Thanom Kittikachorn

▪ 2005

      Thai military strongman (b. Aug. 11, 1911, Tak, Siam [now Thailand]—d. June 16, 2004, Bangkok, Thai.), as the ruler (1963–73) of Thailand, was one of the staunchest allies of the United States in Southeast Asia until he was overthrown in a student-led uprising. Thanom joined the army in 1931 and rose to the rank of field marshal. In 1957 he participated in a military coup that gained control of the Thai government; he became prime minister in 1963 (having served briefly in that role in 1958). Although he claimed to embrace democracy, overseeing the creation of a new constitution in 1968 and holding elections in 1969 (which he easily won), his government quickly suppressed any dissent. During the Vietnam War, Thanom, concerned about communist insurgents in his own country, sent troops to fight the Viet Cong and allowed U.S. bombing missions to use Thai air bases. In 1971 he dissolved the parliament, suspended the constitution, and formed a military junta led by himself, his son, Col. Narong Kittikachorn, and his son's father-in-law, Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien. The “Three Tyrants,” as they became known, gained a reputation for corruption and ruthlessness. The violent suppression of student protests in October 1973 led to the collapse of the military government as well as to Thanom's exile. He was allowed to return to Thailand in 1976. In his later years he campaigned in defense of his actions as prime minister and asserted his belief in democracy.

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▪ prime minister of Thailand

born August 11, 1911, Tak, Siam [Thailand]

died June 16, 2004, Bangkok, Thailand

      army general and prime minister of Thailand (1958, 1963–71, 1972–73).

      Thanom entered the army from the royal military academy in 1931. He was a close associate of Sarit Thanarat and, as commander of the important First Army in Bangkok, assisted him in overthrowing the government of Luang Phibunsongkhram (Phibunsongkhram, Luang) in 1957. In the ensuing “caretaker government” of Pote Sarasin, he served first as minister of defense and then, briefly in 1958, as prime minister. When Sarit took over the government late that year, he stayed on as deputy prime minister and minister of defense. On the death of Sarit in December 1963, Thanom succeeded him as prime minister.

      Thanom promised to restore parliamentary democracy and appointed a commission to write Thailand's eighth constitution since the revolution of June 1932. It was adopted in June 1968, and elections were held in February 1969. Thanom's United Thai People's Party won a parliamentary majority, and Thanom continued as both prime minister and minister of defense.

      Thanom's greatest problem was the growing threat of communist insurgency. Guerrillas, led by cadres trained in China and North Vietnam (Vietnam War), became increasingly aggressive, particularly in the northeast, along the border with Laos. Thanom engaged U.S. pilots to fly Thai troops on counterinsurgency missions and employed U.S. “advisers” in a pattern similar to that adopted by South Vietnam in the early 1960s. A supporter of U.S. policies in Indochina, he sent Thai combat units to Vietnam and Laos and allowed American use of six airbases on Thai soil for missions over Indochina.

      By the early 1970s, there was growing opposition to Thanom's rule amid allegations of human rights violations, corruption, and nepotism. Key figures in his regime included his son, Colonel Narong Kittikachorn, and Narong's father-in-law, Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien; the men became known as the “Three Tyrants.” In November 1971 Thanom dissolved the cabinet and the parliament, suspended the constitution, and established a nine-man military directorate. In December 1972 an interim constitution was promulgated with Thanom as prime minister and foreign minister. In October 1973 students rioted, and during the uprising at least 77 students were killed and hundreds were injured. In the aftermath, Thanom was forced to flee the country. His surreptitious return to the country in August 1976 precipitated a return to authoritarian rule but without his direct participation.

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