Thanom Kittikachorn
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Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn PChW SR MPCh MWM |
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|---|---|
| ถนอม กิตติขจร | |
 |
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| 10th Prime Minister of Thailand | |
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In office 9 December 1963 – 14 October 1973 |
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| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Sarit Thanarat |
| Succeeded by | Sanya Dharmasakti |
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In office 1 January 1958 – 20 October 1958 |
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| Preceded by | Pote Sarasin |
| Succeeded by | Sarit Thanarat |
| Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army | |
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In office 11 December 1963 – 1 October 1964 |
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| Preceded by | Sarit Thanarat |
| Succeeded by | Praphas Charusathien |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
11 August 1911 Tak, Tak, Siam |
| Died | 16 June 2004 (aged 92) Bangkok, Thailand |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Spouse(s) | Jongkol Thanad-rob |
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | Royal Thai Army |
| Years of service | 1929–1973 |
| Rank |
 Field Marshal (Chom-phol) |
| Commands | Supreme Commander |
| Battles/wars |
Franco-Thai War World War II |
Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn (Thai ถนอม กิตติขจร, Thai pronunciation: [tʰànɔ̌ːm kìttìkʰat͡ɕɔ̌ːn]; 11 August 1911 – 16 June 2004) was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down. His return from exile in 1976 sparked protests which led to a massacre of demonstrators, followed by a military coup.
Thanom Kittikachorn was born in Tak Province to Khun (ขุน) Sopitbannaraksa (Amphan Kittikachorn) and his wife, Mrs Linchee Kittikachorn. His family was of Thai-Chinese descent. He attended Wat Koak Plu Municipal School, then was admitted to the Army Cadet Academy. After receiving his commission, he reported for duty with Infantry Regiment VII in Chiang Mai. Thanom later studied at the Cartography School and the Infantry School, and graduated from the National Defense College in its first class.
After serving in the Shan States of Burma during World War II, then Lieutenant Colonel Thanom took part in a successful 1947 coup headed by Colonel Sarit Thanarat. He became a regimental commander and was head of the Lopburi military department. He was soon promoted to colonel, commanding the 11th Infantry Division. Thanom was appointed a member of parliament in 1951, his first political role. He was promoted to major general the same year.
In February 1953, Thanom led the suppression of a rebellion against military rule, and was rewarded with promotion to lieutenant general. He represented Thailand at the ceremony to mark the end of the Korean War in July 1953 and was later promoted as commander of the 1st Region Army.
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