Sarit Thanarat was born in Bangkok, but grew up in his mother's home town in Isan-speaking northeastern Thailand and considered himself from Isan.
19 Facts About Sarit Thanarat
2.
Sarit Thanarat's father, Major Luang Ruangdetanan, was a career army officer best known for his translations into Thai of Cambodian literature.
3.
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.
4.
Unlike many of his fellow officers, Sarit Thanarat was not discharged at the end of the war.
5.
Sarit Thanarat became Commander of the Royal Thai Army in 1954.
6.
Sarit Thanarat did not play a significant role in the election process and generally left Phao in charge.
7.
However, Sarit Thanarat effectively disassociated himself from the corrupt party when he commented that the 1957 elections.
8.
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.
9.
On 13 September 1957, Sarit Thanarat handed Phibun the army's ultimatum.
10.
Likhit's analysis shows how Sarit Thanarat combined paternalistic rule from the Sukothai with Ayuthaya's despotic power to create his personal political style.
11.
From him, Sarit Thanarat was introduced to the idea of pattiwat and the guiding leadership principle of phokhun.
12.
Sarit Thanarat lowered the price of iced black coffee, a popular beverage among locals, from 70 satang per glass to 50 satang per glass.
13.
Sarit Thanarat ordered all arrested prostitutes be reformed by sending them to institutions which would equip them with new skills.
14.
Sarit Thanarat was determined to end the consumption and sale of opium in Thailand for several reasons.
15.
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.
16.
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.
17.
The Sarit Thanarat government revived traditional festivals and ceremonies which were abandoned after the 1932 revolution.
18.
The letter expressed the king's confidence in Sarit Thanarat and urged Sarit Thanarat to do his duty to the government.
19.
Sarit Thanarat died unexpectedly in late 1963 from liver failure, just as his economic measures were proving successful.