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Encyclopedia > General Sonthi Boonyaratglin
This article documents a current event.
Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน
Council of National Security
Incumbent
In office since
19 September 2006
Preceded by Thaksin Shinawatra
(as Prime Minister)
Born 2 October 1946
Political party None
Profession Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army
Religion Islam

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin (Thai: สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน, RTGS: Sonthi Bunyaratkalin) (b. 2 October 1946) is Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. He is the first Muslim in charge of the mostly Buddhist army[1]. On 19 September 2006, he became the de facto head of government of Thailand after a coup d'état.[2] Image File history File links Current_event_marker. ... // In politics The incumbent, in politics, is the current holder of a political office. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wikinews has news related to: Thai PM Shinawatra ousted by coup   (Thai: , IPA: ; born July 26, 1949 in Chiang Mai, Thailand with family roots in Meizhou, Guangdong, China), Thai businessman and politician, is the deposed Prime Minister of Thailand and the former leader of the populist Thai Rak Thai party. ... The following is a list of Prime Ministers of Thailand: Phraya Manopakorn Nititada, (1932-1933) General Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena, (1933-1938) Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, (1938-1944) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1944-1945) Tawee Boonyaket, (1945) Seni Pramoj, (1945) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1946) Luang Praditmanutham, (1946) Rear Admiral Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi... October 2 is the 275th day (276th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 90 days remaining. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Royal Thai Army is the army of Thailand. ... Islam (Arabic:  ) is a monotheistic religion based upon the Quran, its principal scripture, whose followers, known as Muslims (مسلم), believe God (Arabic: الله ) sent through revelations to Muhammad. ... Note: This page contains IPA phonetic symbols in Unicode. ... October 2 is the 275th day (276th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 90 days remaining. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Royal Thai Army is the army of Thailand. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Turkish: Müslüman, Persian and Urdu: مسلمان, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of Islam. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... Wikinews has news related to: Category:2006 Thailand coup The 2006 Thailand coup détat took place on Tuesday 19 September 2006, when the Royal Thai Army staged a coup against the government of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. ...

Contents

Education and early career

Sonthi Boonyaratglin graduated from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1969 and was commissioned into the Royal Army Infantry Corps. He went on to lead several top units, including the elite Special Warfare Command based in Lopburi province.[3] The Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (Thai:โรงเรียนนายร้อยพระจุลจอมเกล้า) is the military academy of the Thai army. ... Lopburi is a city in Thailand, capital of the Lopburi province. ...


In August 2004, Sonthi was appointed Deputy Army Commander.[4] Against public expectations, Sonthi was promoted to Army Commander in October 2005. Sonthi's fast rise was backed by retired armed forces Supreme Commander General Surayud Chulanont (with whom he had served while leading the Special Warfare Command) and Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda.[5] Both serve as advisers to King Bhumibol Adulyadej. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... The King of Thailand appoints a Privy Council of advisors. ... General Prem Tinsulanonda (Thai: เปรม ติณสูลานนท์, born August 26, 1920) is a Thai military and prime minister from 1980 till 1988. ... Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ; IPA: ; Royal Institute: Phumiphon Adunyadet;  ) (born December 5, 1927), officially styled the Great (Thai: มหาราช, Maharaja) and also known as Rama IX, is the current King of Thailand. ...


Conflicts with Thaksin Shinawatra

As Army Commander, General Sonthi repeatedly assured the public that the army would not interfere in the political crisis, although he has said that "His Majesty must have been saddened" by the nation's political problems.[6][7] He has also protested Thaksin's unsuccessful attempt to promote a large number of his own former classmates from Class 10 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School to army units responsible for Bangkok's security.[8] The Thailand political crisis 2005-2006 was a series of events which led to the downfall of the Thai government of Thaksin Shinawatra in April 2006. ... The Thailand political crisis 2005-2006 was a series of events which led to the downfall of the Thai government of Thaksin Shinawatra in April 2006. ... The Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Thai: โรงเรียนเตรียมทหาร) is a Thai military academy, providing an education equivalent to the last two years of senior high school (years 11-12). ...


The 2006 annual military reshuffle was delayed due to the political crisis, as caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra denied that he planned to remove Sonthi as Army Commander.[9][10] Despite this, Sonthi consolidating his personal power base by transferring out 129 mid-ranking officers under generals that he thought were loyal to the Prime Minister. Some observers saw this as a message to the Government that Sonthi was still firmly in charge of the Army.[11] Wikinews has news related to: Thai PM Shinawatra ousted by coup   (Thai: , IPA: ; born July 26, 1949 in Chiang Mai, Thailand with family roots in Meizhou, Guangdong, China), Thai businessman and politician, is the deposed Prime Minister of Thailand and the former leader of the populist Thai Rak Thai party. ...


As late as May 2006, Sonthi publicly denied the need for a military coup:

   
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
 Whenever soldiers get involved in politics, it seems that the nation's problems begin to escalate and become worse. Military officers, accordingly, must step back from politics. With that firm and clear stance, I assure everyone that there definitely won't be a coup.[12]
   
Sonthi Boonyaratglin

Image File history File links Cquote1. ... Image File history File links Cquote2. ...

Southern Thailand insurgency

See also: South Thailand insurgency

After being appointed Army Commander in 2005, Sonthi expressed confidence that he could resolve the insurgency. He claimed that he would take a "new and effective" approach to a crisis and that "The army is informed [of who the insurgents are] and will carry out their duties."[13] Sonthi was granted an extraordinary increase in executive powers to combat unrest in the far South.[14] However, up to 19 September 2006, the Army admitted that they had no idea who the insurgents were.[15] The drastic escalation of the insurgency during his leadership of the Army led to much public criticism of Army efforts. Flag of Pattani Raya, a symbol of Pattani separatism The South Thailand insurgency is a separatist campaign centered in the Pattani region, three southern provinces of Thailand, with violence increasingly spilling over into neighbouring provinces and threatening to extend up to the national capital in Bangkok. ... Flag of Pattani Raya, a symbol of Pattani separatism The South Thailand insurgency is a separatist campaign centered in the Pattani region, three southern provinces of Thailand, with violence increasingly spilling over into neighbouring provinces and threatening to extend up to the national capital in Bangkok. ...


While assigned to the South, Sonthi suggested that former communist insurgents might be playing a role in the unrest. Leaders of the southern provinces displayed skepticism over his suggestion and investigations did not reveal any communist link.[16]


Sonthi was also blamed for failing to rescue two teachers who had been severely beaten by a mob in May 2006.[17] One of them, Juling Pangamoon, is still in a coma and attracted fame for being the focus of attention from the royal family of Thailand.[18]


On August 2006 after 22 commercial banks were simultaneously bombed in Yala province, Sonthi announced that he would break with government policy and negotiate with the leaders of the insurgency. However, he noted that "We still don't know who is the real head of the militants we are fighting with."[19] In a press conference the next day, he attacked the government for criticizing him for trying to negotiate with the anonymous insurgents, and demanded that the government "Free the military and let it do the job."[20] Afterwards, insurgents bombed 6 department stores in Hat Yai city, which up until then had been free of insurgent activities. As always, the identity of the insurgents was not revealed. On 8 September, Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya promised to give Sonthi increased powers to better deal with the insurgency.[21] However, by 19 September 2006, the Army admitted that it still was unsure who to negotiate with.[15] Yala (Thai ยะลา) is the southernmost province (changwat) of Thailand. ... The locations of the 2006 Hat Yai bombings The 2006 Hat Yai bombings took place in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, Thailand on September 16, 2006 and are believed to be part of the on-going South Thailand insurgency. ... September 8 is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years). ...


Three days later, Sonthi led a coup against the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Sonthi's former superiors, Deputy Prime Minister for national security Chidchai Vanasatidya and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya were immediately arrested and have been detained ever since. Wikinews has news related to: Thai PM Shinawatra ousted by coup   (Thai: , IPA: ; born July 26, 1949 in Chiang Mai, Thailand with family roots in Meizhou, Guangdong, China), Thai businessman and politician, is the deposed Prime Minister of Thailand and the former leader of the populist Thai Rak Thai party. ... Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayuthaya (Thai:ธรรมรักษ์ อิศรางกูร ณ อยุธยา) is a former Thai military officer, politician, co-founder of the Thai Rak Thai party, and former Defence Minister. ...


Military coup

Main article: 2006 Thailand coup d'état

On 19 September 2006, Sonthi and other military leaders launched a military coup against the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. The coup-makers originally called themselves the Council for Democratic Reform. Tanks surrounded Government House in Bangkok and the military took over all broadcast media. Thaksin Shinawatra declared a state of emergency from New York City (where he had been attending a meeting of the United Nations, but his broadcast was cut in mid-sentence when the military seized the television station. Wikinews has news related to: Category:2006 Thailand coup The 2006 Thailand coup détat took place on Tuesday 19 September 2006, when the Royal Thai Army staged a coup against the government of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wikinews has news related to: Tanks surround government buildings in Bangkok The 2006 Thailand coup attempt is an attempted coup détat by members of the Royal Thai Army against the government of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. ... Wikinews has news related to: Thai PM Shinawatra ousted by coup   (Thai: , IPA: ; born July 26, 1949 in Chiang Mai, Thailand with family roots in Meizhou, Guangdong, China), Thai businessman and politician, is the deposed Prime Minister of Thailand and the former leader of the populist Thai Rak Thai party. ... This article focuses on the military junta that overthrew the elected civilian government of Thailand in the 2006 Thailand coup. ... The Bangkok Skytrain at sunset on Thanon Narathiwat Ratcha Nakharin with Empire Tower at the back. ... Wikinews has news related to: Thai PM Shinawatra ousted by coup   (Thai: , IPA: ; born July 26, 1949 in Chiang Mai, Thailand with family roots in Meizhou, Guangdong, China), Thai businessman and politician, is the deposed Prime Minister of Thailand and the former leader of the populist Thai Rak Thai party. ... Nickname: Big Apple, City that never Sleeps Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ... The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, and social equity. ...


Sonthi dissolved Cabinet, Parliament, and the Constitutional Court, and temporarily gave himself powers equivalent to Prime Minister. He declared that the council would hand over power in two weeks.[22] On the second day of the coup, he received a formal mandate from King Bhumibol Adulyadej.[23] Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ; IPA: ; Royal Institute: Phumiphon Adunyadet;  ) (born December 5, 1927), officially styled the Great (Thai: มหาราช, Maharaja) and also known as Rama IX, is the current King of Thailand. ...


General Sonthi later said in an interview that the coup was originally planned for 20 September, to coincide with a major anti-Thaksin rally also planned for that day. He cited the "Portuguese example" in which anti-government rallies coincided with a successful military rebellion which overthrew King Manuel II of Portugal and established the Portuguese First Republic. The coup was moved up to 19 September, when Thaksin was still in New York. Sonthi also stated that the coup was not an urgent measure mooted just a couple of days earlier. Sonthi also claimed that during a lunch that Thaksin had with the commanders of the armed forces, Thaksin had asked him "Will you stage a coup?" Sonthi replied: "I will."[24] This contradicted earlier public statements where he denied that the military would stage a coup.[25] He also revealed that as early as his 11 September visit to Myanmar, he had been wary of his personal safety. During flight, he carried a conceiled pistol and sat next to the entrance to the cockpit.[26] The revolution of 1910 was a republican coup détat that occurred in Portugal on October 5, 1910, which deposed King Manuel II and established the Portuguese First Republic. ... King Manuel II (r: 1908–1910) Manuel II (English: Emanuel II), the Patriot Port. ... History of Portugal series Prehistoric Portugal Pre-Roman Portugal Roman Lusitania and Gallaecia Visigoths and Suevi Moorish rule and Reconquista First County of Portugal Kingdom of Galicia and Portugal Second County of Portugal Establishment of the Monarchy Consolidation of the Monarchy 1383–1385 Crisis Discoveries Portuguese Empire 1580 Crisis Iberian...


Sonthi and other junta leaders flew to Chiang Mai on a Air Force C-130 on 3 November 2006 to visit a prominent fortune-teller and perform a religious ceremony to ward off bad luck over their staging of the coup. The fortune teller, Varin Buaviratlert, had been Sonthi long-time personal fortune-teller, and had foretold Sonthi's rise to become Army Commander.[27] The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the main tactical air transport aircraft of the United States and UK military forces. ... November 3 is the 307th day of the year (308th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 58 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Quotes

  • "There is nobody who wants to stage a coup. I can assure that the military will not." 28 February 2006[28]
  • "The army will not get involved in the political conflict. Political troubles should be resolved by politicians. Military coups are a thing of the past.", 6 March 2006, [29]
  • "Nobody was behind us. We decided on our own, and we took care of it on our own ... because the people have called for it and also because of the mismanagement of the government.", 20 September 2006[30]
  • "Thaksin is a Thai and a fellow countryman and there will be no problem should he decide to return. We are like brothers.", 20 September 2006[31]

February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 6 is the 65th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (66th in Leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

  1. ^ Thailand Set To Reshuffle Southern Army Commander Again Defense News
  2. ^ Coup chief cites intense conflicts CNN
  3. ^ The Star, Sonthi’s meteoric ascent to power, 21 September 2006
  4. ^ Thailand's military reshuffle officially announced People's Daily Online
  5. ^ The Nation, WARNING FROM SURAYUD: Thaksin's return 'a threat', 28 September 2006
  6. ^ Thai military chief seeking audience with King Bhumibol Taipei Times
  7. ^ Should Thaksin Stay? Times Asia
  8. ^ Thaksin fall from grace Asia Times Online
  9. ^ Thaksin denies planning to remove Thai army chief People's Daily
  10. ^ Thaksin denies planning to remove Thai army chief China View
  11. ^ Thai army chief delivers 'counter punch' to Thaksin Taipei Times
  12. ^ Thai News Agency, "Thai army chief reaffirms non-interference in politics", 18 May 2006
  13. ^ Thailand: Mollifying the Muslim SOBAKA
  14. ^ Army commander's powers to rise: Thai Deputy PM China Economic Net
  15. ^ a b The Bangkok Post, "Deep South: Army wants peace talks but unsure who with", 19 September 2006
  16. ^ Governors to look into Sonthi's claim of communist hand in Southern unrest The Nation
  17. ^ Hostage Taking: Army's image takes beating The Nation
  18. ^ The Nation, "HRH Crown Prince to visit Juling"
  19. ^ Sonthi calls for talks The Nation
  20. ^ The Bangkok Post, Sonthi slams meddling
  21. ^ Army commander's powers to rise: Thai Deputy PM China Economic Net
  22. ^ Thailand coup leader vows new PM in weeks CNN
  23. ^ Thailand's king gives blessing to coup CNN
  24. ^ The Nation, Sonthi told Thaksin he would stage a coup, 27 October 2006
  25. ^ International Herald Tribune, Thaksin refuses to resign despite protests in Bangkok, 6 March 2006
  26. ^ The Nation, Sonthi told Thaksin he would stage a coup, 27 October 2006
  27. ^ Bangkok Post, Coup-Makers Try to Keep Bad Luck At Bay, 4 November 2006
  28. ^ AFP, Thai PM open to concessions, ready to postpone snap polls, 28 February 2006
  29. ^ International Herald Tribune, Thaksin refuses to resign despite protests in Bangkok, 6 March 2006
  30. ^ Thailand military consolidates grip Al Jazeera
  31. ^ Thai coup leader to install new PM in two weeks ABC News

External links

Preceded by:
Pravit Wongsuwan		 Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army
2005–present		 Succeeded by:
Incumbent
Preceded by:
Thaksin Shinawatra (as Prime Minister of Thailand)		 President of the Administrative Reform Council
(de facto head of government)
19th September 2006–1st October 2006		 Succeeded by:
Surayud Chulanont (as Prime Minister of Thailand)
Persondata
NAME Boonyaratglin, Sonthi
ALTERNATIVE NAMES สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน (Thai); Boonyaratkalin, Sondhi (alternate transliteration)
SHORT DESCRIPTION Thai military leader
DATE OF BIRTH 2 October 1946
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH living
PLACE OF DEATH


 
 

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