protection money from businessmen, rigged the gold exchange, and blackmailed corporations into giving him huge shareholdings. He also profited greatly from the opium trade. Police units transferred opium from the poppy fields of the Golden Triangle to Bangkok, ready to be exported. Trucks, planes, and boats which had been supplied to the police by the CIA, were instead used to move opium, which the police carefully guarded. Downfall and exile Phao lost power when Phibun was overthrown by Sarit Thanarat in 1957. He fled to Switzerland, where he died at the age of 50. Honour 1952 - Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant 1951 - Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown 1953 - Dame Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao 1941 - Victory Medal - Indochina 1934 - Safeguarding the Constitution Medal 1943 - Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior 1956 - Border Service Medal 1942 - Chakra Mala Medal 1950 - King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal 2nd 1953 - King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal 2nd Military rank General, Admiral, Air Chief Marshal Police rank Police General Volunteer Defense Corps of Thailand rank Volunteer Defense Corps General References External links THAILAND: MILITARY INTERVENTION AND THE POLITICS OF AUTHORITARIAN DOMINATION Phao Siyanon Phao Siyanon Phao Siyanon Phao Siyanon Phao Siyanon Phao Siyanon 1910 births 1960 deaths