Admiral Sangad Chaloryu (Thai: สงัด ชลออยู่; RTGS: Sa-ngat Chaloyu; 4 March 1915 – 23 November 1980) was a Thai admiral and politician who served as head of the National Administrative Reform Council (NARC), a military junta that ruled Thailand from 1976 to 1980.[3][4]
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Sangad Chaloryu
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สงัด ชลออยู่
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| Prime Minister de facto of Thailand | |
| In office 20 October 1977 – 10 November 1977 | |
| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Thanin Kraivichien (Prime Minister) |
| Succeeded by | Kriangsak Chamanan (Prime Minister) |
| In office 6 October 1976 – 8 October 1976 | |
| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Preceded by | Seni Pramoj (Prime Minister) |
| Succeeded by | Thanin Kraivichien (Prime Minister) |
| Head of the National Administrative Reform Council | |
| In office 22 October 1976 – 20 October 1977 | |
| Prime Minister | Thanin Kraivichien |
| Preceded by | Seni Pramoj |
| Succeeded by | Lek Neawmalee |
| Minister of Defense | |
| In office 5 October 1976 – 6 October 1976 | |
| Prime Minister | Seni Pramoj |
| Preceded by | Seni Pramoj |
| Succeeded by | Lek Neawmalee |
| Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces | |
| In office 1 October 1975 – 30 September 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Kris Sivara |
| Succeeded by | Kamon Dechatungkha |
| Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy | |
| In office 19 November 1973 – 30 September 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Cherdchai Thomya |
| Succeeded by | Amorn Sirigaya |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1915-03-04)4 March 1915 Suphan Buri, Nakhon Chai Si, Siam (now Doem Bang Nang Buat, Suphan Buri, Thailand) |
| Died | 23 November 1980(1980-11-23) (aged 65) Klaeng Hospital, Klaeng, Rayong, Thailand |
| Spouse | Sukon Chaloryu |
| Alma mater | Royal Thai Naval Academy |
| Profession |
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| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Thailand |
| Branch/service |
 RTARF |
| Years of service | 1933–1977 |
| Rank |  General  Admiral[1] Air Chief Marshal[2] |
| Commands |
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Sangad studied at the Vichaibamrungraj SchoolinChai Nat Province and then moved to Uthai Witthayakhom School in Uthai Thani Province. He later moved to Bangkok to study in Bansomdejchaopraya School in the navy district Thon Buri District. After graduating from high school, he studied at the Royal Thai Naval Academy, and continued his studies at the National Defence College of Thailand and Naval War College.[5]
Sangad was considered to be a right-wing hawk and close to the CIA. In the 1930s as a young Naval Midshipman, he had trained in Nazi Germany in radar operations. [citation needed] As commander of a naval flotilla in 1954, he helped French Marines and elite forces escape from Vietnam after Hanoi was overrun by the Vietminh. He also held the important positions of Submarine Squadron Commander, Assistant Chief of Staff (operation), Commander of the Royal Thai Fleet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, and Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy then Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.[6][7]
As defense minister, Sangad led the coup of October 6, 1976.[8] This coup ousted the elected civilian government of Seni Pramoj. Sangad became chairman of NARC, which appointed royal favorite Thanin Kraivichien as Prime Minister. The Thanin government instituted sweeping purges of leftists and communists. Sangad was a figurehead and Army Secretary Kriangsak Chomanan was NARC's most influential figure. In October 1977, NARC staged a second coup (this time without the king's consent), and replaced Thanin with Kriangsak.[9][10]
Sangad died from a heart attack on 23 November 1980 at Klaeng District Hospital, Rayong Province, at age 65 years.[13][14]
received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:
Knight Grand Cordon of The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
Knight Grand Cordon of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand[15]
Knight Grand Commander of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao[16]
Victory Medal - Franco-Thai War
Victory Medal - World War II
Victory Medal - Korean War
Freeman Safeguarding Medal, 1st Class
Border Service Medal
Chakra Mala Medal
King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, 3rd Class
25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal
UN :
Taiwan :
Order of the Cloud and Banner, 9th Class
Order of Precious Tripod with Grand Cordon
South Korea :
Order of National Security Merit,Tong-il Medal
Indonesia :
Navy Meritorious Service Star, Utama Class
USA :
Commander of the Legion of Merit| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Choetchai Thomya |
Navy chief Nov. 19, 1973 – Sept. 30, 1975 |
Succeeded by Amorn Sirikaya |
| Preceded by | Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Oct. 1, 1975 – Oct. 1, 1976 |
Succeeded by Kamon Dachatungkha |
| Preceded by | Minister of Defense Oct. 5, 1976 – Oct. 20, 1977 |
Succeeded by Lek Naeomali |
