Sindh Kamalanavin

Sindh Kamalanavin (23 June 1901 – 14 May 1976), commonly known as Luang Sinthusongkhramchai 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. His role in the revolution: As the leader of the navy faction, he was responsible for planning all operations carried out by the navy. The strategy was similar to that of the army faction, which was to deceive and mobilize naval troops and weapons from the Royal Thai Navy Transport Battalion's arsenal (located in the area of present-day Ratchaworadit Pier), and move them to the Royal Plaza. According to the plan, the naval group was supposed to arrive at the Royal Plaza first and wait for the arrival of the army group at 6:00 a.m. In reality, however, the army group actually arrived at 6:05 a.m. 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). He also oversaw the introduction of Thailand’s first submarines, the Matchanu-class, into naval service.

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.

He died on 14 May 1976.