Thanom Kittikachorn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thanom Kittikachorn PChW SR MPCh MWM SMN GCC KmstkSO OMRI GCS GCMG LOM
ถนอม กิตติขจร
10th Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 9 December 1963 – 14 October 1973
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Deputy	See list Praphas Charusathien Prince Wan Waithayakon Pote Sarasin
Preceded by	Sarit Thanarat
Succeeded by	Sanya Dharmasakti
In office 1 January 1958 – 20 October 1958
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Deputy	See list Praphas Charusathien Prince Wan Waithayakon Sukich Nimmanheminda
Preceded by	Pote Sarasin
Succeeded by	Sarit Thanarat
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
In office 11 December 1963 – 30 September 1973
Preceded by	Sarit Thanarat
Succeeded by	Dawee Chullasapya
Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army
In office 11 December 1963 – 1 October 1964
Preceded by	Sarit Thanarat
Succeeded by	Praphas Charusathien
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 9 February 1959 – 8 December 1963 Serving with Prince Wan Waithayakon
Prime Minister	Sarit Thanarat
Preceded by	Sukich Nimmanheminda
Succeeded by	Praphas Charusathien
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 19 December 1972 – 14 October 1973
Prime Minister	himself
Preceded by	Jaroonphan Isarangkun Na Ayutthaya
Succeeded by	Jaroonphan Isarangkun Na Ayutthaya
President of Chiang Mai University
In office 21 February 1964 – 20 February 1972
Prime Minister	himself
Preceded by	University established
Succeeded by	Sukich Nimmanheminda
Minister of Defence
In office 23 September 1957 – 14 October 1973
Prime Minister	Pote Sarasin Sarit Thanarat himself
Preceded by	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Succeeded by	Dawee Chullasapya
Personal details
Born	(1911-08-11)11 August 1911 Tak, Nakhon Sawan, Siam (now Mueang Tak, Tak, Thailand)
Died	16 June 2004(2004-06-16) (aged 92) Bangkok, Thailand
Spouse	Jongkol Thanad-rob ​ (m. 1914)​
Children	6, including Narong
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Royal Thai Army
Years of service	1929–1973
Rank	Field Marshal Admiral of the Fleet Marshal of the Air Force
Commands	Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces
Battles/wars	Franco-Thai War World War II

Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was a very important leader in Thailand from 1963 to 1973. He was the country's Prime Minister for a long time. His time in power saw big changes and challenges for Thailand. He was also a high-ranking military officer.

Early Life and Military Career

Thanom Kittikachorn was born on August 11, 1911, in Tak Province, Thailand. His family had Thai Chinese roots. He went to school at Wat Koak Plu Municipal School. After that, he joined the Army Cadet Academy to become a soldier.

Once he finished his training, he started his career in the army. He worked in Chiang Mai and later studied cartography (map-making) and infantry (foot soldiers). He also graduated from the National Defense College.

How Thanom Rose to Power

Thanom Kittikachorn was a lieutenant colonel when he helped in a successful military takeover in 1957. This event was led by Colonel Sarit Thanarat. Thanom quickly moved up in the army. He became a regimental commander and led the military in Lopburi.

He was promoted to colonel and then to major general. In 1951, he became a member of parliament, which was his first step into politics. In 1953, Thanom helped stop a rebellion against the military government. For this, he was promoted to lieutenant general. He even represented Thailand at the end of the Korean War.

In 1957, Thanom supported Sarit in another military takeover. After this, he became the Minister of Defence. He became Sarit's trusted second-in-command. In 1958, he was promoted to full general. He then became Prime Minister and Minister of Defence for nine months. After this, Sarit took over as Prime Minister, and Thanom became his deputy.

Thanom Becomes Prime Minister

Prime Minister Thanom (second from right) at a meeting in Manila in 1966.

Thanom Kittikachorn became Prime Minister again in 1963, right after Sarit Thanarat passed away. He also made himself the commander of the army. A year later, he gave himself the highest ranks in all three military branches: field marshal, admiral of the fleet, and marshal of the air force.

During his time as Prime Minister, Thanom continued to support the United States and was against communism. This policy helped Thailand get a lot of money and support from the US, especially during the Vietnam War.

However, his government faced problems. Many people felt there was a lot of corruption. In 1971, he took a surprising step. He carried out a "self-coup," which means he took power from his own government. He said it was to stop communist threats. He closed down the parliament and ruled as the head of a special council for a year.

In 1972, he became Prime Minister for the fourth time. He also served as the Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs. Thanom, his son Narong, and his son-in-law Praphas Charusathien were often called the "three tyrants" because they held so much power.

People in Thailand became very unhappy. They wanted a new parliament and a return to a government chosen by the people. Student protests grew bigger and bigger. In 1973, these protests led to many days of violence. This forced Thanom and the other "tyrants" to leave the country. They went to live in other countries like the United States and Singapore. After they left, Thailand started to have a more democratic government again.

What Happened After 1973?

In October 1976, Thanom returned to Thailand. He came back as a novice monk and stayed at a temple in Bangkok. He said he would not get involved in politics again. However, his return caused new student protests. These protests moved to Thammasat University.

At that time, some people in Thailand were worried about communism, especially since nearby countries like South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia had recently become communist. On October 6, 1976, some right-wing groups, with help from government security forces, attacked the university campus. Many protesters were hurt or killed. That same evening, the military took control of the government.

Thanom soon left the monkhood. He kept his promise not to go back into politics. Later in his life, he tried to improve his public image and get back some of his property that was taken when his government fell.

In 1999, there was some discussion when Thanom was given an honorary position in the Royal Guard. But Thanom decided to resign from this position himself.

Thanom Kittikachorn passed away on June 16, 2004, at the age of 92 in Bangkok. He had suffered from a stroke and a heart attack. King Bhumibol Adulyadej helped pay for his medical costs. Some people saw this as a thank you because Thanom had agreed to leave the country in 1973 to help end the violence. His funeral was held in 2007, and Queen Sirikit led the ceremony. His wife passed away in 2012.

Honours

Thanom Kittikachorn received many important awards and honours from Thailand and other countries during his lifetime. These awards recognized his long service in the military and as a leader. He received high-ranking orders like the Order of Chula Chom Klao and the Order of Rama from Thailand. He also received honours from countries like the United States (the Legion of Merit), the Philippines (the Order of Sikatuna), and the United Kingdom (the Order of St Michael and St George). These awards showed his importance on the world stage.

Images for kids

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