Kris Sivara

Kris Sivara (Thai: กฤษณ์ สีวะรา, RTGS: , alternatively transcribed as Srivara) (27 March 1914 – 28 April 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 Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army from 1973 to 1975.

Career

During the Burma Campaign in World War II, Kris served as a company commander in a Phayap Army battalion under the command of Major Sarit Thanarat.

Kris was appointed Deputy Minister of Education by Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn in his 1969 government. On 23 November 1970, he was switched to Deputy Minister of Defence (Thanom was both premier and minister of defence). The government fell on 17 November 1971 after Thanom led a coup that overthrew his own government and abrogated the 1968 constitution. Thanom appointed Kris Minister of Industry in his subsequent junta.

Kris played a pivotal role in the 14 October democracy movement of 1973. Kris 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 shooting at demonstrators, killing at least 70. Narong 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 Kris. Thanom and Narong then resigned from their military positions. The king then appointed Sanya Dharmasakti as premier. Kris was named defense minister in 1976, but died a week later in April 1976. His death has been called "...sudden and strange..."Template:RP

Kris's role in the events was countered by Narong in a 2003 book. Narong blamed Kris, among others, for the violence. The book was strongly criticised by former student leaders.

The army's Kris Sivara Camp in Sakon Nakhon Province is named after him.

Honours

• 1966 – File:Order of the White Elephant - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• 1963 – File:Order of the Crown of Thailand - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 1969 – File:Order of Chula Chom Klao - 2nd Class upper (Thailand) ribbon.svg Dame Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• 1962 – File:Victory Medal - World War II (Thailand) ribbon.svg Victory Medal – Pacific War
• 1974 – File:Freeman Safeguarding Medal - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Freemen Safeguarding Medal, First Class
• 1934 – File:Safeguarding the Constitution Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg Safeguarding the Constitution Medal
• 1969 – File:Border Service Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg Border Service Medal
• 1947 – File:Chakra Mala Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg Chakra Mala Medal
• 1950 – File:King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Ananda Mahidol's Royal Cypher Medal, 4th class
• 1953 – File:King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.png King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Royal Cypher Medal, 3rd class
• 1953 – File:King Rama VII Coronation Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama VII Coronation Medal
• 1953 – File:King Rama IX Coronation Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama IX Coronation Medal
• 1953 – File:150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal ribbon.svg Commemorative Medal on the Occasion of the 150th Years of Rattanakosin Celebration
• – File:Ribbon bar of Red Cross Medal of Appreciation, 1st Class (Thailand).svg Red Cross Medal of Appreciation, First Class

Foreign honours

• Malaysia :
  • 1964 – File:MY Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara (Defender of the Realm) - SMN.svg Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm
  • 1975 – File:Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia - SSM.svg Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia
• Belgium :
  • 1964 – File:BEL Order of Leopold II - Grand Cross BAR.png Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II

• Taiwan :
  • 1967 – File:Special Breast Order of Yun Hui.png Order of Yun Hui, Third Class (Special)
  • 1969 – File:Order of the Cloud and Banner 2nd.gif Grand Cordon of the Order of the Cloud and Banner
• Template:Country data Ethiopian Empire :
  • 1968 – File:ETH Order of the Star of Ethiopia - Grand Cross BAR.png Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Ethiopia
• South Korea :
  • 1969 – File:Tong-il Security Medal Ribbon.svg Tongil Medal of the Order of National Security Merit

• South Vietnam :
  • 1969 – File:Vietnam Kim Khanh Decoration ribbon-First Class.svg Kim Khanh Decoration, First Class

• UK :
  • 1972 – File:Order of the British Empire (Military) Ribbon.png Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Military) (KBE)

• Indonesia :
  • 1973 – File:Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (Indonesia).png Grand Meritorious Military Order Star, 1st Class

• Philippines :
  • 1975 – File:PHL Legion of Honor - Commander BAR.png Philippine Legion of Honor (Rank of Commander)

Further reading

• Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, Template:ISBN

External links

• The Nation, "Uprising: Narong 'is distorting history'", 31 Aug 2003

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