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Sonthi BunyaratglinCommander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army
Date of Birth: 01.01.1946
Country:  Thailand |
Content:
Early Life and Military Career
Sonthi Boonyaratglin, born in 1946, hails from an influential family with close ties to the royal court. After graduating from the prestigious Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1969, he underwent further training in the United States. Sonthi served in Vietnam as part of the Thai contingent and later became a member of elite special forces units. He eventually rose to command the Special Warfare Command.
Rise to Army Commander
In October 2005, Sonthi made history by becoming the first Muslim to hold the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. This appointment was seen as a compromise between Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and influential royal advisers.
Strained Relations with Thaksin
Relations between Sonthi and Thaksin deteriorated over time. Sonthi refused to commit troops to quell anti-Thaksin protests in July 2006 and began replacing the prime minister's appointees with his own. A major point of contention was the ongoing insurgency in southern Thailand. Sonthi, whom Thaksin had put in charge of resolving the crisis, advocated for negotiations with Muslim rebels, but the prime minister ignored his advice, resulting in continued bloodshed.
2006 Coup d'État
On September 19, 2006, Sonthi led a bloodless military coup d'état. He established a provisional Council for Political Reform, suspended the constitution, and imposed martial law. The junta leaders promised to appoint a new prime minister within two weeks and eventually return power to the people. Though Sonthi had not previously exhibited political ambitions, potential reasons for the coup included Thaksin's plans to declare a state of emergency or make further changes to the military's leadership.
