| Khattiya Sawasdipol | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Seh Daeng |
| Born | June 2, 1951 |
| Died | May 17, 2010 (aged 58) |
| Allegiance | Thailand |
| Service/branch | Royal Thai Army |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | Internal Security Operations |
Khattiya Sawasdipol (Thai: ขัตติยะ สวัสดิผล; RTGS: Khattiya Sawatdiphon; June 2, 1951 – May 17, 2010), alias Seh Daeng (Thai: เสธ.แดง; RTGS: Se Daeng; English: Red Commander), was a major general in the Royal Thai Army, assigned to the Internal Security Operations Command. He claimed to have helped the United States spy on North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and to have taken part in the CIA-financed "Secret War" against the communists in the Plain of Jars, in Laos. Khattiya disguised himself as a Muslim in order to infiltrate rebel groups in Aceh Indonesia.
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He wrote several best-sellers in the Thai language about his adventures in a series called Khom...Seh Daeng (คม...เสธ.แดง).[1] Khattiya frequently appeared on television talk shows and has had a cult of followers, achieving almost celebrity status. He came into conflict with the Thai police commander, General Seri Temiyavet, during the investigation of a large gambling den in 2006. General Seri filed a libel suit against Khattiya, who was arrested and sentenced to prison for four months.[2] Khattiya subsequently brought a 600 million Baht libel suit against Seri for defamation.
Khattiya made news on October 18, 2008, by announcing "he would mobilise government supporters against any military attempt to seize political power." Khattiya said members of the pro-government Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) would use petrol bombs against tanks and military vehicles taking part in a coup attempt.[3]
Khattiya was reassigned as an aerobics teacher [4] by Gen. Anupong Paochinda, Thai Army commander. Khattiya responded by saying, "The army chief wants me to be a presenter leading aerobics dancers. I have prepared one dance. It's called the 'throwing-a-hand-grenade' dance."
On 14 January 2010, Army Commander Anupong Paochinda ordered a suspension of Khattiya Sawasdipol after an inquiry committee found that Khattiya has supported the DAAD, a political pressure group that called for elections, breaching official disciplines.[5] The following day, Anupong's office in the Royal Thai Army Headquarters was bombed by rockets launched by a M79 rocket launcher, which left the office demolished but no one injured.[6] In this event, Khattiya was described by BBC as a "renegade Thai general who backs anti-government protesters."[7] A backer and part of the protesters' more radical wing, he had accused red-shirt leaders - many of whom have distanced themselves from him - of not being hardline enough.[8]
Khattiya Sawasdipol was shot in the head, apparently by a sniper, at the intersection of the Sala Daeng Sky Train station, on the evening of May 13, 2010 as he was being interviewed by a reporter from the New York Times.[9] Critically wounded, he was admitted to Huachiew hospital. On May 16, 2010, he suffered renal failure and underwent dialysis.[10][11] Khattiya Sawasdipol's death was announced on May 17, 2010 at 9:20 am.[12][13][14]