Chaiyasit Shinawatra

Chaiyasit Shinawatra (Template:Langx; Template:RTGS; born 25 June 1945) is a former commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army.<ref>Nation staff. August 25, 2006. "Former Army chief sues Sondhi" Template:Webarchive, The Nation (retrieved September 20, 2006).</ref>

He was transferred from the army to become a special advisor to the Supreme Command Headquarters under the administration of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai.<ref>The Nation (Thailand), Thaksin cousin tipped for No 2 spot Template:Webarchive - 2002-08-21</ref> In August 2001, Chaiyasit was promoted to deputy commander of the Armed Forces Development Command.<ref>The Nation (Thailand), Reshuffle seen as less political Template:Webarchive - 2001-08-09</ref> In August 2002, he was promoted to the post of deputy commander-in-chief.

As a cousin of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his unexpected appointment was criticised as an act of nepotism. Both Chaiyasit and the Defence Minister, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, denied accusations of nepotism: "If I'm appointed to a significant post in the Army because of my connection with the prime minister, I won't have any friends left in the armed forces," said Chaiyasit. He said that Thaksin would not interfere with any high-level military reshuffles: "It's a shame that the prime minister's name was tainted by such a groundless rumour."<ref>The Nation (Thailand), Chaiyasit transfer "not PM's idea" Template:Webarchive - 2002-08-08</ref>

He replaced General Surayud Chulanont, who was promoted to become supreme commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, as commander-in-chief in August 2003.<ref>The Nation (Thailand), Chaiyasit, PM’s power base more solid than ever Template:Webarchive - 2003-08-31</ref>

He was replaced as army chief in 2004, succeeded by Prawit Wongsuwan,<ref>Nation staff. August 25, 2004. "MILITARY RE-SHUFFLE: Chaisit out, Prawit ascends" Template:Webarchive, The Nation {retrieved September 20, 2006).</ref><ref>Nation staff. August 25, 2004. "Prawit, a battle-hardened leader" Template:Webarchive, The Nation (retrieved September 20, 2006).</ref> and was transferred to Supreme Command. Chaisit was then replaced as supreme commander in 2005, succeeded by General Ruangroj Mararanont.<ref>Nation staff. September 8, 2005. "Long-delayed military reshuffle approved" Template:Webarchive, The Nation (retrieved September 20, 2006).</ref>

Honours

Royal Decorations

• Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant
• Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown of Thailand
• Error creating thumbnail: Freemen Safeguarding Medal - Second Class, Second Category
• File:Border Service Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg Border Service Medal
• File:Chakra Mala Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg Chakra Mala Medal

Foreign Honours

• Template:Flag :
  • File:Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) ribbon.svg Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)
  • File:Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) ribbon.svg Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)
• Template:Flag :
  • File:Order of Orange-Nassau ribbon - Grand Officer.svg Grand Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau