Politics
Thailand has always had unstable politics. Protests and coup d’etats are common. Every three years when there is an election parts of the country are often protesting. The times of World War 2 were no exception.
Thailand is officially a constitutional monarchy and has been since 1932. This is where the Prime Minister is head of government. A constitutional monarchy is when one person is in charge but limited under the rules of a constitution. This system is also called a limited monarchy.
At the start of World War 2 Luang Phibunsongkhram was the Prime Minister. He is also called Plaek Khittasangkha or Phibul Songgram as he changed his name after gaining a military title. He is most often just referred to as Phibun. Phibun had been president since 1938 and reigned until 1944 when his government was over thrown.
Thailand is officially a constitutional monarchy and has been since 1932. This is where the Prime Minister is head of government. A constitutional monarchy is when one person is in charge but limited under the rules of a constitution. This system is also called a limited monarchy.
At the start of World War 2 Luang Phibunsongkhram was the Prime Minister. He is also called Plaek Khittasangkha or Phibul Songgram as he changed his name after gaining a military title. He is most often just referred to as Phibun. Phibun had been president since 1938 and reigned until 1944 when his government was over thrown.
Phibun became increasingly popular after the Thai-Franco War as the Thai’s were overjoyed by the win against what was then considered a very powerful nation. He was on a similar page to the Japanese, appealing to the nationalists and Thai pride. Phibun worked closely with Japanese forces and often made choices seen to be more for the benefit of the Japanese than the Thais. It was under the Phibun reign that Thailand declared war on the United Kingdom and the United States. There was large controversy over Thailand declaring war on the United States of America as the Thai representative for the US, Seni Pramoj refused to deliver Thailand’s declaration of war. The declaration was never recognised by the US and unlike the United Kingdom never declared war on Thailand or opposed them strongly. The US just sat by and watched Thailand from afar.
When Japan started to fall, the Seri Thai became increasingly popular. Seri Thai, or Free Thai, was an underground group that was active from 1940-1945. They were strongly opposed to Japan and the Phibun government. Seri Thai had connections in the Thai government, United States, Thailand and Britain. In 1944 the Seri Thai overthrew the Phibun reign. Pridi Banomyong (their leader) reigned for 3 years from March 24 1944 to August 23 1947.
When the War ended Seri Thai were in government. Phibun government took power again in 1947 as a dictatorship. Seri Thai leader Pridi was exiled to France on accusations that he killed the King although all evidence points to a follower of Phibun actually committing the act. Eventually Phibun was exiled on charges of corruption and spent the rest of his life in Tokyo, Japan.
When Japan started to fall, the Seri Thai became increasingly popular. Seri Thai, or Free Thai, was an underground group that was active from 1940-1945. They were strongly opposed to Japan and the Phibun government. Seri Thai had connections in the Thai government, United States, Thailand and Britain. In 1944 the Seri Thai overthrew the Phibun reign. Pridi Banomyong (their leader) reigned for 3 years from March 24 1944 to August 23 1947.
When the War ended Seri Thai were in government. Phibun government took power again in 1947 as a dictatorship. Seri Thai leader Pridi was exiled to France on accusations that he killed the King although all evidence points to a follower of Phibun actually committing the act. Eventually Phibun was exiled on charges of corruption and spent the rest of his life in Tokyo, Japan.