Admiral Sangad Chaloryu (4 March 1915 – 23 November 1980) was a Thai admiral and politician who served as head of the National Administrative Reform Council (NARC), a military junta that ruled Thailand from 1976 to 1980.

Education

Sangad studied at the Vichaibamrungraj School in Chai Nat Province and then moved to Uthai Witthayakhom School in Uthai Thani Province. He later moved to Bangkok to study in Bansomdejchaopraya School in the navy district Thon Buri District. After graduating from high school, he studied at the Royal Thai Naval Academy, and continued his studies at the National Defence College of Thailand and Naval War College.

Careers

Sangad was considered to be a right-wing hawk and close to the CIA. In the 1930s as a young Naval Midshipman, he had trained in Nazi Germany in radar operations. As commander of a naval flotilla in 1954, he helped French Marines and elite forces escape from Vietnam after Hanoi was overrun by the Vietminh. He also held the important positions of Submarine Squadron Commander, Assistant Chief of Staff (operation), Commander of the Royal Thai Fleet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, and Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy then Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Coup leader

As defense minister, Sangad led the coup of October 6, 1976. This coup ousted the elected civilian government of Seni Pramoj. Sangad became chairman of NARC, which appointed royal favorite Thanin Kraivichien as Prime Minister. The Thanin government instituted sweeping purges of leftists and communists. Sangad was a figurehead and Army Secretary Kriangsak Chomanan was NARC's most influential figure. In October 1977, NARC staged a second coup (this time without the king's consent), and replaced Thanin with Kriangsak.

Non-military activities

Died

Sangad died from a heart attack on 23 November 1980 at Klaeng District Hospital, Rayong Province, at age 65 years.

Honours

received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:

Foreign honours