Suchinda Kraprayoon Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids General Suchinda Kraprayoon MPCh MWM ThChW
สุจินดา คราประยูร
Suchinda c.1970s

19th Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 7 April 1992 – 24 May 1992
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Deputy	Meechai Ruchuphan Narong Wongwan Somboon Rahong Montree Pongpanich Samak Sundaravej
Preceded by	Anand Panyarachun
Succeeded by	Meechai Ruchuphan (acting)
Minister of Defence
In office 17 April 1992 – 24 May 1992
Prime Minister	Himself
Preceded by	Praphat Kritsanajun
Succeeded by	Banjob Bunnag
Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces
In office 1 October 1991 – 4 April 1992
Minister	Praphat Kritsanajun
Preceded by	Sunthorn Kongsompong
Succeeded by	Kaset Rojananil
Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army
In office 29 April 1990 – 7 April 1992
Preceded by	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Succeeded by	Isarapong Noonpakdee

Personal details
Born	(1933-08-06)6 August 1933 Thonburi, Krung Thep, Siam
Died	10 June 2025(2025-06-10) (aged 91) Bangkok, Thailand
Nationality	Thai
Spouse	Wannee Noonpakdee
Children	2
Alma mater	Royal Military Academy
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch	Royal Thai Army
Service years	1953–1992
Rank	General Admiral Air Chief Marshal
Conflicts	Vietnam War Communist insurgency in Thailand
Awards	see Honours

General Suchinda Kraprayoon (Thai: สุจินดา คราประยูร; born August 6, 1933 – died June 10, 2025) was an important army leader and politician in Thailand. He served as the Prime Minister of Thailand for a short time in 1992.

As the head of the Royal Thai Army, Suchinda led a big change in government in 1991. This change, called a "coup," meant the military took control. He was part of a group called the "National Peace Keeping Council". A year later, in 1992, he became Prime Minister. This decision caused many people to protest. These protests, known as "Black May," led to some difficult times. He resigned from his position on May 24, 1992.

Early Life and Education
Military Career
Becoming Prime Minister
Life After Politics
Personal Life
Honours
See also

Early Life and Education

Suchinda Kraprayoon was born on August 6, 1933, in Thonburi, which was then part of Siam (now Thailand). His parents were Juang and Sompong Kraprayoon. He had a mixed background, with both Chinese and Mon heritage.

He first went to Wat Rajabopit School and then Amnuayslip School. He studied medicine at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok for a year. After that, he joined the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. Many students from his class at the Academy later became part of the National Peace Keeping Council. He also studied military leadership in the United States. He attended courses at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Military Career

Suchinda returned to Thailand in 1953 and began his service in the Royal Thai Army as a Second Lieutenant. He steadily rose through the ranks. On January 25, 1958, he became a Troop Leader in an artillery unit.

He held many important positions during his military career, including:

Lecturer at the Army Command and General Staff College
Director-General of the Operations Department
Assistant Chief of Staff for Army Operations
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Army
Sub-Commander of the Royal Thai Army
Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army (starting April 29, 1990)
Commander-in-Chief of the Supreme Command Headquarters (starting October 1, 1991)

During the Vietnam War, Suchinda was part of a Thai unit that helped the U.S. military. Later, in 1971, he worked as an assistant military representative at the Thai Embassy in Washington.

Becoming Prime Minister

Suchinda was a key leader of the National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC). This group carried out the 1991 Thai coup d'état on February 23, 1991. They removed the elected government of Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan. The NPKC then chose Anand Panyarachun, a former diplomat, to be the new prime minister.

After the general election on March 22, 1992, five political parties chose Suchinda to be the prime minister. He was officially appointed on April 7, 1992. However, his appointment led to large protests in Bangkok. The government declared a curfew, and the military was sent in. During the events known as Black May, many people were hurt or died when soldiers fired on unarmed protesters. The situation was eventually calmed by the intervention of King Bhumibol.

Suchinda resigned as prime minister on May 24, 1992. Meechai Ruchuphan, who was the Deputy Prime Minister, took over as a temporary leader. Later, Anand Panyarachun became prime minister again.

Life After Politics

After he resigned, General Suchinda became the Chairman of Telecom Holdings. This company owned Telecom Asia. Telecom Asia had received a special agreement to build 2 million telephone lines in Bangkok after the NPKC took power.

Personal Life

Suchinda was married to Khunying Wannee Kraprayoon. She was the sister of Isarapong Noonpakdee, who was a classmate of Suchinda from military academy. They had two sons together: Jerdwut Kraprayoon and Janewit “Jack” Kraprayoon.

Suchinda passed away from natural causes at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok on June 10, 2025. He was 91 years old.

Honours

Suchinda Kraprayoon received many awards and honours throughout his career, both from Thailand and other countries.

Thai Honours

1989 – Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
1988 – Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
1992 – Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
1973 – Victory Medal – Vietnam War, with flames
1988 – Freeman Safeguarding Medal – 1st Class
1970 – Border Service Medal
1968 – Chakra Mala Medal
1989 – First Class of Boy Scout Citation Medal of Vajira
1991 – King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal 3rd Class

Foreign Honours

Japan :
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (1992)
Malaysia :
- Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (PGAT) (1991)