Korean War
1955 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1956 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
1958 - Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
1959 - King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, Second Class
1961 - Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
1962 - Border Service Medal
1962 - Victory Medal - World War II
1964 - King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
1965 - Knight Grand Commander of the Honourable Order of Rama
1969 - Freeman Safeguarding Medal, First Class
1972 - Bravery Medal
1972 - Victory Medal - Vietnam War, with flames
1972 - 25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal
1972 - Commemorative Medal of the Royal State Visits to the United States of America and Europe
1972 - Silver Jubilee Medal of B.E. 2514
1972 - Red Cross Medal of Appreciation, First Class

PLAEK PIBULSONGGRAM.

Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram (Thai: แปลก พิบูลสงคราม, IPA: [plɛ̀ːk pʰí.būːnsŏŋkʰrāːm]), often known during his lifetime as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, and as Chomphon Po. (จอมพล ป., Field Marshal P.) in Thai, born Plaek Khittasangkha, (14 July 1897 – 11 June 1964) was Prime Minister and military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.
Contents[hide]
1 Early life
2 1932 Revolution
3 Abdication of the king
4 Prime Minister of Thailand
5 Alliance with Japan
6 Coup, second premiership, and more coups
7 Sarit seizes power
8 Royal decorations
9 See also
10 References
11 External links
//
[edit] Early life
Pibulsonggram was born Plaek Khittasangkha in 1897, to parents Keed Khittasangkha and Sam-Ang[1]–a family of orchard cum durian farmers. He studied at various Wat schools before entering the Artillery Corps in 1914 upon graduation from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. Following advanced studies in France, the honorary title of Luang Pibulsonggram was bestowed upon him by King Prajadhipok in 1928. (He was later to adopt Pibulsonggram as his surname.)
[edit] 1932 Revolution
One of the leaders of the military wing of the People's Party which staged a coup d'état and overthrew the absolute monarchy in 1932, Lieutenant Colonel Pibulsonggram rose to prominence as a popular man-on-horseback.
[edit] Abdication of the king
The following year, Pibulsonggram, along with officers of the same cause, successfully crushed the Boworadet Rebellion. This was a royalist revolt led by Prince Boworadet. While King Prajadhipok was never directly involved in the rebellion, it marked the beginning of a slide which ended in his 1935 abdication and replacement by King Ananda Mahidol. As the new King was still a child and was then studying in Switzerland, the parliament appointed Colonel Prince Anuwatjaturong, Lieutenant Commander Prince Artit Thip-apa, and Chao Phraya Yommaraj (Pun Sukhum) as his Regents.
[edit] Prime Minister of Thailand
In 1938, Pibulsonggram replaced Phraya Phahol as Prime Minister, and consolidated his position by rewarding several members of his own army clique with influential positions in his government.
Pibulsonggram began to increase the pace of modernisation in Thailand. By manipulating the mass media, Pibulsonggram supported fascism and nationalism. Together with Luang Wichitwathakan, the Minister of Propaganda, he built a leadership cult in 1938 and thereafter. Photographs of Pibulsonggram were to be found everywhere and those of the abdicated King Prajadhipok were banned. His quotes appeared in newspapers, were plastered on billboards and repeated over the radio.[citation needed]

Thai poster from the Marshal Plaek era, noting prohibited "uncivilised" dress on the left, and proper western dress on the right.
"Aimed to uplift the national spirit and moral code of the nation and instilling progressive tendencies and a newness into Thai life", a series of Cultural Mandates were issued by the government. These mandates encouraged that all Thais were to salute the flag in public places, know the new national anthem (written by Wichitwathakarn), and use the Thai language, not regional dialects. People were encouraged to adopt western attire, as opposed to the traditional dress of Thai men and women. Similarly, people were encouraged to eat with a fork and spoon, rather than their traditional hands. In Pibulsonggram's perspective, these policies were necessary for Thailand to change the minds of foreigners that Thailand was an undeveloped and barbaric country. In the interest in progressivism, Thailand needed to be recognised by foreigners as a civilized and modernized country.
In 1939, Pibulsonggram changed the country's name from Siam to Thailand. In 1941, in the midst of World War II, he decreed January 1 the official start of the new year instead of the traditional April 13. On 5 August 1941, Thailand joined a group of nations that recognized the puppet state of Manchukuo.
His administration also encouraged economic nationalism, in which the Thai people were to purchase as many Thai products as possible and therefore destroy the Chinese proportion in markets. Anti-Chinese policies were imposed. In a speech in 1938, Luang Wichitwathakan compared the Chinese in Siam to the Jews in Germany.
While ardently pro-Japanese at the beginning, Pibulsonggram and his administration soon considerably, but cordially, distanced itself from Japan following the aftermath of the French-Thai War, which lasted from October 1940 to May 1941, when Japanese territorial ambitions were skilfully realized during the peace talks. The Japanese gained the right to occupy French Indo-China. Being threatened by the war, Pibulsonggram stated that the Japanese would be the transgressors. The administration also realized that Thailand would fend for itself when the Japanese invasion came, considering the deteriorating relationships with the major Western powers in the area.
[edit] Alliance with Japan
When the Japanese invaded Thailand on December 8, 1941, (because of the international date line this occurred an hour and a half before Pearl Harbor)[2], hesitant Pibulsonggram was reluctantly forced to order a general ceasefire and to allow the Japanese armies to use the country as a station for the invasions of Burma and Malaya.[3] However, hesitancy gave way to enthusiasm when the Japanese surprisingly blitzkrieged their way through Malaya. On December 12, a military alliance with Japan was signed. A month later, on January 25, 1942, Thailand declared war on the allied powers. Those who opposed the declaration were sacked from the government: Pridi Phanomyong, who was appointed acting Regent for the absent King Ananda Mahidol, while Direk Jayanama, the prominent Foreign Minister who had advocated resistance against the Japanese, later became the Thai ambassador to Tokyo.
As Japan neared its defeat, Pibulsonggram was forced to resign by the pro-Seri Thai National Assembly, thus ending his six-year reign as the military commander in chief. Partly his resignation was forced by two megolomaniacal plans.[citation needed] One, to relocate the Thai capital city from Bangkok to a site in the jungle near Phetchabun in northern Thailand. The other, to build a "Buddhist city" near Saraburi. Announced during a time of economic difficulty, these schemes turned many government officers against the Prime Minister.[citation needed] Pibulsonggram went to reside at the army headquarters in Lopburi. Meanwhile, Khuang Abhaiwongse was made Prime Minister ostensibly to continue relations with the Japanese, while at the same time secretly assisting the Seri Thai underground.
At the war's end, Pibulsonggram was put on trial by the Allies on charges of having committed war crimes, mainly that of collaborating with the Axis powers. However, he was acquitted amidst intense public pressure. Public opinion was favourable to Pibulsonggram, since he was thought to have done his best to protect Thai interests.[4]
[edit] Coup, second premiership, and more coups
In November 1947, Army units under the control of Pibulsonggram carried out a coup which forced Thamrong to resign. The hapless Khuang was again installed as Prime Minister as the military coup risked international disapproval. Pridi Phanomyong was persecuted. However, he was aided by British and American intelligence officers, and thus managed to escape the country. On April 8 1948, the military forced Khuang out of office and Pibulsonggram assumed his second premiership.
On October 1, 1948, the unsuccessful Army General Staff Plot was launched to topple the government of Pibulsonggram. As a result of this plot, more than fifty Army and Reservist and several prominent supporters of Pridi Phanomyong were arrested.
A Palace Rebellion in 1949 was another failed coup attempt. The aims of its plotters were to overthrow the government of Pibulsonggram and to restore his main civilian rival Pridi Phanomyong to the Thai political scene.
Instead of the Fascism that characterized his first premiership, Pibulsonggram and his regime promoted a façade of Democracy. American aid was received in large quantities following Thailand's entry into the Korean War as part of the United Nations' multi-national allied force in the Cold War against the communists.
Pibulsonggram's anti-Chinese campaign was resumed, with the government restricting Chinese immigration and undertaking various measures to restrict economic domination of the Thai market by those of Chinese descent. Chinese schools and associations were once again shut down. Despite open pro-western and anti-Chinese policies, in the late 1950s Pibulsonggram arranged to send to China two of the children of Sang Phathanothai, his closest advisor, with the intention of establishing a backdoor channel for dialogue between China and Thailand. The girl, aged eight, and her brother, aged twelve, were sent to be brought up under the assistants of Premier Zhou Enlai as his wards.
On June 29, 1951, Pibulsonggram was attending a ceremony aboard the USS Manhattan when he was taken hostage by a group of naval officers, who were quick to confine him on board the warship Sri Ayutthaya. Negotiations between the government and the coup organizers swiftly broke down, leading to violent street fighting in Bangkok between the Navy and the Army, which was supported by the Air Force. Pibulsonggram was able to swim back ashore when the Sri Ayutthaya was bombed by the Air Force; with their hostage gone, the sailors and marines were forced to lay down their arms.
On November 29, 1951, the "Silent Coup," was staged by the Army-led Coup Group and it consolidated the military's hold on the country. It reinstated the Constitution of 1932, which effectively eliminated the Senate, established a unicameral legislature composed equally of elected and government-appointed members, and allowed serving military officers to supplement their commands with important ministerial portfolios.
On November 13, 1956, the Field Marshall co-signed Thailand's Criminal Code BE 2499 with His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej the King.
[edit] Sarit seizes power
At the end of his second term, suspicions of fraudulent practices during an election emerged. The American equipped Thai army played a major role in the coup d'état of 1957, and the United States was "deeply involved"[5] The resulting unrest led to a coup by Field Marshal Sarit Dhanaraj in 1957, who had earlier sworn to be his most loyal subordinate. Sarit was supported by many royalists who wanted to regain their foothold in Thailand's royalty. Pibulsonggram was then forced into exile in Japan. He lived there until his death in 1964.
[edit] Royal decorations
Plaek Pibulsonggram received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:[6]
1911 - King Rama VI Coronation Medal
1925 - King Rama VII Coronation Medal
1929 - Member (Fifth Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1929 - Chakra Mala Medal
1931 - Companion (Fourth Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1932 - 150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal
1934 - Dushdi Mala - Military
1937 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1938 - King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal
1940 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
1941 - Victory Medal - Indochina
1941 - Knight of The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems
1942 - Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
1942 - The Ratana Varabhorn Order of Merit
1943 - Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior (Asia)
1943 - Victory Medal - World War II
1943 - Dushdi Mala - Civilian
1944 - Bravery Medal - World War II
1956 - Bhumibol Adulyadej King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
1957 - Border Service Medal

GENERAL PHRAYA PHAHON PHONPHAYUHASENA.

General Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena (Thai: พลเอกพระยาพหลพลพยุหเสนา), 29 March 1887 – 14 February 1947) was a Thai military leader and politician. He became of the Second Prime Minister of Siam in 1933 after ousting his predecessor in a Coup d'état. After serving five years as Prime Minister he retired in 1938.
Contents[hide]
1 Early life
2 Revolutionary leader and usurper
3 Premiership
4 Periods of service as Prime Minister
5 Retirement and Death
6 Royal decorations
7 References
8 External links
//
[edit] Early life
Phahonyothin was born in Phra Nakhon province (present-day Bangkok) to a Teochew Chinese father; Colonel Thin Phahonyothin (ถิ่น พหลโยธิน) and a Thai mother; Chab Phahonyothin (จับ พหลโยธิน) ,[1][2]
After attending the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, in 1903 he was send by Royal scholarship to study at the Prussian Military academy or (Hauptkadettenanstalt) in the town of Lichterfelde, near Berlin, Germany. Where he was apparently a classmate of Hermann Göring. He was then sent to study at the Engineer School in Denmark, he was however only able to complete one year as his scholarship funds have ran out, he returned to Siam in 1912. He was married to Khunying Bunlong Phahonpholphayuhasena (คุณหญิงบุญหลง พหลพลพยุหเสนา). In 1931 he was elevated to the rank of Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena by King Prajadhipok (or Rama VII) and received the rank of Colonel. In 1932 he became Inspector of the Royal Siamese Army.
[edit] Revolutionary leader and usurper
Phraya Phahon was an important member of the group of conspirators known as the "Four Musketeers", (4 ทหารเสือ) which were a part of the Khana Ratsadon (or the People's Party) who carried out the Revolution of 1932. After the 1932 Revolution, three factions had formed among the group of Siamese political and military leaders in the Khana Ratsadon. These were: first, the senior military faction led by Phraya Phahon; second, the junior army and navy faction led by Luang Phibunsongkhram; and third, the civilian faction led by Pridi Phanomyong.
As the most senior Phraya Phahol was viewed as the de facto leader of the Khana Ratsadon and the Revolution itself. It was Phraya Phahol who read the "Declaration of the new Siamese State" in the Royal Plaza that declared the end of absolute monarchy and the establishment of the constitutional Siamese state. Because of the key role he played in the Revolution he was rewarded with a high position in the new government and was made a member of the new Cabinet.
In March 1933 a constitutional crisis has developed in Siam over the Yellow Cover Dossier incident, the incident was caused by Pridi's Draft Economic Plan, which contained many socialistic elements. Because of this Phraya Manopakorn Nititada the Prime Minister decided to expelled him from the Cabinet and suspended the Constitution. This action upset many in the People's Party who supported Pridi, this included Phraya Phahol. On the 15 June Phraya Phahol resigned from the Cabinet citing 'health reasons'. In truth he and a couple of military officers including both Army and Navy officers has planned to overthrow Phraya Mano's increasingly authoritarian government. On the 20 June a Bloodless Coup was instigated, led by Phraya Phahon. The following day, Phraya Phahon was appointed himself the second Prime Minister of Siam. He immediately send a report to King Prajadhipok the objectives and reasoning for the coup and asked the King's support, the King reluctantly endorsed him. Phraya Mano was then exiled to Malaysia.
[edit] Premiership

Photograph of Phraya Phahol with Hideki Tōjō in Tokyo in 1942, as Phibul's envoy.
The next five years were a struggle to maintain power. Beginning with the Boworadet Rebellion only four months after becoming Prime Minister in October 1933; a Royalist revolt against Phraya Phahol's Government. After weeks of fighting government troops emerged victorious and Phraya Phahol was able to cement his power over Siam. The cabinet was extremely divided politically, and the government was maintained only by the personality of Phraya Phahon. Luang Phibunsongkhram (a trusted confidant) became Minister of Defense under the new government, and he began to acquire greater power and influence in preparation for his eventual ascension to the premiership.
The beginning of the end for Phraya Phahon’s time as Prime Minister began in 1937 when a scandal erupted involving sale of crown real estate to high-ranking officials for below-market prices. After a near collapse that year, the first direct elections for the People's Assembly took place on 7 November 1937, and those of Phraya Phahon’s cabinet found themselves an ideological and political minority. After budget issues the next year, the cabinet was forced to resign in September 1938, and elections were held in December, installing Luang Phibunsonggram as the next Prime Minister of Thailand.
[edit] Periods of service as Prime Minister
First term: June 21, 1933 – December 16, 1933
Second term: December 16, 1933 – September 22, 1934
Third term: September 22, 1934 – July 28, 1937
Fourth term: August 9, 1937 – December 21, 1937
Fifth term: December 21, 1937 – September 11, 1938
[edit] Retirement and Death
After his difficult years as Prime Minister, General Phraya Phahon retired from public life, though he continued to serve in the military throughout World War II. He died in February 1947 at the age of 59 of Cerebral hemorrhage. It was said that when he died, despite the fact that he has held many positions in government, his family was poor and did not even have the money to pay for his funeral. Eventually Luang Phibulsonggram, his former tutee and the current Prime Minister had to step in and pay for the funeral of his beloved mentor.
Phahonyothin Road, which runs from Bangkok to the border of Burma in the north, is named after Phraya Phahon. Formerly known as Prachathipatai Road, Field Marshall Plaek Phibunshongkhram renamed the road in his honor. A hospital in Kanchanaburi Province is also named in his honour.
[edit] Royal decorations
Phraya Phahon received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:[3]
1911 - King Rama VI Coronation Medal
1917 - Member (Fifth Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1920 - Member (Fifth Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
1922 - Companion (Fourth Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1926 - Companion (Fourth Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
1927 - Chakra Mala Medal
1929 - Commander (Third Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1929 - King Rama VII Royal Cypher Medal, Fourth Class
1932 - 150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal
1934 - Safeguarding the Constitution Medal
1934 - Dushdi Mala - Military
1937 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
1938 - King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
1941 - Victory Medal - Indochina
1943 - Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior
1943 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
[edit]

ROYAL THAI ARMY.

The Royal Thai Army (Thai: กองทัพบกไทย) is the army of Thailand responsible for protecting its sovereignty. It is the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. The army was formed in 1874, partly as a response to new security threats following the Bowring Treaty with Britain, which opened up the country for international trade.
Contents[hide]
1 History
2 Command and Control
2.1 List of Commanders
3 Organization
3.1 Field Organization
3.2 Tactical units
3.3 Royal Guards
4 ATLAS
5 Equipment
6 Small Arms
7 Aviation
7.1 Known aviation bases
8 Rank and insignia
9 Procurement News
9.1 Troop Fighting Weapon
9.2 Military Vehicle
9.3 Army Aviation
10 See also
11 References
12 External links
//
[edit] History
Main article: Military history of Thailand
[edit] Command and Control
The Royal Thai Army is commanded by the Commander of the Royal Thai Army (ผู้บัญชาการทหารบกไทย); the current Commander is General Anupong Paochinda, who was appointed in 2007. The Royal Thai Army Headquarters is located in a building on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road in Bangkok, Thailand.
Commander-in-Chief: General Anupong Paochinda
Deputy Commander-in-Chief: General Jiradech Kotcharat
Assistant Commander-in-Chief: General Theerawat Boonyapradap
Assistant Commander-in-Chief: Lt. General Viroj Buacharoon
Chief of Staff of the Army: Lt. General Prayuth Jan-ocha
[edit] List of Commanders
Main article: List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Army
[edit] Organization
[edit] Field Organization
The Royal Thai Army is divided into 4 Army Regions:
First Army Region - headquartered in Bangkok and is responsible for the country's western and central provinces including the capital city.
1st, 2nd, 9th and 11th infantry divisions, and
1st Development division.
Second Army Region - headquartered in Nakhon Ratchasima and is responsible for the northeastern quadrant.
3rd, 6th and 12th infantry divisions, and
2nd Development divisions.
Third Army Region - headquartered in Phitsanulok, responsible for the northern and northwestern parts of the kingdom.
4th infantry division,
1st armor division, and
3rd development division.
Fourth Army Region - headquartered in Nakhon Si Thammarat, responsible for southern Thailand.
5th infantry division, and
4th development division.
[edit] Tactical units
Altogether the army is organized into the following Tactical Units:
7 infantry divisions (including 5 tank battalions),
1 armoured division,
1 cavalry division (a light armour division),
2 special forces divisions trained and geared for small unit special and airborne operations,
1 field artillery division, and
1 air defense artillery division.
8 independent infantry battalions,
3 airmobile companies provided the ground force units with battlefield support.
The Royal Thai Army also controls at least one television network, the Thai Global Network.
[edit] Royal Guards
Main article: Royal Guards (Thailand)
[edit] ATLAS
The Army Tactical Level Advanced Simulation (ATLAS) is an interactive, distributed, constructive simulation used to conduct military Command Post Exercises (CPX) within the RTA. ATLAS utilize a continuous terrain model, incorporates HLA 1516, and displays 1:250,000 1:50,000 and Satellite Imagery. ATLAS was developed between 2002 and 2005 through cooperation with RTA Command and General Staff College (CGSC).

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The Royal Crest Commemoratingthe Sixth-Cycle (72 nd) Birthday AnniversaryOf His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadejon 5 December 1999
His Majesty the King's initials the Thai letters "Phor Por Ror" placed at the centre of the crest, under the Royal Crown and above the Royal Throne of the Eight Compass Points, signify that His Majesty is the focus of the entire nation, binding the people's hearts and loyalty. The yellow colour of the letters is the colour of His Majesty's day of birth, and the blue colour of the background that of the monarchy.
The surrounding discus (Chakra) with the Thai numeral 9 means that King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. The crest is flanked by two seven-tiered umbrellas and topped by a nine-tiered umbrella, both types symbols of kingship.
The four point border represents the four regions of the country, in which the people live in peace and tranquility under the King's supreme protection, as expressed by the green colour, which is a symbol of peace and abundance. Each of the four points of the border has a lotus, an offering to His Majesty on the occasion of his Sixth-Cycle Birthday Anniversary.
The golden rays around the crest signify His Majesty's grace and benevolence, which pervade the Kingdom and beyond and bring pride and joy to the people in the entire land.
Beneath the crest a blue silk banner bears the inscription of the Royal Occasion of His Majesty's Sixth-Cycle Birthday on 5 December 1999.
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