National Peacekeeping Council

junta, Thailand

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July 1, 2026

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The National Peacekeeping Council was a junta that overthrew the Thai government in February 1991. This military council, nominally led by Gen. Sunthorn Kongsompong but with army chief Suchinda Kraprayoon as a powerful figure, promised elections and appointed Anand Punyarachun as prime minister.12

However, after elections in March 1992, Suchinda Kraprayoon became prime minister, leading to large protests. The military's violent suppression of these demonstrations prompted royal intervention, resulting in Suchinda's resignation. This period marked a shift towards a more democratic era in Thailand, with subsequent governments being formed by parliamentary majorities.12

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Thailand
Partial democracy and the search for a new political order
…a junta calling itself the National Peacekeeping Council. Although nominally led by Gen. Sunthorn Kongsompong, another powerful leader of the junta was army chief Suchinda Kraprayoon. The junta promised elections and, as an indication of this commitment, appointed the politically liberal Anand Punyarachun, a former diplomat and business leader, as…
Read More
…a junta calling itself the National Peacekeeping Council. Although nominally led by Gen. Sunthorn Kongsompong, another powerful leader of the junta was army chief Suchinda Kraprayoon. The junta promised elections and, as an indication of this commitment, appointed the politically liberal Anand Punyarachun, a former diplomat and business leader, as…
Read More