Surayud Chulanont

Surayud Chulanont
TCW MPCh MWM PC
สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์
24th Prime Minister of Thailand
In office
1 October 2006 – 29 January 2008
Monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by Sonthi Boonyaratglin (President of the Administrative Reform Council)
Succeeded by Samak Sundaravej
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
In office
1 October 2002 – 30 September 2003
Preceded by Narong Yuthavong
Succeeded by Somtat Attanand
Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army
In office
1 October 1998 – 30 September 2002
Preceded by Chettha Thannajaro
Succeeded by Somtat Attanand
Personal details
Born (1943-08-28) 28 August 1943
Prachinburi, Thailand
Political party Independent
Spouse(s) Chitravadee Chulanont
Alma mater National Defence College of Thailand
Profession Soldier
Religion Buddhism
Signature
Military service
Service/branch Royal Thai Army
Rank General
Commands Commander-in-Chief
Supreme Commander
Battles/wars Communist Insurgencies
Black May
War on Drugs

General (ret.) Surayud Chulanont (Thai: สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์, RTGS: Surayut Chulanon; born 28 August 1943) is a Thai politician. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's interim government between 2006 and 2008. He is a former Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Army, and currently Privy Councilor to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Surayud came from a military family, but Surayud's father defected from the Royal Thai Army to the Communist Party of Thailand when Surayud was a young boy. Surayud joined the Thai Army and rose to power as a close aide to General Prem Tinsulanonda. He commanded troops during Bloody May, the violent 1992 crackdown on anti-government protestors, but he denied giving his men the order to shoot protesters. He was promoted to Army Commander during the government of Chuan Leekpai and was promoted to Supreme Commander in 2003, under the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Upon retirement from the Army, King Bhumibol Adulyadej appointed Surayud to his Privy Council of personal advisors. Surayud and Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda played a key role in the promotion of General Sonthi Boonratklin to the position of Army Commander.

General Sonthi overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra in a coup on 19 September 2006 and afterwards implored Surayud to be the head of interim government. Surayud's government was a controversial one. There was a significant worsening in perceived levels of corruption during his government.[1] Surayud's Deputy Finance Minister, Sommai Pasee, was sentenced to jail for abuse of power.[2] Surayud raised the military budget by 35% and was accused of economic mismanagement, rampant human rights abuses, and flip-flopping on numerous policies. Article 19 ranked Thailand as falling behind Cambodia and Indonesia in terms of freedom of expression.[3] Thailand's economic growth rate slowed to the lowest level in five years and was ranked the lowest in the region.[4][5] However, Surayud was praised for apologising for atrocities committed by the Thai military fighting the South Thailand insurgency, although the apology was accompanied by a sharp escalation in violence. He has been accused of forest reserve encroachment (a charge that was not investigated since the statute of limitations had run out by 2 years) and illegally acquiring train carriages for display in his forest home. He is married to Chitravadi Santhadwet Chulanont (Thai: จิตรวดี สันทัดเวช) and has three sons, Captain Non, Khao, and Nam.

Family and education

Surayud came from a long line of military leaders, and was reported to have some Chinese ancestry.[6] His maternal grandfather was Phraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram (Din Tharab), a royalist leader during the failed Boworadej Rebellion. Surayud's father was Lt. Colonel Phayom Chulanont, a Royal Thai Army military officer who, as "Comrade Too Khamtan" (Thai: สหายตู้คำตัน, RTGS: sahai tu khamtan), became a member of the Central Committee Communist Party of Thailand and Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army of Thailand.[7]

Surayud completed his early education at Saint Gabriel's College and Suankularb Wittayalai School in Bangkok. He graduated from the inaugural class of Armed Forces Preparatory Academy.

As a boy, Surayud's father left his family to go underground to join the Communists. Phayom explained his defection by citing corruption in the army and its inability to defend the powerless.[8] His father's defection to the Communists had a large impact on Surayud. Surayud's son, Non, noted that, "My father always told me that we must help each other redeem the tarnished family name of Chulanont so that Thais can look up to it."[9]

Surayud entered the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) and graduated from Class 12.

Surayud was conferred honorary Doctor of Philosophy degrees in: 1. Communication Arts in 1995 by Wongchavalidkul University, Thailand. 2. Liberal Arts (Rural Planning and Development) in 2000 by Maejo University, Thailand. 3. Liberal Arts (Political Science) in 2004 by Prince of Songkla University, Thailand. 4. Engineering in April 2007 by Tokai University, Japan. 5. Social Development in December 2008 by Huachiew University, Thailand.

Surayud currently serves as chancellors of the council of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thailand, and Phetchaburi Rajabhat University.

Military career

Early in his army career, Surayud served in several Army divisions including a light artillery unit and a paratrooper unit. He conducted operations against the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) while his father was a leader of the CPT. From 1972 to 1978, he was an instructor at the Special Warfare School. He was a close aide to General Prem Tinsulanonda when Prem was appointed Army Commander and later Prime Minister of Thailand. Surayud was appointed Commander of the Special Warfare Command in 1992, where he was the commanding officer of Sonthi Boonratklin.[10]

General Surayud wearing the black beret of the Cavalry Corps

During Bloody May, the violent crackdown 1992 on anti-government protesters, Surayud's men were seen at areas nearby the Royal Hotel, where protesters were seen being searched for weapons and later dragged into the hotel. He later claimed that he never gave orders for his soldiers to shoot.[11] According to a later interview, "It convinced me that the army should never be involved in politics."[8] Days later he told a national television audience that he deplored the loss of life and that he had not given any orders to shoot.[8] In 1994, he was appointed Commander of the 2nd Army Region.

Surayud was promoted to Army Commander in late 1998. At the time, his promotion was controversial, as Surayud had been politically "shelved" at a staff position . To matarialise his vision of a politics-free army, Surayud appointed several of his classmates from Class 12 of the CRMA to key lucrative positions. Among these were Lt Gen Sompong Maivichit, who he made head of Army controlled Channel 5 television station, replacing Gen Pang Malakul na Ayudhya, and Lt Gen Boonrod Somtap, who he promoted to a key subordinate position to replace Gen Charn Boonprasert.[12] He also ended a policy of deporting Burmese refugees, especially ethnic Karens, back to Burma. "He's been a friend to us," said Pastor Robert Htway of the Karen Refugee Committee.[8] Under his term, Thai soldiers took part in the United Nations Peace Keeping Force, assisting UN-PKF efforts in East Timor.

To stop drug and drug cartels into Thailand, Surayud, in March 2002, ordered one of Thailand's largest military operations in recent times, when Thai troops moved deep into Myanmar territory to destroy drug labs and military bases controlled by the United Wa State Army.[13]

In 2003, after over 4 years as Army Commander, Surayud was promoted to the position of Supreme Commander, a loftier but less influential post, during the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. He was replaced as Army Commander by Somthad Attanan. His promotion was rumoured to be the result of a conflict with the Prime Minister,[8] possibly over foreign policy towards Myanmar and the crack down on drugs.

Privy Councilor

On 14 November 2003, King Bhumibol Adulyadej appointed Surayud to his Privy Council of personal advisors. Several months later he asked the King for permission to ordain as a monk for a brief period at a forest temple in Northeastern Thailand. Surayud and Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda had been perceived to have a key role in the promotion of General Sonthi Boonratklin to the position of Army Commander.[14][15]

Facing an escalating insurgency in the south of Thailand, Surayud urged the media to paint a more positive picture of the violence. "Truthful words that may not be beneficial nor do any good to the public should be avoided," noted Surayud to the Press Council of Thailand. He was contradicted by Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang, who noted that he couldn't think of any news about the conflict in the South that could or should not be reported by the media.[16]

In response to numerous claims made by anti-Thaksin activist Sondhi Limthongkul that his People's Alliance for Democracy was "fighting for the King", Surayud responded by saying that "Recent references to the monarchy were inappropriate. The institution should not be involved in politics. Political disputes should be solved in a political way."[17]

In January 2008, not long after Surayud ended his term as Prime Minister, he was again reappointed to King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Privy Council.

Environment protection

Surayud was chairman of the Khao Yai National Park Protection Foundation.[18]

However, after becoming Premier in 2006, he was accused of breaching the Forestry Act and the National Forest Reserves Act by illegally owning forest land in Yaithiang Mountain of Nakhon Ratchasima province. He vowed to resign and return the land (which he did not deny owning) if found guilty.[19]

In February 2010 after demonstrations by the "Red Shirts" at Khao Yaithiang Mountain, Surayud, who by then had already left politics, returned the land to the Royal Forestry Department when it was found that the land is indeed located within forest reserve land under the Ministry's decades old code. The plot of land is now under Royal Forestry Department's care. However, up until now no legal action has been taken by Thai authorities against him or other landowners of similar case around the country. Some opposition pressed him to resign from his post as Privy Councillor only as to understand later that Surayud "had no ill intention" and that it was highly inappropriate to ask for resignation of the post on such unreasonable ground.

Prime Minister of Thailand

Surayud was already considered a strong candidate for appointment as civilian prime minister premiership immediately after General Sonthi overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Indeed, Surayud's appointment to the Premiership was confirmed by junta leader Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on the morning of Sunday 1 October 2006. After a couple imploring asks for Surayud to take the temporary premiership, Sonthi had a formal audience with King Bhumibol Adulyadej at 4 pm that day to nominate Surayud's name to the monarch.[20][21] "Security and social unity" were cited by Sonthi as the key reasons for appointing Surayud.[22]

Surayud announced that as Premier, he would "Focus on self-sufficiency, more than focusing on the GDP numbers. I will focus on the happiness of the people, more than the GDP."[23] He also claimed that he would be "Friendly to every party, trying to receive information from every side and meeting people as much as possible. I will lead a government based on justice."[11]

Due to influences from junta and those behind the scene, the policies and positions of several ministers in Surayud's Cabinet changed very frequently, sometimes on a daily basis. Notable flip-flops included Thailand's refusal to share avian flu samples with the WHO, capital controls against foreign investment, shareholding limits for foreign investors in telecommunications firms, the identity of bombers in the 2006 New Year's Eve bombings, and the role of the Malaysian government in mediating the South Thailand insurgency.

While he was Prime Minister, Surayud's wife, Colonel Khunying Chitrawadee, was awarded the Dame Grand Commander (Second Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chulachomklao feudal decoration, allowing her to use the prefix Than Phu Ying.[24]

Popularity

The Surayud government's initial nationwide approval rating in October 2006 stood at 60%, with 8% disapproving. By early November, this fell to 55% approving and 15% disapproving.[25] For comparison, a nationwide poll in July 2006 found that 49% of respondents would have voted for Thaksin Shinawatra in the cancelled October elections.[26]

The 2006 Bangkok New Year's Eve bombings caused Surayud's popularity to drop to 48.5% according to Assumption University's polling arm - and just 11% said they had "full confidence" the government can handle the crisis.[27]

The 2007 Chinese New Year Bombings, which saw 38 bombing attacks, 26 cases of arson, and seven ambushes within a single day, caused Surayud's popularity to drop even further. 53.7% of respondents living in Bangkok and other major cities in felt the government and the CNS could not put an end to problems in the country. Only 24.6% thought that the situation would improve in 6 months.[28]

By 24 February 2007, his popularity among Bangkokians had further dropped to 34.8%, although he was still more popular than Thaksin Shinawatra, whom 28.8% of Bangkokians favoured.[29]

By 4 March 2007, only 31.3% of people in Bangkok supported the government's political stance. This fell dramatically to 12.5% by 26 March 2007.[30] Notably the main reason behind the drop was that people wanted to see quick changes in state policies and that actions and judgements for the ousted former Prime Minister were not forthcoming soon enough.

The US government decided to continue holding "Cobra Gold" joint military exercises with the Thai government. Immediately after the coup, Washington had halted all military co-operation with, and aid to, the junta. US law forbade assistance to governments of a country where an elected leader has been deposed in a coup.[31]

In early May 2007, activists from the Assembly of Isaan People met with junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin in order to appeal for him to remove Surayud Chulanont. Sonthi personally met the anti-Surayud activists within Army Headquarters and promised he would consider their request. This was the first time that Sonthi personally met people calling for the removal of Surayud.[32] Sonthi later claimed that he was "tricked" into meeting the activists.[33]

Surayud launched a weekly talk show called "Poed Baan Phitsanulok" ("Opening Up Baan Pitsanulok"; Baan Pitsanulok is the informal name for government house) so as to share views and progress of interim government's aim (towards peaceful, internationally recognised general election). The show aired on state-run Channel 11 every Saturday between 8.30 am and 9.15 am. Calling the weekly radio show that was hosted by Thaksin Shinawatra when he was Premier "propaganda", he denied any similarity between the two shows.[34]

The military junta's popularity continued to decline. By late June 2007, an ABAC Poll found that only 13.6% supported the government, with 69.8 of respondents disappointed with the political situation.[35]

The government's popularity continued to decline into July, when survey respondents in Bangkok and outlying areas gave the government an average score of 4.32 out of 10. The average score had been 4.53 in March 2007 and 5.27 in January 2007. Fewer than 15% of respondents in the survey felt that the nation's overall situation had improved during the government's nine-month tenure, while 31.6% said the situation remained unchanged and the majority, 34.9% said it had worsened.[36]

Drafting of a permanent constitution and elections

The junta's 2006 Interim Constitution authorised the junta to appoint a 2,000 person National Assembly which would select members to become candidates for a Constitution Drafting Assembly. From the onset of his appointment as Premier, Surayud Chulanont was urged by academics to override the junta's control of the constitution drafting process. Somchai Siripreechakul, Dean of Law at Chiang Mai University, urged Surayud to call a general election as soon as possible and hand the task of drafting a charter to an elected parliament.[37] Banjerd Singkhaneti of Thammasat University noted of the constitution drafting process, "I think it will be a mess and the next constitution will be just that."[38]

After the coup, the military junta had originally promised to draft a permanent charter within eight months and to hold elections in October 2007. However, Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan later announced that elections might not occur until one year and five months.[39]

After a constitutional referendum on 19 August, Surayud promised that elections would “definitely” be held in late December.[40]

Cabinet appointments

Some believed that Prem Tinsulanonda, President of the King's Privy Council, played a significant role in picking the members of Surayud's Cabinet. It was, however, Surayud who made the final decision. General Boonrawd Somtas, a former CDRMA classmate and longtime friend of Surayud, was appointed Defense Minister.[41] former Interior Permanent Secretary Aree Wong-araya was appointed Interior Minister, former Energy Policy and Planning Office director Piyasvasti Amranand became Energy Minister, central bank governor Pridiyathorn Devakula became Finance Minister, and Bangkok Bank Chairman Kosit Panpiemras became Industry Minister. Michael Nelson of Chulalongkorn University noted that the Cabinet was dominated by bureaucrats and that "It's very strongly guided by military ideas combined with some technocrats, some people in economic areas and some former bureaucrats."[42]

Perhaps a mood decision was the dupety Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn, who later resigned on 28 February 2007. His resignation shocked the political world as well as the business community.[43] He cited reasons for resignation included,

Pridiyathorn was replaced by Chalongphob Sussangkarn, an academic who led the Thailand Development Research Institute. Chalongphob had previously criticised the junta's capital controls policy.[47]

Policies

Telecommunications

Culture

Public health

Energy

Security and the southern insurrection

Education

Economy and agriculture

Surayud Chulanont

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Surayud ordered the reopening Don Muang Airport for domestic and international flights. This decision came after allegations that the newly opened Suvarnabhumi Airport alone was incapable of handling future traffic volume and that the airport was unsafe. The decision met with strong opposition from Airports of Thailand, the Civil Aviation Department, the Board of Airline Representatives in Thailand (BAR), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Thai Airways International labour union, and many domestic and international airlines, including Thai Airways and the Star Alliance.[129][130][131] 60 airlines threatened to halt flights to Thailand if they were forced to move back to Don Muang airport.[132][133]

A two-week investigation led by Tortrakul Yomnak, a chief engineer for Airports of Thailand and prominent supporter of the anti-Thaksin movement, found that the runway was safe, and that cracks could be repaired in as little as a few hours.[134] At the beginning of the investigation, Tortrakul had warned that the airport might need to be closed for three years.[135] However, Admiral Bannawit Keng-rien, chairman of the National Legislative Assembly's airport committee, urged Surayud to close down Suvarnabhumi. Surayud's decision to reopen Don Muang was based on his personal advisors, without waiting for the Ministry of Transport or Airports of Thailand to finish their studies.[136]

A completed study by the AoT showed that the cost of fixing 60 identified problems at the airport would be less than 1% of the total airline cost and the problems could be fixed in up to four to five years. Dr. Narupol Chaiyut, a member of a committee overseeing service problems at the new airport, estimated that 70% of the problems would be fixed within 2007.[137]

Surayud and AoT Chairman General Saprang Kalayanamitr refused to authorise urgent repairs on the airport tarmac, despite warnings from engineers. Karun Chandrarangsu, president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand (and a close relative to Srisuk Chandrarangsu, who was a former AOT board member, which was implicated in several corruption allegations, such as CTX and King Power scandals, and now being investigated) noted, "Suvarnabhumi is like a patient in a coma who continues to suffer from severe bleeding. Stopping the blood flow now is more urgent and important than debating what caused the injury."[138] The Engineering Institute of Thailand sent a formal warning to AoT in November 2006 about the urgent need to drain water from beneath the tarmac, and that immediate action should be taken. "The AOT did nothing about the problem," Suebsak Promboon of the EIT noted. "The situation might not have become this bad if the water had been drained then." Suebsak Promboon, a senior foundation engineer and a member of the Tortrakul Yomnak-led airport tarmac inspection panel, accused the AOT of refusing to take any actions to solve the problems at the airport.[139]

Human rights

Other

Thaksin Shinawatra

Surayud warned deposed Premier Thaksin Shinawatra several times against returning to Thailand, calling his return "a threat".[178] During a November 2006 trip to China for the ASEAN-China Summit, Surayud refused to meet Thaksin, who was also in China at the time.[179] Surayud later denied Thaksin the opportunity to return to Thailand to contest in eventual elections, and said that the appropriate time for him to return would be "after a year," when a newly elected government was already in place.[180]

Thaksin's diplomatic passport was revoked by the Foreign Ministry on 31 December 2006 after the government claimed he had engaged in political activities while in exile. Thai embassies were ordered not to facilitate his travels. Traditionally, all former prime ministers and foreign ministers of Thailand were permitted to hold on to their diplomatic passports for life.[181]

Thaksin later publicly announced that he was quitting politics. Surayud's Defense Minister later announced that the junta would refuse Thaksin's reconciliation offer, claiming that Thailand was being threatened by "ill-intentioned people" and capitalism.[182]

Surayud's government completely purged all senior military officers perceived as loyal to the Thaksin government, replacing them with officers trusted by the new regime.[183]

In April 2007, during an interview where reporters asked Surayud what he would say to Thaksin if he could meet him in person, Surayud responded, "I would say please don't ever come back."[184]

Council for National Security

The Surayud government allowed the Council for National Security to interfere with many government responsibilities, including the transfer of civil servants. The CNS was allowed to control a nationwide reshuffle of the civil service in April 2007 in order to weed out officials "clinging" to the deposed "Thaksin-regime".[185]

Surayud also authorised the removal of police chief Kowit Wattana from his position in early February 2007. Kowit had also been police chief under the ousted government of Thaksin Shinawatra.

In March, junta leader Sonthi asked Surayud to declare emergency rule in Bangkok in response to the protests by the founders of People's Television. In an interview, Sonthi noted that the protests, attended by approximately 1,500-3,000 people, had so far been peaceful but that he was afraid the movement could lead to "mutiny and chaos in the country."[186] CNS Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd asked, "What will we do if the numbers of protesters go beyond 100,000? It will greatly damage the country's image." Emergency powers allowed the government to ban public gatherings, impose curfews and censor local news reports.[187]

On 3 April 2007, Surayud approved a 15% pay rise (on top of an earlier 15% pay rise) for members of the CNS, as a "special reward" for their "honesty, tolerance and dedication on weekdays and weekends."[188]

Despite this, relations between Surayud and the CNS deteriorated. Rumours swirled in mid-April 2007 that the CNS would overthrow the government. However, in a meeting with the CNS President, Surayud declared, "Don't ever think of launching another coup. If you utter only one word, then I am ready to resign."[189]

Criticism

Besides being heavily criticised for gaining power through the 2006 coup and his subsequent actions as Premier, Surayud has been accused of forest encroachment and corruption.

Forest encroachment

Surayud was accused of breaching the Forestry Act and the National Forest Reserves Act by illegally owning forest reserve land in Yaithiang Mountain of Nakhon Ratchasima province. When Surayud was Commander of the 2nd Army Region, he was sold the plot of land for 50,000 baht. He later transferred ownership of the plot to his wife. Surayud vowed to resign and return the land (which he did not deny owning) if found guilty.[19] He was defended by Interior Minister Aree Wongarya, who claimed, "Gen Surayud purchased the land from someone else so the question has to be posed to the first owner whether the land is reserved."

National Human Rights Commissioner and Thaksin sympathiser Jaran Ditthapichai noted, "I cannot agree to have someone call himself a man of morality and sufficiency if he built a fancy house in a forest reserve."[190]

However, the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) refused to investigate the land encroachment charges, claiming that the statute of limitations on the case had run out. NCCC member Klanarong Chantik noted that Surayud retired from military service in 2003 whereas the charges were made 4 years after his retirement, and that the NCCC could not legally investigate an officer for alleged wrongdoing beyond two years after retirement.[191]

In February 2010 after demonstrations by the "Red Shirts" at Khao Yaithiang Mountain, Surayud returned the land to the Royal Forestry Department, without any removals of structures or plants, weeks before a formal notice from the department was issued. The plot of land is now under the care of the Royal Forestry Department after Surayud moved out. However, up until now no legal action has been taken by Thai authorities against Surayud or other landowners of similar type all over Thailand.

Corruption

Surayud, an avid collector of model trains, was accused of illegally acquiring four train compartments for his resort home in Kho Yaithiang mountain, Nakhon Ratchasima. Surayud claimed that he had more than 4 compartments, but they were all in his residence in Bangkok and were all models driven by household class electrity of 220V.[192]

However, Thai-language newspaper Khaosod published a photo on the front page of its edition of 26 December 2006 which showed a building resembling a railway carriage near Surayud's resort home. The National Counter Corruption Committee was petitioned to scrutinise the land at Surayud's retreat residence, but refused to take action (see above). Before the end of his tenure as Prime Minister, Surayud invited dozens of reporters from various fields to visit and have a lunch at his disputed Kho Yaithiang home, where they realised that what seemed to be train carriages were only a resort building of his friend nearby viewed from a particular angle.

While Surayud was frequently accused of corruption, many in the business community believed otherwise. A poll conducted in January 2007 found that 66% of business people thought that local corruption would increase, with only 10.5% thinking that it would decrease. However, only about 14% believed that leading figures in Surayud's administration were corrupt.[193]

Royal decorations

Surayud has received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:

References

  1. ↑ Transparency International, 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index
  2. ↑ The Nation, Convicted deputy finance minister resigns, 13 December 2007
  3. ↑ The Nation, Defamation law decried, 16 October 2007
  4. ↑ Bangkok Post, Thailand's economic growth lowest in region, World Bank says
  5. ↑ Xinhua, World Bank urges Thailand to enhance economy, 15 November 2007
  6. ↑ (Chinese) 泰總理提人民幸福新標準　．劉振廷; 政治
  7. ↑ The Nation, Comrades-In-Arms: Their war gone by, 12 January 2006
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Time Magazine, Surayud Chulanont: A soldier who answered to the people, 28 April 2003
  9. ↑ (Thai) Matichon Weekly, "จาก 'ปู่พโยม' ถึง 'พ่ิอสุรยุทธ์' 'จุลานนท์' ในสายตา 'ร.อ.นนท์' 'นายกฯสุรยุทธ์' และการปฏิวัติ ในสายตาลูกทหาร" ("From 'Grandfather Phayom' to 'Father Surayud', 'Chulanont' in the Eyes of 'Captain Non', 'Premier Surayud' and Rebellion in the Eyes of the Son of a Soldier"), 15–21 December 2006
  10. ↑ (Thai) Surayud Chulanont's official resume from the Royal Thai Army website
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  12. ↑ The Nation, Editorial & Opinion: Surayuth guns for reforms, 18 February 1999
  13. 1 2 Asia Times, Unplugging Thailand, Myanmar energy deals, 14 November 2006
  14. ↑ The Statesman, Sonthi: The man who made it happen, 20 September 2006
  15. ↑ The Nation, Warning from Surayud: Thaksin's return 'a threat', 28 September 2006
  16. ↑ The Nation, Media criticised over 'unhelpful news', 4 July 2005
  17. ↑ DPA, New Prime Minister a respected former army commander, 1 October 2006
  18. ↑ The Bangkok Post, New Highway Planned to Let Herds Mingle, 26 April 2004
  19. 1 2 The Nation, Activists call on Surayud to resign for alleged forest encroachment, 29 December 2006
  20. ↑ The Nation, Sonthi to be granted an audience to nominate interim PM at 4 pm, 1 October 2006
  21. ↑ The Nation, Sonthi: Surayud to be PM, 1 October 2006
  22. ↑ The Bangkok Post, Surayud's military past posed worry, 2 October 2006
  23. ↑ CNN, Former Thai army chief sworn in as interim PM, 1 October 2006
  24. ↑ Bangkok Post, PM's wife elevated to 'thanpuying', 6 May 2007
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  37. ↑ The Nation, Poll should precede new charter: law experts, 2 October 2006
  38. ↑ The Bangkok Post, Draft charter loopholes can 'resurrect Thaksin regime', 28 September 2006
  39. ↑ The Nation, Drafting new charter 'may take 17 mths', 18 October 2006
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  45. ↑ IHT, Thai minister resigns amid cabinet disarray, 28 February 2007
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  57. 1 2 The Nation, Bt30 health fee may be scrapped, 14 October 2006
  58. ↑ The Nation, No 'coyote dances' for Loy Krathong: Culture Ministry, 3 November 2006
  59. ↑ Matichon, 6 March 2007, page 11
  60. ↑ Thai Government Public Relations Department News Headline, Culture Ministry campaigns for Thai people to wear Thai dresses once a week, 4 April 2007
  61. ↑ The Nation, University must punish Pemmika says Culture Minister, 15 March 2007
  62. ↑ The Nation, NHSO backs plan to ditch Bt30 fee, 31 October 2006
  63. ↑ The Nation, Alarm overB3.8bn slash to healthcare, 20 December 2006
  64. ↑ The Nation, Road accident fund to be shifted to universal health care fund, 22 March 2007
  65. ↑ Scientific American, Thailand stuns drug firms with generic licenses, 25 January 2007
  66. ↑ Motley Fool, You're Only Hurting Yourself, Thailand, 31 January 2007
  67. ↑ Scientific American, Angered U.S. firm excludes Thailand from new drugs, 14 March 2007
  68. ↑ CIDRAP News, Thailand joins Indonesia in withholding H5N1 strains, 22 March 2007
  69. ↑ Bangkok Post, Govt backs Jakarta in bird flu row, 21 March 2007
  70. ↑ Bangkok Post, Editorial: Bird flu distracts from real killers, 17 March 2007
  71. ↑ IHT, Report: Thailand's status as pioneer in war on HIV imperiled by attitude toward drug users, 29 November 2007
  72. ↑ The Nation, Energy minister says abolition of octane-95 oil sale to be indefinitely delayed, 20 October 2006
  73. ↑ Bangkok Post, Ministry to cancel Egat's 50% promise, 9 November 2006
  74. ↑ Bangkok Post, Egat will not be invited to IPP bids, 16 December 2006
  75. ↑ Bangkok Post, Egat to build $6bn nuclear plant, 12 June 2007
  76. ↑ Bangkok Post, Coal and nuclear PR could start in schools, 22 March 2007
  77. ↑ Junta at risk of a backlash over lucrative benefits, 5 April 2007
  78. 1 2 Bangkok Post, New budget unveiled
  79. ↑ The Nation, Military spending to soar a further 24%, 28 June 2007
  80. ↑ The Nation, 'Under-strength' military expecting funds, 2 November 2006
  81. ↑ Australia Defence Intelligence Organisation, Defense Economic Trends in Asia-Pacific 2004
  82. ↑ Bangkok Post, Military puts in B18bn request, 28 June 2007
  83. ↑ The Nation, Warrants soon in Somchai 'murder' case, 4 November 2006
  84. ↑ IHT, Southern Thai towns increasingly rely on militias, 19 March 2007
  85. ↑ The Nation, Tam Yam Kung networks in Malaysia finance insurgents: PM, 21 November 2006
  86. ↑ The Nation, Not all Tom Yam Kung restaurants fund insurgency: Interior, 22 November 2006
  87. ↑ Bangkok Post, Cabinet backs B84.3m in Isoc 'rewards' , 23 July 2007
  88. ↑ The Nation, Court blocks Kowit move, 21 June 2007
  89. ↑ AFP, Thailand's FM denies plan for Malaysia to mediate with insurgents, 14 February 2007
  90. 1 2 Bangkok Post, Education Ministry axes 3 schemes, 28 November 2006
  91. ↑ Wikipedia, One Laptop Per Child#Good use of money, OLPD Criticism
  92. ↑ The Nation, Famous schools ordered to take in half of new students from neighbourhood, 14 November 2006
  93. ↑ Bangkok Post, Scholarship scheme to continue, 5 January 2007
  94. ↑ The Nation, No promise of free basic education in charter: Education Ministry, 1 March 2007
  95. ↑ The Nation, Massive loss from Thaksin projects, 16 November 2006
  96. ↑ Bangkok Post, Deficit to continue into fiscal 2008, 17 February 2007
  97. ↑ Bangkok Post, Govt takes flak for its '08 budget, 5 July 2007
  98. ↑ Bloomberg, Thailand's Rules Retreat Won't Halt Investor Backlash, 20 December 2006
  99. ↑ Bangkok Post, Exim Bank raps central bank policy, 28 March 2007
  100. ↑ The Nation, Pridiyathorn explains sufficiency economy concept to investors, 10 November 2006
  101. ↑ Bangkok Post, Ministry scraps one-million-cows project, 29 November 2006
  102. ↑ Bangkok Post, Cabinet replaces Thaksin's SML policy, 13 February 2007
  103. ↑ The Nation, Small business backs scheme, 12 February 2007
  104. ↑ Times Online, [Thai anxiety http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/overseas/article1294189.ece], 21 January 2007
  105. ↑ Bangkok Post, Foreign businesses await law change, 7 January 2007
  106. ↑ The Nation, Thailand to limit foreign stake in firms to 50 per cent, 9 January 2007
  107. ↑ Bloomberg, Thailand Tightens Overseas Investment Rules, Caps, 9 January 2007
  108. ↑ Asia Sentinel, Thailand Moves Against Foreign Firms, 10 January 2007
  109. ↑ The Nation, Reconsider amendment, envoys urge, 10 February 2007
  110. ↑ Bangkok Post, Kosit says domestic consumption overlooked, 30 April 2007
  111. ↑ The Nation, Cabinet approves debt-relief measures for farmers, 17 January 2007
  112. ↑ The Nation, More flak over role for Somkid, 18 February 2007
  113. ↑ The Nation, Banharn criticises Surayud for appointing Somkid as economic envoy, 18 February 2007
  114. ↑ Bangkok Post, Pridiyathorn: No need to replace Somkid, 21 February 2007
  115. ↑ The Nation, Lotteries move lacks understanding, 3 May 2007
  116. ↑ Bangkok Post, The end of privatisation?, 19 June 2007
  117. ↑ Bangkok Post, Analysis: Seeking Japan's approval via rushed trade pact, 23 February 2007
  118. ↑ The Nation, Signing of FTA is like policy corruption, NGOs tell govt, 2 April 2007
  119. ↑ The Star, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand sign free trade agreement, 4 April 2007
  120. ↑ The Bangkok Post, Japan FTA will liberalise 90 pct of bilateral trade, 4 April 2007
  121. ↑ IHT, Japanese cabinet approves free trade pact with Thailand, 3 April 2007
  122. ↑ Bangkok Post, All mobile phone concessions ruled illegal, 21 May 2007
  123. ↑ The Nation, Retail law wins backing from Cabinet, 9 May 2007
  124. ↑ The Japan Times, Thailand's troubles continue, 7 March 2007
  125. ↑ The Nation, Thai consumer confidence plunges to five-year low, 8 March 2007
  126. ↑ The Nation, Consumer confidence at lowest level for five years, 13 April 2007
  127. ↑ The Nation, First rise in foreign debt for six years, 9 April 2007
  128. ↑ Bangkok Post, Thai competitiveness ranking falls yet again, 10 May 2007
  129. ↑ The Nation, THAI union opposes shift to Don Muang, 10 February 2007
  130. ↑ The Nation, Stick to one airport, govt told, 10 February 2007
  131. ↑ The Nation, Making the best out of airport debacle, 8 February 2007
  132. ↑ Bangkok Post, PM: I'll sort out new airport myself, 16 February 2007
  133. ↑ Bangkok Post, Airlines adamant about staying at Suvarnabhumi, 17 February 2007
  134. ↑ The Nation, Competent pilot wanted, 15 February 2007
  135. ↑ Bangkok Post, Suvarnabhumi runway declared safe, 12 February 2007
  136. ↑ Bangkok Post, And then there were two airports, 7 February 2007
  137. ↑ Bangkok Post, B1bn needed to fix terminal problems over four to five years, 16 February 2007
  138. ↑ The Nation, 'Can we get to work please?', 17 February 2007
  139. ↑ The Nation, AOT staff stalling urgent repairs: engineer, 23 February 2007
  140. ↑ The Nation, Taxi driver 'sacrificed himself for democracy', 2 November 2006
  141. ↑ Bangkok Post, CNS to get tough with broadcast media, 10 January 2007
  142. ↑ Bangkok Post, Virtue never can be bought, 16 April 2007
  143. ↑ The Nation, Broadcasters may be manipulated, experts warn, 20 December 2006
  144. ↑ RSF: Thailand - Annual report 2007
  145. ↑ Bangkok Post, The Role of the Monarchy in Censorship, 28 July 2006
  146. ↑ The Nation, Pro-Thaksin websites to remain, 2 June 2007
  147. ↑ The Nation, Politicking:Ban must be 'strictly followed', 3 March 2007
  148. ↑ The Nation, Secret military division deployed, 27 December 2006
  149. ↑ Bangkok Post, CNS to have own B500m peace-keeping force, 27 December 2006
  150. ↑ The Nation, Anti-coup activists arrested at Sanam Luang, 15 March 2007
  151. ↑ Bangkok Post, Six protesters held, 23 July 2007
  152. ↑ Bangkok Post, Protests flare as UDD leaders are locked up, 27 July 2007
  153. ↑ The Nation, PM says sorry to Prem over mob violence, July 2007
  154. ↑ The Nation, Chiang Mai academics slam junta over activist's arrest, 9 July 2007
  155. ↑ The Nation, Weera calls for probe into MCOT and TV host, 21 November 2006
  156. ↑ The Nation, Exit of popular shows to hurt MCOT, 9 December 2006
  157. ↑ The Nation, Junta accused of exploiting news media, 19 February 2007
  158. ↑ The Nation, Charge against Sonthi dropped, 19 February 2007
  159. ↑ Bangkok Post, Goings on at Channel 9, 8 March 2007
  160. ↑ The Nation, 'Govt gag' provokes workers at TITV, 23 June 2007
  161. ↑ Bangkok Post, City police chief bans motorcycle taxi drivers from anti-CNS rally, 23 June 2007
  162. ↑ The Nation, Some 1,000 villagers prevented from catching buses to Bangkok
  163. ↑ The Nation, Sitthichai gets no kick from the Net, 15 April 2007
  164. ↑ Bangkok Post, Thailand gets new cyber crime law, 10 May 2007
  165. ↑ Bangkok Post, 3 Years in Jail for a Porn Email, 16 November 2006
  166. ↑ Bangkok Post, After Thaksin calls, officials drop by, May 2007
  167. ↑ The Nation, White Dove members held ahead of Chiang Mai rally, 19 May 2007
  168. ↑ The Nation, Govt in move to head off violence, 21 May 2007
  169. ↑ The Nation, NLA revokes ban on demonstrations, 12 November 2006
  170. ↑ International Herald Tribune, Governed by Omens, 18 November 2006
  171. ↑ The Nation, Why artistic freedom matters, 17 November 2006
  172. ↑ Thai generals pull plug on Thaksin CNN interview « FACT - Freedom Against Censorship Thailand
  173. ↑ The Nation, Junta gets fat-cat allowances, 8 November 2006
  174. ↑ Bangkok Post, Minister testy over 'coup rewards' crack, 8 November 2006
  175. ↑ The Nation, Govt set to unveil 5 rapid rail lines, 6 November 2006
  176. ↑ Bangkok Post, PM reverses; polls will not be early, 19 May 2007
  177. ↑ The Nation, ID plan for one-year-olds, 25 June 2007
  178. ↑ The Nation, Thaksin's return 'a threat', 28 September 2006
  179. ↑ The Nation, Deposed PM's in China to meet Surayud: Gen Sonthi, 2 November 2006
  180. ↑ The Nation, PM quashes Thaksin return, 13 November 2006
  181. ↑ The Nation, FM cancel ousted premier and wife's diplomatic passports, 10 January 2007
  182. ↑ Bangkok Post, General scorns Thaksin reconciliation, 3 February 2007
  183. ↑ Bangkok Post, Sonthi loyalists put in key military positions, 22 March 2007
  184. ↑ The Nation, I want to tell Thaksin "don't ever come back," : PM, 26 April 2007
  185. ↑ The Nation, Non-cooperative civil servants face axe by CNS, 9 January 2007
  186. ↑ The Nation, Thai junta chief calls for emergency rule in Bangkok, 28 March 2007
  187. ↑ IHT, Thai coup leaders urge government to impose emergency rule, 28 March 2007
  188. ↑ The Nation, Junta at risk of a backlash over lucrative benefits, 5 April 2007
  189. ↑ The Nation, Surayud survives barrage and hangs onto job by a thread, 13 April 2007
  190. ↑ The Nation, Thumbs down for the next charter, 15 January 2007
  191. ↑ The Nation, NCCC rules against probe into Surayud's land, 22 June 2007
  192. ↑ The Nation, Surayud denies train carriages allegation, 28 December 2006
  193. ↑ The Nation, Business leaders see corruption increasing, 29 January 2007

Further reading

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Military offices
Preceded by
Chettha Thanajaro		 Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army
1998–2002 		Succeeded by
Somtad Attanan
Preceded by
Narong Yuttavong		 Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces
2002–2003
Political offices
Preceded by
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
as President of the Administrative Reform Council of Thailand		 Prime Minister of Thailand
2006–2008 		Succeeded by
Samak Sundaravej
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