Phin Choonhavan (Thai: ผิน ชุณหะวัณ; RTGS: Phin Chunhawan; August 14, 1891 – 26 January 1973) was a Thai military leader and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. Phin was a leader of several coups against the government, most notably the 1947 coup. During the Second World War, he commanded the Phayap Army's 3rd Division before being made military governor of the Shan States, which Thailand had occupied during the Burma Campaign.
Phin Choonhavan | |
|---|---|
ผิน ชุณหะวัณ | |
 Choonhavan in 1953 | |
| Prime Minister de facto of Thailand | |
| In office 8 – 10 November 1947 | |
| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Thawan Thamrongnawasawat (Prime Minister) |
| Succeeded by | Khuang Aphaiwong (Prime Minister) |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 6 December 1951 – 19 April 1956 | |
| Prime Minister | Plaek Phibunsongkhram |
| Preceded by | Sawat Sawatranachai Sawatdikiat |
| Succeeded by | Fuen Ronnaphagrad Ritthakhanee Prayoon Yuthasastrkosol |
| Minister of Agriculture | |
| In office 12 December 1953 – 16 September 1957 | |
| Prime Minister | Plaek Phibunsongkhram |
| Preceded by | Pisan Sunavinvivat |
| Succeeded by | Wiboon Thambutra |
| 15th Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army | |
| In office 28 May 1948 – 23 May 1954 | |
| Preceded by | Adun Adundetcharat |
| Succeeded by | Sarit Thanarat |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 August 1891 Si Muen, Ratchaburi, Siam (now Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram, Thailand) |
| Died | 26 January 1973 (aged 81) Phramongkutklao Hospital, Phaya Thai, Bangkok, Thailand (now Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand) |
| Children | 6, including Chatichai |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Thailand |
| Branch/service |  Royal Thai Army |
| Rank |  Field Marshal[1] Admiral Air Chief Marshal[2] |
| Commands | 3rd infantry division Phayap Army Ministry of Defence Royal Thai Armed Forces |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | Military Governor of the Shan States (1943) |
Phin was the son of a Chinese physician, Kai (Chinese: 開) who migrated to Siam from Chaoshan, as was the father of his wife, Lim Hong (Chinese: 林風), who was also an immigrant from Chenghai Shantou.[3] His son, Chatichai Choonhavan, became Prime Minister of Thailand. His daughter, Udomlak, married Phao Sriyanond, director general of the Thai police. Another daughter, Charoen, married Pramarn Adireksarn, who served as deputy prime minister in several governments.
Honours
editNational Honours
edit
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant
Knight Grand Cordon of The Order of the Crown of Thailand
Victory Medal - Franco-Thai War
Victory Medal - World War II
Safeguarding the Constitution Medal
Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior
Chakra Mala Medal
King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, Second Class
King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
King Rama VI Coronation Medal
King Rama VII Coronation Medal
King Rama IX Coronation Medal
150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal
25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal
Foreign Honours
edit
Kingdom of Laos :
Grand Cross of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol
United States :
Commander of the Legion of Merit
Myanmar :
Grand Commander of the Order of Thiri Thudhamma
References
edit- ^ [1] [bare URL PDF]
- ^ [2] [bare URL PDF]
- ^ [泰国] 洪林, 黎道纲主编 (April 2006). 泰国华侨华人研究. 香港社会科学出版社有限公司. p. 18. ISBN 962-620-127-4.
- Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3
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