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Prem Tinsulanonda was the primary protector of the monarchy of King Bhumibol beginning in the late 1970s. He also was the anchor of the US-Thai relationship through the 1980s. nyti.ms/2JFxm6J
In a deeply corrupt military he was personally quite clean. But his 8 years as a prime minister who never stood for election solidified the political & business role of the military which Thais continue to fight to this day. He institutionalized the ultra-conservative elite
Shawn Crispin on Prem: "Thailand’s current generation of military leaders, led by coup-maker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, are clearly trying to replicate Prem’s successful model" of autarchy. asiatimes.com/2019/05/articl…
Crispin: "While Prem’s economic contributions will be fondly remembered, his behind-the-scenes role in politics that leveraged his royal credentials, though not always clearly on command of the king, will be viewed less generously as impeding ... democratic development."
For many Thais Prem will be remembered as the person who set in motion the 2006 coup that ousted elected PM Thaksin Shinawatra . Prem of course came to power in 1980 by a silent coup
Prem's key political partner was former intel chief/foreign minister Siddhi Savetsila. Together they kept Thais allied with US after the Vietnam war. Siddhi, close to the CIA & also a privy councillor, died in 2015. With their passing Thailand has become closer to China.
Interestingly Prem was also believed to be gay. If true he was incredibly discreet about it. A couple times political enemies tried to make it an issue and were quickly silenced.
