The Thai armed forces carried out a bloodless coup on Nov. 17, 1971, when they dissolved the Cabinet and both Houses of Parliament, suspended the Constitution and proclaimed martial law. Radio Thailand, announcing the news, stated that the administration of the country had been taken over by a new Revolutionary Party led by Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, the Prime Minister and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
A nine-man directorate was set up on Nov. 18 under the chairmanship of Field Marshal Thanom and including leading members of the armed forces, this directorate being subsequently replaced by a National Executive Council whose membership as from Dec. 9 was as follows:
| Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn | Chairman of Council, with responsibilities for Prime Minister's Office, Foreign Affairs and Justice. |
| General Prapass Charusathiara | Director of security Council (Defence and Interior). |
| Mr. Pote Sarasin | Director of Economic, Finance and Industry Affairs. |
| Air Chief Marshal Dawee ... |