Chaophraya Bodindechanuchit (Arun Chatrakul)

Mom Rajawongse Arun Chatrakul was born on 14 April 1856 and began military service in the royal guards in 1872 as a private assigned to the 6th Regiment and was promoted to private 1st class and then corporal of the 5th Regiment.[lower-alpha 1] In 1878, he transferred to an artillery regiment. On 9 April 1889, Arun became adjutant of the cadet school division while being promoted to captain.[1][2] In 1892, he became commander of the cadet school,[3] and on 4 October of the same year, was promoted to major.[4] On 14 November, he was assigned as royal aide-de-camp,[5] and on the 21st, he was granted the noble title of Luang Sorawiset Dechawut, with a sakdina of 800.[6] On 20 September 1898, he was promoted to Phra Sorawiset Dechawut, with a sakdina of 1,000.[7] In 1899, he became commandant of the army command division, Bangkok military province[8] and on 15 August of the same year, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.[9]

In August 1900, he became the Royal Army yokkrabat (quartermaster)[10] and on 21 September of the same year, his title was promoted to Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena, with a sakdina of 1,500.[11] On 3 April 1901, he was promoted to colonel,[12] and on 11 August of the same year, he became adjutant of the Army.[13] On 14 May 1902, Arun was promoted to major general.[14] On 6 August 1903, he became Deputy Commander of the Department of War,[15] and on 15 May, his title was promoted to Phraya Siharat Dechochai, the traditional title of the head of Krom Asa Yai Khwa, with a sakdina of 10,000.[16] On 20 September 1906, he was promoted to lieutenant general.[17]

In December 1910, he became Assistant Minister of War.[18] On 22 January 1912, he was promoted to General.[19] In 1912, Arun was granted the rank and title of Chaophraya Bodindechanuchit, with a sakdina of 10,000. On 4 February 1914, he was appointed acting Minister of War.[20] On 1 April 1914, he became Minister of War.[21] On 30 December 1917, he was promoted to field marshal.[22]

He was a member of King Vajiravudh's paramilitary movement the Wild Tiger Corps, and received the rank of major in 1915.[23]

• Order of the White Elephant, 5th Class (1887)[25]
• Chakra Mala Medal (1893)[26]
• Haw Campaign Medal (1898)
• Order of the White Elephant, 3rd Class (1901)[27]
• King Vajiravudh's Royal Cypher Medal, 3rd Class (1911)[28]
• Order of Chula Chom Klao, 1st Class (1912)[29]
• Ratana Varabhorn Order of Merit (1914)
• King Vajiravudh's Royal Cypher Medal, 2nd Class
• Dushdi Mala Medal (1919)[30]
• Order of the Nine Gems (1920)
• Order of Rama, Second Class (1920)
• King Vajiravudh's old courtiers' pin (1916)[31]