Krit Srivara

General Krit Srivara (Thai: กฤษณ์ สีวะรา) was a military officer of the Royal Thai Army, a member of the Thai Cabinet, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army during the violent crackdown on democracy protesters on 14 October 1973. He was later promoted to Army Commander.

During the invasion of Burma Krit served as a company commander in a Phayap Army battalion under the command of Major Sarit Thanarat.

Krit was appointed Deputy Minister of Education by Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn in his 1969 government. On 23 November 1970, he was switched to be Deputy Minister of Defence (Thanom was both Premier and Minister of Defence). The government fell in 17 November 1971 after Thanom led a coup that overthrew his own government and abrogated the 1968 constitution. Thanom appointed Krit Minister of Industry in his subsequent junta.

Krit played a pivotal role in the 14 October democracy movement of 1973. Krit served as Deputy Army Commander in the face of massive public demonstrations against the "Three Tyrants": Colonel Narong Kittikachorn, Army Commander Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien, and Prime Minister and Supreme Commander Thanom Kittikachorn. On the evening of 14 October, the police and army began shotting at demonstrators, killing at least 70. Narong Kittikachorn personally shot into the crowds from a helicopter. Thanom and Praphas resigned from their political roles, but continued to lead the military. They ordered more troops to confront the remaining demonstrators, but were blocked by Krit Srivara. Thanom and Narong then resigned from their military positions. The King then appointed Sanya Dhammasakdi as Premier. Krit played no role in the subsequent government.

However, Krit's role in the events was countered by Narong in a 2003 book. Narong blamed Krit, among others, for the violence. The book was strongly criticised by former student leaders.

The Army's Krit Srivara Camp in Sakon Nakhon province is named after him.

References

* Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3
* The Nation, [http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:70pd9VCEEJcJ:www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.arcview.php%3Fclid%3D2%26id%3D84733%26usrsess%3D+Krit+Srivara&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us&client=firefox-a UPRISING: Narong 'is distorting history'] , 31 Aug 2003