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This is a Thai name; the family name is Abhaiwongse. According to Thai custom, this person is properly referred to by the given name Khuang.

Major Khuang Abhaiwongse (May 17, 1902 - March 15, 1968; Thai ควง อภัยวงศ์) was three times prime minister of Thailand.

Khuang was born in Battambang (now Cambodia) as the son of the Siamese governor of the province Battambang, Chao Phraya Abhayahubet. He visited the Debsirin school and the Assumption College, Bangkok, and studied engineering at the Ecole Centrale de Lyon in France. After his return to Thailand he worked in the telegraph department, finally becoming the director of the department.

During World War II he received the title Major, as he joined the guard of King Rama VII. This service also earned him the title Luang Kowitabhayawongse. In the governments of Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena and Plaek Phibunsongkhram he became minister, and was elected as prime minister on August 1, 1944, after Plaek's plans to move the capital to Phetchabun and to create the Phutthamonthon park failed to get support by the parliament. On August 17, 1945 he resigned to make way for a new government.

In 1946 he was one of the founders of the Democrat Party, and became its first leader. The fourth national elections on January 6, 1946 were won by the Democratic Party, which gained him a second term as prime minister starting on January 31. Only 45 days later, on March 24, his government lost a vote in parliament and he resigned.

He became prime minister a third time on November 10, 1947 following a coup d'état led by Phin Chunhawan. However, the coup leaders were not pleased with the performance of Khuang's government and forced him to resign on April 8, 1948. This also allowed Plaek to become prime minister again. Khuang continued in politics as opposition leader and leader of the Democratic Party.

v • d • e Prime Ministers of Thailand
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada · Phot Phahonyothin† · Plaek Pibulsonggram† · Khuang Abhaiwongse† · Tawee Boonyaket · Seni Pramoj · Khuang Abhaiwongse · Pridi Phanomyong · Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi† · Khuang Abhaiwongse† · Plaek Pibulsonggram† · Pote Sarasin · Thanom Kittikachorn† · Sarit Dhanarajata† · Thanom Kittikachorn† · Sanya Dharmasakti · Seni Pramoj · Kukrit Pramoj · Seni Pramoj · Tanin Kraivixien · Kriangsak Chomanan† · Prem Tinsulanonda† · Chatichai Choonhavan† · Anand Panyarachun · Suchinda Kraprayoon† · Meechai Ruchuphan* · Anand Panyarachun · Chuan Leekpai · Banharn Silpa-Archa · Chavalit Yongchaiyudh · Chuan Leekpai · Thaksin Shinawatra · Surayud Chulanont†
* acting     † head of a military government

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