16 Facts About Thanin Kraivichien

Thanin Kraivichien was the prime minister of Thailand between 1976 and 1977.

Thanin Kraivichien was then appointed to the Privy Council and became its president in 2016.

Thanin Kraivichien's father was a Chinese-born merchant and owner of one of the biggest pawnshops in Bangkok.

Thanin Kraivichien then went to the London School of Economics to continue with his law studies.

Thanin Kraivichien graduated in 1953, and in 1958 was called to the Bar at Gray's Inn.

Thanin Kraivichien rose quickly, finally becoming President of the Supreme Court of Thailand.

Thanin Kraivichien was appointed adjunct professor to the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy at Chulalongkorn University in 1972.

Thanin Kraivichien became a member of the far-right anti-communist Nawaphon movement.

Thanin Kraivichien had a TV show in which he attacked communism, the students' movement, and progressive politicians.

Two days later, King Bhumibol Adulyadej appointed his favourite, Thanin Kraivichien, to be interim prime minister.

Thanin Kraivichien insisted on selecting his cabinet himself and rejected most of the military junta's nominations.

Thanin Kraivichien led the first Thai cabinet in which women, Wimolsiri Chamnarnvej and Lursakdi Sampatisiri, held ministerial posts.

Thanin Kraivichien was seen as honest and intelligent but eminently ideological and politically extreme.

Thanin Kraivichien announced that Thailand could return to democratic rule only after 12 years.

The military justified their intervention because Thanin Kraivichien's government had divided the country and had virtually no public support, the economic situation had worsened, and people in general disagreed with such a long-term suspension of democracy.

Thanin Kraivichien temporarily assumed the office of President of the Privy Council during this period.