Former Thai Prime Minister General Suchinda Kraprayoon Dies at 91

BREAKING NEWS - General Suchinda Kraprayoon, Thailand's 19th Prime Minister and former member of the National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC), has passed away, closing the chapter on the controversial figure known for his pledge to "sacrifice loyalty for the nation."

Death and Legacy

On June 10, 2025, reporters confirmed that "Big Su" General Suchinda Kraprayoon, the 19th Prime Minister of Thailand, passed away peacefully from age-related illness at 1:57 AM at Phramongkutklao Hospital. He was 91 years, 10 months, and 4 days old. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Early Life and Military Career

Born on August 6, 1933, General Suchinda served as both a military officer and politician throughout his career. He held several key positions including:

• Minister of Defense

• Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army

• Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces

• Member of the National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC) that staged a coup in 1991

Rise to Prime Minister

General Suchinda received royal appointment as Thailand's 19th Prime Minister on April 7, 1992. Upon taking office, he famously declared he would "sacrifice loyalty for the nation," despite having previously stated he would not accept the position of Prime Minister.

Controversial Appointments and Political Crisis

His tenure was marked by controversy when he appointed General Isarapong Noonpakdee, the NPKC Secretary-General who was also his wife's brother, as Interior Minister. This appointment sparked opposition from various political movements who demanded General Suchinda's resignation, viewing it as a continuation of the NPKC's authoritarian rule.

The mounting political pressure culminated in the tragic events known as "Black May" (Phruetsapha Thammaฬ) from May 17-20, 1992, which led to significant civil unrest. General Suchinda ultimately resigned from his position on May 24, 1992.

Personal Life and Family

General Suchinda's personal life was closely associated with his wife, Khunying Wannee Kraprayoon (née Noonpakdee), who passed away from age-related illness on September 21, 2021, at age 84, also at Phramongkutklao Hospital.

Khunying Wannee was well-known in social and political circles for her distinctive personality and her signature "swan soaring" dance, which she often performed at parties or during celebratory moments. When General Suchinda became Prime Minister, she famously remarked that she "dreamed of soaring over seven mountains," a statement that became widely discussed during that era.

The couple shared a long marriage until Khunying Wannee fell seriously ill and remained unconscious for some time before her death in 2021. Her funeral services were held at Wat Somanas Rajavaravihara.

Historical Context

General Suchinda's death marks the end of an era for one of Thailand's most controversial political figures, whose brief but tumultuous tenure as Prime Minister was defined by the tragic events of Black May 1992, a pivotal moment in Thailand's democratic development.

Credit https://www.naewna.com/politic/890509