Sunthorn Kongsompong (also written as Sundhara; 1 August 1931 – 2 August 1999) was the de facto prime minister of Thailand from 1991 to 1992, after a military coup d'etat led by Sunthorn and General Suchinda Kraprayoon deposed the government of Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan on 23 February 1991. The generals accused Chatichai of corruption, and established the National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC) as an interim administration, with Sunthorn as chairman. Anand Panyarachun was appointed prime minister in March 1991, but the administration of the country was also executed by the NPKC.

Sunthorn left the political office following the May 1992 constitution promulgation, which prohibited members of the military from executing the premier's office.

His son was Apirat Kongsompong, who from 2018 to 2020 was Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army.

Honours

Royal Decorations

  • 1987 - 80px|border Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
  • 1988 - 80px|border Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
  • 1992 - 80px|border Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
  • 1990 - 80px|border Companion of the Order of Rama
  • 1955 - 80px|border Victory Medal - Korean War
  • 1973 - 80px|border Victory Medal - Vietnam War with flames
  • 1988 - 80px|border Freemen Safeguarding Medal, First Class
  • 1989 - 80px|border Border Service Medal
  • 1964 - 80px|border Chakra Mala Medal
  • 1989 - border|80x80px Boy Scout Citation Medal of Vajira, First Class
  • 1991 - 80px|border King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
  • 1950 - 80x80px King Rama IX Coronation Medal

Foreign Honours

  • :
  • border|80x80px Gallantry Cross With Palm (1970)
  • 80x80px Armed Forces Honor Medal, First class (1970)
  • 80x80px Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation (1970)
  • 80px|border Vietnam Campaign Medal (1970)
  • :
  • 80px|border Bronze Star Medal With "V" device (1970)
  • 80px|border Army Commendation Medal With "V" device and Oak (1970)
  • :
  • 80x80px Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (P.S.M.) (1987)
  • 80x80px Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (P.G.A.T.) (1991)
  • :
  • 80px|border Order of National Security Merit, Tongil Medal (1990)
  • 80x80px Korea War Service Medal
  • :
  • 80x80px Distinguished Service Order (Military) (1991)
  • :
  • 80x80px Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (1992)
  • :
  • 80x80px Grand Meritorious Military Order Star, 1st Class
  • :
  • 80px|border United Nations Korea Medal

Notes

References

  • 2Bangkok.com article about the coup d'etat
  • Asiaweek article about estate scandal
  • http://www.becnews.com/backissue/f_famous/suntorn-k.html (in Thai)
  • [https://archive.today/20070814033307/http://www.politicalfriendster.com/showPerson.php?id=3803&name=General-Sunthorn-Kongsompong]