Phin Choonhavan

Phin Choonhavan
Born	October 14, 1891
Died	January 26, 1973; (aged 81)
Allegiance	Thailand
Service/branch	Royal Thai Army
Rank	Field Marshal
Battles/wars	Boworadet Rebellion, Franco-Thai War, Burma Campaign
Other work	Military Governor of the Shan States (1943)

Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan (Thai: ผิน ชุณหะวัณ; rtgs: Phin Chunhawan; 1891–1973) was a Thai military leader. 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: 开) who migrated to Siam from Chaoshan, as was the father of his wife, Lim Hong (Chinese: 林风), who was also an immigrant from Shantou. 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.

References

• Paul M. Handley, "The King Never Smiles" Yale University Press: 2006, ISBN 0-300-10682-3