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Pote Sarasin (March 25, 1905 - September 28, 2000; Thai พจน์ สารสิน, , RTGS: Phot Sarasin) was a Thai diplomat and politician. He served as foreign minister from 1949 to 1951 and then served as ambassador to the United States. In September 1957 when Sarit Thanarat came to power in a military coup, he appointed Sarasin to be the caretaker prime minister. He resigned in December 1957. Sarasin also served as the first secretary-general of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization from September 1957 until 1964.

A close friend of Phibun, Pote provided financial aid to the field marshal after the latter's release from prison in 1946. In return Phibun had Pote appointed deputy minister of foreign affairs in 1948.

As foreign minister Pote was a willful opponent of Phibun's attempts to recognise the French-backed Bao Dai regime of Vietnam, a stance that had the full support of parliament, the press, and much of the government. Pote recognised Bao Dai's lack of popular appeal and doubted the playboy-emperor's chances of success, and explained to a New York Times reporter that "if they [the Thais] backed Bao Dai and he failed, the animosity of the people of the country Vietnam would be turned against the Siamese."^[1] In the end Phibun discarded months of Foreign Ministry recommendations and on February 28 issued formal recognition of the royal governments of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.^[2] Embittered, Pote resigned. It was the first and last time a Thai foreign minister would quit on a matter of principle.^[3] Shortly afterward, he became ambassador to Washington.

On September 21, 1957, Sarit chose Pote to head the coup-installed government, mainly because the American-educated diplomat enjoyed the American's complete conference. Under him largely free and fair elections were held in December. He resigned from the premiership that same month to resume his post as secretary-general of SEATO.

Pote was a scion of the Sarasin family, one of Bangkok's oldest and wealthiest assimilated Chinese families. The Sarasins had always cultivated good relations with the bureaucratic elite of the 19th century, and by the early 1950s held substantial interests in real estate and rice trading. ^[4] The clan founder, Thian Hee (whose official title was Phraya Sarasinsawamiphakh), was the son of a traditional Chinese doctor and pharmacist who had immigrated from Hainan to Siam in the 19th century.^[5]

Pote had two sons, Pong, a businessman and Arsa, who was also one of the former foreign ministers of Thailand and is now serving as King Bhumibol's Principal Private Secretary.^[6]

1. ^ The New York Times, February 14, 1950
2. ^ Konthi Suphamongkhon. Thai Foreign Policy. Thammasat University Press (1984). 
3. ^ Konthi.
4. ^ The Encyclopedia of the Chinese Overseas, Thailand – Changes in its economic future, page 220
5. ^ Chris Baker, Pasuk Phongpaichit. A History of Thailand. Cambridge University Press, 98. ISBN 0521816157. 
6. ^ Menues chroniques d'un séjour en Thaïlande (1989-1992)

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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