National Peace Keeping Council

The National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC, Thai: คณะรักษาความสงบเรียบร้อยแห่งชาติ) was a Thai military junta that overthrew the civilian elected government of Chatichai Choonhavan in 1991. It was led by Army Commander Suchinda Kraprayoon, Supreme Commander Sunthorn Kongsompong, Airforce Commander Kaset Rojananil and members of the 5th Class of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. After elections in March 1992, General Suchinda was appointed Prime Minister. He resigned following a public uprising and pressure from King Bhumibol.

Asset seizure of the Chatichai-cabinet

After seizing power from the Chati-chai government, the junta seized the assets of Chatichai and 9 members of his Cabinet, including

• Chatichai Choonhavan, Prime Minister (284 million baht, approx US $11 million at the 1992 exchange rate)
• Subin Pinkhayan, Commerce Minister (608 million baht)
• Pithak Intharavitthayanand, a close aide to the Prime Minister (335 million baht)
• Montri Pongpanich, Transport Minister (336 million baht)
• Pol Gen Pramarn Adireksarn, Interior Minister (139 million baht)
• Phinya Chuayplod, Deputy Commerce Minister (61 million baht)

The junta set up a committee to investigate the Cabinet for allegedly being "unusually rich". The Supreme Court later ruled on the cases and called for the return of the assets, because the politicians' wealth had been unlawfully seized by the military junta and the investigative committee had worked without the oversight of a judicial entity.^[1]

See also

• Suchinda Kraprayoon
• Sunthorn Kongsompong
• Chamlong Srimuang
• Chatichai Choonhavan
• Anand Panyarachun
• History of Thailand since 1973
• Constitution of Thailand

References

1. ^ The Nation, CDRM urged not to repeat NPKC mistakes, 25 September 2006