# Thanom Kittikachorn

_Prime Minister of Thailand from 1958 and 1963 to 1973_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/thanom-kittikachorn
Last updated: 2026-11-02

> Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was Prime Minister of Thailand from 1963 to 1973. Prior to taking office, he supported and initiated military coups and served as Thailand's defence minister. He was forced to step down after public protests which exploded into violence in 1973. His return from exile in 1976 sparked protests which led to a massacre of demonstrators, followed by a military coup.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 11 August 1911 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Mueang Tak ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P19))
- **Died:** 16 June 2004 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P570))
- **Place of death:** Bangkok Hospital ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Thailand; Rattanakosin Kingdom ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; civil servant; military officer; head of government; military personnel ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P106))
- **Political party:** United Thai People's Party (1968–1971); National Socialist Party (Thailand) (1957–1958) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P102))
- **Education:** Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy; National Defence College of Thailand ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P69))
- **Spouse:** Jongkol Thanad-rob ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P26))
- **Positions held:** Minister of Defence of Thailand (19 December 1972 – 14 October 1973); Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand (19 December 1972 – 14 October 1973); Prime Minister of Thailand (18 December 1972 – 14 October 1973); Minister of Defence of Thailand (11 March 1969 – 17 November 1971); party leader (24 October 1968 – 19 November 1971); president (21 February 1964 – 20 February 1972); president (1964–1971); Prime Minister of Thailand (11 December 1963 – 11 March 1969); Minister of Defence of Thailand (11 December 1963 – 11 March 1969); Prime Minister of Thailand (9 December 1963 – 17 November 1971); President of the Council of Chulalongkorn University (1963–1971); Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army (8 December 1963 – 1 October 1964); Chief of Defence Forces of Thailand (8 December 1963 – 30 September 1973); rector (8 January 1960 – 18 December 1963); Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand (10 February 1959 – 8 December 1963); Minister of Defence of Thailand (10 February 1959 – 8 December 1963); Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand (9 February 1959 – 8 December 1963); Prime Minister of Thailand (1 January 1958 – 20 October 1958); president (1958–1960); Minister of Defence of Thailand (23 September 1957 – 17 November 1971); Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand (2 August 1955 – 21 March 1957); commanding officer (1954–1957) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P39))
- **Awards:** Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao; Order of Rama; Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant; Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown of Thailand; Order of Ramkeerati; Bravery Medal; Victory Medal; Freemen Safeguarding Medal; Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior; Border Service Medal; Chakra Mala Medal; Royal Cypher Medal; Thai Red Cross Medal; United Nations Korea Medal; Order of the Cloud and Banner ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990#P166))

## Questions

**When was Thanom Kittikachorn born?**  
Thanom Kittikachorn was born on 11 August 1911 in Mueang Tak.

**What positions has Thanom Kittikachorn held?**  
Positions held by Thanom Kittikachorn include: Minister of Defence of Thailand (1972–1973); Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand (1972–1973); Prime Minister of Thailand (1972–1973); Minister of Defence of Thailand (1969–1971); party leader (1968–1971).

**Where did Thanom Kittikachorn study?**  
Thanom Kittikachorn was educated at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, National Defence College of Thailand.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Thanom Kittikachorn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanom_Kittikachorn) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q439990](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439990) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Thanom Kittikachorn.jpg by TheLBJLibrary (CC BY 4.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thanom_Kittikachorn.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Thanom Kittikachorn, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Thanom Kittikachorn.jpg — TheLBJLibrary, CC BY 4.0.

## Cite this page

"Thanom Kittikachorn". DigiNepal. Last updated 2 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/thanom-kittikachorn. Retrieved 6 November 2026.