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Sunthorn Kongsompong

20th-century Thai general

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General Sunthorn Kongsompong MPCh MWM ThChW
สุนทร คงสมพงษ์
Prime Minister de facto of Thailand[a]
In office 23 February 1991 – 1 March 1991
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Chatichai Choonhavan (as Prime Minister)
Succeeded by	Anand Panyarachun (as Prime Minister)
Chairman of the National Peacekeeping Council
In office 24 February 1991 – 7 April 1992
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
In office 1 April 1990 – 30 September 1991
Preceded by	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Succeeded by	Suchinda Kraprayoon
Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army
In office 31 March 1990 – 7 April 1992
Preceded by	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Succeeded by	Isarapong Noonpakdee
Personal details
Born	(1931-08-01)1 August 1931 Bangkok, Krung Thep, Siam
Died	2 August 1999(1999-08-02) (aged 68) Bangkok, Thailand
Children	Apirat Kongsompong
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Royal Thai Army
Rank	General Admiral Air Chief Marshal
Commands	Commander-in-Chief Supreme Commander

Sunthorn Kongsompong (Thai: สุนทร คงสมพงษ์, RTGS: Sunthon Khongsomphong, IPA: [sǔn.tʰɔːn kʰoŋ.sǒm.pʰoŋ]; 1 August 1931 – 2 August 1999) was the de facto head of government of Thailand from 1991 to 1992, after a military coup d'etat led by Sunthorn and General Suchinda Kraprayoon deposed the government of Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan on 23 February 1991. The generals accused Chatichai of corruption, and established the National Peacekeeping Council (NPKC) as an interim administration, with Sunthorn as chairman. Anand Panyarachun was appointed prime minister in March 1991, but the administration of the country was also executed by the NPKC.

Sunthorn left the political office following the May 1992 constitution promulgation, which prohibited members of the military from executing the premier's office.^[1]

His son was Apirat Kongsompong, who from 2018 to 2020 was Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army.

Honours[edit]

Royal Decorations[edit]

• 1987 - Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• 1988 - Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 1992 - Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• 1990 - Companion of the Order of Rama
• 1955 - Victory Medal - Korean War
• 1973 - Victory Medal - Vietnam War with flames
• 1988 - Freemen Safeguarding Medal, First Class
• 1989 - Border Service Medal
• 1964 - Chakra Mala Medal
• 1989 - Boy Scout Citation Medal of Vajira, First Class
• 1991 - King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
• 1950 - King Rama IX Coronation Medal

Foreign Honours[edit]

•  South Vietnam :
  • Gallantry Cross With Palm (1970)
  • Armed Forces Honor Medal, First class (1970)
  • Vietnam Campaign Medal (1970)

•  USA :
  • Bronze Star Medal With "V" device (1970)
  • Army Commendation Medal With "V" device and Oak (1970)

•  Malaysia :
  • Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (P.S.M.) (1987)
  • Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (P.G.A.T.) (1991)

•  South Korea :
  • Order of National Security Merit, Tongil Medal (1990)
  • Korea War Service Medal
•  Singapore :
  • Distinguished Service Order (Military) (1991)
•  Japan :
  • Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (1992)
•  UN :
  • United Nations Korea Medal

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

• 2Bangkok.com article about the coup d'etat
• Asiaweek article about estate scandal
• http://www.becnews.com/backissue/f_famous/suntorn-k.html (in Thai)
• http://www.politicalfriendster.com/showPerson.php?id=3803&name=General-Sunthorn-Kongsompong^{[permanent dead link]}

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