Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon, former Prime Minister and a leader of the 1991 military coup, died on Tuesday (10 June) at the age of 91.

Born on 6 August 1933, Suchinda was a son of Juang and Sompong Kraprayoon. After spending a year at Chulalongkorn University’s medical school, he entered the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. He also attended the US Army Command and General Staff Course at the Artillery Regiment in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Suchinda returned to Thailand in 1953 to serve as a Second Lieutenant in the Thai Army. In January 1958, he became Troop Leader in an artillery infantry regiment and was gradually promoted until he was made Commander-in-Chief of the Thai Army in April 1990. In October 1991, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Supreme Command Headquarters.

As Army Commander-in-Chief, Suchinda was a leading figure in the “National Peace Keeping Council,” which led the 23 February 1991 military coup against the government of Chatichai Choonhavan. On 7 April 1992, following a general election on 22 March 1992, he was chosen as Prime Minister by a five-party government coalition. He succeeded Anand Panyarachun, who was installed by the junta as Prime Minister.

Suchinda’s appointment, seen as a continuation of junta rule, sparked mass protests. In what is now known as the “Black May” event, the military was deployed to suppress protests. Soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters with live rounds. It was reported that between 17 – 21 May 1992, 44 people were killed, 1,728 were injured, while 48 went missing.  It is believed that the actual death toll was much higher. On 24 May 1992, Suchinda resigned from office.

Suchinda died of old age on Tuesday (10 June) at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok.