Phin Choonhavan | |
---|---|
![]() Choonhavan in 1953 | |
Native name | ผิน ชุณหะวัณ |
Born | Si Muen, Ratchaburi, Siam (now Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram, Thailand) | 14 August 1891
Died | 26 January 1973 81) Phramongkutklao Hospital, Phaya Thai, Bangkok, Thailand (now Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand) | (aged
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Rank | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Commands held | 3rd infantry division Phayap Army Ministry of Defence Royal Thai Armed Forces |
Battles/wars | |
Children | 6, including Chatichai |
Other work | Military Governor of the Shan States (1943) |
Signature | ![]() |
Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan (Thai: ผิน ชุณหะวัณ; RTGS: Phin Chunhawan; August 14, 1891 – 26 January 1973) was a Thai military leader and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. Phin was a leader of several coups against the government, most notably the 1947 coup. During the Second World War, he commanded the Phayap Army's 3rd Division before being made military governor of the Shan States, which Thailand had occupied during the Burma Campaign.
Phin was the son of a Chinese physician, Kai (Chinese: 開) who migrated to Siam from Chaoshan, as was the father of his wife, Lim Hong (Chinese: 林風), who was also an immigrant from Shantou.[3] His son, Chatichai Choonhavan, became Prime Minister of Thailand. His daughter, Udomlak, married Phao Sriyanond, director general of the Thai police. Another daughter, Charoen, married Pramarn Adireksarn, who served as deputy prime minister in several governments.
Honours
National Honours
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant
Knight Grand Cordon of The Order of the Crown of Thailand
Victory Medal - Franco-Thai War
Victory Medal - World War II
Safeguarding the Constitution Medal
Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior
Chakra Mala Medal
King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, Second Class
King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
King Rama VI Coronation Medal
King Rama VII Coronation Medal
King Rama IX Coronation Medal
150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal
25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal
Foreign Honours
Kingdom of Laos :
Grand Cross of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol
United States :
Commander of the Legion of Merit
Myanmar :
Grand Commander of the Order of Thiri Thudhamma
References
- Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3