Sonthi Boonyaratkalin
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General Sonthi Boonyaratglin |
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|---|---|
| สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน | |
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| President of the Administrative Reform Council of Thailand | |
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In office 19 September 2006 – 1 October 2006 |
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| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Thaksin Shinawatra (Prime Minister) |
| Succeeded by | Surayud Chulanont (Prime Minister) |
| Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army |
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In office 1 October 2005 – 30 September 2007 |
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| Prime Minister | Thaksin Shinawatra |
| Preceded by | Prawit Wongsuwan |
| Succeeded by | Anupong Paochinda |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
2 October 1946 Pathum Thani, Thailand |
| Political party | Matubhum Party (2009-present) |
| Spouse(s) | Sukanya Boonyaratglin Piyada Boonyaratglin |
| Alma mater |
Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy |
| Profession | Soldier |
| Religion | Islam |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Thailand
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| Service/branch |
 Royal Thai Army
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| Years of service | 1969–2007 |
| Rank |
 General
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| Commands | Commander-in-Chief |
| Battles/wars |
Vietnam War South Thailand insurgency |
General (Ret.) Sonthi Boonyaratglin (Thai: สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน, rtgs: Sonthi Bunyaratkalin) (born 2 October 1946) is former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for National Security, the military junta that ruled the kingdom. He was the first Muslim in charge of the army of the mostly Buddhist country. On 19 September 2006, he became the de facto head of government of Thailand after overthrowing the elected government in a coup d'état. After retiring from the Army in 2007, he became Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of national security.
Sonthi is a multimillionaire and has two wives, Sukanya and Piyada, despite legal prohibitions against bigamy.
Sonthi Boonyaratglin graduated from the 6th Class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. He graduated from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1969 as part of Class 17 and was commissioned into the Royal Army Infantry Corps. He went on to lead several top units, including the elite Special Warfare Command based in Lopburi province.
In August 2004, Sonthi was appointed Deputy Army Commander. Against public expectations, Sonthi was promoted to Army Commander in October 2005. Sonthi's fast rise was backed by retired armed forces Supreme Commander General Surayud Chulanont (with whom he had served while leading the Special Warfare Command) and Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda. Both serve as advisers to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
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