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
ประภาส จารุเสถียร

PChW MPCh MWM SR
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office
1 January 1958 – 20 October 1958
Prime MinisterThanom Kittikachorn
Minister of Interior
In office
1 January 1958 – 14 October 1973
Prime MinisterThanom Kittikachorn
Succeeded byKamol Wanprapa
In office
23 September 1957 – 26 December 1957
Prime MinisterPote Sarasin
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
Born5 December 1912
Udon Thani, Siam
Died18 August 1997(1997-08-18) (aged 84)
Bangkok, Thailand
Spouse(s)Sawai Charusathien
Children6
Signature
Military service
AllegianceThailand
Branch/serviceRoyal Thai Army
Years of service1933–1973
Rank Field Marshal
Admiral of the Fleet
Marshal of the Air Force
Police General
CommandsCommander-in-Chief

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 General 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 Colonel 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]

Died

Praphas Charusathien died on 18 August 1997 in Bangkok.

Honour

Foreign honour

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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