Phin Choonhavan

Phin Choonhavan (Template:Langx; RTGS: ; 14 August 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.

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

Honours

National honours

• File:Order of Chula Chom Klao - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
• File:Order of the White Elephant - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant
• File:Order of the Crown of Thailand - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cordon of The Order of the Crown of Thailand
• File:Victory Medal - Indochina (Thailand) ribbon.svg Victory Medal - Franco-Thai War
• File:Victory Medal - World War II (Thailand) ribbon.svg Victory Medal - World War II
• File:Safeguarding the Constitution Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg Safeguarding the Constitution Medal
• File:Medal for Service in the Interior - Asia (Thailand) ribbon.svg Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior
• File:Chakra Mala Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg Chakra Mala Medal
• File:King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, Second Class
• File:King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
• File:King Rama VI Coronation Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama VI Coronation Medal
• File:King Rama VII Coronation Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama VII Coronation Medal
• File:King Rama IX Coronation Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama IX Coronation Medal
• File:150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal ribbon.svg 150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal
• File:25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg 25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal

Foreign honours

• Template:Country data Kingdom of Laos :
  • File:LAO Order of the a Million Elephants and the White Parasol - Grand Cross BAR.svg Grand Cross of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol
• United States :
  • File:US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png Commander of the Legion of Merit
• Myanmar :
  • File:Ordine della Verità - divisione militare (Birmania).png Grand Commander of the Order of Thiri Thudhamma

References

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