Thailand History Guide » King Rama IX

The Great King of Thailand

thailandhistoryguide — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:14:23 +0000

Modern Thailand

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:43:35 +0000

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

A unique Monarchy : King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX)

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:29:08 +0000

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

Thailand in Tumultuous Times

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:22:18 +0000

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.

King Ananda Mahidol : King Rama VIII

thailandhistoryguide — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:16:49 +0000

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)

Thailand History Guide » King Rama IX

The Great King of Thailand

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Modern Thailand

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