Praphas Charusathien
Praphas Charusathien (Thai: ประภาส จารุเสถียร, RTGS::Praphat Charusathian, Thai pronunciation: ; 25 November 1912 – 18 August 1997) was a Thai military officer and politician. He was a field marshal (chom phon) of the Royal Thai Army and minister of interior in the governments of military rulers Sarit Thanarat and Thanom Kittikachorn.
Contents
- 1 Personal life and education
- 2 Family
- 3 Died
- 4 Honours
- 4.1 Foreign honours
- 5 Notes
- 6 References
Personal life and education
Praphas graduated from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and became an infantry officer. He was sponsored by Field Marshal and Prime Minister-to-be Sarit Thanarat. He was quickly promoted to higher ranks. In 1957, Sarit appointed him minister of interior, a position in which he continued to serve after Sarit's death in 1963. The new Prime Minister was Thanom Kittikachorn, whose son married Praphas' daughter. From 1963 to 1973, he was additionally deputy prime minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. During this time, Praphas was the strong man in the background who pulled the strings in the Thanom government. He was known for obscure financial transactions and political intrigues, while sitting on the boards of 44 companies.
In 1973, he was replaced as army commander by General Krit Srivara, which signaled his loss of influence. In October 1973 protests against the rigid military rule grew into a m*ive popular uprising that was answered by a bloody crackdown on the protesting students and democracy activists. The many dead civilians prompted King Bhumibol Adulyadej to intervene. Praphas, Thanom and his son Colonel Narong Kittikachorn went into exile.
Praphas returned to Thailand in January 1977, after the military had ended the democratic interlude in October 1976. However, he was not able to exercise political influence again.
Family
Praphas married to Thanpuying Sawai Jarusathien, daughter of Lt. Von and Huai Panprasit. They have a total of 6 children. Praphas's children were married to important people with military and political power, including Supaadult movie Charusathien married with Narong Kittikachorn son of Thanom Kittikachorn, Orapan Charusathien married with Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Supanapa Charusathien married with Somtat Attanand.
Died
Praphas Charusathien died on 18 August 1997 in Bangkok.
Honours
Foreign honours
- :Malaysia:: Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (1964)
- :Germany :: Grand Cross with Sash and Star of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- :Netherlands: Grand Officer of the Order of Orange-N*au
- :Italy: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- :United States: Commander of the Legion of Merit