Thailand’s 14th Prime Minister dies at 97

Thanin Kraivichien, who was appointed as the country’s premier two days after the October 6, 1976 student massacre, passes away

Thanin Kraivichien, the 14th Prime Minister of Thailand and former president of the Privy Council of Thailand in the reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, died on Sunday. He was 97.

Thanin’s family will announce the schedule for the royal cremation and religious ceremonies later.Born in Bangkok on April 5, 1927, Thanin completed his secondary education at Suankularb Wittayalai School before going on to study law at Thammasat University from where he graduated in 1948.

He then went to the London School of Economics to continue with his law studies. He graduated in 1953, and in 1958 was called to the Bar at Gray's Inn.Thanin played an important role in Thai politics immediately following the Thammasat University massacre on October 6, 1976.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great approved Thanin as interim Prime Minister on October 8, two days after the democratically elected Prime Minister Seni Pramoj was toppled by a military coup led by Admiral Sangad Chaloryu.

Thanin was ousted by Sangad on October 20, 1977, following claims that his government had divided the country and had virtually no public support, the economic situation had worsened, and the general people disagreed with such a long-term suspension of democracy.

However, Thanin was honoured as one of Thailand’s most honest Prime Ministers, as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great immediately appointed Thanin to his Privy Council on December 15, 1977.

(2025/02/24-00:00)