He received his formal education first at Wat Rajabopit School (M. 6) and Amnuaysilp School (M. 8). Then, he went to the Pre-Medical School of Chulalongkorn University, attending a year there, before entering the Cadet Academy, Chula Chom Klao Army Cadet Academy (West Point Curriculum, Class V), respectively. Apart from this, he also attended Army Command and General Staff Course (Class 44) at the Artillery Regiment Fort Silks, Oklahoma, United States of America, and, Army Command and General Staff Course at Ford Leevenworth, respectively.

He first served the Royal Thai Army, as Acting Second Lieutenant, in 1953. On January 25, 1958, he was appointed Troop Leader, Artillery Infantry Regiment XXI. Since then, he had gradually been given higher responsibilities, e.g., Lecturer at Army Command and General Staff College, Director-General of Operations Department, Assisting Chief of Staff (Army Operations) of the Royal Thai Army, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Army, Sub-Commander of the Royal Thai Army, Commander of the Royal Thai Army, and finally, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, on April 29, 1990. In addition, he was invested Commander-in-Chief of the Supreme Command Headquarters, on October 1, 1991, succeeding General Sundara Kongsompongsa.

He played a major role in the National Assembly of State Security, when it took control of the administration from General Chatichai Junhavan on February 23, 1991. After the General Election of March 22, 1992, five coalition parties, namely, Samakkee Dhamma, Thai Nation, Social Action, Thai Citizen, and Rassadorn, were in favor of General Suchinda Kraprayoon and supported him to be Prime Minister.

He was hence appointed 19th Prime Minister, on April 7, 1992. Once in office, however, he encountered protests from various political movements, and he resigned from the position, when the incidence reached its climax, on May 24, 1992, as to demonstrate the responsibility in politics and to give way for free amendments to the Constitution.

Nevertheless, Mr. Meechai Ruchuphan, Deputy Prime Minister, was appointed Acting Prime Minister, until the new Prime Minister took office, on June 10, 1992.