Sarit Thanarat

Sarit Thanarat (1908-63), general, who ruled Thailand as prime minister from 1958 to 1963. Born in Bangkok, he was educated at a military school there and rose through the army ranks. He supported the government takeover by Phibun Songkhram in 1947 and subsequently served in his cabinet. In 1957, however, Sarit led an army coup that deposed Phibun and installed his second in command, Thanom Kittikachorn, as prime minister. Sarit assumed direct power in 1958 and the following year became prime minister under an interim constitution. Strongly anti-Communist, he ruled by martial law until his death, when the regime was continued by Thanom.