Khuang Abhaiwongse

Khuang Abhaiwongse พันตรีควง อภัยวงศ์
4th Prime Minister of Thailand
In office August 1, 1944 – August 31, 1945 January 31 - March 24, 1946 November 10, 1947 - April 8, 1948
Monarch	Ananda Mahidol Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Plaek Phibunsongkhram (1944) Seni Pramoj (1946) Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi (1947)
Succeeded by	Tawee Boonyaket (1945) Luang Praditmanutham (1946) Plaek Phibunsongkhram (1948)
Personal details
Born	May 17, 1902(1902-05-17) Battambang, Cambodia
Died	March 15, 1968(1968-03-15) (aged 65)
Nationality	Thai
Political party	Democrat Party

Major Luang Khuang Abhaiwongse (May 17, 1902 - March 15, 1968; Thai ควง อภัยวงศ์) was three times the prime minister of Thailand.

Khuang was born in Battambang now belonging to Cambodia as the son of the Siamese governor of the province Battambang, Chao Phraya Abhayabhubet. He visited the Debsirin school and the Assumption College, Bangkok, and studied engineering at the Ecole Centrale de Lyon in France. After his return to Thailand he worked in the telegraph department, finally becoming the director of the department.

During World War II he received the title Major, as he joined the guard of King Rama VII. This service also earned him the title Luang Kowitabhayawongse. In the governments of Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena and Plaek Phibunsongkhram he became minister, and was elected as prime minister on August 1, 1944, after Plaek's plans to move the capital to Phetchabun and to create the Phutthamonthon park failed to get enough approval from the parliament. On August 17, 1945 he resigned to make way for a new administration.

In 1946 he was one of the founders of the Democrat Party, and became its first leader. The fourth national elections on January 6, 1946 were won by the Democratic Party, which gained him a second term as prime minister starting on January 31. Only 45 days later, on March 24, his government lost an election in parliament and he resigned.

He became prime minister a third time on November 10, 1947 following a coup d'état led by Phin Chunhawan. However, the coup leaders were not pleased with the performance of Khuang's government and forced him to resign on April 8, 1948. This also ensured Plaek to become prime minister again. Khuang continued in politics as the opposition leader and leader of the Democratic Party.

Preceded by Plaek Phibunsongkhram	Prime Minister of Thailand 1944–1945	Succeeded by Tawee Boonyaket
Preceded by Seni Pramoj	Prime Minister of Thailand 1946	Succeeded by Luang Praditmanutham
Preceded by Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi	Prime Minister of Thailand 1947–1948	Succeeded by Plaek Phibunsongkhram