Home > Luang Phibunsongkhram

He was born on July 14, 1887 in the Nonthaburi province as son of Mr. Keed and Mrs. Sam-Ang Khittasangkha. His original name is Plaek, because of his peculiar position of ears (Plaek means "strange" in Thai). His family name was addded after official anouncent which let Thais have family name by Rama VI.

He studied at the Royal Army Academy as well as the General Staff Army College in France.

During the Siamese coup d'état of 1932 which changed Thailand to a constitutional monarchyA constitutional monarchy is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges a hereditary or elected monarch as head of state. Modern constitutional monarchies usually implement the concept of trias politica, and have the Major Phibunsongkhram joined the People's Party as its military representative. In 1933 there was a coup d'etat attempt called "Bavoradej" after the name of the leader, prince Bavoradej. Plaek singlehandly led the army to defeat them and his power became very formidable. After prime minister Colonel Phraya Phaholpolpayuhasena resigned he was appointed prime minister on December 16December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 15 days remaining. Events 1392 Emperor Go-Kameyama of Japan abdicates in favor of rival claimant Go-Komatsu, ending the nanboku-cho period of competing imp, 1938. During his term he was promoted to Field Marshall in recognition of the modernizationModernization is the praxis of changing the conditions of a society, an organisation or another group of people in ways that change the privileges of that group according to modern technology or modern knowledge. According to the sociologist Peter Wagner,s of the country done by him. He renamed the country from Siam to Thailand, and also finally introduced the western calendarThe Thai solar, or Suriyakati , calendar is used in traditional and official contexts in Thailand, although the Western calendar is sometimes used in business. The months and days of the week are the same as those used in the western Gregorian calendar, o. Moreover, he and his renown scholarly subordinate, Luang Vichit, vividly boosted the so-called SiameseSiamese could refer to: A Siamese cat Siamese twins The Thai language Someone or something from Thailand. cultural renaissance: the people were ordered to wear the cloth in the western styles, especially a hat; Thais must not chew the betel; Thais must buy only the domestic merchandise; the national anthem was written and the people were ordered to stand saluting the flag raised at 8 o'clock in the morning and 6 o'clock in the evening.

During the World War II Japan invaded Thailand, to which Plaek showed an ambiguous reaction. Some scholars believe that he had a megalomaniac plan in mind with Japan. First, in the early morning of December 8, 1941, Plaek disappeared and let his cabinet taken aback with the news of invasion. Thus, the soldiers along with police, were ordered by minister of defence to fight against the Japanese army which had landed on several different places in the Kra Peninsular. Plaek appeared again and wavered his cabinet's decision to surrender and cooperate with the Japan. It is very historically controversial whether Thailand "actually" took a side with the invader. Although the so-called friendship pact was signed, the relationship between the two countries had never been smooth. Pridi Phanomyong, another leader of the people's party, was ousted from the cabinet and was kicked upstairs to the unimportant position of regent. He secretly formed the resistance against Japan named Free Thai Movement. This was still in doubt whether Plaek knew about this and did anything to counter them.

Ultimately, Plaek was ousted from premiership by the parliament in 1944 when he tried arrogantly to relocate Thailand's capital from Bangkok to Phetchabun , and the project of building Phutthamonthon (the great sacred place for Buddha). The defeat of Axis led to his imprisonment but at his trial as a war criminal he was miraculously acquitted. Plaek was in exile from political stage from a several years. In 1948 he returned to office after a military coup.

Plaek's second reign would be lasting for further 10 years, but it was quite different from his first one. He had no absolute power anymore, but had to cooperate with the powerful cliques of Field Marshal Sarit Dhanarajata and Police General Pao Sriyanon .

Plaek led his country to have a close relationship with the United States during the escalation of cold war. 1951-52, Plaek sent Thai troops to join the United Nations (led by US army) in Korean war.

At the end of his reign suspicions of irregular practices during an election came up. The resulting unrest led to a coup by Field Marshal Sarit Dhanarajata in 1957, after which Phibunsongkhram had to leave the country. His final exile had been Japan where he died in 1964.