Sunthorn Kongsompong

Sunthorn Kongsompong (also written as Sundhara;Template:Efn 1 August 1931 – 2 August 1999) was the de facto prime minister 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 Peace Keeping 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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

Honours

Royal Decorations

• 1987 - File:Order of the White Elephant - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• 1988 - File:Order of the Crown of Thailand - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 1992 - File:Order of Chula Chom Klao - 2nd Class upper (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• 1990 - File:Order of Rama 4th Class ribbon.svg Companion of the Order of Rama
• 1955 - File:Victory Medal - Korean War (Thailand) ribbon.svg Victory Medal - Korean War
• 1973 - File:Victory Medal - Vietnam War with flames (Thailand) ribbon.svg Victory Medal - Vietnam War with flames
• 1988 - File:Freeman Safeguarding Medal - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Freemen Safeguarding Medal, First Class
• 1989 - File:Border Service Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg Border Service Medal
• 1964 - File:Chakra Mala Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg Chakra Mala Medal
• 1989 - File:The Boy Scout Citation Medal - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Boy Scout Citation Medal of Vajira, First Class
• 1991 - File:King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
• 1950 - File:King Rama IX Coronation Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama IX Coronation Medal

Foreign Honours

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  • File:Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with palm.svg Gallantry Cross With Palm (1970)
  • File:Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon-First Class.svg Armed Forces Honor Medal, First class (1970)
  • File:Civil Action Unit Citation.png Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation (1970)
  • File:Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon, with 60- clasp.svg Vietnam Campaign Medal (1970)
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  • File:Bronze Star Medal ribbon with "V" device, 3rd award.svg Bronze Star Medal With "V" device (1970)
  • File:Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Army Commendation Medal With "V" device and Oak (1970)
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  • File:Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia - PSM.svg Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (P.S.M.) (1987)
  • File:The Gallant Order of Military Service - Courageous Commander (Malaysia).svg Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (P.G.A.T.) (1991)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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  • File:Tong-il Security Medal Ribbon.svg Order of National Security Merit, Tongil Medal (1990)
  • File:Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon.svg Korea War Service Medal
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  • File:Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) ribbon.png Distinguished Service Order (Military) (1991)
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  • File:JPN Zuiho-sho (WW2) 1Class BAR.svg Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (1992)
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  • File:Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama rib.svg Grand Meritorious Military Order Star, 1st Class
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  • File:United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg United Nations Korea Medal

References

• 2Bangkok.com article about the coup d'etat
• Asiaweek article about estate scandal
• http://www.becnews.com/backissue/f_famous/suntorn-k.html Template:Webarchive (in Thai)
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