Kittikachorn, Thanom: see Thanom Kittikachorn.

Thanom Kittikachorn, 1911-2004, Thai political and military leader. He entered the army in 1929, rising to command of a division by 1950. After supporting a coup in 1957 by Sarit Thanarat, he served (1957-63) as defense minister and was (1957-58) also briefly prime minister. On Sarit's death in 1963, Thanom succeeded him as prime minister. A staunch anti-Communist, he supported U.S. policy in Southeast Asia. In 1971, Thanom increased his powers through a military takeover of the government. Protests against the abolition of constitutional government and Thanom's personal aggrandizement finally forced his resignation and exile in 1973. He returned to Thailand in 1976.

Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn (August 11, 1912 -June 16, 2004, Thai ถนอม กิตติขจร) was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-Communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down. His return from exile in 1976 sparked protests which led to a massacre of demonstrators, followed by a military coup.

Early life

Thanom was born in 1912 in Ban Nhong Ploung, Tak province, to Amphan and Linchee Kittikachorn. He graduated as a sub-lieutenant from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1930. In 1942 he served as a company commander in the Phayap Army during its invasion and occupation of the eastern Shan States.

Rise to power

As a lieutenant-colonel, he took part in the 1947 coup led by Colonel Sarit Thanarat and became a regimental Commander and head of the Lopburi military department. He was later promoted to colonel, commanding the 11th Infantry Division. He was appointed as an MP in 1951, his first political role.

In February 1953, he led the suppression of a rebellion, and was rewarded with a promotion to the rank of lieutenant-general. He 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.

He was appointed Deputy Cooperatives Minister in 1955. Thanom supported Sarit in his coup against the government of Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram, and was subsequently appointed Defence Minister in Pote Sarasin's puppet regime in 1957.

In subsequent years, Thanom consolidated his power base as the 2nd military leader behind Sarit. In 1958, he was appointed General and became Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Army Commander-in-Chief. He was the Prime Minister for 9 months. The following year he was replaced by Sarit as prime minister and was instead appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Armed Forces Deputy Supreme Commander in the new junta.

Prime Minister

Thanom was appointed Prime Minister one day after Sarit's death in 1963. He subsequently appointed himself Commander-in-Chief of the Army. One year later, he promoted himself to the concurrent ranks of Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet, and Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force. Thanom 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. His regime was infamously known for massive corruption. He established and led the Saha Prachathai Party in October 1968.

Thanom reappointed himself Prime Minister in February 1969 after general elections had been completed. Then, in November 1971, he staged a coup against his own government, citing the need to suppress communist infiltration. He dissolved Parliament and appointed himself Chairman of the National Executive Council, and served as a caretaker government for one year. He appointed himself Prime Minister for a fourth time, in December 1972, while also serving as Defence and Foreign Ministers. He, along with his son, Colonel Narong, and Narong's father-in-law Field Marshal Prahass Charusathien became known as the "Three Tyrants".

Public discontent grew, as well as demands for a general election. Student-led demands for a return to constitutional government, the so-called "14 October 1973 uprising", caused three days of violence and the downfall of his regime. Thanom and the other two "Tyrants" left for exile in the United States and Singapore. His departure was followed by a restoration of a democratic administration in Thailand.

6 October 1976 massacre and aftermath

In October 1976, Thanom returned to Thailand as a novice monk at Wat Bowonniwet. His return triggered student protests which took place on the campus of Thammasat University. The far right, aided by government security forces, stormed the campus and massacred protesters on 6 October 1976. That evening, the military again seized power from the elected civilian government.

Thanom soon left the monkhood but never took a role in politics again. Later in his life, he made an effort to rehabilitate his tarnished image and recover properties that had been seized when he was overthrown.

In March 1999, Thanom was nominated to become a member of the honorary Royal Guard by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, which was a highly controversial act. Thanom turned down the appointment.

Thanom died at the age of 92 on 16 June 2004 in Bangkok General Hospital, after suffering a stroke and a heart attack in January 2004. His medical expenses were paid by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. His cremation was held on 25 February 2007 at Wat Debsirin. Queen Sirikit presided over the cremation ceremony, lighting the royal flame on behalf of King Bhumibol. Princess Chulabhorn also presided.

References

• KITTIKACHORN, Field Marshal Thanom International Who's Who. accessed September 4, 2006.
• The Nation, "Thanom's sometimes turbulent life", 26 February 2007