Arthit Kamlang-ek

General Arthit Kamlangek (also known as "Big Sun") was the former Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army and the Supreme Commander of the Thai Armed Forces. He was particularly influential during the 1980's during the government of Prem Tinsulanonda.

1981 Young Turk coup

General Arthit was a leader of the counter-coup against the Young Turk coup of 1981. Afterwards, he was promoted to Commander of the First Army Region, traditionally regarded as the most strategic post for coups and counter-coups.

Clash with Prem

General Arthit's subsequent rapid rise to the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army in October 1982 was unprecedented. Also serving as the Supreme Commander starting September 1983, General Arthit at times challenged the propriety of key government policies. In November 1984, for example, he made a televised condemnation of the government's currency devaluation policy. Also in 1984, apparently with General Arthit's blessing, some active-duty and retired army officers pressed for constitutional amendments aimed at enhancing their political influence. A showdown between Arthit's camp and Prem's ruling coalition was narrowly averted when General Arthit urged the officers to abandon the amendments.

General Arthit also played a role in the 1985 election which brought Chamlong Srimuang to the governorship of Bangkok. Arthit urged his subordinates and their families to vote against any party that had an anti-military orientation, particularly the Democrats.

Downfall

In 1986, General Arthit lobbied vigourously to extend his term as Army Commander another year to September 1987, which would allow him to retain influence after the expiration of Prem's term as Prime Minister. But on March 24, 1986, the government announced that Gen. Arthit would be retired as scheduled on September 1, 1986. Then on 27 May, Prem stunned the nation by dismissing General Arthit from his position as Army chief and replacing him with General Chaovalit Yongchaiyut, a Prem loyalist. Prior to that, no Army chief had ever been fired. This unprecedented action came amid the flurry of rumours that General Arthit was involved in behind-the-scenes maneuvres to undermine Prem's chances for another premiership after the July 1986 parliamentary elections. General Arthit, whose largely ceremonial post as Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces until September 1986 was not affected by the dismissal order, denied any role in such maneuvers.

Education

- B.S. (Military), Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy

- Royal Thai Armed Forces Staff College

- Air War College

- Ph.D. (Honorary) in Political Science, Srinakharinwirot University, U.S.A.

- Ph.D. (Honorary) in Economics, Pepperdine University U.S.A.

- Ph.D. (Honorary) in Social Science for Education, Rajabhat Institute Loei

- National Defense College