| Kris Sivara | |
| Native Name: | กฤษณ์ สีวะรา |
| Native Name Lang: | th |
| Office: | Minister of Defence |
| Term Start: | 21 April 1976 |
| Term End: | 28 April 1976 |
| Predecessor: | Pramarn Adireksarn |
| Successor: | Tawich Seneewong |
| Primeminister: | Seni Pramoj |
| Office1: | Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces |
| Term Start1: | 1 October 1974 |
| Term End1: | 30 September 1975 |
| Predecessor1: | Dawee Chullasapya |
| Successor1: | Sangad Chaloryu |
| Office2: | Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army |
| Term Start2: | 1 October 1973 |
| Term End2: | 30 September 1975 |
| Predecessor2: | Praphas Charusathien |
| Successor2: | Boonchai Bamroongpong |
| Birth Date: | March 24, 1914 |
| Birth Place: | Bangkok, Krung Thep, Siam (now Bangkok, Thailand) |
| Death Place: | Phramongkutklao Hospital, Phaya Thai, Bangkok, Thailand (now Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand) |
| Spouse: | Surai Sivara |
| Alma Mater: | Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy |
| Allegiance: |  Thailand |
| Rank: | General |
| Battles: | |
Kris Sivara (Thai: กฤษณ์ สีวะรา,, alternatively transcribed as Srivara) (27 March 1914 – 28 April 1976) was a military officer of the Royal Thai Army, a member of the Thai Cabinet, and deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army during the violent crackdown on democracy protesters on 14 October 1973. He was later promoted to Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army from 1973 to 1975.
During the Burma Campaign in World War II, Kris served as a company commander in a Phayap Army battalion under the command of Major Sarit Thanarat.
Kris was appointed Deputy Minister of Education by Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn in his 1969 government. On 23 November 1970, he was switched to Deputy Minister of Defence (Thanom was both premier and minister of defence). The government fell on 17 November 1971 after Thanom led a coup that overthrew his own government and abrogated the 1968 constitution. Thanom appointed Kris Minister of Industry in his subsequent junta.
Kris played a pivotal role in the 14 October democracy movement of 1973. Kris served as Deputy Army Commander in the face of massive public demonstrations against the "three tyrants": Colonel Narong Kittikachorn, Army Commander Field Marshal Praphas Charusathien, and Prime Minister and Supreme Commander Thanom Kittikachorn. On the evening of 14 October, the police and army began shooting at demonstrators, killing at least 70. Narong shot into the crowds from a helicopter. Thanom and Praphas resigned from their political roles, but continued to lead the military. They ordered more troops to confront the remaining demonstrators, but were blocked by Kris. Thanom and Narong then resigned from their military positions. The king then appointed Sanya Dharmasakti as premier. Kris was named defense minister in 1976, but died a week later in April 1976. His death has been called "...sudden and strange..."[1]
Kris's role in the events was countered by Narong in a 2003 book. Narong blamed Kris, among others, for the violence. The book was strongly criticised by former student leaders.[2]
The army's Kris Sivara Camp in Sakon Nakhon Province is named after him.