Siddhi Savetsila Explained

Honorific-Suffix:PChW MPCh MWM PMN GCIH
Siddhi Savetsila
Native Name Lang:th
Honorific-Prefix:Air Chief Marshal
Birth Date:7 January 1919
Birth Place:Bangkok, Thailand
Death Place:Bangkok, Thailand
Office:Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
Primeminister:Prem Tinsulanonda
Term Start:15 January 1986
Term End:5 August 1986
Office1:President of the United Nations Security Council
Predecessor1:Javier Arias Stella
Termstart1:1 May 1985
Termend1:31 May 1985
Office2:Minister of Foreign Affairs
Term Start2:11 February 1980
Term End2:26 August 1990
Predecessor2:Upadit Pachariyangkun
Successor2:Subin Pinkayan
Office3:Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister
Primeminister3:Kriangsak Chamanan
Term Start3:30 January 1980
Term End3:11 February 1980
Predecessor3:Boonrueang Buajaroon
Somporn Boonyakup
Thawin Rainanon
Successor3:Peeda Kanasut
Yos Devahastin na Ayudhya
Boonying Nanthapiwat
Pramual Kullamas
Porn Thanapoom
Office4:Secretary-General of the National Security Council
Term Start4:11 December 1974
Term End4:30 January 1980
Predecessor4:Lek Neawmalee
Successor4:Prasong Soonsiri
Party:Social Action (1983–1990)
Otherparty:Free Thai Movement
Allegiance: Thailand
Rank:Air Chief Marshal[1]
Branch:Royal Thai Air Force
Signature:Sithi Sawetsila signature.png
Education:MIT

S.B., S.M.

Siddhi Savetsila (th|สิทธิ เศวตศิลา,, pronounced as /th/, 7 January 1919 – 5 December 2015) was a Thai air force officer and politician. After finishing his military career with the rank of air chief marshal, he served as the foreign minister of Thailand from 1980 to 1990. In 1991, he became a member of the Privy Council of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He was the president of the united nations security council in 1985 with Mom Luang Birabhongse Kasemsri.[2]

Life and education

Siddhi Savetsila was born in Bangkok. He is a member of the Thai aristocracy. His father was a high-ranking official in the royal government. His paternal grandfather was Henry Alabaster who was the British consul in Siam during the reign of King Rama IV (Mongkut) and then served as an advisor to King Rama V (Chulalongkorn). His mother was an offspring of the influential Bunnag family. He is a direct descendant of Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayurawongse.

Siddhi studied metallurgic engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), graduating with an S.B. degree in 1943. During the Second World War, he joined the Free Thai Movement (Seri Thai) which resisted against the de facto occupation of Thailand by Japanese forces. He collected data for the US foreign-intelligence agency OSS (predecessor of the CIA) and was temporarily detained by the Japanese. Two of Siddhis sisters married US intelligence operatives, one was the wife of former OSS agent Willis Bird and one of CIA officer William Lair. After the end of the war, he returned to the MIT and received his S.M. degree in 1947.

Siddhi holds honorary doctorate degrees from the University of the Philippines, the National University of Singapore and five universities in Thailand.

Air Force career

He then served in the Royal Thai Air Force and rose up to the rank of air chief marshal (phon akat ek).

Security career

From 1975 to 1980 he served as secretary-general of the National Security Council. In this position he assisted Prime Minister Kriangsak Chomanan at the time of the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia during 1978 to 1979.

Political career

In 1980, Kriangsak appointed him minister of foreign affairs. He kept this position when Prem Tinsulanonda took over the premiership a few months later. As Thailand' representative in the United Nations (UN) and ASEAN, Siddhi advocated a tough line towards Vietnam which was occupying Cambodia after 1979. In 1983, Siddhi was elected member of parliament and in 1985 he took over the leadership of the Social Action Party (SAP) following the retirement of Kukrit Pramoj. The party did well in the 1986 election and Siddhi additionally became deputy prime minister for a short time.

In August 1990, the new Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan dismissed Siddhi as he sought a more pragmatic relationship with the communist-ruled countries of Southeast Asia. Siddhi's SAP was in great difficulties during the late 1980s and, in September 1990, Siddhi gave up his leadership. One month later, he completely retired from the parliament and the party, stating that he was tired of politics. In 1991 King Bhumibol appointed him to his privy council.[3]

Died

He died on 5 December 2015 at the age of 96.[4]

Honour

He was decorated with the Order of Chula Chom Klao (first class), the Order of the White Elephant (special class) and the Order of the Crown of Thailand (special class), as well as foreign decorations from 14 countries.[3]

On 8 May 2000, he was among the five Free Thai veterans who were awarded the Agency Seal Medallion by CIA director George Tenet.

Foreign Honours

Foreign honour

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20180814001714/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2523/D/025/551.PDF
  2. Web site: Presidents (1980-1989) : Security Council (SC) : United Nations (UN) . https://archive.today/20051129085457/http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/scpres1980.htm . 29 November 2005 . dead.
  3. H.E. Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila, Privy Councillor. Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary.
  4. News: Privy councillor Siddhi dies at 96. 6 December 2015. Bangkok Post. 5 December 2015.
  5. Web site: Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat.