Phin Choonhavan

Phin Choonhavan (Thai: ผิน ชุณหะวัณ; RTGS: Phin Chunhawan; August 14, 1891 – 26 January 1973) was a Thai military leader and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. Phin was a leader of several coups against the government, most notably the 1947 coup. During the Second World War, he commanded the Phayap Army's 3rd Division before being made military governor of the Shan States, which Thailand had occupied during the Burma Campaign.

Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan KGC MPCh MVM
ผิน ชุณหะวัณ
Choonhavan in 1953
Prime Minister de facto of Thailand
In office 8 – 10 November 1947
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Thawan Thamrongnawasawat (Prime Minister)
Succeeded by	Khuang Aphaiwong (Prime Minister)
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 6 December 1951 – 19 April 1956 Serving with Muni Mahasantana Wechayantrangsarit Boonkerd Sutantanon Fuen Ronnaphagrad Ritthakhanee
Prime Minister	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Preceded by	Sawat Sawatranachai Sawatdikiat
Succeeded by	Fuen Ronnaphagrad Ritthakhanee Prayoon Yuthasastrkosol
Minister of Agriculture
In office 12 December 1953 – 16 September 1957
Prime Minister	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Preceded by	Pisan Sunavinvivat
Succeeded by	Wiboon Thambutra
15th Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army
In office 28 May 1948 – 23 May 1954
Preceded by	Adun Adundetcharat
Succeeded by	Sarit Thanarat
Personal details
Born	(1891-08-14)14 August 1891 Si Muen, Ratchaburi, Siam (now Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram, Thailand)
Died	26 January 1973(1973-01-26) (aged 81) Phramongkutklao Hospital, Phaya Thai, Bangkok, Thailand (now Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand)
Children	6, including Chatichai
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Royal Thai Army
Rank	Field Marshal Admiral Air Chief Marshal
Commands	3rd infantry division Phayap Army Ministry of Defence Royal Thai Armed Forces
Battles/wars	Boworadet Rebellion World War II Franco-Thai War Burma Campaign
Other work	Military Governor of the Shan States (1943)

Phin was the son of a Chinese physician, Kai (Chinese: 開) who migrated to Siam from Chaoshan, as was the father of his wife, Lim Hong (Chinese: 林風), who was also an immigrant from Chenghai Shantou. His son, Chatichai Choonhavan, became Prime Minister of Thailand. His daughter, Udomlak, married Phao Sriyanond, director general of the Thai police. Another daughter, Charoen, married Pramarn Adireksarn, who served as deputy prime minister in several governments.

Honours

National Honours

• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
• Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant
• Knight Grand Cordon of The Order of the Crown of Thailand
• Victory Medal - Franco-Thai War
• Victory Medal - World War II
• Safeguarding the Constitution Medal
• Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior
• Chakra Mala Medal
• King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, Second Class
• King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
• King Rama VI Coronation Medal
• King Rama VII Coronation Medal
• King Rama IX Coronation Medal
• 150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal
• 25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal

Foreign Honours

• Kingdom of Laos :
  • Grand Cross of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol
• United States :
  • Commander of the Legion of Merit
• Myanmar :
  • Grand Commander of the Order of Thiri Thudhamma

References

• Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3