In 1991, the Thai military staged one of its many coups. The real leader of the coup was Suchinda Kraprayoon, but they named the elderly military commander Sunthorn Kongsompong as the head of the junta. 1/7 
Sunthorn was considered a joke even by his military comrades. He quickly became an embarrassment.
On August 1, 1991, The New York Times ran a story about a legal dispute between Sunthorn's wife, Orachorn Kongsompong, and his younger mia noi, Ampapan Kongsompong. 2/7
On August 1, 1991, The New York Times ran a story about a legal dispute between Sunthorn's wife, Orachorn Kongsompong, and his younger mia noi, Ampapan Kongsompong. 2/7
The two women fought openly because Ampapan was using the Kongsompong name.
When the scandal became public, Sunthorn disappeared for several days and did not dare speak to the media. 3/7
When the scandal became public, Sunthorn disappeared for several days and did not dare speak to the media. 3/7
After the 1991 coup leaders were disgraced by the massacre of Thai civilians in May 1992, Sunthorn ran away again. He opened a restaurant in France, and died in 1999. 4/7
His son Apirat Kongsompong claimed this week that Sunthorn was a hero who was "shot by the communists while he was piloting a helicopter and protecting his nation" but I have found no record of this incident. 5/7
There is no evidence that Sunthorn was ever wounded in the line of duty.
The only reported injury he suffered is the New York Times saying he was "shellshocked" by the fight between his wife and his mia noi. 6/7
The only reported injury he suffered is the New York Times saying he was "shellshocked" by the fight between his wife and his mia noi. 6/7
