In 1974 , Chatichai and his in-laws Pramarn Adireksarn and Siri Siriyothinalso major generalsfounded the conservative and aggressively anti-communist Thai Nation Party ( '' Chart Thai '' ) . It ran in the January 1975 general election , the first democratic election after the end of military dictatorship , and became the third-strongest party . Chatichai was elected member of parliament , representing a constituency in Nakhon Ratchasima Province . The Thai Nation Party joined a government coalition under Kukrit Pramoj . Chatichai served as minister of foreign affairs from 17 March 1975 to 21 April 1976 . After the snap election in April 1976 , in which the Thai Nation Party expanded its share of seats significantly , he was minister of industry in the government of Seni Pramoj until it was overthrown by a military coup d'état after the Thammasat University massacre of 6 October 1976 . From 1980 to 1983 , Chatichai served as industry minister under Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda . After three years of opposition , the party returned to government and Chatichai was deputy prime minister under Prem
Thammasat University massacre
Thammasat University massacre
Chatichai Choonhavan