Surayud Chulanont

Surayud Chulanont
Ministry of External Affairs · GODL-India · source
Name	Surayud Chulanont
Native name	สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์
Birth date	28 August 1943
Birth place	Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Nationality	Thailand
Occupation	Royal Thai Army officer; politician
Office	Prime Minister of Thailand
Term start	1 October 2006
Term end	29 January 2008
Predecessor	Thaksin Shinawatra
Successor	Samak Sundaravej

Surayud Chulanont (born 28 August 1943) is a retired Royal Thai Army general and Thai statesman who served as Prime Minister of Thailand from 2006 to 2008 following the 2006 Thai coup d'état. A career military officer and member of Thailand’s Privy Council of the King, he played roles in interactions with figures such as Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thaksin Shinawatra, Prem Tinsulanonda, and institutions including the Royal Thai Armed Forces, National Legislative Assembly (Thailand), and Democrat Party (Thailand).

Early life and education

Surayud was born in Surat Thani Province, Thailand, and attended Wat Benchamabophit and Rajini School before entering military education at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and the Command and General Staff College (Thailand), later undertaking courses at National Defence College (Thailand), the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and training exchanges with the United States Armed Forces and the British Army. His education linked him to networks including alumni of Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy such as Prem Tinsulanonda and Sonthi Boonyaratglin, and institutions like Ministry of Defence (Thailand) and the Royal Thai Police.

Military career

Surayud rose through the ranks of the Royal Thai Army holding commands in units such as the 2nd Infantry Division (Thailand), the Rapid Deployment Force (Thailand), and the Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Command, serving in operational theaters during periods involving the Communist Party of Thailand insurgency and border security issues related to Cambodia–Thailand border disputes. He held senior staff positions at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, served as Chief of the Royal Thai Army, and was Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. His career intersected with leaders such as Anand Panyarachun, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, and Surayud Chulanont's contemporaries in regional security dialogues with ASEAN and partnering militaries like the United States Pacific Command.

Political career

After retirement from active duty, Surayud served on the Privy Council of the King under Bhumibol Adulyadej and engaged with political figures across factions including Thaksin Shinawatra and the People's Alliance for Democracy. He participated in advisory roles connected to institutions such as the National Legislative Assembly (Thailand), the Constitutional Court of Thailand, and consultative bodies linked to King Vajiralongkorn's royal institutions. Surayud was associated with public discussions involving the 2005–2006 Thai political crisis, the Thai Rak Thai Party, the Democrat Party (Thailand), and movements including the Yellow Shirts (PAD).

Premiership (Prime Minister, 2006–2008)

Following the 2006 Thai coup d'état that deposed Thaksin Shinawatra, Surayud was appointed to lead a Council for National Security (Thailand)-backed interim government, taking office as Prime Minister of Thailand in October 2006. His cabinet faced crises including debates on the Constitutional Tribunal of Thailand rulings, reconciliation with the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (the Red Shirts), and security operations in the South Thailand insurgency in provinces like Yala Province, Pattani Province, and Narathiwat Province. Policy actions included attempts at judicial and administrative reform, engagement with international partners such as United States–Thailand relations, Japan–Thailand relations, and regional dialogues in ASEAN, as well as economic measures responding to trends in World Bank and International Monetary Fund analyses. His tenure included clashes with opponents including supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra and legal challenges involving the Constitution of Thailand (1997) legacy and subsequent constitutional drafting processes.

Post-premiership activities and legacy

After leaving the premiership in 2008, Surayud continued as a member of the Privy Council of the King and remained an influential figure in debates over civil-military relations involving figures like Anupong Paochinda and Sonthi Boonyaratglin. His legacy is contested between analysts in think tanks such as ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, commentators from The Nation (Thailand) and Bangkok Post, and international observers including scholars from Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, and Harvard University. Surayud's role in the 2006 Thai coup d'état and subsequent transitional government is frequently cited in studies of Thai politics alongside events such as the 2010 Thai political protests, the 2014 Thai coup d'état, and constitutional developments culminating in the Constitution of Thailand (2007). His public statements and appointments continue to inform discussions about monarchy-related institutions, civil-military boundaries, and political reconciliation involving parties such as Palang Pracharath Party and movements like the Red Shirts (UDD).

Category:Prime Ministers of Thailand Category:Thai generals Category:1943 births Category:Living people