Phin Choonhavan
| Phin Choonhavan | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 14, 1891 |
| Died | January 26, 1973; (aged 81) |
| Allegiance |
 Thailand |
| Service/branch |
 Royal Thai Army |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | 3rd infantry division Phayap Army |
| Battles/wars | Boworadet Rebellion, Franco-Thai War, Burma Campaign |
| Other work | Military Governor of the Shan States (1943) |
Major General 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.[1] 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