25 Facts About Sarit Thanarat

Sarit Thanarat served as commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army and as Minister of Defense during Plaek Phibunsongkhram's premiership.

Sarit Thanarat first gained recognition during the Boworadet Rebellion, where he commanded government forces under Plaek Phibunsongkhram.

Sarit Thanarat's influence grew significantly after the February 1957 election crisis, during which he led a coup that ousted Phibun and temporarily assumed leadership as the head of the Revolutionary Council.

Sarit Thanarat suspended the constitution, dissolved parliament, and banned political parties, consolidating all power in his hands.

Sarit Thanarat emphasized modernization and economic development, focusing on Infrastructure, agriculture, and industrialization.

Sarit Thanarat's government received substantial support from the United States, as it aligned itself with the anti-communist bloc during the Cold War.

Domestically, Sarit Thanarat promoted a strong sense of Thai nationalism and emphasized the importance of the monarchy, which became central to his administration's legitimacy.

Sarit Thanarat is credited with stabilizing Thailand during a period of turbulence and implementing policies that fostered economic growth and modernization.

Sarit Thanarat was educated at a monastery school, and entered Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1919, not completing his military studies until 1928, after which he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Unlike many of his fellow officers, Sarit Thanarat was not discharged at the end of the war.

Sarit Thanarat became Commander of the Royal Thai Army in 1954.

Sarit Thanarat did not play a significant role in the election process and generally left Phao in charge.

However, Sarit Thanarat effectively disassociated himself from the corrupt party when he commented that the 1957 elections.

Sarit Thanarat stated that several powerful figures in the Thai government wanted to establish the Forestry Company of Thailand which would merge with other private companies and thereby control the lumber and teak industries.

On 13 September 1957, Sarit Thanarat handed Phibun the army's ultimatum.

Likhit's analysis shows how Sarit Thanarat combined paternalistic rule from the Sukothai with Ayuthaya's despotic power to create his personal political style.

From him, Sarit Thanarat was introduced to the idea of pattiwat and the guiding leadership principle of phokhun.

Sarit Thanarat lowered the price of iced black coffee, a popular beverage among locals, from 70 satang per glass to 50 satang per glass.

Sarit Thanarat ordered all arrested prostitutes be reformed by sending them to institutions which would equip them with new skills.

Sarit Thanarat was determined to end the consumption and sale of opium in Thailand for several reasons.

General Sarit Thanarat declared that Thailand would abide by the UN's Universal Declaration on Human Rights of 1948, to which Thailand was a signatory, except in cases when it did not.

Sarit Thanarat arranged for King Bhumibhol Adulyadej to attend public ceremonies, visit provinces, patronize development projects, and present diplomas to Thailand's university graduates, helping to bring the monarchy closer to the people and raising the stature of the king to that of reverence.

The Sarit Thanarat government revived traditional festivals and ceremonies which were abandoned after the 1932 revolution.

The letter expressed the king's confidence in Sarit Thanarat and urged Sarit Thanarat to do his duty to the government.

Sarit Thanarat died unexpectedly in late 1963 from liver failure, just as his economic measures were proving successful.