Phayom Chulanont
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel Phayom Chulanont was a Thai military officer, politician, leader of the Communist Party of Thailand
, and father of former Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont
.
The son of Phraya Wiset Singhanat of Phetburi, and son-in-law of Phraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram
, Phayom became an ally of Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram
in his coup against the government of Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi
and Pridi Bhanomyong in 1947. He later disagreed with the leaders of the junta and started a failed coup of his own, the so-called Army Staff School coup. When the coup failed, he fled to the People's Republic of China
via Mae Sai
and Burma. At the time, his son, Surayud, was only 6 years old.
Phayom returned to Thailand in 1957 to run in general elections in March, becoming MP of Phetburi. In the very same year, Sarit Dhanarajata
seized power from the government of Plaek Pibulsonggram
. Phayom said goodbye to his family, went underground and took the name Comrade Too Khamtan . He later became a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Thailand
and Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army of Thailand. His son, Surayud
, later joined the Royal Thai Army and led operations against the Communists.
After decades of hiding and guerilla warfare, Phayom's health failed him. He was sent to recuperate in Beijing in 1978. He died some time in the early 1980s.
Communist Party of Thailand
The Communist Party of Thailand - CPT was a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Thailand, active from 1942 until the 1990s. Initially known as Communist Party of Siam the party was founded officially on the 1st of December 1942, although communist activism in the country began as early...
, and father of former Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont
Surayud Chulanont
General Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008...
.
The son of Phraya Wiset Singhanat of Phetburi, and son-in-law of Phraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram
Sri Sitthi Songkhram
Phraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram was a Siamese career Army officer. He became Chief of Staff of the First Army under the absolute monarchy, and was Chief of Operations of the Army briefly during the post-1932 constitutional monarchy...
, Phayom became an ally of Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram
Plaek Pibulsonggram
Field Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
in his coup against the government of Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi
Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi
Rear Admiral Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi was the 8th prime minister of Thailand from 1946-1947.A career naval officer of Chinese ancestry, Admiral Thamrong was a leading member of the anti-Japanese Seri Thai resistance movement during World War II. He became Thailand's elected prime minister on...
and Pridi Bhanomyong in 1947. He later disagreed with the leaders of the junta and started a failed coup of his own, the so-called Army Staff School coup. When the coup failed, he fled to the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
via Mae Sai
Mae Sai
Mae Sai is the northernmost district of Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand. The town of Mae Sai is a major border crossing between Thailand and Burma...
and Burma. At the time, his son, Surayud, was only 6 years old.
Phayom returned to Thailand in 1957 to run in general elections in March, becoming MP of Phetburi. In the very same year, Sarit Dhanarajata
Sarit Dhanarajata
Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat , was a Thai career soldier who staged a coup in 1957, thereafter serving as Thailand's Prime Minister until his death in 1963. He was born in Bangkok, but grew up in his mother's home town in Lao-speaking northeastern Thailand and considered himself a northeasterner...
seized power from the government of Plaek Pibulsonggram
Plaek Pibulsonggram
Field Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
. Phayom said goodbye to his family, went underground and took the name Comrade Too Khamtan . He later became a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Thailand
Communist Party of Thailand
The Communist Party of Thailand - CPT was a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Thailand, active from 1942 until the 1990s. Initially known as Communist Party of Siam the party was founded officially on the 1st of December 1942, although communist activism in the country began as early...
and Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army of Thailand. His son, Surayud
Surayud Chulanont
General Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008...
, later joined the Royal Thai Army and led operations against the Communists.
After decades of hiding and guerilla warfare, Phayom's health failed him. He was sent to recuperate in Beijing in 1978. He died some time in the early 1980s.