Krit Srivara
Encyclopedia
General Krit Srivara (March 27, 1914—April 28, 1976) was a military officer of the Royal Thai Army, a member of the Thai Cabinet, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army during the violent crackdown on democracy protesters on 14 October 1973. He was later promoted to Army Commander.
During the invasion of Burma Krit served as a company commander in a Phayap Army
battalion under the command of Major Sarit Thanarat.
Krit was appointed Deputy Minister of Education by Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn
in his 1969 government. On 23 November 1970, he was switched to be Deputy Minister of Defence (Thanom was both Premier and Minister of Defence). The government fell in 17 November 1971 after Thanom led a coup that overthrew his own government and abrogated the 1968 constitution. Thanom appointed Krit Minister of Industry in his subsequent junta.
Krit played a pivotal role in the 14 October democracy movement of 1973. Krit served as Deputy Army Commander in the face of massive public demonstrations against the "Three Tyrants": Colonel Narong Kittikachorn, Army Commander Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien, and Prime Minister and Supreme Commander Thanom Kittikachorn
. On the evening of 14 October, the police and army began shotting at demonstrators, killing at least 70. Narong personally shot into the crowds from a helicopter. Thanom and Praphas resigned from their political roles, but continued to lead the military. They ordered more troops to confront the remaining demonstrators, but were blocked by Krit. Thanom and Narong then resigned from their military positions. The King then appointed Sanya Dhammasakdi as Premier. Krit was named defense minister in 1976, but died suddenly a week later.
However, Krit's role in the events was countered by Narong in a 2003 book. Narong blamed Krit, among others, for the violence. The book was strongly criticised by former student leaders.
The Army's Krit Srivara Camp in Sakon Nakhon
province is named after him.
During the invasion of Burma Krit served as a company commander in a Phayap Army
Phayap Army
Phayap Army was the Thai force that invaded the Shan States on May 10, 1942, during the Burma Campaign of World War II.- Orbat of Phayap Army 1942 :...
battalion under the command of Major Sarit Thanarat.
Krit was appointed Deputy Minister of Education by Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn
Thanom Kittikachorn
Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-Communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down...
in his 1969 government. On 23 November 1970, he was switched to be Deputy Minister of Defence (Thanom was both Premier and Minister of Defence). The government fell in 17 November 1971 after Thanom led a coup that overthrew his own government and abrogated the 1968 constitution. Thanom appointed Krit Minister of Industry in his subsequent junta.
Krit played a pivotal role in the 14 October democracy movement of 1973. Krit served as Deputy Army Commander in the face of massive public demonstrations against the "Three Tyrants": Colonel Narong Kittikachorn, Army Commander Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien, and Prime Minister and Supreme Commander Thanom Kittikachorn
Thanom Kittikachorn
Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-Communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down...
. On the evening of 14 October, the police and army began shotting at demonstrators, killing at least 70. Narong personally shot into the crowds from a helicopter. Thanom and Praphas resigned from their political roles, but continued to lead the military. They ordered more troops to confront the remaining demonstrators, but were blocked by Krit. Thanom and Narong then resigned from their military positions. The King then appointed Sanya Dhammasakdi as Premier. Krit was named defense minister in 1976, but died suddenly a week later.
However, Krit's role in the events was countered by Narong in a 2003 book. Narong blamed Krit, among others, for the violence. The book was strongly criticised by former student leaders.
The Army's Krit Srivara Camp in Sakon Nakhon
Sakon Nakhon
Sakon Nakhon is a town in Thailand within the Isan region, and capital city of the Sakon Nakhon Province, with a population of approximately 76,000. It has a regional airport in the north, Sakon Nakhon Airport. During World War II, the town became a haven for Free Thais, and a base for Communist...
province is named after him.