Phayom Chulanont

Lieutenant Colonel Phayom Chulanont (Thai: พ.ท.พโยม จุลานนท์) was a Thai military officer, politician, leader of the Communist Party of Thailand, and father of former Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

Phayom in 1948

The son of Phraya Wiset Singhanat of Phetburi, and son-in-law of Phraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram, Phayom became an ally of Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram in his coup against the government of Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi and Pridi Bhanomyong in 1947. He later disagreed with the leaders of the junta and started a failed coup of his own, the so-called Army Staff School coup. When the coup failed, he fled to the People's Republic of China via Mae Sai and Burma. At the time, his son, Surayud, was only 6 years old.[1]

Phayom returned to Thailand in 1957 to run in general elections in March, becoming MP of Phetburi. In the very same year, Sarit Dhanarajata seized power from the government of Plaek Pibulsonggram. Phayom said goodbye to his family, went underground and took the name Comrade Too Khamtan (Thai: สหายตู้คำตัน). He later became a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Thailand and Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army of Thailand. His son, Surayud, later joined the Royal Thai Army and led operations against the Communists.[2]

After decades of hiding and guerilla warfare, Phayom's health failed him. He was sent to recuperate in Beijing in 1978. He died some time in the early 1980s.[3]