Kriangsak Chomanan

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Kriangsak Chomanan
เกรียงศักดิ์ ชมะนันท์
Kriangsak Chomanan

In office
November 11, 1977 – March 3, 1980
Preceded by Tanin Kraivixien
Succeeded by Prem Tinsulanonda

Born 17 December 1917(1917-12-17)
Died 23 December 2003 (aged 86)
Nationality Thai
Spouse Wirat Chomanan

General Kriangsak Chomanan (17 December 191723 December 2003) served as prime minister of Thailand from 1977 to 1980.

A professional soldier, General Kriangsak fought in the Korean War as well as in Vietnam. In 1977, while the Supreme Commander of the Thai army, he staged a successful coup d'etat against prime minister Tanin Kraivixien.

General Kriangsak is widely credited for quelling a long-running Communist insurgency in northern Thailand. Reportedly, he allowed the Chinese to ship arms to the rebel Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in exchange for China withdrawing its support of the rebels, although this is denied by the Thai government, which cites his offer of amnesty as the primary reason.

General Kriangsak voluntarily retired in February 1980 and was succeeded by General Prem Tinsulanonda.

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Preceded by
Tanin Kraivixien
Prime Minister of Thailand
1977–1980
Succeeded by
Prem Tinsulanonda
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