Sonthi Boonyaratglin

Sonthi Boonyaratglin
Sonthi Boonyaratglin
สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน
	Boonyaratglin in August 2009
Acting Prime Minister of Thailand
	De facto; 19 September 2006 – 1 October 2006
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Preceded by	Thaksin Shinawatra (as Prime Minister)
Succeeded by	Surayud Chulanont (as Prime Minister)
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
	In office; 1 October 2007 – 28 January 2008
Prime Minister	Surayud Chulanont
President of the Council for National Security
	In office; 1 October 2006 – 1 October 2007
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Deputy	Chalit Pukbhasuk; Sathiraphan Keyanon; Kowit Wattana
Preceded by	Himself (as Head of the Council for Democratic Reform)
Succeeded by	Chalit Pukbhasuk (acting)
Commander-in-Chief of the Army
	In office; 1 October 2005 – 30 September 2007
Preceded by	Prawit Wongsuwan
Succeeded by	Anupong Paochinda
Personal details
Born	2 October 1946; Pathum Thani, Thailand
Party	Chartthaipattana (2018–present)
Other political; affiliations	Matubhum (2009–2018)
Spouses	Sukanya Boonyaratglin; Piyada Boonyaratglin;
Domestic partner	Wanna Boonyaratglin
Children	6
Alma mater	Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School; Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy; National Defence College of Thailand; Ramkhamhaeng University (Ph.D.);
Signature
Military service
Branch/service	Royal Thai Army
Years of service	1969–2007
Rank	General
Commands	Commander-in-Chief
Battles/wars	Vietnam War; Communist insurgency in Thailand; South Thailand insurgency;
Awards	Victory Medal - Vietnam War, with flames; Freemen Safeguarding Medal (Second Class, Second Category); Border Service Medal; Chakra Mala Medal; Commendation Medal, with "V" device; Gallantry Cross, with palm;

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Sonthi Boonyaratglin (Thai: สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน, RTGS: Sonthi Bunyaratkalin, IPA: [sǒn.tʰíʔ bun.já.rát.kà.lin]; born 2 October 1946) is a Thai former general who was Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for Democratic Reform, the military junta that ruled the kingdom. He was the first Muslim in charge of the army of the mostly Buddhist country. On 19 September 2006, he became the de facto head of government of Thailand after overthrowing the elected government in a coup d'état. After retiring from the Army in 2007, he became deputy prime minister, in charge of national security.

Sonthi is a multimillionaire and has two wives, Sukanya and Piyada, despite legal prohibitions against bigamy.