Dates in Office

Term I:  Assembly XXXIII: October 14, 1973 - May 22, 1974
Term II: Assembly XXXIV: May 27, 1974 - February 14, 1975

Biography

Mr. Sanya Dharmasakti was born in Bangkok, on April 5, 1907, son of Phya Dhammasarawethwisesphakdee (Thongdee Dharmasakti) and Khunying Chuen Dharmasakti. He married Than Phuying Pa-nga Dharmasakti.

Mr. Sanya Dharmasakti received his formal education first at Assumption College and Ministry of Justice Law School. Upon graduation, he went to the Thai Bar Society and received the Rapee Foundation Scholarship to further his study at the Middle Temple Bar Academy, United Kingdom.

Upon arrival, Mr. Sanya served in the Ministry of Justice. Later, he was transferred to be Appeal Court Judge, Justice Office Region IV, Head Judge of Chiangmai Province Court, Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court Judge, Head Judge of Supreme Court, Head of Appeal Court and Head of Supreme Court, respectively. Upon his retirement, in 1968, he was appointed Privy Councillor, Dean of Faculty of Law, Thammasart University, and, finally, Rector of Thammasart University.

When Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn went into exile, on October 14, 1973, Mr. Sanya Dharmasakti was appointed Prime Minister, by Royal Decree of King Rama IX.

During the term, Mr. Sanya encountered immeasurable pressure from many student groups, so much that he resigned from the position on May 22, 1974. However, he was re-appointed Prime Minister, on January 26, 1975.

Afterwards, Mr. Sanya Dharmasakti was appointed Privy Council President until he resigned from the position, on September 4, 1998, due to grave illness. He passed away peacefully on January 6, 2002, at the age of 95.