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Thailand in Tumultuous Times

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 Pacific war : World War Two

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 [...]

Power Struggles : Luang Pibulsonggram & Pridi Panamyong

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 [...]