Attractive Thai Nakon sterling silver cigarette case presented to Major General William P. Yarborough by Air Chief Marshal Dawee Chullasapya. The case, 8.5″ x 3.75″ x 1.25″, opens to reveal an engraved plaque to the underside of the lid, which reads: “Presented to Major General William P. Yarborough, Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence USA, With the compliments of Air Chief Marshal Dawee Chullasapya, Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff, Supreme Command, Bangkok, 17th November 1967.” In very good to fine condition, with a few small dents, some tarnishing and scratches, and a chip to interior of the lid.
Dawee Chullasapya was a Royal Thai Air Force officer and a member of the Seri Thai (1914-1996) who was widely considered a pillar of Thailand's sporting world. After a successful career in the military that saw him rise to Supreme Command chief of staff in 1961, he turned to politics and was appointed deputy defense minister in 1963. He later served as minister of transport and communications and of agriculture. Head of Thailand's National Olympic Committee for 22 years until his death, he was a member of the International Olympic Committee and a force behind the Southeast Asian Games.
