National Peace Keeping Council

(Redirected from NPKC Coup)

This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources.
Find sources: "National Peace Keeping Council" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2022)

The National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC) (Thai: คณะรักษาความสงบเรียบร้อยแห่งชาติ) was the name assumed by a Thai military junta that overthrew the elected civilian government of Chatichai Choonhavan in 1991. It was led by Army Commander Suchinda Kraprayoon, Supreme Commander Sunthorn Kongsompong, Air Force Commander Kaset Rojananil, and members of the fifth class of Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. After the March 1992 general election, General Suchinda was appointed prime minister. He resigned following a public uprising and pressure from King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Seizure of assets of the Chatichai cabinet

After seizing power from the Chatichai government, the junta seized the assets of Chatichai and nine members of his cabinet, including:

General Chatichai Choonhavan, Prime Minister (284 million baht, approximately US$11 million)
Subin Pinkhayan, Commerce Minister (608 million baht)
Pithak Intharavitthayanand, aide to the prime minister (335 million baht)
Montri Pongpanich, Transport Minister (336 million baht)
Pol Gen Pramarn Adireksarn, Interior Minister (139 million baht)
Phinya Chuayplod, Deputy Commerce Minister (61 million baht)

The junta set up a committee to investigate the cabinet for allegedly being "unusually rich". The supreme court later ruled on the cases and called for the return of the assets, because the politicians' wealth had been unlawfully seized by the military junta and the investigative committee had worked without the oversight of a judicial entity.