27 Facts About Thanom Kittikachorn

Thanom Kittikachorn rose to power when he staged a self-coup, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down.

Thanom Kittikachorn was born in Tak Province to Khun Amphan Kittikachorn and his wife, Linchee Kittikachorn.

Thanom Kittikachorn attended Wat Koak Plu Municipal School, then was admitted to the Army Cadet Academy.

Thanom Kittikachorn became a regimental commander and was head of the Lopburi military department.

Thanom Kittikachorn was promoted to colonel, commanding the 11th Infantry Division.

Thanom Kittikachorn was appointed a member of parliament in 1951, his first political role.

Thanom Kittikachorn was promoted to major general the same year.

In February 1953, Thanom Kittikachorn led the suppression of a rebellion against military rule, and was rewarded with promotion to lieutenant general.

Thanom Kittikachorn 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.

Thanom Kittikachorn supported Sarit in his coup against the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, and was appointed defence minister in Pote Sarasin's puppet regime in 1957.

Thanom Kittikachorn consolidated his power base as the second military leader and right-hand man of Sarit.

Thanom Kittikachorn became the deputy leader of this party, designed to extend the pro-government camp and win over former members of Phibunsongkhram's Seri Manangkhasila Party who had been reelected to parliament as independents.

Thanom Kittikachorn was prime minister for nine months, after which he was replaced by Sarit himself and made deputy prime minister, defence minister, and armed forces deputy supreme commander.

Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn succeeded his predecessor one day after Sarit's death in 1963.

Thanom Kittikachorn 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.

Thanom Kittikachorn established and led the United Thai People's Party in October 1968.

Thanom Kittikachorn reappointed himself prime minister in February 1969 after general elections had been completed.

Thanom Kittikachorn dissolved parliament and appointed himself Chairman of the National Executive Council, and served as a caretaker government for one year.

Public discontent against Thanom Kittikachorn's government grew in 1973 following a military poaching incident at Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in Tak province, and the expulsion of nine students from Ramkhamhaeng University for publishing satire criticising the government.

Shortly after, King Bhumibol announced over the radio and television that Thanom Kittikachorn had resigned as Prime Minister.

However, this period of democracy post-Thanom Kittikachorn was short lived when the military staged a coup on 6 October 1976 following Thanom Kittikachorn's return from exile.

In October 1976, Thanom Kittikachorn returned to Thailand in the robes of a novice monk, to stay at Bangkok's Wat Bowonniwet.

Thanom Kittikachorn soon left the monkhood, but he kept his word never to take part in politics again.

Controversy arose in early 1999 when it became known that Thanom Kittikachorn was appointed as an honorary officer of the Royal Guard by prime minister Chuan Leekpai as recommended by the military.

Thanom Kittikachorn died in 2004 the age of 92 in Bangkok General Hospital, after suffering a stroke and a heart attack two years earlier.

Thanom Kittikachorn's cremation was held on 25 February 2007 at Wat Debsirin.

Thanom Kittikachorn received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:.