Sarit Thanarat

Sarit Thanarat was a Thai army officer who seized power in a 1957 coup and ruled as prime minister from 1959 until his death in 1963.

1957 Thai coup d'état: A military coup that removed Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram from power in Thailand in 1957. Sarit led the coup that displaced Phibunsongkhram and brought him to the center of power.
1958 Thai coup d'état: A military coup led by Sarit Thanarat that ended Thailand’s constitution and parliamentary government in 1958. It completed Sarit’s seizure of power after the provisional arrangement following the 1957 coup.
Thai economic development: The transformation of Thailand’s economy through industrialization, infrastructure investment, and expanding private enterprise. Sarit’s government promoted state planning and infrastructure as foundations for economic growth.
Pridi Banomyong: A Thai civilian politician and intellectual associated with constitutionalism and the postwar progressive movement. Pridi’s civilian political vision contrasted with Sarit’s military-centered rule.
Plaek Phibunsongkhram: A Thai military officer and politician who served multiple terms as prime minister, including from 1948 to 1957. Sarit initially cooperated with Phibunsongkhram before helping overthrow him.
Thanom Kittikachorn: A Thai military officer and politician who succeeded Sarit as prime minister in 1963. Thanom carried forward the military government Sarit established.
National Economic Development Board: A Thai government agency established in 1959 to coordinate national economic planning. Its creation gave Sarit’s development agenda an institutional center.
Free Thai Movement: A resistance organization that opposed Japanese occupation and collaboration in Thailand during World War II. Its civilian networks and legacy differed from the military power base Sarit relied on.
Phao Sriyanond: A Thai police general who wielded substantial political power during the postwar governments of Plaek Phibunsongkhram. His rivalry with Sarit shaped the factional struggle preceding the 1957 coup.
Article 17 of Thailand's 1959 Constitution: A constitutional provision that gave Thailand’s prime minister sweeping authority to issue orders and suppress threats to public order. Sarit used its powers to govern by decree and authorize executions.

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