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Thai military officer and politician (1912–1997) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Praphas Charusathien[note 1] (Thai: ประภาส จารุเสถียร, RTGS: Praphat Charusathian, Thai pronunciation: [pràʔpʰâːt t͡ɕaːrúʔsàʔtʰǐan]; 25 November 1912 – 18 August[citation needed] 1997) was a Thai military officer and politician. He was a field marshal of the Royal Thai Army and minister of interior in the governments of military rulers Sarit Thanarat and Thanom Kittikachorn.
Praphas Charusathien | |
---|---|
ประภาส จารุเสถียร | |
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand | |
In office 9 December 1963 – 14 October 1973 | |
Prime Minister | Thanom Kittikachorn |
In office 1 January 1958 – 20 October 1958 | |
Prime Minister | Thanom Kittikachorn |
Minister of Interior | |
In office 19 December 1972 – 14 October 1973 | |
Prime Minister | Thanom Kittikachorn |
Succeeded by | Kamol Wanprapa |
In office 23 September 1957 – 17 November 1971 | |
Prime Minister | |
Preceded by | Phao Siyanon |
Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army | |
In office 1 October 1964 – 30 September 1973 | |
Preceded by | Thanom Kittikachorn |
Succeeded by | Kris Sivara |
Director-General of the Royal Thai Police | |
In office 1 October 1972 – 16 October 1973 | |
Preceded by | Prasert Rujirawongse |
Succeeded by | Prajuab Suntarangkool |
Personal details | |
Born | 25 November 1912 Mak Khaeng, Udon, Siam (now Mueang Udon Thani, Udon Thani, Thailand) |
Died | 18 August 1997 84)[citation needed] Bangkok, Thailand[citation needed] | (aged
Spouse | Sawai Charusathien |
Children | 6 |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Thailand |
Branch/service | Royal Thai Army |
Years of service | 1933–1973 |
Rank |
|
Commands |
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Praphas graduated from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and became an infantry officer. He was sponsored by Field Marshal and Prime Minister-to-be Sarit Thanarat. He was quickly promoted to higher ranks. In 1957, Sarit appointed him minister of interior, a position in which he continued to serve after Sarit's death in 1963. The new prime minister was Thanom Kittikachorn, whose son married Praphas' daughter. From 1963 to 1973, he was additionally deputy prime minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. During this time, Praphas was the strong man in the background who pulled the strings in the Thanom government. He was known for obscure financial transactions and political intrigues,[1] while sitting on the boards of 44 companies.[2]
In 1973, he was replaced as army commander by Gen.Krit Srivara, which signaled his loss of influence. In October 1973 protests against the rigid military rule grew into a massive popular uprising that was answered by a bloody crackdown on the protesting students and democracy activists. The many dead civilians prompted King Bhumibol Adulyadej to intervene. Praphas, Thanom and his son-in-law Col.Narong Kittikachorn went into exile.[1]
Praphas returned to Thailand in January 1977, after the military had ended the democratic interlude in October 1976. However, he was not able to exercise political influence again.[1]
Praphas married to Thanpuying Sawai Jarusathien, daughter of Lt. Von and Huai Panprasit. They have a total of 6 children. Praphas's children were married to important people with military and political power, including Supaporn Charusathien married with Narong Kittikachorn son of Thanom Kittikachorn, Orapan Charusathien married with Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Supanapa Charusathien married with Somtat Attanand.
Praphas Charusathien died on 18 August 1997 in Bangkok.[citation needed]
received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:
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