Thailand History Guide » Contemporary History of Thailand http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:14:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 A unique Monarchy : King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/a-unique-monarchy-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-king-rama-ix/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/a-unique-monarchy-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-king-rama-ix/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:29:08 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=838 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 [...]]]> 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

King Bhumibol Adulyadej

King Bhumibol Adulyadej

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/a-unique-monarchy-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-king-rama-ix/feed/ 1 Thailand in Tumultuous Times http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/thailand-in-tumultuous-times/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/thailand-in-tumultuous-times/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:22:18 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=836 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 [...]]]> 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.

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/thailand-in-tumultuous-times/feed/ 0 King Ananda Mahidol : King Rama VIII http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/king-ananda-mahidol-king-rama-viii/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/king-ananda-mahidol-king-rama-viii/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:16:49 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=833 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)

Related PostsThailand in Tumultuous TimesA [...]]]> 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)

King Ananda (King Rama VIII)

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/king-ananda-mahidol-king-rama-viii/feed/ 0 The Pacific war : World War Two http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/the-pacific-war-world-war-two/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/the-pacific-war-world-war-two/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:09:12 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=831 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 [...]]]> 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.

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/the-pacific-war-world-war-two/feed/ 0 Power Struggles : Luang Pibulsonggram & Pridi Panamyong http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/power-struggles-luang-pibulsonggram-pridi-panamyong/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/power-struggles-luang-pibulsonggram-pridi-panamyong/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:01:08 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=827 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 [...]]]> 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

Luang Pibulsonggram and Pridi Panamyong

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/power-struggles-luang-pibulsonggram-pridi-panamyong/feed/ 0 End of The Absolute Monarchy in Thailand http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/end-of-the-absolute-monarchy-in-thailand/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/end-of-the-absolute-monarchy-in-thailand/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:50:08 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=824 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 [...]]]> 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

King Rama VII

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/end-of-the-absolute-monarchy-in-thailand/feed/ 0 King Rama VI to Modern Leaders http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/king-rama-vi-to-modern-leaders/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/king-rama-vi-to-modern-leaders/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:39:54 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=819 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 [...]]]> 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 VI

King Rama VII

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/king-rama-vi-to-modern-leaders/feed/ 0 CONTEMPORARY HISTORY OF THAILAND http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/contemporary-history-of-thailand/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/contemporary-history-of-thailand/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:32:41 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=816 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.

Related PostsA unique Monarchy : King Bhumibol Adulyadej [...]]]> 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.

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