Sarit Thanarat

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Sarit Thanarat
สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์
Official portrait, c.1960s
11th Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 9 February 1959 – 8 December 1963
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Himself (as Head of the Revolutionary Council)
Succeeded by	Thanom Kittikachorn
Head of the Revolutionary Council (De facto Prime Minister)
In office 20 October 1958 – 9 February 1959
Preceded by	Thanom Kittikachorn
Succeeded by	Himself (as Prime Minister)
In office 16 September 1957 – 21 September 1957
Preceded by	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Succeeded by	Pote Sarasin
Governmental offices Minister of National Development In office 23 May 1963 – 8 December 1963 Prime Minister Himself Preceded by Office established Succeeded by Pote Sarasin Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police In office Acting: 9 February 1959 – 8 December 1963 Preceded by Sawai Saenyakorn Succeeded by Prasert Ruchirawongse Minister of Defence In office 31 March 1957 – 12 September 1957 Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram Preceded by Plaek Phibunsongkhram Succeeded by Thanom Kittikachorn
2nd Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces
In office 27 September 1957 – 8 December 1963
Preceded by	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Succeeded by	Thanom Kittikachorn
Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army
In office 23 June 1954 – 8 December 1963
Preceded by	Phin Choonhavan
Succeeded by	Thanom Kittikachorn
Personal details
Born	Siri[a] (1908-06-16)16 June 1908 Phra Nakhon, Siam
Died	8 December 1963(1963-12-08) (aged 55) Bangkok, Thailand
Political party	National Socialist Party (1957)
Other political affiliations	Seri Manangkhasila Party (1955)
Spouse	4 (81 mistresses)
Children	7 (1 adopted)
Alma mater	Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Profession	Army officer politician
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Royal Thai Army
Years of service	1928–1963
Rank	Field Marshal[1] Admiral of the Fleet[2] Marshal of the Air Force
Commands	Supreme Commander
Battles/wars	Boworadet Rebellion World War II Pacific War Palace Rebellion
Sarit Thanarat's voice Thanarat's statement on National Radio about Preah Vihear dispute Recorded 4 July 1962

Sarit Thanarat (Thai: สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ [sā.rìt tʰā.ná.rát]; alternatively transcribed as Dhanarajata; 16 June 1908 – 8 December 1963) was a Thai politician and military commander. He served as commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army (from 1954) and as Minister of Defense during Plaek Phibunsongkhram's premiership. In 1957, he became chief of a military junta after leading a coup in which Phibun was overthrown. Sarit lasted the de facto prime minister only five days before was replaced by Pote Sarasin, but assumed power again as the head of the Revolutionary Council after 1958 coup and then as the eleventh Prime Minister of Thailand in February 1959 until he died in 1963.

Born in Phra Nakhon province (now Bangkok) and raised in Mukdahan, Sarit graduated from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1928 and began his military career as a second lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry Division. He first gained recognition during the Boworadet Rebellion, where he commanded government forces under Plaek Phibunsongkhram. During World War II, he participated in the Burma campaign, leading forces in the invasion of the Shan State under General Phin Choonhavan. Known for his strict discipline and effective leadership, Sarit quickly rose through the ranks and established himself as a prominent figure within the military after the war.

After the 1947 coup d'état, Sarit became a key political figure in Phibun's government and played an active role in suppressing the Palace Rebellion of 1949. By the 1950s, Sarit emerged as a central figure in the "Triumvirate" alongside Phao Siyanon and Phibun, as they competed for dominance in Thai politics. Sarit's influence grew significantly after the February 1957 election crisis, during which he led a coup that ousted Phibun and temporarily assumed leadership as the head of the Revolutionary Council. Although he initially restored power to civilian authorities, Sarit launched another coup in 1958, consolidating power and officially becoming Prime Minister.

As Prime Minister, Sarit established a highly centralized and authoritarian government. He suspended the constitution, dissolved parliament, and banned political parties, consolidating all power in his hands. Sarit emphasized modernization and economic development, focusing on Infrastructure, agriculture, and industrialization. His government received substantial support from the United States, as it aligned itself with the anti-communist bloc during the Cold War. Domestically, Sarit promoted a strong sense of Thai nationalism and emphasized the importance of the monarchy, which became central to his administration's legitimacy.

Sarit’s legacy remains significant and controversial. He is credited with stabilizing Thailand during a period of turbulence and implementing policies that fostered economic growth and modernization. However, his regime was also characterized by authoritarianism, corruption, and political repression. Sarit’s efforts to elevate the monarchy's role in politics have had a lasting impact on Thailand’s political structure and influencing subsequent military-led government.

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