Sonthi Boonyaratglin

Infobox President | name =Sonthi Boonyaratglin
สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน
nationality = Thai


order = Chairman of the Council for National Security
term_start = 19 September 2006
term_end = 1 October 2006
vicepresident =
predecessor = Thaksin Shinawatra
(as Prime Minister)
successor = Surayud Chulanont (as Prime Minister)
birth_date = Birth date and age|1946|10|2|df=yes
birth_place =
death_date =
death_place =
party = None
religion = Islam
profession = Former commander-in-chief of Royal Thai Army
Former chairman of Council for National Security
Former Deputy prime minister for security
spouse =
nicknames =
languagesspoken = General (Ret.) Sonthi Boonyaratglin ( _th. สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน, RTGS|Sonthi Bunyaratkalin) (b. 2 October 1946) is former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for National Security, the military junta that ruled the kingdom. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7022113.stm Thai coup general quits position] , BBC] He is the first Muslim in charge of the mostly Buddhist army. [ [http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1399262&C=landwar Thailand Set To Reshuffle Southern Army Commander Again] Defense News] . On 19 September 2006, he became the de facto head of government of Thailand after overthrowing the elected government in a coup d'état [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/19/thailand.coup.rumor/index.html Coup chief cites intense conflicts] CNN] After retiring from the Army in 2007, he became Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of national security.

Sonthi is a multimillionaire and has two wives, Sukanya and Piyada, despite legal prohibitions against bigamy.The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022771 Anti-coup group calls for Sonthis' sacking for allegedly registering two marriages] , 31 December 2006] The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/31/politics/politics_30022963.php Multiple wives just 'personal' business] , 31 December 2006] [ADN Kronos, [http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=1.0.1603293790 Thailand: Coup leader a multimillionaire, media reports] , 27 November 2007]

Education and early career

Sonthi Boonyaratglin graduated from the 6th Class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. He graduated from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1969 as part of Class 17 and was commissioned into the Royal Army Infantry Corps. He went on to lead several top units, including the elite Special Warfare Command based in Lopburi province. [The Star, [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/9/21/asia/15494090&sec=asia Sonthi’s meteoric ascent to power] , 21 September 2006]

In August 2004, Sonthi was appointed Deputy Army Commander. [http://english.people.com.cn/200408/24/eng20040824_154587.html Thailand's military reshuffle officially announced] People's Daily Online] Against public expectations, Sonthi was promoted to Army Commander in October 2005. Sonthi's fast rise was backed by retired armed forces Supreme Commander General Surayud Chulanont (with whom he had served while leading the Special Warfare Command) and Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda. [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/28/headlines/headlines_30014841.php WARNING FROM SURAYUD: Thaksin's return 'a threat'] , 28 September 2006] Both serve as advisers to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Conflicts with Thaksin Shinawatra

As Army Commander, General Sonthi repeatedly assured the public that the army would not interfere in the political crisis, although he has said that "His Majesty must have been saddened" by the nation's political problems. [http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/05/19/2003308984 Thai military chief seeking audience with King Bhumibol] Taipei Times] [http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/article/0,13673,501060320-1172779,00.html Should Thaksin Stay?] Times Asia] He has also protested Thaksin's unsuccessful attempt to promote a large number of his own former classmates from Class 10 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School to army units responsible for Bangkok's security. [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HD06Ae01.html Thaksin fall from grace] Asia Times Online]

The 2006 annual military reshuffle was delayed due to the political crisis, as caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra denied that he planned to remove Sonthi as Army Commander. [http://english.people.com.cn/200607/16/eng20060716_283510.html Thaksin denies planning to remove Thai army chief] People's Daily] [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-07/15/content_4837336.htm Thaksin denies planning to remove Thai army chief] China View] Despite this, Sonthi consolidating his personal power base by transferring out 129 mid-ranking officers under generals that he thought were loyal to the Prime Minister. Some observers saw this as a message to the Government that Sonthi was still firmly in charge of the Army. [http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/07/21/2003319706 Thai army chief delivers 'counter punch' to Thaksin] Taipei Times]

As late as May 2006, Sonthi publicly denied the need for a military coup:

outhern Thailand insurgency

After being appointed Army Commander in 2005, Sonthi expressed confidence that he could resolve the insurgency. He claimed that he would take a "new and effective" approach to a crisis and that "The army is informed [of who the insurgents are] and will carry out their duties." [http://www.diacritica.com/sobaka/newswire/2005/09/0909005a.html Thailand: Mollifying the Muslim] SOBAKA] Sonthi was granted an extraordinary increase in executive powers to combat unrest in the far South. [ [http://en.ce.cn/World/Asia-Pacific/200609/08/t20060908_8479858.shtml Army commander's powers to rise: Thai Deputy PM] China Economic Net] However, up to 19 September 2006, the Army admitted that they had no idea who the insurgents were.The Bangkok Post, "Deep South: Army wants peace talks but unsure who with", 19 September 2006] The drastic escalation of the insurgency during his leadership of the Army led to much public criticism of Army efforts.

While assigned to the South, Sonthi suggested that former communist insurgents might be playing a role in the unrest. Leaders of the southern provinces displayed skepticism over his suggestion and investigations did not reveal any communist link. [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/13/politics/politics_30010984.php Governors to look into Sonthi's claim of communist hand in Southern unrest] The Nation]

Sonthi was also blamed for failing to rescue two teachers who had been severely beaten by a mob in May 2006. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/south2years/may230602.php Hostage Taking: Army's image takes beating] The Nation] One of them, Juling Pangamoon, is still in a coma and attracted fame for being the focus of attention from the royal family of Thailand. [The Nation, [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30012939 "HRH Crown Prince to visit Juling"] ]

On August 2006 after 22 commercial banks were simultaneously bombed in Yala province, Sonthi announced that he would break with government policy and negotiate with the leaders of the insurgency. However, he noted that "We still don't know who is the real head of the militants we are fighting with." [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/02/headlines/headlines_30012623.php Sonthi calls for talks] The Nation] In a press conference the next day, he attacked the government for criticizing him for trying to negotiate with the anonymous insurgents, and demanded that the government "Free the military and let it do the job." [The Bangkok Post, [http://www.parliament.go.th/news/news_detail.php?prid=27364 Sonthi slams meddling] ] Afterwards, insurgents bombed 6 department stores in Hat Yai city, which up until then had been free of insurgent activities. As always, the identity of the insurgents was not revealed. On 8 September, Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya promised to give Sonthi increased powers to better deal with the insurgency. [http://en.ce.cn/World/Asia-Pacific/200609/08/t20060908_8479858.shtml Army commander's powers to rise: Thai Deputy PM] China Economic Net] However, by 19 September 2006, the Army admitted that it still was unsure who to negotiate with.

Three days later, Sonthi led a coup against the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Sonthi's former superiors, Deputy Prime Minister for national security Chidchai Vanasatidya and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya were immediately arrested and have been detained ever since.

Despite escalating violence, in May 2007 Sonthi started withdrawing troops from the South, replacing them with territorial defence volunteers. He did not say why the regular army was to be reduced in the South. [Bangkok Post, [http://pages.citebite.com/p1p6g8x1q5ijh Some troops to pull out of South] , 12 May 2007]

Military coup

During the peak of the Thailand political crisis in February 2006, Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), personally met Sonthi to request that the military intervene in the crisis. Afterwards, Sondhi claimed that Sonthi listened to him attentively and promised to consider his request. Sonthi later claimed that he was misled into receiving Sondhi, and had no intention to endorse the anti-government activists. [Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11May2007_news22.php No time for a general to play games] , 11 May 2007]

On 19 September 2006, Sonthi and other military leaders launched a military coup against the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. The coup-makers originally called themselves the Council for Democratic Reform. Tanks surrounded Government House in Bangkok and the military took over all broadcast media. Thaksin declared a state of emergency from New York City (where he had been attending a meeting of the United Nations), but his broadcast was cut in mid-sentence when the military seized the television station.

Sonthi dissolved Cabinet, Parliament, and the Constitutional Court, and temporarily gave himself powers equivalent to Prime Minister. He declared that the council would hand over power in two weeks. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/20/thailand.coup/index.html Thailand coup leader vows new PM in weeks] CNN] On the second day of the coup, he received a formal mandate from King Bhumibol Adulyadej. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/20/thailand.coup.ap/index.html Thailand's king gives blessing to coup] CNN]

General Sonthi later said in an interview that the coup was originally planned for 20 September, to coincide with a major anti-Thaksin rally also planned for that day. He cited the "Portuguese example" in which anti-government rallies coincided with a successful military rebellion which overthrew King Manuel II of Portugal and established the Portuguese First Republic. The coup was moved up to 19 September, when Thaksin was still in New York. Sonthi also stated that the coup was not an urgent measure mooted just a couple of days earlier. Sonthi also claimed that during a lunch that Thaksin had with the commanders of the armed forces, Thaksin had asked him "Will you stage a coup?" Sonthi replied: "I will." [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/27/politics/politics_30017271.php Sonthi told Thaksin he would stage a coup] , 27 October 2006] This contradicted earlier public statements where he denied that the military would stage a coup. [International Herald Tribune, [http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/03/06/news/thai.php Thaksin refuses to resign despite protests in Bangkok] , 6 March 2006] He also revealed that as early as his 11 September visit to Myanmar, he had been wary of his personal safety. During flight, he carried a concealed pistol and sat next to the entrance to the cockpit. [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/27/politics/politics_30017271.php Sonthi told Thaksin he would stage a coup] , 27 October 2006]

Sonthi and other junta leaders flew to Chiang Mai on an Air Force C-130 on 3 November 2006 to visit a prominent fortune-teller and perform a religious ceremony to ward off bad luck over their staging of the coup. The fortune teller, Varin Buaviratlert, had been Sonthi's long-time personal fortune-teller, and had foretold Sonthi's rise to become Army Commander. [Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Nov2006_news08.php Coup-Makers Try to Keep Bad Luck At Bay] , 4 November 2006] Amid falling popularity, Sonthi sent his wife and several CNS leaders to visit her on 1 April 2007. [Bangkok Post, [http://pages.citebite.com/s1q4e7r7o2nij CNS members visit renowned fortune teller] , 2 April 2007]

Sonthi completely purged the military of all senior officers perceived as loyal to the Thaksin government, replacing them with officers that he personally trusted. [Bangkok Post, [http://pages.citebite.com/w1s4v0j1u1jku Sonthi loyalists put in key military positions] , 22 March 2007] [Bangkok Post, [http://pages.citebite.com/f1p4p0w1m2ahp Mid-year reshuffle completes the Thaksin purge] , 22 March 2007]

Permanent constitution

In December 2006, junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin issued several guidelines for the permanent constitution being drafted by the CNS's drafting body. These included:
* Restricting a Prime Minister to serving a maximum of two terms of office
* Preventing a government from acting as a caretaker administration after dissolving Parliament.
* Making it easier to launch a no-confidence debate against the Prime Minister. Whereas the 1997 Constitution required 200 out of the House's 500 MPs to launch a no-confidence debate against the Prime Minister, Sonthi demanded that 100 MPs be sufficient.

He also made several suggestions, including:
* Transforming the Senate from an all-elected body in order to prevent relatives of politicians from being elected and thus perverting the non-partisan intent of the 1997 Constitution.
* Allowing politicians to switch political parties at any time. The 1997 Constitution required that any candidate for the House belong to a political party for 90 days before the registration date for an election.
* Banning the merger of political parties. [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/17/headlines/headlines_30021748.php Sonthi issues guidelines for new charter] , 17 December 2006]

Sonthi later denied dictating the content for the new constitution, but stated "We can't force them to do things but responsible people will know what the constitution should look like." [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/20/headlines/headlines_30022102.php No dictatation on the charter : CNS chief] , 20 December 2006]

He also suggested that the term in office of village heads and kamnan be increased from 5 years to 10 years, while the role of elected tambon administrative organisations be reduced. [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/25/politics/politics_30022427.php Sonthi idea 'contrary to democracy'] , 25 December 2006]

Relations with Singapore

In 2006, Thaksin Shinawatra sold his shares in telecom firm Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings. The sale also transferred control of Shin Corp's five satellites (including IPSTAR, the world's largest commercial satellite) and mobile phone operator to the Singaporean company. After the coup, Sonthi claimed that Singapore was eavesdropping on confidential mobile telephone calls made by junta leaders. AIS and Shin Satellite, Shin Corp's mobile operator and satellite operator, denied the claim. In February 2007, Sonthi vowed in front of a thousand volunteer territorial defence students to reclaim the satellites and other telecom assets. "Soldiers will not tolerate a loss of territory, not even a square inch," he said, and continued about how it was his specific duty to "retrieve our assets". Sonthi stopped short of threatening to nationalise the telecommunications conglomerate. An opinion poll found more than 78 percent of 1,116 Thais surveyed backed Sonthi's bid to somehow reclaim the satellites. [Reuters, [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070219-0311-thailand-singapore-satellites.html Thailand says wants satellites back, but how?] , 19 February 2007] [Bangkok Post, [http://pages.citebite.com/p1h1l2m8p6fcx Wrong speech at wrong time] , 20 February 2007] [The Australian, [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21246613-36375,00.html Thailand's junta wants Shin Corp back] , 19 February 2007]

Sonthi's deputy in the CNS, General Saprang Kalayanamitr, noted in a February interview that, "if the telecommunication business is in private hands, it won't be safe for the country."Straits Times, [http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-southeastasia.asp?parentid=64204 Straight-talking general on the rise] , 21 February 2007]

Human rights

Human Rights Watch accused the Thai Army, under Sonthi's command, of "disappearing" ethnic Malay Muslims in the far south in a deliberate attempt to defeat the South Thailand insurgency. "These 'disappearances' appear to be a matter of policy, not simply the work of rogue elements in the security services," said the agency in a report. [Reuters, [http://uk.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUKBKK22290._CH_.242020070320 Thai army accused of "disappearing" Muslims] , 20 march 2007]

Other controversies

Sonthi approved a 12 million baht top-secret budget for a public relations campaign to discredit Thaksin Shinawatra. The request for the money was submitted on 24 Jan 2007. Chianchuang Kalayanamitr, younger brother of CNS Deputy Secretary-General Saprang Kalayanamitr, was hired as head of the publicity team. [Bangkok Post, [http://pages.citebite.com/i1t5f0u5a3yao CNS' anti-Thaksin campaign] , 8 April 2007] Politicians hired as part of the CNS campaign included Chat Pattana party leader Korn Dabbaransi, Democrats Korn Chatikavanij, and Korbsak Sabavasu, Prapat Panya-chatraksa, a key Thai Rak Thai member who defected to the Chat Thai party, plus ex-senator Kraisak Choonhavan. Academics hired by the CNS included Wuttipong Piebjriya-wat, Sophon Supapong, Narong Phet-prasert, and Somkiat Osotspa. However, Sophon denied he had anything to do with the campaign. [The Nation, [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/11/politics/politics_30031650.php Saprang's cousin given PR work 'because of experience'] , 11 April 2007]

After a bomb was exploded outside of Chitrlada Palace in early May 2007, junta leader Sonthi Boonratkalin claimed that the "old power group" was behind it, and told the press to ask PTV to learn more. He did not cite any evidence for his claims. [ผู้จัดการออนไลน์, [http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000051771 “สนธิ” ย้ำเหตุบึ้มไม่ใช่ฝีมือกองทัพ - โบ้ยถามหมอดูพีทีวี] , 6 พฤษภาคม 2550]

Sonthi claimed in public that several upper-middle ranking public officials had attempted to give him between 40 and 100 million baht in order to get promoted to director-general posts. Sonthi noted that the incidents led him to conclude that paying bribes to get promoted was common during the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra. A criminal complaint was filed against Sonthi for failing to take action against the officials. "Sonthi knows who the people are. Why hasn't he charged them over their illegal actions?" said People's Television executive Veera Musigapong. [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/11/politics/politics_30033937.php PTV plans legal action against Sonthi for failure to act against corrupt officials] , 11 May 2007]

Amid escalating public criticism of Premier Surayud in March 2007, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, leader of a PAD branch called the Assembly of Isaan People, personally met Sonthi to request that the military remove the Prime Minister. Afterwards, Chaiwat claimed that Sonthi listened to him attentively and promised to consider his request. Sonthi later claimed that he was tricked into receiving Chaiwat, and had no intention to endorse the anti-government activists. [Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11May2007_news22.php No time for a general to play games] , 11 May 2007] [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/10/national/national_30033849.php Gen Sonthi 'tricked' into meeting anti-PM group] , 10 May 2007] [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/09/headlines/headlines_30033754.php Activists plead for Sonthi to remove PM] , 9 May 2007]

In May 2007, Sonthi warned about 40 senior newspaper columnists and executives to "report news correctly," saying that he had noticed columnists criticising situations in different ways, and making it clear that he wanted stories to be reported in the same direction. [Bangkok Post, [http://pages.citebite.com/f1w7n0t8y0tfo Sonthi warns media to report correctly] , 16 May 2007]

On 30 May 2007, a junta-appointed Constitutional Tribunal dissolved the Thai Rak Thai Party and banned over 100 of its executives, including Thaksin, from politics for 5 years. On the morning of the ruling, Sonthi met with Tribunal judge Ackaratorn Chularat. He later denied that he lobbied the Constitution Tribunal to ban the Thai Rak Thai executive team. [Bangkok Post, [http://pages.citebite.com/j1l8e0x2r6obw Sonthi denies influencing Tribunal] , 2 June 2007]

Resignation from CNS, entry into politics

There was widespread public speculation that Sonthi would retain power after his mandatory retirement in 2007. Although he promised not to follow in the footsteps of former National Peace Keeping Coalition leader and deposed Prime Minister General Suchinda Kraprayoon, Sonthi did note that he alone could not make the decision as to whether he should become Prime Minister. [Bangkok Post, [http://pages.citebite.com/r1l4m0h1w3mcv Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratkalin?] , 22 March 2007]

In March 2007, Sonthi called for emergency rule to be declared in Bangkok in response to the protests by the founders of People's Television. In an interview, he noted that the protests had so far been peaceful, but that he was afraid the movement could lead to "mutiny and chaos in the country." [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/28/headlines/headlines_30030459.php Thai junta chief calls for emergency rule in Bangkok] , 28 March 2007]

As the military junta consolidated its power, Sonthi flip-flopped from earlier promises not to cling to power. In a television interview on 25 June 2007 he hinted at plans to enter politics after he retires as Army chief in September 2007, not denying a suggestion that a new political party might be created for him. The very next day, a group of allies and anti-Thaksin politicians launched Ruam Jai Thai (Thai Unity), a new party that “would not be unfriendly to the military”, as one put it. [The Economist, [http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9409294 Penalty shoot-out] , 28 June 2007]

Sonthi's potential entry into politics was welcomed by Suthep Thaugsuban, Secretary-General of the Democrat Party. "It would be a good sign if Sonthi would turn himself into a politician because that is the way of democracy. We should appreciate him [if he did it that way] . He is welcome... I haven't talked about the matter with him. But, in general, the Army commander-in-chief, government officials or ordinary people are welcome here at the Democrat Party," Suthep said. [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/10/politics/politics_30040253.php Junta chief warned against entering politics] , 10 July 2007]

Coup-supporter Suriyasai Katasila of the People's Alliance for Democracy suggested that Sonthi skip the next post-election and wait for the one after it, if he is keen about entering politics. Fellow coup-supporter Chamlong Srimuang, whose 1992 protests against Prime Minister Suchinda Kraprayoon led to the coup-leader's downfall, declined to state his views on Sonthi's future political role. CNS sources claimed that as of July 2007, Sonthi had not made a decision about whether or not to run in the next election. [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/09/headlines/headlines_30039957.php Sonthi flayed over poll rumour] , 9 July 2007]

The Prime Minister's Office Minister defended Sonthi's right to formally enter politics. "Whether or not it is appropriate for him to contest the [next] general election is open to criticism, which, of course, has nothing to do with his right to run. If people consider it inappropriate, they will not vote for him or his party," the Minister said. [Bangkok Post, Harsh penalties proposed against undemocratic bids to sink charter, 14 July 2007]

In the months prior to July 2007, Sonthi co-chaired meetings of the Thai Cabinet, alongside Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. He also travelled to the provinces to convince local officials to cut links with Thaksin Shinawatra and anti-junta politicians, telling them they would be treated better under his rule. [The Nation, [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/09/politics/politics_30040079.php Junta chief leaving the Army for a new power game] , 9 July 2007] Sources claimed that Sonthi was planning to run for Parliament in the next election, representing Lopburi. General Pallop Pinmanee, Sonthi's advisor and director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) was charged with building a support base for Gen Sonthi in Lopburi. ISOC staff were also sent to Northern and Northeastern provinces, political strongholds of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party, to persuade local politicians to defect from Thai Rak Thai and join political parties backed by the military. [Bangkok Post, [http://www.bangkokpost.com/110707_News/11Jul2007_news01.php] , 11 July 2007]

Sonthi resigned as commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army on September 30, 2007. He was succeeded by General Anupong Paochinda. [ [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30049569 Urgent: Anupong appointed new army chief] , "The Nation (Thailand)".] Sonthi resigned as chairman of the Council for National Security on October 1, 2007. He was succeeded as CNS chairman by Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force. Sonthi accepted a post in the cabinet of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont as deputy prime minister in charge of security. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=31967 Thai coup leader quits military council] , TNA/MCOT.] [ [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/02/headlines/headlines_30051036.php Sonthi appointed as deputy PM] , "The Nation (Thailand)"]

Personal life

Sonthi has two concurrent wives. He registered to marry his first wife, Sukanya, when he was a lieutenant and registered to a second wife, Piyada, when he was a captain. He currently lives with both women. Bigamy is illegal in Thailand, and is punishable with a jail term. However, Interior Minister Aree Wongsaraya defended Sonthi, claiming that it was a personal matter. He boasted that he himself had six wives.

Sonthi is of Persian lineage. His ancestor, Sheikh Ahmad Qomi, [th icon [http://tnews.teenee.com/politic/15433.html "ชีวิตและผลงาน พลเอก สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน ผู้บัญชาการทหารบก" เป็นหนังสือที่พล.อ.สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน รองนายกรัฐมนตรี ทำแจกในโอกาสเกษียณอายุราชการในตำแหน่งผบ.ทบ. มีเนื้อหาที่น่าสนใจโดยสรุป ดังนี้ ] ] [ [http://siammedia.org/news/thailand/20070913_01.php จาก“บุนนาค”ถึง“บุญยรัตกลิน”] ] was an Iranian expatriate trader who lived in Thailand for 26 years. Many Thais, including those from the Bunnag and Ahmadchula families trace their ancestry back to him.

Quotes

*"There is nobody who wants to stage a coup. I can assure that the military will not." 28 February 2006 [AFP, [http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/mar/01/01032006ap.htm Thai PM open to concessions, ready to postpone snap polls] , 28 February 2006]

*"The army will not get involved in the political conflict. Political troubles should be resolved by politicians. Military coups are a thing of the past.", 6 March 2006, [International Herald Tribune, [http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/03/06/news/thai.php Thaksin refuses to resign despite protests in Bangkok] , 6 March 2006]

*"Nobody was behind us. We decided on our own, and we took care of it on our own ... because the people have called for it and also because of the mismanagement of the government.", 20 September 2006 [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9495932F-4DBC-47AB-BB35-E490E7390FC1.htm Thailand military consolidates grip] Al Jazeera]

*"Thaksin is a Thai and a fellow countryman and there will be no problem should he decide to return. We are like brothers.", 20 September 2006 [http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2467171 Thai coup leader to install new PM in two weeks] ABC News]

References

External links

* [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9495932F-4DBC-47AB-BB35-E490E7390FC1.htm Thailand military consolidates grip]
* [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/20/insider.thaicoup/ The insider's guide to ... the Thai coup]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5363068.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5363068.stm]

Persondata
NAME=Boonyaratglin, Sonthi
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน (Thai); Boonyaratkalin, Sondhi (alternate transliteration)
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Thai military leader
DATE OF BIRTH=2 October 1946
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=living
PLACE OF DEATH=