Panieng Karntarat
Panieng Karntarat (; born 1 April 1921 – 7 July 2010) was a Thai politician and retired air force officer. He held the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force from 1977 until his retirement on 30 September 1981 during the Cold War period.

Education
Panieng graduated from secondary education at Debsirin School, Flying Training School Royal Thai Air Force, Royal Air Force College Cranwell and Air Command and Staff College and Tactical Air Command, USA. In Thailand with Air Command and Staff Command, Royal Thai Army War College, National Defence College of Thailand in 1964.

Career
He received the first royal thai air force service in the year 1941, during the Pacific War in the rank of a pilot officer. After that, he grew up in air force he has held important positions such as the Director of Operations Directorate of Operations, Chief of the Air Staff, and the Commander-in-Chief Royal Thai Air Force on 1 October 1977. 

In addition, he is also a member of the National Legislative Assembly member, Supreme Military Court Judiciary, Deputy Minister of Defense and Minister of Defense during the government of Prem Tinsulanonda as Prime Minister.

Honour 
  Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant 
  Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand 
  Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao (1977)
  Victory Medal - Franco-Thai War
  Victory Medal - Pacific War
  Freeman Safeguarding Medal - 1st Class (1972)
  Border Service Medal 
  Chakra Mala Medal
  King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, Third Class
  Red Cross Medal of Appreciation, 1st Class
  King Rama IX Coronation Medal
  25th Buddhist Century Celebration Medal

Foreign honour 

 :
  Officer of the Order of the Defender of the Realm
  Pingat Tentera Udara

  :
  Air Force Distinguished Service Order, First Class
  Armed Forces Honor Medal, First class

  :
  Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (1961)

 :
  Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, First Class

  :
  Commander of the Legion of Merit

Died
Panieng Karntarat died on 7 July 2010 with a disease at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital aged 89.

References

1921 births
2010 deaths
Panieng Karntarat
Panieng Karntarat
Panieng Karntarat
Panieng Karntarat
Thai expatriates in the United States