Dates in Office

Biography

Major General M.R. Kukrit Pramoja was born in Singburi Province, on April 20, 1911 (07:20), son of Prince Kamrob and Mom Daeng Bunnag.

He received his formal education first at Wattana Wittayalai (Wanglang) School and Suan Kularb Wittayalai School. Then, he continued economic study at Trent College and economic philosophy and political science at Queen's College, Oxford University, United Kingdom. Later on, he received the Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Thammasart University.

Once returned to Thailand, he served the Revenue Department and, later, as Secretary to the Adviser of the Ministry of Finance. Later, he resigned from the government to run the Siam Commercial Bank (Lampang Branch). When the Great War of Asia-Pacific broke out, M.R. Kukrit Pramoja served as a Private (First Class). in the Royal Thai Army. When the War was over, he worked as Head of Central Administration and Head of Credit at the newly-found Bank of Thailand. Afterwards, he was appointed General Manager of Bangkok Commercial Bank.

M.R. Kukrit Pramoja was promoted to Major General (Special Royal Guard) in 1988.

M.R. Kukrit Pramoja was the founder of "Progress" Party, the first Thai party, during the years 1945 and 1946. Later on, he was also regarded as the co-founder of Democrat Party and major initiator of Social Action Party. On January 26, 1975, M.R. Kruekrit won a seat in the Parliament and, as Democrat Party won the most seats in the Paliament, he was supposed to be appointed Prime Minister. Nevertheless, he failed to obtain the Parliament approval, over the incidence of Social Action Party, hence, had to lead the coalition parties and form coalition government.

During his term, M.R. Kukrit Pramoja opened the diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, in accordance with peaceful co-existence policy, regardless of the difference in political ideology. Apart from this, he initiated the "Money Relocation" projects to help improving the quality of life in rural provinces, creating new jobs, developing the infrastructure and supporting the Municipal Council. In addition, he also bought the bus concession from private operators and formed Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, as an attempt to improve Metropolitan Traffic.

On January 12, 1976, M.R. Kukrit Pramoja dissolved the Parliament, as to evade the confrontation and political instabilization, and left office.

Finally, M.R. Kukrit Pramoja resigned from Social Action Party and lived peacefully at his residence in Soi Suanplu, Bangkok. He quitted from the political circle, except for some political interviews and articles in "Soi Suanplu" column.

He passed away on October 9, 1995, at the age of 84.