Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat was a Thai general who staged a coup in 1957, replacing Plaek Phibunsongkhram as Thailand's prime minister until Sarit died in 1963. He was born in Bangkok, but grew up in his mother's home town in Lao-speaking northeastern Thailand and considered himself from Isan. His father, Major Luang Ruangdetanan, was a career army officer best known for his translations into Thai of Cambodian literature.
Bhumibol Adulyadej, conferred with the title King Bhumibol the Great in 1987, was the ninth monarch of Thailand from the Chakri dynasty as Rama IX. Reigning since 9 June 1946 he was, at the time of his death, the world's longest-reigning head of state, the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history and the longest-reigning monarch having reigned only as an adult, reigning for 70 years, 126 days. During his reign, he was served by a total of 30 prime ministers beginning with Pridi Banomyong and ending with Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, during which he staged a self-coup, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down. His return from exile in 1976 sparked protests which led to a massacre of demonstrators, followed by a military coup.
Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has been the King of Thailand since 2016. He is the only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. In 1972, at the age of 20, he was made crown prince by his father. After his father's death on 13 October 2016, he was expected to accede to the throne of Thailand but asked for time to mourn before taking the throne.
Prem Tinsulanonda is a retired Thai military officer who served as Prime Minister of Thailand from 3 March 1980 to 4 August 1988, during which time he was credited with ending a communist insurgency and presiding over accelerating economic growth and statesman of Thailand. As president of the Privy Council, he served as Regent of Thailand from the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 13 October 2016, until the 1 December 2016 proclamation of Vajiralongkorn as King. At age 98, Prem is currently the oldest living former Thai Prime Minister.
Sriracha is a type of hot sauce or chili sauce made from a paste of chili peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. The Huy Fong Foods Sriracha was first produced in the early 1980s for dishes served at American Pho restaurants.
Teeratep Winothai, simply known as Leesaw is a Thai footballer playing as a Forward for a Thai League T1 club Bangkok United. He previously spent his youth career with England's Crystal Palace and Everton.
Payao Poontarat was a Thai boxer who, at the age of 18, won the bronze medal in the men's Light flyweight (-48 kg) category at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was the first Thai to win an Olympic medal.
The boxing programme of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China was held at the Workers Indoor Arena.
Choketawee Promrut is a Thai football manager and former footballer. He is currently the head coach of the Thailand U-23 team. Choketawee was a member of Thailand players from 1997 until 2005, he also served as captain for Thailand in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup. In 2015, as head coach he led Thailand U23 to the 2015 Southeast Asian Games champions.
Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon is a weightlifter from Thailand.
Prawat Wahoram is a Thai athlete and multiple Paralympic gold medallist. He competes mainly in category T54 wheelchair racing events.
Chonlatit Jantakam, simply known as Chol, is a Thai professional footballer who plays as a Centre Back or Defensive midfielder for Thai League 2 club Udon Thani.
Wassana Winatho, also known as Amornrat Winatho and Vassanee Vinatho, is a Thai track and field athlete who specialises in the heptathlon and the 400 metres hurdles. She represented Thailand at the 2008 Summer Olympics and competed at five consecutive editions of the Asian Games.
Wachara Sondee is a Thai track and field athlete who competes in sprinting events. He primarily competes in the 100 metres and 60 metres and is the Thai national record holder for the shorter distance with his best of 6.65 seconds.
Wilavan Apinyapong is a Thai professional volleyball player who plays for Azerbaijan Club Igtisadchi Baku in the Azerbaijan Super League and the Thai National Team as an Outside Hitter. She has been the captain for the Thailand women's national volleyball team since 2008.
Malika Kanthong is a member of the Thailand women's national volleyball team.
Wanitchaya Luangtonglang is a member of the Thailand women's national volleyball team.
Kelsey Renée Bone is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Thailand competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016. Since the nation's official debut in 1952, Thai athletes had appeared in every edition of the Summer Olympic Games, with the exception of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, because of its partial support of the US-led boycott.
