Praphas Charusathien

Praphas Charusathien[note 1] (Thai: ประภาส จารุเสถียร, RTGS: Praphat Charusathian, Thai pronunciation: [pràʔpʰâːt t͡ɕaːrúʔsàʔtʰǐan]; 25 November 1912 – 18 August 1997) was a Thai military officer and politician. He was a field marshal (chom phon) of the Royal Thai Army and minister of interior in the governments of military rulers Sarit Thanarat and Thanom Kittikachorn.

Field Marshal
Praphas Charusathien
PChW MPCh MWM SR SMN OMRI LOM
ประภาส จารุเสถียร
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office
9 December 1963 – 14 October 1973
Prime MinisterThanom Kittikachorn
In office
1 January 1958 – 20 October 1958
Prime MinisterThanom Kittikachorn
Minister of Interior
In office
19 December 1972 – 14 October 1973
Prime MinisterThanom Kittikachorn
Succeeded byKamol Wanprapa
In office
23 September 1957 – 17 November 1971
Prime Minister
Preceded byPhao Sriyanond
Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army
In office
1 October 1964 – 30 September 1973
Preceded byThanom Kittikachorn
Succeeded byKris Sivara
Director-General of the Royal Thai Police
In office
1 October 1972 – 16 October 1973
Preceded byPrasert Rujirawongse
Succeeded byPrajuab Suntarangkool
Personal details
Born25 November 1912
Mak Khaeng, Udon, Siam (now Mueang Udon Thani, Udon Thani, Thailand)
Died18 August 1997(1997-08-18) (aged 84)
Bangkok, Thailand
SpouseSawai Charusathien
Children6
Signature
Military service
AllegianceThailand
Branch/serviceRoyal Thai Army
Years of service1933–1973
Rank
Commands

Personal life and education

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]

Family

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.

Died

Praphas Charusathien died on 18 August 1997 in Bangkok.

Honours

received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:

Foreign honours

Notes
  1. Alternative spellings of his first name: Prapas, Praphat, Prapass; last name: Charusathian, Charusathiara

References
  1. Leifer, Michael (1996), "Praphas Charusathien", Dictionary of the modern politics of South-East Asia, Routledge, p. 134
  2. Baker, Chris; Phongpaichit, Pasuk (2009). A History of Thailand (2nd, paper ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 170. ISBN 9780521759151.
  3. "Senarai Penuh Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan Tahun 1964" (PDF).
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