Thailand History

After June 1932, the country 5 governments alternated between democratically-elected and differing degrees of military rule. It was a period of transition, of trying to balance new political ideals and expectations with the pragmatism of power politics.

King Prajadhipok abdicated in March 1935, feeling that he could no longer cooperate with the People's Party in a constructive way. He went into exile in England, where he died in 1941. The new king was Ananda Mahidol, the ten-year-old son of Prince Mahidol of Songkla, one of King Chulalongkorn's sons. The extreme youth of the new king, and his absence from the country while pursuing his studies in Switzerland, left the People's Party with a relatively free hand in shaping the destiny of the kingdom.

During the 1940's leading figures of the People's Party dominated Thai politics. Two men in particular stood out: the civilian leader Dr. Pridi Panomyong and the young officer Luang Pibulsongkram (later Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram). While the country experimented with various forms and degrees of democracy and several constitutions were promulgated, the two groups which held power were, alternately, the military and the civilian bureaucratic elite.

Dr. Pridi Panomyong tried to lay down the foundations of a socialistic society with his economic plan of 1933. This plan was considered to be too radical. It proposed to nationalize all land and labor resources and to have most people working for the state as government employees. These ideas were unacceptable to the more conservative elements both within the People's Party and also in the elite as a whole, which did not desire any sweeping structural changes in Thai society. Dr. Pridi was forced into temporary exile, and the National Assembly prorogued.

After 1933, Siam entered a long period of military ascendancy. The army that had been so carefully and systematically built up during the reign of King Chulalongkorn became a formidable institution. During King Vajiravudh's reign, in 1912, some officers had tried unsuccessfully to stage a coup d'etat, wanting to see Siam progress into modernity in terms of politics and government. In 1932 some senior and middle-ranking military officers had formed part of the People's Party. The most dynamic of these military officers was undoubtedly Luang Pibulsongkram, who came into prominence after he had played a crucial role in the defeat of a royalist counter-revolution in 1933. The Thai army was to be Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram's power base during the next 25 years. The military had one vital advantage over other groups: an organizational strength born of being a strict and tightly-knit hierarchy. Once the military decided to involve itself in politics, it was inevitable that it would prove to be a dominant force.

The first governments of the post-1932 era tried to keep a balance between civilian and military elements so as not to alienate any important group. For instance, in 1934 the exiled Dr. Pridi Panomyong was brought back into the administration as Interior Minister largely because the Prime Minister, General Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena, was eager to preserve civilian support for his government. Phraya Phahol also used Luang Pibulsongkram as a minister. During the period 1934-1938 both Dr. Pridi and Luang Pibulsongkram strove hard to consolidate their political power, the former through the Thai intelligentsia and the latter through influence over the army. When Phraya Phahol resigned in 1938 Luang Pibulsongkram succeeded him as Prime Minister, signifying that the military had gained a decisive advantage in the struggle for dominance in Thai politics.

In conformity with his view that a strongly enforced discipline backed by military strength was vital for Thailand's development he aimed at focusing nationalism to maximum intensity. He continued this policy until, in 1941, he was forced into collaboration with the occupying Japanese. Dr. Pridi, during the same period, was sympathetic to the Allies and worked with Thailand's underground resistance movement.

Towards the end of World War II, Field Marshal Pibul and his collaborative government resigned and Khuang Apaivongse became the Prime Minister in 1944. In the following year King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) returned from Switzerland, and Dr. Pridi became Prime Minister in 1946. But the unexpected death of the young King generated popular dissatisfaction and once again the tide turned. Dr. Pridi was forced into exile and Field Marshal Pibul again assumed power.

This time his period of leadership was to be a long one. It would witness the establishment of parliamentary democracy in Thailand and see the emergence of the country's students as a powerful political force whose protests contributed to Field Marshal Pibul's eventual overthrow.

In 1946, Thailand joined the United Nations, recognizing the future importance of the UN’s role in securing world peace. In 1950, shortly after the outbreak of war in Korea. Thailand announced its support of United Nations intervention and promptly sent a 2,000-man fighting force, naval and air force contingents, and several tons of rice.

Economically, the establishment of the People's Republic of China discouraged Thailand's Chinese from sending monthly remittances and encouraged local assimilation, which in turn stimulated local growth and profits. As world demand for food products rose, the countryside began diversifying away from the rice monoculture. And in response to local demand, enterprising producers founded light manufacturing industries on city and town outskirts.

In 1957, the premiership changed from Field Marshal Pibul to Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat. Under his vigorous personal leadership, the government apparently satisfied the requirements of the ever-burgeoning population by emphasizing economic development and national security. As a consequence of these decisive actions and policies, Field Marshal Sarit provided the nation with a sound infrastructure which successive governments could easily continue and adapt.

Following the sudden death of Field Marshal Sarit in 1963, Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was appointed Prime Minister. The government led by Field Marshal Thanom not only concentrated on internal social and economic development but also promoted the stability of the region as a whole. Indeed, it was primarily through the initiative of Thailand that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1967 in accordance with the Bangkok Declaration. However, in response to unprecedented political confusion caused by a student uprising in October 1973 Field Marshal Thanom relinquished the premiership in favor of Professor Sanya Dharmasakti.

During the period 1973-1976, the Thai political area witnessed successive governments headed by Professor Sanya Dharmasakti, M.R. Seni Pramoj, M.R. Kukrit Pramoj, again M.R. Seni Pramoj, and finally Dr. Tanin Kraivixian, each of whom strove to develop the country in its own way.

In 1977, General Kriengsak Chamanand became the Prime Minister. His government maintained political stability, which successfully encouraged foreigners to invest in Thailand.

General Prem Tinsulanonda became premier in 1979 and headed four governments between that time and 1988, when he declined another term. During these years, insurgency-caused conflicts were greatly reduced and many groups of insurgents emerged from their jungle hideouts to peacefully surrender to government officials. Moreover, national stability and successful foreign policies brought about a great many socio-political and economic developments. In 1982 Thailand celebrated the 2nd centennial anniversary of Bangkok.

An elected Prime Minister, Major General Chatichai Choonhavan, took office in August of 1988. During his first year he continued the successful economic policies that have brought Thailand to the status of a newly industrialized country and was also active in foreign affairs, particularly those of neighboring Indochina.

In 1992 the military coup d'etat led by General Sunthorn Kongsompong ousted the democratically elected Chatichai cabinet. Mr. Anand Panyarachun, a diplomat and well-known businessman was appointed as the next Prime Minister. He led his cabinet as an interim government until his term ended in accordance with the constitution. A general election took place and resulted in an appointment of General Suchinda Kraprayoon as the Prime Minister. The cabinet led by General Suchinda Kraprayoon was ended by a political mass demonstration for democracy. After resignation of General Suchinda Kraprayoon, Mr. Anand Panyarachun was for the second time appointed as the Prime Minister. In his second period, Mr. Anand Panyarachun came with several liberalization programs for the enhancement of economic growth and the general advancements of the country. He has also introduced a nationwide reform and revised the outmoded laws of the country resulting in greater facilitation and greater assurance to the business community.

The Anand II interim cabinet came to an end when Chuan Leekpai won the election in 1992 and was Prime Minister from 1992 to 1995. In mid 1995, Banharn Silpa-Archa won the election and became Prime Minister until September, 1996. He was replaced by Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, who became Prime Minister until November, 1997. In November, 1997 Mr. Leekpai returned and became the Prime Minister.