Chaiyasit Shinawatra

Chaiyasit Shinawatra (Thai: ชัยสิทธิ์ ชินวัตร; RTGS: Chaiyasit Chinnawat; born 25 June 1945) is a former commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army.^[2]

Nativename

ชัยสิทธิ์ ชินวัตร

NicknameTui

Born (1945-06-25) 25 June 1945 (age 81)

Bangkok, Thailand

Allegiance Thailand

Quick facts Chaiyasit Shinawatra MPCh MWM, Native name ...

Chaiyasit Shinawatra MPCh MWM
Native name	ชัยสิทธิ์ ชินวัตร
Nickname	Tui
Born	(1945-06-25) 25 June 1945 (age 81) Bangkok, Thailand
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch	Royal Thai Army
Service years	1969–2005
Rank	General Admiral Air Chief Marshal[1]
Commands	Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army
Conflicts	Communist insurgency in Thailand
Awards	Freemen Safeguarding Medal (Second Class, Second Category) Border Service Medal Chakra Mala Medal Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)
Education	Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Spouse	Wina Suksapha
Children	2
Relations	Thaksin Shinawatra (first cousin) Yingluck Shinawatra (first cousin)

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He was transferred from the army to become a special advisor to the Supreme Command Headquarters under the administration of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai.^[3] In August 2001, Chaiyasit was promoted to deputy commander of the Armed Forces Development Command.^[4] In August 2002, he was promoted to the post of deputy commander-in-chief.

As a cousin of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his unexpected appointment was criticised as an act of nepotism. Both Chaiyasit and the Defence Minister, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, denied accusations of nepotism: "If I'm appointed to a significant post in the Army because of my connection with the prime minister, I won't have any friends left in the armed forces," said Chaiyasit. He said that Thaksin would not interfere with any high-level military reshuffles: "It's a shame that the prime minister's name was tainted by such a groundless rumour."^[5]

He replaced General Surayud Chulanont, who was promoted to become supreme commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, as commander-in-chief in August 2003.^[6]

He was replaced as army chief in 2004, succeeded by Prawit Wongsuwan,^[7][8] and was transferred to Supreme Command. Chaisit was then replaced as supreme commander in 2005, succeeded by General Ruangroj Mararanont.^[9]