Sunthorn Kongsompong

Prime Minister de facto of Thailand^[a]In office
23 February 1991 – 1 March 1991MonarchBhumibol AdulyadejPreceded byChatichai Choonhavan
(as Prime Minister)Succeeded byAnand Panyarachun
(as Prime Minister)Chairman of the National Peacekeeping CouncilIn office
24 February 1991 – 7 April 1992Preceded byOffice establishedSucceeded byOffice abolishedSupreme Commander of the Armed ForcesIn office
1 April 1990 – 30 September 1991Preceded byChavalit YongchaiyudhSucceeded bySuchinda KraprayoonCommander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai ArmyIn office
31 March 1990 – 7 April 1992Preceded byChavalit YongchaiyudhSucceeded byIsarapong Noonpakdee Personal detailsBorn(1931-08-01)1 August 1931
Bangkok, Krung Thep, SiamDied2 August 1999(1999-08-02) (aged 68)
Bangkok, ThailandChildrenApirat KongsompongMilitary serviceAllegiance ThailandBranch/service Royal Thai ArmyRankCommands

Sunthorn Kongsompong (Thai: สุนทร คงสมพงษ์, RTGS: Sunthon Khongsomphong, IPA: [sǔn.tʰɔːn kʰoŋ.sǒm.pʰoŋ]; 1 August 1931 – 2 August 1999) was the de facto head of government of Thailand from 1991 to 1992, after a military coup d'etat led by Sunthorn and General Suchinda Kraprayoon deposed the government of Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan on 23 February 1991. The generals accused Chatichai of corruption, and established the National Peacekeeping Council (NPKC) as an interim administration, with Sunthorn as chairman. Anand Panyarachun was appointed prime minister in March 1991, but the administration of the country was also executed by the NPKC.

Sunthorn left the political office following the May 1992 constitution promulgation, which prohibited members of the military from executing the premier's office.^[1]

His son was Apirat Kongsompong, who from 2018 to 2020 was Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army.

• 1987 - Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• 1988 - Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• 1992 - Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• 1990 - Companion of the Order of Rama
• 1955 - Victory Medal - Korean War
• 1973 - Victory Medal - Vietnam War with flames
• 1988 - Freemen Safeguarding Medal, First Class
• 1989 - Border Service Medal
• 1964 - Chakra Mala Medal
• 1989 - Boy Scout Citation Medal of Vajira, First Class
• 1991 - King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, First Class
• 1950 - King Rama IX Coronation Medal

•  South Vietnam :
  • Gallantry Cross With Palm (1970)
  • Armed Forces Honor Medal, First class (1970)
  • Vietnam Campaign Medal (1970)

•  USA :
  • Bronze Star Medal With "V" device (1970)
  • Army Commendation Medal With "V" device and Oak (1970)

•  Malaysia :
  • Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (P.S.M.) (1987)
  • Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (P.G.A.T.) (1991)

•  South Korea :
  • Order of National Security Merit, Tongil Medal (1990)
  • Korea War Service Medal
•  Singapore :
  • Distinguished Service Order (Military) (1991)
•  Japan :
  • Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (1992)
•  UN :
  • United Nations Korea Medal

• 2Bangkok.com article about the coup d'etat
• Asiaweek article about estate scandal
• http://www.becnews.com/backissue/f_famous/suntorn-k.html Archived 2008-04-27 at the Wayback Machine (in Thai)
• http://www.politicalfriendster.com/showPerson.php?id=3803&name=General-Sunthorn-Kongsompong^{[permanent dead link]}

Military offices
Preceded by Chavalit Yongchaiyudh	Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces 1 April 1990 - 30 September 1991	Succeeded by Suchinda Kraprayoon
Political offices
Preceded by Chatichai Choonhavan as Prime Minister of Thailand	Chairman of the National Peace Keeping Council 24 February 1991 - 7 April 1993 With: Anand Panyarachun as nominal Prime Minister from 2 March 1991	Succeeded by Suchinda Kraprayoon as Prime Minister of Thailand