Bangkok: General Suchinda Kraprayoon, the 19th Prime Minister of Thailand, has passed away at the age of 91. He died of old age at Phramongkutklao Hospital.

According to Thai News Agency, General Suchinda Kraprayoon passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, at 1:57 a.m. The funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. General Suchinda, born on August 6, 1933, was a prominent military officer who held several key positions including Minister of Defense, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He played a significant role in the National Council for Peace and Order, which led a coup in 1991.

Born to Mr. Chuang and Mrs. Sompong Kraprayoon, General Suchinda was the youngest of three siblings. He was married to Khunying Wannee Kraprayoon (Nunphakdi) and had two sons. He completed his studies at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and Fort Sill in Oklahoma, USA. He excelled in various military courses, including the Army Chief of Staff Course.

General Suchinda began his military career in 1953, eventually serving in the Vietnam War as Head of Operations, Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division. He later served as Deputy Assistant Thai Ambassador in Washington, D.C. His civil service career saw him rise through the ranks, holding positions such as Director of the Army Operations Department and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army.

On April 29, 1990, General Suchinda became Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, and on October 1, 1991, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Throughout his career, he received numerous royal decorations, such as the Most Illustrious Order of the White Elephant and the Most Exalted Order of the Crown of Thailand.

In his political career, General Suchinda served as an advisor to Prime Minister General Prem Tinsulanonda and a member of the Senate. He became Vice Chairman of the National Peacekeeping Council in 1991, which led to his appointment as Prime Minister on April 7, 1992. However, his term was short-lived, ending with his resignation after the "Black May" events on May 24, 1992.

Despite retiring from politics, General Suchinda continued to express his views on political matters. On his birthdays, he welcomed high-ranking officials and entrepreneurs to his residence until health issues led to his withdrawal from public life. General Suchinda's passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Thailand's political and military history.