Santi Thakral
Encyclopedia
Santi Thakral (1942–2011) was a member of the Privy Council of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
of Thailand. Prior to becoming Privy Councillor, he was President of the Supreme Court of Thailand.
province of Phrae
, the youngest son of an Indian Sikh
and a Thai. He studied at Bangkok's Assumption College and Assumption Commercial College before completing his LL.B. at Thammasat University
. He also has an M.A. in Political Science from Thammasat University
. He has received training from the Academy of American and International Law at Southern Methodist University
, the National College of State Judiciary at the University of Nevada
, and the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders.
After the 1992 coup d'état, the rebel military regime put Santi in charge of seizing the assets of 13 allegedly corrupt politicians of the former elected government.
In 31 July 2001 he was appointed by a unanimous vote of the Judicial Commission as the President (Chief Council) of the Supreme Court (Thai:ประธานศาลฎีกา). The appointment was made without debating his qualifications for the position. He retired a year later in 2002.
in 2005. During the height of protests against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
, General Suchinda Kraprayoon
(head of the 1992 coup) suggested that Santi was the best possible mediator between Thaksin and the People's Alliance for Democracy
. He died while holding that position in 2011.
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
of Thailand. Prior to becoming Privy Councillor, he was President of the Supreme Court of Thailand.
Early life and education
Santi Thakral was born in the northern ThaiThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
province of Phrae
Phrae
Phrae is a town in northern Thailand, capital of the Phrae Province.The town covers the whole tambon Nai Wiang of the Mueang Phrae district. It covers an area of 9 km² and as of 2005 it has a population of 17,971....
, the youngest son of an Indian Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
and a Thai. He studied at Bangkok's Assumption College and Assumption Commercial College before completing his LL.B. at Thammasat University
Thammasat University
Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
. He also has an M.A. in Political Science from Thammasat University
Thammasat University
Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
. He has received training from the Academy of American and International Law at Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, the National College of State Judiciary at the University of Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
, and the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders.
Career in the Thai judiciary
Santi became a judge in 1968, and served as judge in the Provincial Courts of Rayong, Chiangmai, Phuket, Thonburi. He was appointed Deputy Chief Justice of the Second and Fourth Regions. He also worked in the Court of Appeal and the Central Tax Court. He became a judge of the Supreme Court in 1979.After the 1992 coup d'état, the rebel military regime put Santi in charge of seizing the assets of 13 allegedly corrupt politicians of the former elected government.
In 31 July 2001 he was appointed by a unanimous vote of the Judicial Commission as the President (Chief Council) of the Supreme Court (Thai:ประธานศาลฎีกา). The appointment was made without debating his qualifications for the position. He retired a year later in 2002.
Appointment as Privy Councillor
Santi was appointed a Privy Councillor of King Bhumibol AdulyadejBhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
in 2005. During the height of protests against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
, General Suchinda Kraprayoon
Suchinda Kraprayoon
Suchinda Kraprayoon was Prime Minister of Thailand from 7 April 1992 until 24 May 1992.Suchinda, son of Juang and Sompong Kraprayoon, was born 6 August 1933 in the province of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, and is of Chinese and Mon descent...
(head of the 1992 coup) suggested that Santi was the best possible mediator between Thaksin and the People's Alliance for Democracy
People's Alliance for Democracy
The People's Alliance for Democracy also called the National Liberation Alliance - กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, Thai Patriots Network or the Yellow Shirts - เสื้อเหลือง - was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand. Its leaders include...
. He died while holding that position in 2011.
Orders and decorations
-
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Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand -
_ribbon.png)
Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
External references
- Official Profile while President of the Supreme Court
- Biographical article in Thai language Wikipedia