Latest news with #SuchindaKraprayoon
New York Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Suchinda Kraprayoon, Thai Leader Who Set Off Bloody Protests, Dies at 91
Suchinda Kraprayoon, a prime minister of Thailand who seized power in a military coup, then violently cracked down on pro-democracy protests in 1992, events that came to be known as Black May, died on June 10 in Bangkok. He was 91. His death, in a hospital, was reported by the Thai News Agency. Mr. Suchinda's brief tenure as prime minister, from which he resigned in humiliation after just 48 days, was a pivot point in modern Thai history. His leadership was considered such a disaster that it quelled the military's appetite to overtly interfere in government for more than a decade, an unusual interlude in a nation long dominated by the armed forces. A charismatic Army general who became a short-fused politician, Mr. Suchinda was the nation's supreme military commander in February 1991, when he helped engineer a bloodless coup against a civilian government, some of whose ministers were notorious for corruption. It was the 17th military coup or attempted coup in Thailand in six decades. After the coup, Mr. Suchinda publicly promised that he would not take the job of prime minister, yet he did just that in April 1992, after being nominated by a pro-military coalition in the legislature. Opponents called his appointment 'Suchinda's second coup.' Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Bangkok beginning on May 17. Troops loyal to the government sprayed the unarmed crowd with automatic rifle fire. The lobby of the Royal Hotel in the city's historic center became a makeshift surgical ward, where at least 10 people were reported to have died on one given night. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand's former Prime Minister Suchinda Kraprayoon, who cracked down on 1992 protests, dies at 91
FILE PHOTO: Government soldiers stand over pro-democracy protesters demanding the resignation of Suchinda Kraprayoon, who surrendered after they moved in firing automatic weapons in the air in an attempt to clear the area near Phan Fa Bridge in Bangkok, May 18, 1992. AP Photo BANGKOK: Suchinda Kraprayoon, an army commander in Thailand who in 1992 followed the South-East Asian nation's tradition of military strongmen assuming the reins of government, died Tuesday (June 10) at age 91, the state Thai News Agency reported. Suchinda, who served just under seven weeks as prime minister, became one of the country's most reviled politicians after the military used lethal force to quash protests alleging he took office by undemocratic means. The episode became known as "Black May.' The violence, during which 52 people were killed according to an official count, ended only when the country's revered monarch, then-King Bhumibol Adulyadej, summoned Suchinda and protest leader Chamlong Srimuang for a scolding on a live television broadcast. Suchinda stepped down and exited politics, living generally out of the public eye. He was respected by fellow officers and named chairman of a major Thai telecoms company. He began his military career by attending Chulachomklao Military Academy, Thailand's West Point, and did two study tours in the United States. He served a stint in a Thai unit supporting the US war effort in Vietnam and was an assistant military attache in 1971 at the Thai Embassy in Washington. A 1985 appointment as assistant chief of staff for operations put him on track to be appointed army commander, which he achieved in March 1990. He then rose to become prime minister a year after leading a February 1991 coup ousting the elected government of Chatichai Choonhaven, whose ruling coalition was dubbed the "buffet Cabinet' because its members were seen as feeding on the spoils of power. Although Suchinda was one of four deputy leaders of the junta that took over, he was arguably more influential than its official leader, Gen. Sunthorn Kongsompong. The junta got credit for appointing qualified technocrats to serve in its interim Cabinet and for holding an election in March 1992. Five parties that won a majority of seats nominated Narong Wongwan, a wealthy businessman and member of Parliament, to be prime minister. His nomination was withdrawn after the United States caused a controversy by saying it had refused him a visa because of suspected links to drug trafficking. The five parties then selected Suchinda as their candidate, and he became Thailand's 19th prime minister. A protest movement immediately took hold and grew rapidly. The confrontation escalated into violence by May 17, with running street battles, the burning of public property and troops opening fire on unarmed protesters. When King Bhumibol on May 20 summoned Suchinda and his main critic Chamlong to tell them to end the violence, Suchinda's position became untenable. After the king signed an amnesty covering both sides in the conflict, he resigned. - AP
South China Morning Post
10-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Ex-Thai PM Suchinda Kraprayoon, who cracked down on 1992 protests, dies at 91
Suchinda Kraprayoon, an army commander in Thailand who in 1992 followed the Southeast Asian nation's tradition of military strongmen assuming the reins of government, died on Tuesday at the age of 91, the state Thai News Agency reported. Suchinda, who served just under seven weeks as prime minister, became one of the country's most reviled politicians after the military used lethal force to quash protests alleging he took office by undemocratic means. The episode became known as 'Black May'. The violence, during which 52 people were killed according to an official count, ended only when the country's revered monarch, then-King Bhumibol Adulyadej, summoned Suchinda and protest leader Chamlong Srimuang for a scolding on a live television broadcast. Suchinda stepped down and exited politics, living generally out of the public eye. He was respected by fellow officers and named chairman of a major Thai telecoms company. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (right) urges Suchinda Kraprayoon (centre) and protest leader Chamlong Srimuang (left) to negotiate a settlement and avoid violence at the Royal Palace in Bangkok in May 1992. Photo: AFP He began his military career by attending Chulachomklao Military Academy, Thailand's West Point, and did two study tours in the United States. He served a stint in a Thai unit supporting the US war effort in Vietnam, and was an assistant military attaché in 1971 at the Thai embassy in Washington.
South China Morning Post
10-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Ex-Thai PM Suchinda Kraprayoon, who cracked down on 1992 protests, dies at 91
Suchinda Kraprayoon, an army commander in Thailand who in 1992 followed the Southeast Asian nation's tradition of military strongmen assuming the reins of government, died on Tuesday at the age of 91, the state Thai News Agency reported. Suchinda, who served just under seven weeks as prime minister, became one of the country's most reviled politicians after the military used lethal force to quash protests alleging he took office by undemocratic means. The episode became known as 'Black May'. The violence, during which 52 people were killed according to an official count, ended only when the country's revered monarch, then-King Bhumibol Adulyadej, summoned Suchinda and protest leader Chamlong Srimuang for a scolding on a live television broadcast. Suchinda stepped down and exited politics, living generally out of the public eye. He was respected by fellow officers and named chairman of a major Thai telecoms company. Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (right) urges Suchinda Kraprayoon (centre) and protest leader Chamlong Srimuang (left) to negotiate a settlement and avoid violence at the Royal Palace in Bangkok in May 1992. Photo: AFP He began his military career by attending Chulachomklao Military Academy, Thailand's West Point, and did two study tours in the United States. He served a stint in a Thai unit supporting the US war effort in Vietnam, and was an assistant military attaché in 1971 at the Thai embassy in Washington.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thailand's former Prime Minister Suchinda Kraprayoon, who cracked down on 1992 protests, dies at 91
BANGKOK (AP) — Suchinda Kraprayoon, an army commander in Thailand who in 1992 followed the Southeast Asian nation's tradition of military strongmen assuming the reins of government, died Tuesday at age 91, the state Thai News Agency reported. Suchinda, who served just under seven weeks as prime minister, became one of the country's most reviled politicians after the military used lethal force to quash protests alleging he took office by undemocratic means. The episode became known as 'Black May.' The violence, during which 52 people were killed according to an official count, ended only when the country's revered monarch, then-King Bhumibol Adulyadej, summoned Suchinda and protest leader Chamlong Srimuang for a scolding on a live television broadcast. Suchinda stepped down and exited politics, living generally out of the public eye. He was respected by fellow officers and named chairman of a major Thai telecoms company. He began his military career by attending Chulachomklao Military Academy, Thailand's West Point, and did two study tours in the United States. He served a stint in a Thai unit supporting the U.S. war effort in Vietnam and was an assistant military attache in 1971 at the Thai Embassy in Washington. A 1985 appointment as assistant chief of staff for operations put him on track to be appointed army commander, which he achieved in March 1990. He then rose to become prime minister a year after leading a February 1991 coup ousting the elected government of Chatichai Choonhaven, whose ruling coalition was dubbed the 'buffet Cabinet' because its members were seen as feeding on the spoils of power. Although Suchinda was one of four deputy leaders of the junta that took over, he was arguably more influential than its official leader, Gen. Sunthorn Kongsompong. The junta got credit for appointing qualified technocrats to serve in its interim Cabinet and for holding an election in March 1992. Five parties that won a majority of seats nominated Narong Wongwan, a wealthy businessman and member of Parliament, to be prime minister. His nomination was withdrawn after the United States caused a controversy by saying it had refused him a visa because of suspected links to drug trafficking. The five parties then selected Suchinda as their candidate, and he became Thailand's 19th prime minister. A protest movement immediately took hold and grew rapidly. The confrontation escalated into violence by May 17, with running street battles, the burning of public property and troops opening fire on unarmed protesters. When King Bhumibol on May 20 summoned Suchinda and his main critic Chamlong to tell them to end the violence, Suchinda's position became untenable. After the king signed an amnesty covering both sides in the conflict, he resigned.
