Sanya Dharmasakti

Sanya Dharmasakti ( Thai: สัญญา ธรรม ศักดิ์ - Sanya Thammasak; born April 5, 1905 in Bangkok, † January 6, 2002 same place ) was 1973-1975 Prime Minister of Thailand.

Life and career

Sanya was the son of Phraya Dhammasaraweth Wisephakdee ( Thongdee Dharmasakti ) and Khunying Chuen Dharmasakti. He later married Than Phuying Pa -nga Dharmasakti.

He received his education at Assumption College, and the Law School of the Ministry of Justice. After graduating, he went to the Thai Bar Society ( for lawyers) and received a scholarship for further studies at the Middle Temple Bar Academy in the UK.

Upon his return to Thailand Sanya initially worked in the Ministry of Justice and later went as a judge on the Court of Appeals, was Chief Justice of the province of Chiang Mai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court, and finally its chairman. After retiring from the judiciary, he became a member of the Privy Council and Dean of the Faculty of Law at Thammasat University in Bangkok. Finally, he was also Rector of the University.

After Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn had gone into exile, Sanya Dharmasakti was appointed on 14 October 1973 Prime Minister. During his reign, various student groups exerted great pressure on the government and the public so that Sanya resigned again on 22 May 1974. However, he was appointed again to the Prime Minister on 26 January 1975.

After his political career Sanya was appointed President of the Privy Council and became effective on September 4, 1998 because of his health back from this position.

Sanya Dharmasakti died on 6 January 2002 at the age of 96 years.