General (ret.) Surayud Chulanont (Thai: สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์, RTGS: Surayut Chulanon; born 28 August 1943) is a Thai politician. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's interim government between 2006 and 2008. He is a former Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Army, and currently Privy Councilor to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.Surayud came from a military family, but Surayud's father defected from the Royal Thai Army to the Communist Party of Thailand when Surayud was a young boy.