Sanya Dharmasakti was the 12th Prime Minister of Thailand.

Professor Sanya Dharmasakti was one of the most influential political figures in Thailand

Thailand

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...

. He served as the president of the Supreme Court (1968-1973), dean of the faculty of law and chancellor of the 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...

, vice president of the constitutional congress, prime minister for two terms, and was requested by his Majesty to serve as the president of the privy council.

Family background

Professor Sanya Dharmasakti was born on Friday the 5th of April 1907 in Thonburi province, in central Thailand. His father was the high ranking buddhist scholar Mahamtree and abbot, Dhammasarnvetvisetpakdee Srisattayawatta Phiriyapaha or Mr.Thongdee Dharmasakti. His mother was Lady Shuen Dharmmasarnvet. Professor Sanya Dharmasakti married Lady Pa-nga Dharmasakti, also known as Phenchart. They had two sons, named Mr. Chartsak Dharmasakti and Dr.Jakatham Dharmasakti. Professor Sanya Dharmasakti died at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok on the 6th January 2002.

Education

Professor Sanya Dharmasakti went to Assumption College in 1914 and finished high school while majoring in English in 1925. Sanya Dharmasakti went to the law school of the Ministry of Justice for three years, graduating in 1928. He got the highest score and received the Rapheeboonnithi scholarship. This scholarship allowed him to study law in England at the Middle Temple

Middle Temple

The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers; the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn...

 for three years. He graduated there as a Barrister at Law in 1932.

Royal decorations

Sanya received the following royal decorations in the Honours System

Thai Honours Order of Precedence

State decorations awarded by Thailand take the form of orders and medals. This page lists them by order of precedence.-Royal decorations:# Knight and Dame of the Most Auspicious Order of the Rajamitrabhorn...

 of Thailand:

• 1940 - Commander (Third Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 1941 - Commander (Third Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
  Order of the White Elephant
  The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant is the most awarded order of Thailand. It was established in 1861 by King Rama IV of the Kingdom of Siam.The Order consists of eight classes:...
  
  
• 1948 - Knight Commander (Second Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 1950 - Chakrabarti Mala Medal
• 1954 - King Rama IX
  Bhumibol Adulyadej
  Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
  
   Royal Cypher Medal, 3rd Class
• 1954 - Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 1956 - Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
  Order of the White Elephant
  The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant is the most awarded order of Thailand. It was established in 1861 by King Rama IV of the Kingdom of Siam.The Order consists of eight classes:...
  
  
• 1957 - Knight Commander (Second Class, lower grade) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
  Order of Chula Chom Klao
  The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao was established in 16 November 1873 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam to commemorate the 90th Jubilee of the Chakri Dynasty, and bears his Name...
  
  
• 1959 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 1961 - Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
  Order of the White Elephant
  The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant is the most awarded order of Thailand. It was established in 1861 by King Rama IV of the Kingdom of Siam.The Order consists of eight classes:...
  
  
• 1962 - Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
  Order of Chula Chom Klao
  The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao was established in 16 November 1873 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam to commemorate the 90th Jubilee of the Chakri Dynasty, and bears his Name...
  
  
• 1968 - Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
  Order of Chula Chom Klao
  The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao was established in 16 November 1873 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam to commemorate the 90th Jubilee of the Chakri Dynasty, and bears his Name...
  
  
• 1969 - Dushdi Mala - Civilian
• 1971 - King Rama IX
  Bhumibol Adulyadej
  Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
  
   Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class
• 1996 - Knight of The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems
  Order of the Nine Gems
  The Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems was established in 1851 by King Rama IV of The Kingdom of Siam...