Chalit Pookpasuk
Encyclopedia
Air Chief Marshal
Chalit Pookpasuk (Thai
: ชลิต พุกผาสุข) (5 April 1948 –) was Thai air force officer, Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force
, and acting chairman of Council for National Security, the junta
that overthrew the government of former Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra
in the 2006 coup d'état.
Academy and held many key positions in the Air Force, including that of air attaché
in Jakarta
. Prior to becoming Commander of the Air Force, he was the Air Force's chief of staff
. Chalit was reportedly reluctant to support the 2006 Thai coup d'état – Royal Thai Army troops had surrounded Air Force Headquarters on the night of the coup to ensure that Chalit and the Air Force did not provide any resistance.
Chalit was appointed a deputy chairman in the Council for National Security under coup leader, General
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
. Chalit was paid nearly 114,000 baht
per month as an additional salary to his air force pay while he was deputy chairman.
Chalit was named as acting chairman of the Council for National Security on 1 October 2007, succeeding Sonthi, who retired from military duty to enter politics. In addition to his duties as air force chief and acting CNS head, Chalit also serves as chairman of the board of Thai Airways International
. In 2011, Chalit was appointed by Bhumibol Adulyadej
to Privy Council of Thailand.
Chalit is married to Assistant professor Dr. Phonthip Phukphasuk, a now retired professor for Thai language from the Faculty of Arts of Chulalongkorn University
. They have two daughters.
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Chalit Pookpasuk (Thai
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
: ชลิต พุกผาสุข) (5 April 1948 –) was Thai air force officer, Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force
Royal Thai Air Force
The Royal Thai Air Force or RTAF is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913, as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force had engaged in many major and minor battles. During the Vietnam war era, the air force has been developed with USAF-aid...
, and acting chairman of Council for National Security, the junta
Military dictatorship
A military dictatorship is a form of government where in the political power resides with the military. It is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military....
that overthrew the government of former Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
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....
in the 2006 coup d'état.
Biography
Chalit graduated from the Royal Thai Air ForceRoyal Thai Air Force
The Royal Thai Air Force or RTAF is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913, as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force had engaged in many major and minor battles. During the Vietnam war era, the air force has been developed with USAF-aid...
Academy and held many key positions in the Air Force, including that of air attaché
Air attaché
An air attaché is an Air Force officer who is part of a diplomatic mission; this post is normally filled by a high-ranking officer.An air attaché typically represents the chief of his home air force in the foreign country where he serves. The day-to-day responsibilities include maintaining contacts...
in Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
. Prior to becoming Commander of the Air Force, he was the Air Force's chief of staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
. Chalit was reportedly reluctant to support the 2006 Thai coup d'état – Royal Thai Army troops had surrounded Air Force Headquarters on the night of the coup to ensure that Chalit and the Air Force did not provide any resistance.
Chalit was appointed a deputy chairman in the Council for National Security under coup leader, General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for National Security, the military junta that ruled the kingdom. He is the first Muslim in charge of the mostly Buddhist army...
. Chalit was paid nearly 114,000 baht
Thai baht
The baht is the currency of Thailand. It is subdivided into 100 satang . The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand.-History:The baht, like the pound, originated from a traditional unit of mass...
per month as an additional salary to his air force pay while he was deputy chairman.
Chalit was named as acting chairman of the Council for National Security on 1 October 2007, succeeding Sonthi, who retired from military duty to enter politics. In addition to his duties as air force chief and acting CNS head, Chalit also serves as chairman of the board of Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited is the national flag carrier and largest airline of Thailand. Formed in 1988, the airline's headquarters are located in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, and operates out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai is a founding member of the Star Alliance. Thai is a...
. In 2011, Chalit was appointed by Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX...
to Privy Council of Thailand.
Chalit is married to Assistant professor Dr. Phonthip Phukphasuk, a now retired professor for Thai language from the Faculty of Arts of Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
. They have two daughters.