| Phin Choonhavan | |
|---|---|
|  Choonhavan in 1953 | |
| Native name | ผิน ชุณหะวัณ | 
| Born | 14 August 1891 Si Muen, Ratchaburi, Siam (now Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram, Thailand) | 
| Died | 26 January 1973 (aged 81) Phramongkutklao Hospital, Phaya Thai, Bangkok, Thailand (now Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand) | 
| Allegiance |  Thailand | 
| Service/ |  Royal Thai Army | 
| Rank | .svg.png.webp) Field Marshal[1] .svg.png.webp) Admiral .svg.png.webp) Air Chief Marshal[2] | 
| Commands held | 3rd infantry division Phayap Army Ministry of Defence Royal Thai Armed Forces | 
| Battles/wars | |
| Children | 6, including Chatichai | 
| Other work | Military Governor of the Shan States (1943) | 
| Signature |  | 
Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan (Thai: ผิน ชุณหะวัณ; RTGS: Phin Chunhawan; August 14, 1891 – 26 January 1973) was a Thai military leader and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. Phin was a leader of several coups against the government, most notably the 1947 coup. During the Second World War, he commanded the Phayap Army's 3rd Division before being made military governor of the Shan States, which Thailand had occupied during the Burma Campaign.
Phin was the son of a Chinese physician, Kai (Chinese: 開) who migrated to Siam from Chaoshan, as was the father of his wife, Lim Hong (Chinese: 林風), who was also an immigrant from Shantou.[3] His son, Chatichai Choonhavan, became Prime Minister of Thailand. His daughter, Udomlak, married Phao Sriyanond, director general of the Thai police. Another daughter, Charoen, married Pramarn Adireksarn, who served as deputy prime minister in several governments.
Honours
National Honours
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) Knight Grand Cordon of The Order of the Crown of Thailand Knight Grand Cordon of The Order of the Crown of Thailand
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) Victory Medal - Franco-Thai War Victory Medal - Franco-Thai War
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) Victory Medal - World War II Victory Medal - World War II
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) Safeguarding the Constitution Medal Safeguarding the Constitution Medal
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) Chakra Mala Medal Chakra Mala Medal
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, Second Class King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, Second Class
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) King Rama VI Coronation Medal King Rama VI Coronation Medal
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) King Rama VII Coronation Medal King Rama VII Coronation Medal
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) King Rama IX Coronation Medal King Rama IX Coronation Medal
 150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal 150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal
_ribbon.svg.png.webp) 25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal 25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal
Foreign Honours
.svg.png.webp) Kingdom of Laos : Kingdom of Laos : Grand Cross of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol Grand Cross of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol
 
 United States : United States : Commander of the Legion of Merit Commander of the Legion of Merit
 
 Myanmar : Myanmar :.png.webp) Grand Commander of the Order of Thiri Thudhamma Grand Commander of the Order of Thiri Thudhamma
 
References
- Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3
