Khun Phantharak Ratchadet
Khun Phantharak Ratchadet (Butr Phantharak) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the House of Representatives Nakhon Si Thammarat Province | |
| In office 10 February 1969 – 17 November 1971 (2 years, 9 months and 7 days) | |
| Preceded by | Sawai Sawatisarn |
| Succeeded by | Surin Masdit |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 18, 1904 Don Tako Subdistrict, Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province |
| Died | July 5, 2006 (aged 102) Ratchadet Alley, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Political party | Democrat (1969–1971) |
| Spouse(s) | Chalao Phantharak Ratchadet Somsamai Phantharak Ratchadet |
| Children | 13 |
| Parents | Uan Phantharak Thongchan Phantharak |
| Education | Royal Police Cadet Academy |
| Occupation | Police officer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Thailand |
| Branch/service |  Police Department |
| Years of service | 1929–1964 |
| Rank | .svg){kind=small} Police Major General |
| Commands | Police Department |
Police Major General Khun Phantharak Ratchadet (Thai: ขุนพันธรักษ์ราชเดช), born But Phantharak (18 February 1904 – 5 July 2006), was a famous Thai police officer. He gained nationwide renown for suppressing bandits in many regions of Thailand.
In the central region he defeated criminals such as Tiger Yong, Tiger Phon, Tiger Khrueam, Tiger Plang, Tiger Uan, Tiger Wai of Phatthalung, Tiger Klap, and Tiger Sang (also known as Tiger Phum) of Narathiwat. In 1938 he captured the political bandit leader "Awaesa Dor Taleh", earning him the nickname "Raja kecik" (รายอกะจิ), meaning "Chili Knight", from Thai Muslims.
Because of his many successful campaigns against bandits, he acquired several epithets, such as "The bulletproof police general who caught tigers with his bare hands", "The fanged police general", "Khun Phan, the Red Sword" (believed to have been inherited from Phraya Phichai Dap Hak, its scabbard wrapped in red cloth), "Raja kecik (Chili Knight)", and "The great sorcerer".
Biography
Khun Phantharak was born on 18 February 1904 at Ban Ai Khiao, Village 5, Don Tako Subdistrict, Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, the son of Uan and Thongchan Phantharak.
He began school at Wat Suan Pan in Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat District. Already literate, he was advanced from Primary 1 to Primary 2 after one day, and to Primary 3 the next day — completing two grade promotions in three days.
He continued his studies at several schools in Nakhon Si Thammarat. In 1916 he moved to Bangkok to live with his uncle Phra Phalat Phlap Bunyakiat at Wat Som Kliang (Wat Ratchapathikaram) and studied at what is now Wat Benchamabophit School. There he trained in boxing, judo, and gymnastics. He completed Secondary 8 in 1924.
In 1925 he entered the Royal Police Cadet Academy (then at Hua Chorakhe, Nakhon Pathom Province) where he also taught Muay Thai.[1] He graduated in 1929.
On 24 September 1942, he was granted royal permission to use his feudal title "Khun Phantharak Ratchadet" as his surname.[2]
He died of old age on 5 July 2006 at 23:27 at his home in Nai Mueang, Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat District, aged 102.
Career
After graduation in 1929 he was appointed a probationary officer at the Provincial Police Division of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Circle, stationed in Songkhla Province.
In 1930 he was transferred to Phatthalung Province, where he captured the notorious bandit "Tiger Sang" (Tiger Phum), a powerful escaped convict from Trang. The operation, carried out with Police Officer Phueak Duangchu and guide Khi Khrang Rian Kham, made his reputation. For this, he was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant on 7 November 1930.[3]
The following year he suppressed sixteen more bandits, such as Tiger Mueang, Tiger Thong, and Tiger Yoi, and was granted the feudal title "Khun Phantharak Ratchadet" with a rank of 400 rai on 8 November 1931.[4] He was promoted to Lieutenant on 2 May 1935.[5]
In 1935 he pursued the bandit Tiger Klap for years but without success. Being interested in magic, he often consulted Master Nam of Khao Or monastery and became his disciple. Once he asked, "How can I capture Tiger Klap?" The master replied, laughing, "If you want to catch him, you must keep up with him."[6]
In 1936 he ordained as a monk at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, under Phra Rattanathachamuni (Ban Kanthaphrano), staying one rains retreat before leaving the monkhood.
In 1938 he was promoted to Captain after capturing the political bandit leader "Awaesa Dor Taleh", who targeted only Buddhist villagers. Thai Muslims honored him with the title "Raja kecik" (Chili Knight).[7]
In 1942 he was transferred as deputy superintendent in Surat Thani Province, where he captured bandits such as Tiger Sai and Tiger Eoeb.
In 1943 he became superintendent in Phichit Province, capturing Tiger Nom (a bandit-sorcerer), earning promotion to Police Major.[8]
In 1945 he was posted to Chainat Province, where he suppressed bandits like Tiger Yong, Tiger Phon, Tiger Khrueam, Tiger Plang, Tiger Uan, and Tiger Wai. At that time, the police formed a special suppression battalion to fight Tiger Fai, with Khun Phan as deputy commander. His red-sheathed sword earned him the nickname "Khun Phan, the Red Sword."
He later served in Ayutthaya Province and then Kamphaeng Phet Province, where in 1949 he captured the feared bandits Tiger Krai and Tiger Wan of Phran Kratai District.
Return to Phatthalung
In 1948 Phatthalung was again overrun by bandits. Citizens petitioned for Khun Phan to return, and he was transferred as provincial superintendent. He captured many famous bandits and also developed Phatthalung as a tourist city, improving Lam Pam Beach and protecting train passengers.
For his service he was promoted to Police Lieutenant Colonel on 3 October 1950,[9] and later to Police Colonel on 11 August 1955.[10] In 1961 he became Police Major General.[11] He retired in 1964.
Legacy
Khun Phantharak Ratchadet became a legendary figure in Thai policing. In the era of Police Director-General Phao Siyanon, the motto was: "Under the sun, there is nothing the Thai police cannot do." Among the heroes of that era, Khun Phan’s name stood out in southern Thailand and beyond. Even after retirement, his deeds remained unparalleled and became part of the history of the Royal Thai Police.
Stories tell of his great spiritual power. For example, in Nakhon Si Thammarat he once ordered ten feared bandits — disciples of Luang Pho Chuai — to either renounce crime and ordain as monks, or face execution. Most complied; only Tiger Khoi defied him. Such stories reinforced his aura as both a lawman and a sorcerer.
Decorations
- 1932 – King Prajadhipok’s Coronation Medal
- 1935 – Constitution Protection Medal
- 1942 – King Rama IX Coronation Medal
- 1943 – Internal Service Medal
- 1950 – Rama IX Silver Jubilee Medal
- 1957 –
Medal for the Celebration of the 25th Buddhist Century - 1959 – Border Service Medal
- 1959 – King Rama IX Rajaruchi Medal, 4th Class
- 1961 – Order of the White Elephant
- 1963 – Order of the Crown of Thailand
- 1985 – Victory Medal (Eastern Star campaign)
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References
- ↑ Ministry of Culture – Khun Phantharak Ratchadet
- ↑ "Announcement of the Ministry of Interior granting royal permission to use feudal title as surname" (PDF). Royal Thai Government Gazette (in Thai). 59 (65 ง): 2667. 6 October 1942. Retrieved 9 December 2018.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
- ↑ Royal Gazette: Police promotions, 1930
- ↑ Royal Gazette: Title conferral, 1931
- ↑ Royal Gazette: Police promotions, 1935
- ↑ เปิดตำนานเสือกลับ
- ↑ Royal Gazette: Police promotions, 1938
- ↑ Royal Gazette, 1943
- ↑ Royal Gazette, 1950
- ↑ Royal Gazette, 1955
- ↑ Royal Gazette, 1961
External links
- Reynolds, Craig J. Power, Protection and Magic in Thailand: The Cosmos of a Southern Policeman. Canberra: ANU Press, 2019.
- Police Major General Khun Phantharak Ratchadet, holder of the nickname "Great Sorcerer – Master of Ceremonies" Archived 2007-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
- Interrogating reformed bandits... Tiger Dam and Tiger Bai!!! Former outlaws of Suphanburi – rivals of "Khun Phan" Archived 2009-08-17 at the Wayback Machine (Naewna feature)
- Biography of Khun Phantharak Ratchadet (Butr Phantharak) Archived 2017-05-24 at the Wayback Machine
- 1904 births
- 2006 deaths
- Thai police officers
- Thai Muay Thai practitioners
- Muay Thai trainers
- Thai writers
- Thai autobiographers
- Members of the House of Representatives (Thailand)
- Democrat Party (Thailand) politicians
- Social Action Party politicians
- Thai men centenarians
- Thai people of World War II
- Thai generals
- Thai occult
