Monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej Signature Succeeded by Prem Tinsulanonda Religion Theravada Buddhism Spouse Wirat Chomanan | Nationality Thai Name Kriangsak Chamanan Preceded by Tanin Kraivixien Years of service 1940 - 1980 Service/branch Royal Thai Army | |
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Born 17 December 1917 ( 1917-12-17 ) Died December 23, 2003, Bangkok, Thailand Battles and wars Franco-Thai War, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War | ||
SYND 23 3 79 PRIME MINISTER OF THAILAND MEETS SOVIET LEADERS IN LEADERS IN MOSCOW
General Kriangsak Chamanan (Thai: เกรียงศักดิ์ ชมะนันทน์, [kria̯ŋ.sàk tɕʰā.má(ʔ).nān]; 17 December 1917 – 23 December 2003) served as prime minister of Thailand from 1977 to 1980.
Contents
- SYND 23 3 79 PRIME MINISTER OF THAILAND MEETS SOVIET LEADERS IN LEADERS IN MOSCOW
- Foreign honour
- References
A professional soldier, Kriangsak fought against the French in the Franco-Thai War, and against the communists in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In 1977, as Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, he staged a successful coup d'état against Prime Minister Tanin Kraivixien.
Kriangsak is widely credited for defusing a long-running communist insurgency in northern Thailand. Allegedly, he allowed the People's Republic of China to ship arms to the rebel Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in exchange for the PRC withdrawing its support of the communists in Thailand. However, this is denied by the Thai government, which cites his offer of amnesty as the primary reason.
Kriangsak voluntarily retired in February 1980 and was succeeded by General Prem Tinsulanonda.