Sanya Dharmasakti

President of the Privy Council

5 April 1907 Bangkok Yai, Thonburi, Siam

6 January 2002(2002-01-06) (94) Phaya Thai, Bangkok, Thailand

5 December 1975 – 4 September 1998

Thai politician Sanya Dharmasakti (Thai: สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์ , RTGS: Sanya Thammasak , pronounced ; 5 April 1907 – 6 January 2002) was a Thai jurist, university professor and politician. He served as the 12th Prime Minister of Thailand from 1973 to 1975. Sanya Dharmasakti was one of the most influential figures in the politics of Thailand. He served as the president of the Supreme Court (1968–1973) and was dean of the faculty of law and chancellor of Thammasat University during the democracy movement of October 1973. When the "three tyrants" fled, leaving the country leaderless, Sanya was appointed prime minister by royal command (establishing a precedent exercised only three times since for appointment of prime ministers.) Sanya served a second consecutive term by a House resolution for a combined total of 1 year, 124 days, during which he ordered the withdrawal of US forces in what was called Operation Palace Lightning. Sanya appointed a drafting committee for the 1974 constitution, served as vice-president of the constitutional congress, and was requested by the monarch to serve as the president of the privy council.