Praphas Charusathien (, , ; 25 November 1912 – 18 August 1997) was a Thai military officer and politician. He was a field marshal of the Royal Thai Army and minister of interior in the governments of military rulers Sarit Thanarat and Thanom Kittikachorn.
Personal life and education Praphas graduated from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and became an infantry officer. He was sponsored by Field Marshal and Prime Minister-to-be Sarit Thanarat. He was quickly promoted to higher ranks. In 1957, Sarit appointed him minister of interior, a position in which he continued to serve after Sarit's death in 1963. The new prime minister was Thanom Kittikachorn, whose son married Praphas' daughter. From 1963 to 1973, he was additionally deputy prime minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. During this time, Praphas was the strong man in the background who pulled the strings in the Thanom government. He was known for obscure financial transactions and political intrigues, while sitting on the boards of 44 companies.
In 1973, he was replaced as army commander by Gen.Krit Srivara, which signaled his loss of influence. In October 1973 protests against the rigid military rule grew into a massive popular uprising that was answered by a bloody crackdown on the protesting students and democracy activists. The many dead civilians prompted King Bhumibol Adulyadej to intervene. Praphas, Thanom and his son-in-law Col.Narong Kittikachorn went into exile.
Praphas returned to Thailand in January 1977, after the military had ended the democratic interlude in October 1976. However, he was not able to exercise political influence again.
Family Praphas married to Thanpuying Sawai Jarusathien, daughter of Lt. Von and Huai Panprasit. They have a total of 6 children. Praphas's children were married to important figures with military and political power, including Supaporn Charusathien married with Narong Kittikachorn son of Thanom Kittikachorn, Orapan Charusathien married with Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Supanapa Charusathien married with Somtat Attanand.
Died Praphas Charusathien died on 18 August 1997 in Bangkok.
Honours and Personal Monogram
received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:
1964 - Knight Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao 1973 - Knight Grand Commander of the Honourable Order of Rama 1959 - Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant 1957 - Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand 1988 - Member of the Order of Symbolic Propitiousness Ramkeerati 1934 - Dushdi Mala Medal Pin of Bravery (Military) 1941 - Victory Medal - Franco-Thai War 1962 - Victory Medal - World War II 1969 - Freeman Safeguarding Medal - 1st Class 1934 - Safeguarding the Constitution Medal 1958 - Border Service Medal 1945 - Chakra Mala Medal 1950 - King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, 3rd Class 1959 - King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, 2nd Class 1929 - King Rama VII Coronation Medal 1950 - King Rama IX Coronation Medal 1932 - Commemorative Medal on the Occasion of the 150th Years of Rattanakosin Celebration
Foreign honours
1956 - Commander of the Order of the Union of Burma (Civilian Member) : 1963 - Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-NassauNationaal Archief, archive 2.02.32, dossier 373, registry number 1130 1955 - Grand Officer of the Order of Orange-NassauNationaal Archief, archive 2.02.32, dossier 376, registry number 1142
1957 - Grand Cross of the Cross of Military Merit : 1961 - Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic : 1962 - Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Grand Cordon : 1962 - Commander of the Legion of Merit
1963 - Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany with Sash and Star
1963 - Grand Cross of the Order of George I
1964 - Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm
1964 - Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold : 1964 - Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria with Sash
1966 - Order of Service Merit, First Class 1968 - Order of Military Merit, First Class
1966 - Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
1967 - Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav
1967 - Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword : 1967 - Grand Cross of the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol : 1968 - Grand Cross of the Order of Sikatuna : 1968 - Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Menelik II
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