Sindh Kamalanavin[b] (23 June 1901 – 14 May 1976), commonly known as Luang Sinthusongkhramchai (Thai: หลวงสินธุสงครามชัย) was a Thai admiral who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy in 1934 and then from 1938 to 1951, holding various ministerial roles throughout his career. During the Siamese Revolution of 1932, he emerged as a prominent leader of the Navy faction within the Khana Ratsadon. His efforts to reform the Navy were instrumental in its modernization, notably introducing Thailand’s first submarines.
Life
Sindh graduated from Suankularb Wittayalai School in 1914 and pursued naval studies in Denmark on a government scholarship. While arriving in Paris in 1928, he joined Khana Ratsadon by Thawi Bunyaket's invitation and became the Navy faction’s leader. After the 1932 Revolution, he was appointed to several ministerial roles, naval commander-in-chief, and the first president of Kasetsart University. He is credited with coining the Thai term for “submarine” (เรือดำน้ำ).[1] He also oversaw the introduction of Thailand’s first submarines, the Matchanu-class, into naval service.[2]
Following the Manhattan Rebellion in 1951, Sindh was removed from his position as naval commander and, despite his lack of involvement, was convicted of treason and imprisoned for three years.[citation needed]
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