Arthit Kamlangek

General Arthit Kamlangek was the former Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army and the Supreme Commander of the Thai Armed Forces. He was particularly influential during the 1980s during the government of Prem Tinsulanonda.

Education and early career

Arthit graduated from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. He later attended the Royal Thai Army's Staff College.

Family

General Arthit has two sons, one daughter and one stepson. His youngest son, Titiwat Kam _ek. Democrats] .

Downfall

In 1986, General Arthit lobbied vigorously to extend his term as Army Commander another year to September 1987, which would allow him to retain influence after the expiration of Prem's term as Prime Minister. [ [http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-13787.html Nations Encyclopedia, "Thailand: Political Developments: 1980-1987"] ] But on March 24, 1986, the government announced that Arthit would be retired as scheduled on September 1, 1986. Then on 27 May, Prem stunned the nation by dismissing Arthit from his position as Army chief and replacing him with General Chaovalit Yongchaiyut a Prem loyalist. Prior to that, no Army Chief had ever been fired. This unprecedented action came amid the flurry of rumours that the general was involved in behind-the-scenes maneouvres to undermine Prem's chances for another premiership after the July 1986 parliamentary elections. General Arthit, whose largely ceremonial post as Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces until September 1986 was not affected by the dismissal order, denied any role in such maneuvers.

Post-military career

In early 1991, Arthit was appointed by Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan was appointed as Deputy Defense Minister. [Suchit Bunbongkarn, [http://epress.anu.edu.au/mdap/mobile_devices/ch03s03.html Coups and Democratisation: The Military and Democracy in Thailand] ] Early rumors of his appointed seriously angered many military leaders, especially Army chief Suchinda Kraprayoon and his former classmates from the 5th Class of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. A military coup led by Suchinda and the National Peace Keeping Council soon overthrew Chatichai's government. [Chao-Tzang Yawnghwe, [http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/docs/cty-AJCHX5A.htm The Politics of Authoritarianism: The State and Political Soldiers in Burma, Indonesia and Thailand, Chapter 5: Thailand: Military Intervention and the Politics of Authoritarian Domination] ]

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