Thanin Kraivichien facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thanin Kraivichien
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ธานินทร์ กรัยวิเชียร
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Thanin in 2011
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| Acting President of the Privy Council | |
| In office 13 October 2016 – 1 December 2016 |
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| Monarch | Vajiralongkorn (King) Prem Tinsulanonda (Regent) |
| Preceded by | Prem Tinsulanonda |
| Succeeded by | Prem Tinsulanonda |
| 14th Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 8 October 1976 – 20 October 1977 |
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| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Sangad Chaloryu (de facto) |
| Succeeded by | Sangad Chaloryu (de facto) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 April 1927 Bangkok, Siam |
| Died | 23 February 2025 (aged 97) Bangkok, Thailand |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Spouse | Karen Andersen |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | |
| Profession | |
| Signature |  |
Thanin Kraivichien (born 5 April 1927) is a Thai judge, politician, and law professor. He served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1976 to 1977. Later, he became a member of the Privy Council, a group of advisors to the King. In 2016, he briefly became its president. He is known for his long career in public service.
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Early Life and Education
Thanin Kraivichien was born in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. His father was a successful merchant who owned a large pawnshop.
Thanin was very interested in law. He studied law at Thammasat University in Thailand and graduated in 1948. To continue his studies, he traveled to London, England. There, he attended the London School of Economics. He finished his studies in 1953. In 1958, he was allowed to practice law in Britain at a place called Gray's Inn.
While in Britain, Thanin met Karen Andersen, who was from Denmark. They got married and had five children together.
Career as a Judge and Teacher
After returning to Thailand in 1954, Thanin began working in the Ministry of Justice. He started as a judge and quickly moved up in his career. Eventually, he became the President of the Supreme Court of Thailand, which is the highest court in the country.
Besides being a judge, Thanin also loved teaching. He taught law at two important universities in Thailand: Thammasat and Chulalongkorn. He also taught at the Thai Bar Association, which is for lawyers. In 1972, he became a special professor at Chulalongkorn University.
Thanin also wrote books in his free time. These books often talked about the dangers of communism, a political idea he strongly disagreed with.
After a big student protest in 1973 that led to changes in the government, Thanin became part of a special group that helped create new laws. He was known for being against communism and often spoke about it on a TV show.
Becoming Prime Minister
In October 1976, there was a difficult time in Thailand, including a sad event at Thammasat University. After this, the military took control of the government. Two days later, King Bhumibol Adulyadej chose Thanin to be the new Prime Minister.
Thanin wanted to choose his own team of ministers, and he did not accept most of the military's suggestions. Only a few military leaders became deputy ministers. His government was also notable because it was the first in Thailand to have several women in important ministerial roles.
Many people saw Thanin as an honest and smart person. However, he also had very strong political beliefs. After he became Prime Minister, his government took action against certain bookstores. They ordered the removal and burning of many books, including famous works by authors like George Orwell.
Thanin announced that Thailand would not return to a democratic government for 12 years. He also closed down the parliament and made all political parties illegal. These actions caused some activists, like students and farmers, to join underground groups that were against the government.
In March 1977, a group of younger army officers tried to remove Thanin from power, but they failed. However, on 20 October 1977, the military again took control and asked Thanin to resign. The military explained that Thanin's government had caused divisions in the country and did not have much public support. They also said the economy was getting worse and people disagreed with the long delay in returning to democracy.
Role as a Royal Advisor
Soon after he resigned as Prime Minister, King Bhumibol Adulyadej appointed Thanin to his Privy Council. This council is a group of important advisors to the King.
When King Bhumibol passed away in October 2016, the head of the Privy Council, Prem Tinsulanonda, became a temporary head of state. During this time, Thanin temporarily took over as the President of the Privy Council. After the new King, Vajiralongkorn, took the throne in December 2016, Prem returned to his previous role. Thanin was not reappointed to the Privy Council at that time.
Images for kids
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Thanin Kraivichien's signature
See also
In Spanish: Tanin Kraivixien para niños
