Thailand’s recent history has been marked by funher military coups, successful and otherwise, but it has also enjoyed steady economic and social progress, particularly during the eight-year premiership of General Prem Tinsulanonda (1979-88). The local communist insurgency, at its strongest in the 1970’s, is largely ended, relations with neighboring countries have been improved, and democratic institutions have gained increasing support among the general population. At the same time, Thailand has achieved the status of a “Newly Industrialized Country”, with manufactured exports now exceeding agricultural produce in terms of national revenue.
Modern Thailand
There was an apparent setback national development in May 1992, when bloody riots forced the resignation of the non-elected Prime Minister General Suchinda Kraprayoon and damaged the country’s international image of stability, On the other hand, many knowledgeable observers saw this as an encouraging sign that predominantly middle-class rioters succeeded in their aim of resisting traditional military dominance in political affairs. Over the past decade, there have been a series of democratically elected goverments without military interference. These peaceful elections have been held in spite of an unprecedented economic upheaval which began with a devaluation of the Thai baht in 1997 and eventually spread through most of Asia. In Thailand, the effects have included tbe closure of many finance companies, banks, and manufacturing plants, resulting in a host of social problems and. particularly in Bangkok, scores of unfinished building projects that were started during the boom period. A bail-out effort by the International Monetary Fund, together with positive steps by the government. put the coumry on the road to recovery by the beginning of 2000; but many feel it will be some time before the Thai economy regains its true momentum.
Modern Thailand
October 13th, 2008 | Tags: Culture, International Monetary Fund, King Bhllmibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX, Modern Thailand, Prem Tinsulanonda, Suchinda Kraprayoon, Thailand Financial Crisis, Thailand History, Thailand's Prime Minister, Tom Yam Kung Crisis | Category: Modern Thailand, Thailand History | Leave a comment
One of the outstanding forces in contemporary Thailand is the monarchy that has evolved under King Bhumibol Adulyadej following his official coronation in 1950. Though theoretically operating under constitutional limitations similar to those that apply in Britain, the king has achieved an imposing moral authority rivaling that of his absolute ancestors, largely through an extensive network of royally initiated programs aimed at rural development. Today the king and other members of the royal family spend much of the year outside Bangkok, overseeing such projects as crop substitution for northern hill tribes to replace their traditional opium poppy and improved water resources in the arid northeast. The great respect earned through these endeavors has enabled the king to act as a decisive mediator in times of severe civil unrest, particularly during the student revolution of 1973 and, even more dramatically, during the political upheaval of 1992 when he made an unprecedented television appearance to effect a compromise between the opposing groups.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej
King Bhumibol Adulyadej
October 13th, 2008 | Tags: Contemporary History of Thailand, Culture, King Bhllmibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX, Monarchy, Thailand History | Category: Contemporary History of Thailand, Thailand History | Leave a comment
The next three decades saw a number of coups and counter-coups. Accused of complicity in the death of the king, Pridi was forced into exile by Pibul. Though Pridi attempted two comebacks, in 1949 and 1951, both ended in failure and he retired first to China and finally to France. Pibul remained in power until he, too, was overthrown by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat in 1957 In October 1973 Thai students staged a series of massive demonstrations that overthrew the military government and sent its leaders into exile. Three years of chaotic democracy ensued, but in 1976, alarmed by the unrest and by the fall of Indo-China to communists, rightist elements returned to power in a violent coup in which several hundred students were killed.
October 13th, 2008 | Tags: Contemporary History of Thailand, Coup, Culture, King Ananda Mahidol, King Bhllmibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX, King Rama VIII, Luang Pibulsonggram, Pridi Panomyong, Sarit Thanarat, Thailand History | Category: Contemporary History of Thailand, Thailand History | Leave a comment
On June 9,1946, the young King Ananda was found shot dead in his room at the Grand Palace during a visit from Switzerland. His younger brother thus came to the throne as King Bhllmibol Adulyadej, Rama IX. in circumstances that were both tragic and politically explosive.
King Ananda (King Rama VIII)
October 13th, 2008 | Tags: Contemporary History of Thailand, Culture, Grand Palace, King Ananda Mahidol, King Bhllmibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX, King Rama VIII, Thailand History | Category: Contemporary History of Thailand, Thailand History | Leave a comment
In 1940, following the fall of France, skirmishes broke out along the borders of Thailand and Indo-China which resulted in the return of areas in Laos and Cambodia to Thailand thc following year. Upon the outbreak of the Pacific War on December 8, 1941, Japan demanded free passage through southern Thailand for its attack against British territories. Unahle to resist, Pibul granted permission and, further. issued a declaration of war against Great Britain and the United States in January 1942. A Free Thai underground movement was organized by Prjdi during the war, not only bringing him back to power but also enabling Thailand to avoid being treated as an enemy nation following Japan’s defeat.
October 13th, 2008 | Tags: A Free Thai Organization, Cambodia, Contemporary History of Thailand, Culture, Frence, Great Britain, Japan, Laos, Pacific War, Pridi Panomyong, Thailand History, United States, World War Two | Category: Contemporary History of Thailand, Thailand History | Leave a comment
The two dominant figures in Thai politics during the 1930’s were Luang Pibulsonggram, later known as Field Marshal Pibul, and Dr. Pridi Panomyong. Both men were educated in France. These two leaders held different views on many issues and were in frequent conflict. By the end of the decade, Pibul had become the country’s Prime Minister and Dr. Pridi had held several senior posts, including that of Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Luang Pibulsonggram and Pridi Panamyong
October 13th, 2008 | Tags: Contemporary History of Thailand, Culture, Luang Pibulsonggram, Pridi Panomyong, Thailand History, Thailand's Prime Minister | Category: Contemporary History of Thailand, Thailand History | Leave a comment
King Rama VI’s successor, Rama VII inherited numerous economic and social problems. On June 24, 1932, a small group of foreign-educated military officers and civil servants staged a coup d’etat calling for a constitutional monarchy. The king, who had already been thinking along such lines himself, granted their request. Later, he became disillusioned and abdicated in 1935, spending the rest of his life in England. Prince Ananda Mahidol, then a boy of 10, was named his successor and a regency council was appointed until he completed his studies in Switzerland.
King Rama VII
October 13th, 2008 | Tags: Constitutional Monarchy, Contemporary History of Thailand, Coup, Culture, King Rama VII, King Rama VIII, Prince Ananda Mahidol, Thailand History | Category: Contemporary History of Thailand, Thailand History | Leave a comment
The first Thai ruler to be educated abroad, King Rama VI continued many of the reforms initiated by his father. In 1913, a law was passed requiring Thai citizens to have surnames for the first time; the first university, Chulalongkorn, was established in 1917; the country entered World War One on the side of the Allies; and unequal treaties with Western powers wer renegotiated in Thailand’s favor.
King Rama VII
October 13th, 2008 | Tags: Chulalongkorn University, Contemporary History of Thailand, Culture, King Chulalongkorn, King Rama VI, King Rama VII, Thailand History, World War One | Category: Contemporary History of Thailand, Thailand History | Leave a comment
In 1910, at the time of King Rama V’s death, Thailand had become a modern nation recognized by the Western world, its boundaries apparently more or less secure. The following 80 years, however, were to be turbulent and marked by momentous events both inside the country and beyond.
October 13th, 2008 | Tags: Contemporary History of Thailand, Culture, King Rama V, Thailand History | Category: Contemporary History of Thailand, Thailand History | Leave a comment
Independent but impoverished, 19th-century Lanna was governed by the family of Kawila, nominally a vassal of Thailand, but in fact autonomous. Not until 1874 was a Thai High Commissioner sent to administer the north and during the reign of King Rama V the region was slowly incorporated into the Thai kingdom. Laos, east of the Mekong, annexed by King Rama I during the Burmese War, was ceded to France in 1893, following a show of force by gunboats.
Chao Kaew Nawarat, last king of Chiang Mai
September 30th, 2008 | Tags: Ayutthaya, Burmese, Culture, Frence, Kawila, King Rama I, King Rama V, Lanna Kingdom, Laos, Last king of Chiang Mai, Mekong River, Northern of Thailand, Thailand History | Category: Thailand History, The Lanna Kingdom | Leave a comment
