Boworadet Rebellion
Encyclopedia
The Boworadet Rebellion (Thai:
กบฎบวรเดช; RTGS:
Kabot Boworadet) was a Thai
rebellion
(or unsuccessful coup d'état
) led by royalist
Prince Boworadet in 1933, in consequence of the conflicts between the previous royalist regime and the succeeding constitutional regime following the Revolution in 1932
. The Boworadet revolt was eventually defeated by the Siamese Government. As a historical event it was cataclysmic in the transformation of Thai politics and government.
, was attacked verbally by the constitutional monarch King Prajadhipok (or King Rama VII)
as a communist
following the proposal of the Draft National Economic Development Plan, or the Yellow Cover Dossier, to the National Assembly. The Yellow Paper was a plan to arrange and provide State welfare, to distribute all land to the rural poor, to interfere in economic affairs of the private sectors and to provide rural farmers more economic subsidies. These concepts were deemed communistic (or at least socialistic) by the Monarch. This led Thawan Ritthidet (Thai:
ถวัลย์ ฤทธิเดช), a private citizen, to file a lawsuit
against the King, accusing him of intervention in political, state and economic affairs. The fallout over Pridi's plan divided the Cabinet and led the Prime Minister
, Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
, to dissolve the National Assembly
on the 1 April and use emergency decrees (such as the Anti-Communist Act) to govern. Pridi was immediately exiled to France
.
On the 20 June, a senior Army Officer and member of the Khana Ratsadorn or the People's Party
, General Phraya Phahon Phon Phayuhasena (Thai:
พลเอก พระยาพหลพลพยุหเสนา (พจน์ พหลโยธิน)), seized power in a coup d'état, overthrowing the Government of Phraya Manopakorn. The coup leader appointed himself the second Prime Minister
of Thailand, declared Pridi Phanomyong not guilty and allowed him to returned.
พระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เ้ธอ พระองค์เจ้าบวรเดช), a German-educated minor member of the Royal Family, had been Minister of Defense and the Siamese Ambassador to France. He lost his positions following the Revolution of 1932. An ardent royalist, he was furious that anyone was allowed to sue
the King. This added to his discontent of Phraya Phahon Phon Phayuhasena's coup against Phraya Manopakorn and his support of Pridi against the monarch.
Prince Boworadej secretly plotted with Colonel Phraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram
(Thai:
พระยาศรีสิทธิ์สงคราม), commander of the Armed Forces of Bangkok, and other senior military officers to stage a coup d'état to unseat the government and replace it with a more traditional one. When the Khana Ratsadon (People's Party) took over, the older right-wing military officers had been unceremoniously pushed out and replaced by younger coup members.
On 11 October 1933, Prince Boworadet led royalist forces from the Eastern Region of the Country
, consisting of the Korat
, Phetchaburi
, and Udon
Regiments, together with a cavalry unit and several artillery batteries. They reached the capital to find that the military units in Bangkok supported the government. He nevertheless continued the attempt.
, in Nakhon Ratchasima Province
. The government forces were defeated and several members of the government were captured. The rebels then marched to Bangkok's Khet Don Mueang
, calling themselves the National Rescue Council (Thai:
คณะกู้บ้านเมือง; RTGS:
Khana Ku Ban Mueang) and their attempt the Deer Plan (Thai:
แผนล้อมกวาง; RTGS:
Phaen Lom Kwang). Prince Boworadet tried to persuade other forces to join him, including the Royal Thai Navy
, which instead declared itself neutral and sailed for bases in the South.
The government appointed Lieutenant Colonel Luang Phibulsonggram
, one of the 1932 coup makers, to command the Bangkok forces. These were supported by an armoured car and a tank commanded by Pibun's friend, Lieutenant Colonel 'Luang Amnuai Songkhram (Thom Kesakomon) (Thai:
หลวงอำนวยสงคราม (ถม เกษะโกมล)), who would later be killed in combat.
After a day of fierce fighting on 12 October, the rebels were able to capture Don Muang on the outskirts of the city. Major Luang Seri Somroeng Rit (Thai:
พันตรีหลวงเสรีเริงฤทธิ์) was appointed (under truce) to ask the rebels to surrender, under a government offer of amnesty
. However, the Major was seized and made a hostage. The rebels presented the following demands: 1) the Country shall be headed by the King forever; 2) all State affairs must be carried out in accordance with the Constitution, especially the appointment and removal of a member of the Council of Ministers, which can only be made by a majority of votes; 3) Permanent public officials, both civil and military, shall not intervene in politics; 4) The appointment of public officials shall be made with regard qualifications, without political partiality; 5) The second type (non-elected)of the people's representatives shall be appointed by the King (as opposed to the Prime Minister); 6) Armaments for the Army shall be provided everywhere, not gathered in any specific area; 7) Amnesty shall be granted to the National Rescue Council and all its supporters.
The Government refused to comply with the their demands, and the rebel forces advanced further to the capital, seizing the area around Bang Khen
. The rebels set up a stronghold near the Lak Si
train station, using machine guns and cavalry. The government was able to drive the rebels with the help of the Nakhon Sawan
Regiment and a declaration of the Prachinburi
Regiment in support of the government and join the fight. This broke of the rebels' morale, and on 14 October they began to retreat. The next day the government with superior forces (heavy artillery having been moved in by rail) was able to attack the rebel stronghold. Running out of ammunition and supplies, the rebels broke. Government forces pursued and advanced to the rebel base in Nakhon Ratchasima
. On 23 October, with the possibility of further reinforcement by other provincial garrisons and the death in action of Boworadet's second-in-command, Phaya Sri Sitthi Songkram, the rebels were badly defeated. The remnants dispersed, and the revolt was over.
(then part of French Indochina
). Many other leaders were arrested or surrendered, including Prince Boworadet's younger brother, Prince Sinthiphorn Kadakorn (Thai:
หม่อมเจ้าสิทธิพร กฤดากร). The rest were eventually suppressed and were tried by a special court
. Many received life sentences, but none were executed. Most sentences were later reduced and many were pardoned completely. Prince Boworadet received asylum in Cambodia
, where he lived until 1948. He then returned home to Thailand, dying in 1953 at the age of 76.
As the victorious faction Phraya Phahol's Government was able to further cement their grip on power, moving ever closer to a dictatorship using the military as a tool. Even though there is no evidence that Prajadhipok
ever supported the rebellion, the result was nevertheless a blow to the King, as his prestige was greatly diminished and his power severely weakened. The King's lack of leadership and indecisiveness showed when he only released a telegram saying that he regretted the strife and civil disturbances that occurred, he and the Queen
then left the capital for Songkla leaving the Government to deal with the rebellion. During this time he also failed to support his constitutional Government morally, which undermined his credibility and his perceived commitment to democracy and the constitutional system. This gave Phraya Phahol and the King's opponents reason to point that the monarch has failed to do his duty. The series of events following the rebellion eventually led to the King's abdication in 1935. The rebellion also led to the estrangement of the aristocratic factions and families, which has served the Kingdom for centuries. They were viewed with distrust and would never again regained their power and position in Thai politics.
The rebellion was also seen as a beginning of the meteoric rise of the two key players in the rebellion: Pridi and Phibul. Pridi, eventually became leader of the civilian faction within the Government and later Regent
for King Ananda Mahidol
(or Rama VIII) from 1944–1946 and then eventually Prime Minister in 1946. Phibul became the new leader and hero of the military faction and replacing Phraya Phahol as Prime Minister from 1938–1944 and then later 1948–1957, and eventually de facto dictator of Thailand (to date the longest serving Prime Minister in Thai history).
The Rebellion Suppression Monument was established at Khet Lak Si
, Bangkok
, as a commemoration
of this event, and later renamed as the Constitution Defense Monument.
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
กบฎบวรเดช; RTGS:
Royal Thai General System of Transcription
The Royal Thai General System of Transcription is the official system for rendering Thai language words in the Latin alphabet, published by the Royal Institute of Thailand...
Kabot Boworadet) was a Thai
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
rebellion
Rebellion
Rebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
(or unsuccessful coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
) led by royalist
Royalist
A royalist supports a particular monarch as head of state for a particular kingdom, or of a particular dynastic claim. In the abstract, this position is royalism. It is distinct from monarchism, which advocates a monarchical system of government, but not necessarily a particular monarch...
Prince Boworadet in 1933, in consequence of the conflicts between the previous royalist regime and the succeeding constitutional regime following the Revolution in 1932
Siamese Revolution of 1932
The Siamese Revolution of 1932 or the Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century...
. The Boworadet revolt was eventually defeated by the Siamese Government. As a historical event it was cataclysmic in the transformation of Thai politics and government.
Background
In March 1933, Pridi Phanomyong, a Minister of State and a member of the People's PartyKhana Ratsadon
Khana Ratsadon , frequently mistakenly written as Khana Rat , was a Siamese group of military and civil officers, and later a political party, which staged a bloodless coup against King Prajadhipok and transited the country's absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy on 24 June 1932.-The...
, was attacked verbally by the constitutional monarch King Prajadhipok (or King Rama VII)
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
as a communist
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
following the proposal of the Draft National Economic Development Plan, or the Yellow Cover Dossier, to the National Assembly. The Yellow Paper was a plan to arrange and provide State welfare, to distribute all land to the rural poor, to interfere in economic affairs of the private sectors and to provide rural farmers more economic subsidies. These concepts were deemed communistic (or at least socialistic) by the Monarch. This led Thawan Ritthidet (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
ถวัลย์ ฤทธิเดช), a private citizen, to file a lawsuit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
against the King, accusing him of intervention in political, state and economic affairs. The fallout over Pridi's plan divided the Cabinet and led the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
, Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada , born Kon Hutasingha , was the first Prime Minister of Siam after the Siamese Revolution of 1932 as he was selected by the leader of the People's Party - the party that instigated the revolution...
, to dissolve the National Assembly
National Assembly of Thailand
The National Assembly of Thailand or the Parliament of Thailand is the legislative branch of the government of Thailand. The National Assembly of Thailand is a bicameral body, consisting of two chambers: the upper house, , and the lower house,...
on the 1 April and use emergency decrees (such as the Anti-Communist Act) to govern. Pridi was immediately exiled to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
On the 20 June, a senior Army Officer and member of the Khana Ratsadorn or the People's Party
Khana Ratsadon
Khana Ratsadon , frequently mistakenly written as Khana Rat , was a Siamese group of military and civil officers, and later a political party, which staged a bloodless coup against King Prajadhipok and transited the country's absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy on 24 June 1932.-The...
, General Phraya Phahon Phon Phayuhasena (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
พลเอก พระยาพหลพลพยุหเสนา (พจน์ พหลโยธิน)), seized power in a coup d'état, overthrowing the Government of Phraya Manopakorn. The coup leader appointed himself the second Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
of Thailand, declared Pridi Phanomyong not guilty and allowed him to returned.
Prince Boworadet
Prince Boworadet (Thai:Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
พระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เ้ธอ พระองค์เจ้าบวรเดช), a German-educated minor member of the Royal Family, had been Minister of Defense and the Siamese Ambassador to France. He lost his positions following the Revolution of 1932. An ardent royalist, he was furious that anyone was allowed to sue
Lèse majesté
Lese-majesty is the crime of violating majesty, an offence against the dignity of a reigning sovereign or against a state.This behavior was first classified as a criminal offence against the dignity of the Roman republic in Ancient Rome...
the King. This added to his discontent of Phraya Phahon Phon Phayuhasena's coup against Phraya Manopakorn and his support of Pridi against the monarch.
Prince Boworadej secretly plotted with Colonel Phraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram
Sri Sitthi Songkhram
Phraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram was a Siamese career Army officer. He became Chief of Staff of the First Army under the absolute monarchy, and was Chief of Operations of the Army briefly during the post-1932 constitutional monarchy...
(Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
พระยาศรีสิทธิ์สงคราม), commander of the Armed Forces of Bangkok, and other senior military officers to stage a coup d'état to unseat the government and replace it with a more traditional one. When the Khana Ratsadon (People's Party) took over, the older right-wing military officers had been unceremoniously pushed out and replaced by younger coup members.
On 11 October 1933, Prince Boworadet led royalist forces from the Eastern Region of the Country
Eastern Thailand
Eastern Thailand is a region of Thailand bordering Cambodia on the east and Central Thailand on the west.-Geography:Eastern Thailand lies between the Sankamphaeng Range, which forms the border of the Northeastern plateau to the north and the Gulf of Thailand to the south...
, consisting of the Korat
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima or is a city in the north-east of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district...
, Phetchaburi
Phetchaburi Province
Phetchaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram and Prachuap Khiri Khan...
, and Udon
Udon Thani
Udon Thani is a city in Isan, north-east Thailand, and the capital of Udon Thani Province.-Location:The province of Udon Thani has a population of 1,467.200, the city alone 500.000. Geographical location and is approximately 560 km from Bangkok...
Regiments, together with a cavalry unit and several artillery batteries. They reached the capital to find that the military units in Bangkok supported the government. He nevertheless continued the attempt.
Suppression of the Rebellion
The first clash occurred on 11 October 1933 at Amphoe Pak ChongAmphoe Pak Chong
Pak Chong is the westernmost district of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand.-History:In the past this area was a part of Tambon Khanong Phra, Chan Thuek district ....
, in Nakhon Ratchasima Province
Nakhon Ratchasima Province
Nakhon Ratchasima or , often shortened to Korat or Khorat , is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand...
. The government forces were defeated and several members of the government were captured. The rebels then marched to Bangkok's Khet Don Mueang
Don Mueang
Don Mueang is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. It is bounded by : Amphoe Mueang and Amphoe Lam Luk Ka of Pathum Thani Province; Sai Mai, Bang Khen and Lak Si of Bangkok; and Amphoe Pak Kret of Nonthaburi Province....
, calling themselves the National Rescue Council (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
คณะกู้บ้านเมือง; RTGS:
Royal Thai General System of Transcription
The Royal Thai General System of Transcription is the official system for rendering Thai language words in the Latin alphabet, published by the Royal Institute of Thailand...
Khana Ku Ban Mueang) and their attempt the Deer Plan (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
แผนล้อมกวาง; RTGS:
Royal Thai General System of Transcription
The Royal Thai General System of Transcription is the official system for rendering Thai language words in the Latin alphabet, published by the Royal Institute of Thailand...
Phaen Lom Kwang). Prince Boworadet tried to persuade other forces to join him, including the Royal Thai Navy
Royal Thai Navy
The Royal Thai Navy is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the...
, which instead declared itself neutral and sailed for bases in the South.
The government appointed Lieutenant Colonel Luang Phibulsonggram
Plaek Pibulsonggram
Field Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
, one of the 1932 coup makers, to command the Bangkok forces. These were supported by an armoured car and a tank commanded by Pibun's friend, Lieutenant Colonel 'Luang Amnuai Songkhram (Thom Kesakomon) (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
หลวงอำนวยสงคราม (ถม เกษะโกมล)), who would later be killed in combat.
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
พันตรีหลวงเสรีเริงฤทธิ์) was appointed (under truce) to ask the rebels to surrender, under a government offer of amnesty
Amnesty
Amnesty is a legislative or executive act by which a state restores those who may have been guilty of an offense against it to the positions of innocent people, without changing the laws defining the offense. It includes more than pardon, in as much as it obliterates all legal remembrance of the...
. However, the Major was seized and made a hostage. The rebels presented the following demands: 1) the Country shall be headed by the King forever; 2) all State affairs must be carried out in accordance with the Constitution, especially the appointment and removal of a member of the Council of Ministers, which can only be made by a majority of votes; 3) Permanent public officials, both civil and military, shall not intervene in politics; 4) The appointment of public officials shall be made with regard qualifications, without political partiality; 5) The second type (non-elected)of the people's representatives shall be appointed by the King (as opposed to the Prime Minister); 6) Armaments for the Army shall be provided everywhere, not gathered in any specific area; 7) Amnesty shall be granted to the National Rescue Council and all its supporters.
The Government refused to comply with the their demands, and the rebel forces advanced further to the capital, seizing the area around Bang Khen
Bang Khen
Bang Khen is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. It is bounded by other Bangkok districts : Sai Mai, Khlong Sam Wa, Khan Na Yao, Bueng Kum, Lat Phrao, Chatuchak, Lak Si, and Don Mueang.-History:...
. The rebels set up a stronghold near the Lak Si
Lak Si
Lak Si is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. It is bounded by : Don Mueang, Bang Khen and Chatuchak of Bangkok; Amphoe Mueang and Amphoe Pak Kret of Nonthaburi Province.-History:...
train station, using machine guns and cavalry. The government was able to drive the rebels with the help of the Nakhon Sawan
Nakhon Sawan
Nakhon Sawan is a city in Thailand, the name literally means "Heavenly City". The city is the capital of Nakhon Sawan Province, and covers the complete subdistrict Pak Nam Pho and parts of Khwae Yai, Nakhon Sawan Tok, Nakhon Sawan Ok and Wat Sai, all of Mueang Nakhon Sawan district...
Regiment and a declaration of the Prachinburi
Prachinburi Province
Prachin Buri is a province of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Nakhon Ratchasima, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Nayok.-Geography:...
Regiment in support of the government and join the fight. This broke of the rebels' morale, and on 14 October they began to retreat. The next day the government with superior forces (heavy artillery having been moved in by rail) was able to attack the rebel stronghold. Running out of ammunition and supplies, the rebels broke. Government forces pursued and advanced to the rebel base in Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima or is a city in the north-east of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district...
. On 23 October, with the possibility of further reinforcement by other provincial garrisons and the death in action of Boworadet's second-in-command, Phaya Sri Sitthi Songkram, the rebels were badly defeated. The remnants dispersed, and the revolt was over.
Aftermath
Much destruction was done to the infrastructure of Bangkok (railways and bridges) and the surrounding area, including the Don Mueang Aerodome, from artillery bombardment, bombings and fire. On 25 October Prince Boworadet and his wife boarded an aeroplane and left Siam for VietnamVietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
(then part of French Indochina
French Indochina
French Indochina was part of the French colonial empire in southeast Asia. A federation of the three Vietnamese regions, Tonkin , Annam , and Cochinchina , as well as Cambodia, was formed in 1887....
). Many other leaders were arrested or surrendered, including Prince Boworadet's younger brother, Prince Sinthiphorn Kadakorn (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
หม่อมเจ้าสิทธิพร กฤดากร). The rest were eventually suppressed and were tried by a special court
Court
A court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law...
. Many received life sentences, but none were executed. Most sentences were later reduced and many were pardoned completely. Prince Boworadet received asylum in Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, where he lived until 1948. He then returned home to Thailand, dying in 1953 at the age of 76.
Legacy
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
ever supported the rebellion, the result was nevertheless a blow to the King, as his prestige was greatly diminished and his power severely weakened. The King's lack of leadership and indecisiveness showed when he only released a telegram saying that he regretted the strife and civil disturbances that occurred, he and the Queen
Ramphaiphanni
align=right|Queen Rambhai Barni of Siam , formerly Her Serene Highness Princess Rambhai Barni Svastivatana , was the wife and Queen Consort of King Prajadhipok of Siam.-Early life:...
then left the capital for Songkla leaving the Government to deal with the rebellion. During this time he also failed to support his constitutional Government morally, which undermined his credibility and his perceived commitment to democracy and the constitutional system. This gave Phraya Phahol and the King's opponents reason to point that the monarch has failed to do his duty. The series of events following the rebellion eventually led to the King's abdication in 1935. The rebellion also led to the estrangement of the aristocratic factions and families, which has served the Kingdom for centuries. They were viewed with distrust and would never again regained their power and position in Thai politics.
The rebellion was also seen as a beginning of the meteoric rise of the two key players in the rebellion: Pridi and Phibul. Pridi, eventually became leader of the civilian faction within the Government and later Regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
for King Ananda Mahidol
Ananda Mahidol
Ananda Mahidol was the eighth monarch of Thailand under the House of Chakri. At the time he was recognized as king by the National Assembly, in March 1935, he was a nine-year-old boy living in Switzerland. He returned to Thailand in December 1945. Six months later, in June 1946, he was found shot...
(or Rama VIII) from 1944–1946 and then eventually Prime Minister in 1946. Phibul became the new leader and hero of the military faction and replacing Phraya Phahol as Prime Minister from 1938–1944 and then later 1948–1957, and eventually de facto dictator of Thailand (to date the longest serving Prime Minister in Thai history).
The Rebellion Suppression Monument was established at Khet Lak Si
Lak Si
Lak Si is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand. It is bounded by : Don Mueang, Bang Khen and Chatuchak of Bangkok; Amphoe Mueang and Amphoe Pak Kret of Nonthaburi Province.-History:...
, Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, as a commemoration
Commemoration
Commemoration may refer to:*Commemoration , an observance of the Church of England*Commemoration , a prayer of the Roman Catholic Church...
of this event, and later renamed as the Constitution Defense Monument.
See also
- History of Thailand (1932-1973)History of Thailand (1932-1973)The history of Thailand from 1932 to 1973 was dominated by military dictatorships which were in power for much of the period. The main personalities of the period were the dictator Luang Phibunsongkhram , who allied the country with Japan during the Second World War, and the civilian politician...
- Phot Phahonyothin
- Plaek PibulsonggramPlaek PibulsonggramField Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
- PrajadhipokPrajadhipokPhra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
- Pridi PhanomyongPridi PhanomyongPridi Banomyong was a highly revered Thai politician. He was a former Prime Minister and Senior Statesman of Thailand, and was named one of the world's great personalities of the 20th century by UNESCO in 2000.-Family background:...
- Siamese Revolution of 1932Siamese Revolution of 1932The Siamese Revolution of 1932 or the Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century...
- Siamese coup d'état of 1933Siamese coup d'état of 1933The Siamese Coup d’état of June 1933 was considered the first time in Thai history that the Military has successfully overthrown the Constitutional Government. The actual coup took place peacefully on 20 June 1933 in Bangkok. The Coup was led by Colonel Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena against the...
- Sri Sitthi SongkhramSri Sitthi SongkhramPhraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram was a Siamese career Army officer. He became Chief of Staff of the First Army under the absolute monarchy, and was Chief of Operations of the Army briefly during the post-1932 constitutional monarchy...