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Highway cutting through a town in Thailand



  • 1932, Jun 24 - The secret People's Party, composed of Siamese educated in Europe, some of them in high positions in the royal government or the military, topples the absolute monarchy while King Prajadhipok is at his summer residence in Hua Hin. Some 40 princes, high government officials and senior military officers are arrested and held hostage at the Ananlasanakan Hall in Bangkok. The group send the following telegram to King Prajadhipok:

    "The People's Party consisting of civil and military officials have now taken over the administration of the country and have taken members of the Royal Family such as H.R.H. Prince Nakhon Sawan as hostages. If members of the People's Party have received any injuries, the Princes held in pawn will suffer in consequence. The People's Party have no desire to make a seizure of the Royal possessions in any way. Their principal aim is to have a constitutional monarchy. We therefore invite Your Majesty to return to the Capital to reign again as king under the constitutional monarchy as established by the People's Party. If your Majesty refuses to accept the offer or refrains from replying within one hour after the receipt of this message, the People's Party will proclaim the constitutional monarchical government by appointing another Prince whom they consider to be efficient to act as King."

    King Prajadhipok replied with the following telegram:

    "I have received the letter in which you invite me to return to Bangkok as a constitutional monarch. For the sake of peace; and in order to save useless bloodshed; to avoid confusion and loss to the country; and, more, because I have already considered making this change myself, I am willing to cooperate in the establishment of a constitution under which I am willing to serve. Furthermore, there is a possibility that, if I decline to continue in my office as king, the foreign powers will not recognize the new government. This might entail considerable difficulty for the government. Physically I am not strong. I have no children to succeed me. My life expectancy is not long, at least if I continue in this office. I have no desire for position or for personal aggrandizement. My ability to advance the progress of the race alone constrains me. Accept this sincere expression of my feelings."

    Several of the members of the People's Party who topple the absolute monarchy will play a predominant role in Thai politics for the next 30 years.
    Participant Phibul Songkhran will be prime minister for around 15 years, 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957, sometimes with dictatorial powers, sometimes without; sometimes reaching the position through a coup d'etat, sometimes through an election.

    Parliament building in Bangkok











    Photo: Parliament building in Bangkok

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    Khuang Aphaiwong serves four short terms as prime minister at the end of, and immediately after Word War II. The first two times he will step down from office after just a few weeks because of quarrels within the government or with the National Assembly; the third time his terms lasts just a few weeks until the next general election; the forth is interrupted after a few weeks by a military coup d'etat.
    The most colorful figure of the initial group of revolutionaries is, however, Pridi Panomyong. In the first few governments of the People's Party, he is in charge of the economy. When he is suspected to be a communist he has to go into exile for the first time. He later takes part in a coup that installs Phibul Songkhran. However, when the Phibul allies himself with the Japanese during World War II, it's Pridi Panomyong who organizes the underground resistance movement against the Japanese and Phibul Songkhran. Pridi, after being a member of the Council of Regents, ends up for a while as the sole Regent of Thailand, in behalf of the minor King Ananda Mahidol. He also serves a short term as prime minister after World War II. When the military reinstalls Phibul Songkhran as prime minister in 1948, he attempts to overthrow him with the help of another military fraction but fails. Pridi Panomyong dies 1983 at the age of 83 in exile in Paris, but three years later his ashes are spread into the Gulf of Thailand in a state ceremony.

  • 1932, Jun 25 - King Rama VII returns to Bangkok.

  • 1932, Jun 27 - All department heads, ministers and secretaries of the monarchial system of government are retired. The Executive Committee of the People's Party is assigned as provisional government and a National Assembly is created. The legislative National Assembly is composed of 70 appointed members.

  • 1932, Dec 10 - King Rama VII promulgates the constitution, patterned after Western constitutions. It provides for a Parliament of which half of the members are elected and the other half appointed by Royal Command on recommendation of the cabinet. The prime minister is to be appointed by the King on recommendation of the National Assembly. Phaya Monapahorn Nitithada (1884 - 1948) of the People's Party is appointed the first prime minister. Royal Pardon is granted to the participants of the revolution.

  • 1933, Mar 1 - Minister of Economy, People's Party member Pridi Panomyong (1900 - 1983) presents a national economic policy based on a socialist pattern with a touch of liberalism. He is accused of being a communist.

  • 1933, Apr 1 - For alleged communistic leanings of the present government, Prime Minister Phaya Monapahorn Nitithada requests the King to grant him dictatorial powers and to suspend the session of the Assembly and some of the provisions of the newly implemented constitution. The King, again left with little choice as actual power rests with the prime minister, agrees. Adherence to Communism becomes punishable by 10 years imprisonment. Dissatisfaction arises in some sectors of the People's Party leading to the resignation of cabinet members including former Minister of Economy, Pridi Panomyong, who silently goes into exile.

  • 1933, Jun 20 - Disgruntled members of the People's Party topple the government of Phaya Monapahorn Nitithada, whose turn it becomes to go into exile (he chooses Penang were he lives until his death). The National Assembly is reopened; Phaya Bahol Polpayushasena (1888 - 1947) becomes prime minister.

  • 1933, Oct 11 - In protest of the new constitutional government, a revolt headed by General Prince Bovoradej breaks out and fighting occurs in Bongkhen, Laksi and Dammuang.

  • 1933, Oct 24 - The revolt ends with a victory of the government army, led by Colonel Phibul Songkhran.

  • 1933 Nov - The first national election in Siam is held for the 78 elective seats in the assembly. Bahol Polpayushasena remains prime minister.

  • 1934 Jan - King Rama VII leaves for Europe as the sentiment of the public for the royal family cools. Pridi Panomyong is allowed to return to Bangkok after he is cleared of charges of being a communist.

  • 1935, Mar 2 - King Rama VII abdicates, leaving no successor. The National Assembly proclaims his nephew, Prince Ananda Mahidol, a boy of 10, as legal heir to the throne. As the proclaimed monarch (who is given the title of Rama VIII) is underage and aside of that staying with his family in Switzerland where he attends school, the National Assembly appoints a Council of Regency to act on his behalf.

  • 1938, Dec 16 - Pridi Panomyong, aided by the army group of Phibul Songkhran, a key military leader in the suppression of the attempted coup d'etat of 1933, oust Prime Minister Bahol from his post. Phibul Songkhran is appointed prime minister by the Council of Regency. He concurrently takes the post of Minister of Defense. Pridi Panomyong becomes Minister of the Interior.

  • 1939 - A drift toward military dictatorship begins. The prime minister's assumption of complete power negates the idea of constitutional and democratic government.

  • 1939, Sep 3 - World War II begins in Europe and Siam declares neutrality. To be protected from outside aggression, Siam signs a treaty with Japan making Siam an ally of the Japanese who in exchange recognize her territorial integrity.

  • 1940, Jun 12 - Non-aggression pacts are also concluded by Siam with Britain and France.

  • 1941, Dec 7 - Siam and Japan clash as Japan demands free passage through Siam to attack the English territories and Thais resist.

  • 1941, Dec 8 - Japan starts the war in Asia and the Pacific by bombing Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the Philippines and Singapore. While Winston Churchill advises Siam to defend herself, Siam allows free passage to Japanese troops. Japan promises to respect Siam's independence and sovereignty.

  • 1941, Dec 21 - Japan and Siam sign an alliance pact which includes the agreement that Tokyo will help Bangkok get back territories lost to Britain decades earlier. Siam in return undertakes to assist Japan in the war against the US and the United Kingdom.

  • 1942, Jan 25- British and American planes begin raiding Bangkok and Siam declares war on the UK and the US.

  • 1942 - Phibul Songkhran comes into complete control of the government without any organized opposition. He concentrates on foreign affairs and international politics, hoping to bring power to Siam.

  • 1942, Dec 1 - Communist forces that have been operating in Siam since 1927 formally organize the Communist Party of Siam.

  • 1943 - Pridi Panomyong organizes an underground resistance movement against the Japanese in Siam, in cooperation with the Free Thai Movement in the US, founded by the Siamese Ambassador to Washington, Seni Pramoj who had earlier refused to deliver Prime Minister Phibul Songkhran's declaration of war against the US to the US government. This action helps Siam gain the sympathy and support of the allies.

  • 1944, Jul - Phibul Songkhran's government is toppled by its own National Assembly.

  • 1944, Aug - Khuang Aphaiwong (1902 - 1968), still a member of the original group of the People's Party that staged the revolution against the absolute monarchy, is appointed the new prime minister. He returns to titles of nobility as well as the old system of writing and drawing, all of which had been abolished by Phibul Songkhran whose main intention, aside from personal power, had been to turn Thailand into a more modern country. All political prisoners are released.

  • 1945, Aug 15 - Word War II ends.

  • 1945, Aug 16 - With approval of the National Assembly, Siam's declaration of war on the US and Great Britain is repudiated by Pridi Panomyong, at that time the sole Regent of Siam in behalf of King Ananda Mahidol who still studies in Switzerland.

  • 1945, Sep 1 - Prime Minister Khuang resigns from office and the disobedient former ambassador to Washington, Seni Pramoj, becomes new prime minister. Khuang organizes the Democratic Party, the first political party in Siam composed of conservative and monarchist groups.

  • 1946, Jan 1 - Siam signs a peace pact with Great Britain and India.

  • 1946, Jan 5 - Diplomatic relations with the US and Great Britain are re-established and treaties concluded prior to the war are revived.

  • 1946, Feb - After general elections, Khuang Aphaiwong again becomes prime minister but as he doesn't want to accept a bill of the National Assembly to cut public expenses, steps down again after just a few weeks.

  • 1946, Apr - Pridi Panomyong becomes prime minister.

  • 1946, May 10 - A new constitution providing for two chambers in the National Assembly is proclaimed.

  • 1946, Jun 9 - King Ananda Mahidol is found shot dead in his bed at the Grand Palace. His brother Bhumiphol Adulyadej is proclaimed King of Siam under the royal title King Rama IX.

  • 1946, Aug - Pridi Panomyong is relieved as prime minister and Thawal Dhamrongnawaswasti takes over.

  • 1946, Dec - Siam is admitted as the 55th member of the United Nations.

  • 1947, Nov 8 - A military group including then Colonel Sarit Thanarat (June 16, 1908 - Dec 8, 1963) stages a bloodless coup d'etat. The conditions had been favorable as high increases in the costs of living have caused widespread discontent.

  • 1947, Nov 9 - A new provisional constitution providing for a bicameral system is proclaimed. Upon the invitation of the coup leaders, Khuang Aphaiwong assumes for the third time the office of prime minister. The group also reinstalls Phibul Songkhran, who had ruled Siam for the most time since 1938, as commander-in-chief of the army

  • 1948, Jan 29 - A general election is held which puts the Democratic Party in the majority in the Assembly. In this election, Prasert Rapsunthorn, the Communist Party of Siam's first postwar secretary general is elected to Parliament.

  • 1948, Feb - Khuang, founder and leader of the victorious Democratic Party, is re-elected by the new National Assembly as the prime minister of Siam.

  • 1948, Apr 6 - Khuang Aphaiwong is forced by the army to resign for failure to bring down the high costs of living. Phibul Songkhran becomes prime minister again.

  • 1949, Feb 26 - Pridi Panomyong backed by supporters attempts a coup which is poorly executed despite being well-planned.

  • 1949, Feb 29 - The coup, with numerous casualties, is crushed by Phibul's army forces. Pridi Panomyong flees to China.

  • 1949, Mar 23 - A new permanent constitution is proclaimed as replacement of the provisional constitution of 1947. Siam changes its name to Thailand ("Phratet Thai" in Thai).

  • 1950 - Thailand sends forces to Korea in response to the UN's appeal for troops.

  • 1951, Jun 29 - In an effort to challenge the political power of the army and to regain some influence in national affairs, a group of navy officers kidnap Prime Minister and military strongman Marshall Phibul Songkhran while he attends the ceremony to receive from the US a dredger named Manhattan as part of their military assistance to Thailand. While being held hostage aboard the ship for several days, negotiation for organizing a new form of government are conducted. This event, although finally crushed by government-loyal soldiers, has negative effects on the position of Phibul Songkhran. Power and influence pass, rather silently, to General Sarit Thanarat and General Pao (the two will later become rivals).

  • 1951 - Cadres of the Communist Party of Thailand begin to infiltrate the countryside. There are several groups of communists in Thailand. The Communist Party of Thailand seeks to overthrow the government and monarchy. The Communist Party of Malaya on the border of Thailand and Malaya has Malaya as its main interest but has included a part of Thailand in its subversive activities. The third is a minor communist group with Marxist/Leninist orientations, operating in the cities as well as the countryside. Of the three, the Communist Party of Thailand is the most serious threat.

  • 1951, Nov 29 - Generals Sarit Thanarat and Pao Sriyanonda dissolve the National Assembly. The event is known as the "radio coup" as it is just reported on the radio without further elaboration. The new military strongmen seek to reinstate the 1932 constitution and rule rather from the background, keeping Marshall Phibul Songkhran as prime minister though with considerably less influence.

  • 1952 - The government appoints the "upper" half of the members of the new unicameral Assembly; most appointees are from the rich class. On the other hand, the Communist Party of Thailand, realizing the lack of capable cadres, begins sending students for Marxist-Leninist education to China and North Vietnam. Communism becomes banned in Thailand.

  • 1952, Feb - General elections for members of the "lower" half of the Assembly are held. Military backed candidates win by large margins.

  • 1948-1953 - Years of prosperity in Thailand due to high yields in rice.

  • 1952-1955 - Corruption and political intrigues grow and suppressive measures are adopted against suspected leftists.

  • 1954 - Thailand becomes a founding member of the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) along with the US, Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Pakistan. Its headquarters is in Bangkok.

  • 1957, Feb - A general election is held but marred by massive cheating as a result of the multiple party system, introduced two years earlier.

  • 1957, May - King Bhumiphol shows dissatisfaction with Field Marshall Phibul Songkhran by not attending the ceremonies to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of Buddhism. Foreign educated Communist cadres return to change the image of Communism in the countryside and front organizations are formed.

  • 1957, Sep 16 - The Military Party, led by army chief Sarit Thanarat, seizes power and ousts Marshall Phibul Songkhran and General Pao Sriyanonda. Phibul flees via Cambodia to Japan where he dies in 1964 without staging another comeback on the Thai political scene. Pao flees to Switzerland where he remains until his death a few years later. Pote Sarasin serves as caretaker prime minister.

  • 1958, Jan - After another general election, Thanom Kittikachorn becomes prime minister of Thailand.

  • 1958, Oct 20 - Another coup d'etat by army chief Sarit Thanarat takes place, allegedly because of the government failed to solve economic problems.

  • 1959, Jan 28 - The Revolutionary Party of Sarit Thanarat (at the previous coup, his party was named Military Party) proclaims a new constitution and forms a National Assembly which nominates Sarit Thanarat (June 16, 1908 - Dec 8, 1963) as prime minister.

  • 1961 - The Sarit Thanarat government announces its First 6-Year Plan. Subsequent governments will keep the habit of making economic development plans in the form of such plans. In the same year, the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA) is organized by Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. Later it will be enlarged and adopt the name Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Communist Party of Thailand resolves to launch a "people's war".

  • 1961-1962 - Suspected Communists are arrested and executed. The Communist Party adopts a Maoist strategic line.

  • 1963, Dec 8 - Sarit Thanarat dies of liver malfunction and Thanom Kittikachorn is appointed prime minister by King Bhumiphol.

  • 1964 - Conditions in Indochina look threatening to both the US and Thailand. As the US moves in troops, Thailand's involvement deepens as it becomes the staging ground for US operations in Laos. At the same time, internal insurgency grows into national proportions.

  • 1965, Jan 1 - The Communist Party of Thailand declares the formation of the People's Liberation Army, its military arm. Likewise two front organizations are put up namely the Thai Independence Movement and the Thai Patriotic Front.

  • 1965, Aug 5 - The first Communist Party of Thailand's armed attack on Thai authorities takes place near Nakhon Phanom in the northeast where a jeep load of police is ambushed.

  • 1965, Aug 7 - A communist offensive begins at Phupon Range in northeastern Thailand and spreads in all directions.

  • 1965 - Thailand becomes directly involved in the wars in Indochina as it begins sending combat units to South Vietnam amounting to 14% of the Royal Thai Army's total strength. Domestically the government launches a nationwide Communism Prevention Program which forces hundreds of communist terrorists to flee into the forests. Encounters between Thai government forces and the troops of the Communist Party of Malaysia begin in the southern provinces.

  • 1965, Nov - In the Daendin district of Sakhon Nakhon in northeastern Thailand, the army holds a Communism Suppression Campaignduring which tanks, aircraft and artillery fire vaguely in the direction of communist bases. Later, the army turns savagely on the inhabitants of Ban Bor Kae Noi district.

  • 1966 - A radio broadcast from China called the Voice of the People of Thailand begins airing to Thailand. At Mt Hin Lat Thap Fa in Udon Thani province in northeastern Thailand, Suivit Niemshi a.k.a. Sahai Yudh forms an impregnable camp as a staging point for a planned communist advance to Bangkok. It is called Base Asia; a communist government is established there.

  • 1967 - Leaders of the ASEAN countries, including those of new members like Singapore and Indonesia, sign the Bangkok Declaration. Member countries bind themselves to help each other to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development through joint endeavors in a spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of southeast Asian nations.

  • 1967, Nov - The Red Meo War takes place in which tribe people of the north fight against the central government for trying to evacuate them.

  • 1968-1975 - Effects of the Vietnam War are felt in Thailand in nearly every aspect of life. Construction of hotels, bars and massage parlors picks up as there is a lot of requests for such facilities from US military personnel engaged in the Vietnam War and in Thailand for R & R (rest and recreation).

  • 1968, Jun 20 - A new constitution is promulgated, creating a bicameral parliament consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

  • 1968, Jul 26 - A 5-man group of communist guerillas under Sahai Yudh enters the Royal Thai Air Force Base at Udon Thani and destroys aircraft used against targets in Vietnam. One Thai security guard is killed.

  • 1969, Feb 10 - A general election is held.

  • 1969, Mar 7 - Thanom Kittikachorn is elected by Parliament and becomes prime minister of Thailand for the 3rd time.

  • 1969 - The National Student Center of Thailand, an organization of student activists, is formed while communists recruit village soldiers.

  • 1971 - Thai communists adopt a program to create combat villages that will provide protection to "liberated" areas.

  • 1971, Oct - Students first show signs of becoming a politically active group when they hold their first major demonstrations.

  • 1971, Nov 17 - Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn stages a bloodless coup d'etat against his own government. He takes complete dictatorial control of the kingdom, abrogates the constitution, dissolves the parliament, disbands the cabinet and proclaims martial law. Cited reasons are the alleged non-effectivness of the constitution, non-cooperation of political parties, and terrorism in the north. The Revolutionary Party, controlled by Thanom, backs his dictatorial government. A 5 member National Executive Council is formed, chaired by Thanom. Among the other members are former prime minister Pote Sarasin and Field Marshall Prapass Charusathiara.

  • 1972 - The communist insurgency swells in the northern provinces. Communist guerillas go as far as using helicopters to attack Thai military positions. Laotian guerrillas are believed to take part in offensive actions of the Communist Party of Thailand in Nan Province.

  • 1972, Nov - Throughout the month, the National Student Center of Thailand (NSCT) conducts a campaign against Japanese goods. The students demand that Tokyo makes concessions concerning Thailand's trade deficit with Japan. Anti-Japanese feelings in the Thai population raise to a level, not reached since the end of World War II. The anti-Japanese campaign marks the beginning of the students' recognition as a political force in Thailand.

  • 1972, Dec - The NSCT holds the first protracted rally, directed against the junta's decision to consolidate its power by placing the judiciary under direct government control.

  • 1972, Dec 1 - At 12:23, the auspicious time given by the royal astrologer, Prince Vijiravudh, eldest son of King Bhumiphol, is invested as Crown Prince.

  • 1972, Dec 15 - A new legislative Interim Assembly is instituted and the prime minister is entrusted with forming a new cabinet.

  • Mid 73 - Student demonstrations widen.

  • 1973, Oct 14 - A student rally develops into a colossal protest which leads to a confrontation of soldiers and students. As the confrontation becomes violent more than 400 people die, several thousands are wounded and 4 buildings are burned. The day is later designated as Wan Maha Wippasok (The most tragic day). King Bhumiphol persuades Prime Minister Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn and his two closest associates, Deputy Prime Minister Field Marshall Prapass Charusathiara and Colonel Narong Kittikachorn (a son of Thanom), to leave the country. The rector of Thammasat University, Sanya Dhammasakdi, is appointed prime minister. For several days, Bangkok remains in a state of chaos as police and military forces keep off the streets to escape acts of revenge from roaming bands, mainly composed of students.

  • 1973, Dec 10 - The King selects thousands of individuals from all walks of life to represent the general population in electing among themselves members for an Interim National Assembly.

  • 1973-1974 - Prices of commodities go up and social unrest, disorder and anti-government activities increase. The government of Sanya Dhammasakdi is widely considered weak.

  • 1974 - The country becomes politicized along ideological lines. Leftist and rightist forces oppose and confront each other on political and non-political issues. The hotel and textile industries are badly hit by strikes.

  • 1974, Mar 7 - The National Assembly begins deliberating a draft of a new constitution.

  • 1974, Jun - In the leftist scene, links are established among students, workers, and peasants. Students provide protest facilities and act as mediators between workers and peasants on the one hand and the government on the other hand. Students are getting more sympathetic to the workers and peasants. However, the student movement splits with vocational students turning right and parting from the NSCT to form their own separate group called the Red Gaur. (The designation "red" in their name is misleading as they are rather opposed to communist ideology.) This split of the students' movement, for no clear reason, causes bomb throwing and violence. In an amazing development of group identities in the following months, academic students form a considerable leftist block while vocational students form an equally considerable rightist block.

  • 1974, Jul 3 - A bloody 3-day riot begins in Bangkok's Chinatown when a Thai policeman issues a ticket for wrong parking