Sun sets on life of former Army chief 'Big Sun'
Former army chief and supreme commander General Arthit Kamlang-ek, one of the most colourful military figures in politics in the 1980s and 1990s, died yesterday aged 89.
Arthit, known as ‘Big Sun’, died of a lung infection at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok.
Big Sun was seen as the rising sun in politics when he climbed the military career ladder as the highly trusted aide of Privy Council Chairman General Prem Tinsulanonda, who was then the prime minister.
Arthit became Prem’s trusted aide after supporting him in the face of a coup attempt by a group of military young officers in 1981.
Prem promoted Arthit from Second Army Region deputy commander to Lt-General of the First Army Region Command. He then rose to the rank of assistant army chief six months later.
On October 1, 1983, Arthit succeeded General Saiyud Kerdpol as supreme commander while remaining Army chief. He was the most powerful military officer at that time.
But relations between Arthit and Prem turned sour after Arthit criticised the Prem administration’s move to devalue the baht 14.8 per cent from Bt27 to Bt23.
As a result Arthit was replaced by General Chavalit Yongchaiyud as Army Chief in 1986.
Arthit entered politics after retiring as supreme commander. He set up the Puang Chon Chao Thai Party and won an MP seat for Loei – for several terms.
He was appointed deputy defence minister in the government of General Chatichai Choonhavan but did not get the chance to serve in the post because the government was toppled by a coup led by General Suchinda Kraprayoon on February 23, 1991, as Chatchai led his Cabinet to Chiang Mai for the swearing-in ceremony before His Majesty the King.
After the May 1992 bloodshed, the Puang Chon Chao Thai Party was renamed Chart Pattana with Chatichai its new leader.
Arthit faded out of politics when Chatichai failed to become prime minister in the mid-1990s.
He died three months after starting treatment for heart disease at the hospital.
Lt-General Thitiwat Kamlang-ek, Arthit’s son, described him as a model father and a person with a great and kind heart.
“He taught me as the son of top brass not to claim privileges. I am proud of him,” he said.
