Chamlong Srimuang
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Chamlong Srimuang | |
---|---|
จำลอง ศรีเมือง | |
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand | |
In office 25 October 1994 – 19 May 1995 | |
Prime Minister | Chuan Leekpai |
Leader of Palang Dharma Party | |
In office 1988–1992 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Boonchu Rojanastien |
10th Governor of Bangkok | |
In office 14 November 1985 – 22 January 1992 | |
Preceded by | Asa Meksavan |
Succeeded by | Krisda Arunvongse na Ayudhya |
Personal details | |
Born | Siam | 5 July 1935
Political party | Palang Dharma (1988-1996) |
Other political affiliations | People's Alliance for Democracy (2006-) |
Spouse | |
Battles/wars | |
Chamlong Srimuang (
Early life and education
Chamlong's father, a Chinese immigrant from Shantou, died when Chamlong was a baby. His mother was of Chinese ancestry, but was born in Thailand. Chamlong had an older brother who was sent to live in China with his grandmother and died there as a boy.
Following his father's death, Chamlong's family moved into the home of a retired naval officer, where his mother was a servant. They later lived with his mother's aunt, where she and Chamlong spun jute thread. When Chamlong was twelve, his mother married Chote Srimuang, a postman, and Chamlong took his last name.
Chamlong went to Ban Somdej Chao Phraya High School in
Military career
Newly commissioned
On his return to Thailand, he married Major Sirilak Kheolaor on 14 June 1964. They had met during an Army-Navy rugby match when Chamlong was a cadet. Soon afterwards, Chamlong was sent to the Schofield Barracks in Hawaii for a six-month course on military signal equipment.
He later served in Laos as a communications officer supporting Thai units fighting the communist Pathet Lao and the North Vietnamese Army. He returned to Thailand to attend the Army Command and General Staff College, and also underwent six months of counterinsurgency training.
Assigned to
In 1972, Chamlong attended the U.S. Navy's Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he completed a two-year management course. For his master's degree thesis, he wrote a study of labor unrest in Thailand. Following his graduation, he returned to the Military Research and Development Center.
Young Turk
During the 1970s, Chamlong and other Class 7 alumni formed the Young Military Officers Group, commonly referred to as the
During the 1970s conflicts between the pro-democracy and students movement on the one hand, and rightist paramilitaries on the other, Chamlong admittedly attended rallies of the right-wing "
The Young Turks also supported the coup against the military government of
Secretary to Prem
On 1 April 1981, the Young Turks, frustrated at the slow pace of political reform under Prem, staged a coup, later nicknamed the "April Fools Day" coup. Chamlong refused to take part, instead standing by Prem. The coup collapsed after the royal family, accompanied by Prem to
A rift between Chamlong and Prem later erupted when the lower house of parliament passed a law legalizing abortions in cases of rape and in situations when a pregnant woman's life was in danger. Chamlong was strongly opposed to what he viewed as "free abortions", and he resigned as Prem's secretary and successfully lobbied the senate to veto the law.
Chamlong next was assigned to teach psychology and politics at the National Defense College.
Santi Asoke
Chamlong had long been a devout
On 1 October 1985, Chamlong was promoted from colonel to major general. Two days later, he resigned from the army and registered as a candidate for governor of Bangkok.
Governor of Bangkok and leader of the Palang Dharma Party
Chamlong ran for governor as an independent, supported by an organization calling itself Ruam Phalang (United Force), made up mostly of volunteers from Santi Asoke. He ran based on promises of integrity and anti-corruption. The campaign relied heavily on inexpensive posters and door-to-door visits, in contrast to more traditional giant posters and political rallies. Chamlong's candidacy was belittled by the then
As governor, Chamlong reopened bidding for several city projects. He claimed that the lower cost of new bids saved the city 80 million baht (nearly US$3 million). He persuaded city street sweepers to sweep streets for the entire day, rather than just during the morning. Chamlong encouraged road-side hawkers, technically illegal, to stop selling their wares once a week, on Wednesdays. His anti-poverty projects included paving footpaths in squatter communities and establishing a chain of thrift stores for the poor.
In 1988, Chamlong established the Palang Dharma (Moral Force) Party (PDP) to contest nationwide parliamentary elections. Chamlong himself remained in the governorship of Bangkok, while a huge slate of 318 PDP candidates vied for seats across the nation. Half of the PDP's candidates were Santi Asoke devotees (sometimes referred to as the "temple faction"), and the party's ideological platform clearly reflected Santi Asoke teachings. However, some key posts went to outsiders (referred to as the "political faction"), including the post of secretary-general, which went to Dr Udomsilp Srisaengnam.
The PDP provoked much criticism, most of it aimed at Chamlong and Santi Asoke. Chamlong was accused of playing an active role in the student massacres of 1976 (charges which he denied). Santi Asoke was accused of being an illegal sect with heretical teachings.
The election was a disappointment for the PDP. Only fourteen candidates won seats: ten in Bangkok and four in the provinces. Santi Asoke candidates fared particularly poorly. As a result of the 1988 elections, Chamlong's former patron, Prem Tinsulanonda, was replaced as prime minister by
It was widely speculated that Secretary-General Udomsilp wanted to join Chatichai's government coalition, where he had been promised the Ministry of Public Health.[4] Chamlong declared that he would rather dissolve the party than let Udomsilp succeed. Udomsilp later resigned as PDP Secretary-General and was succeeded by Vinai Sompong, Chamlong's personal secretary. Thus began a decade long division between the "temple faction" and the "political faction" that would forever plague the PDP.
Chatichai's government reopened investigations into Santi Asoke, which led to a decision by the Supreme Council of the Sangha to defrock Phothirak. Phothirak sidestepped the defrocking by abandoning his yellow robes for white ones and refraining from calling himself a monk.
In 2007–2008 Santi Asoke monks presented themselves in brown robes again. Apart from Bhotirak many of them were ordained in the orthodox manner before they joined Santi Asoke; they remained monks, albeit without the "monks' pass" issued by the monastic hierarchy.
In the 1990 re-elections for the governorship of Bangkok, Chamlong gained 62 percent of all votes, twice as many as his most popular rival. In the 1990 election for the Bangkok City Council, the PDP won by a landslide, with 49 out of 55 seats.[4]
Chamlong was governor during the signing of the deal for the project later to be known as the "Thai Stonehenge". It consists of some 500 incomplete concrete pillars which are part of the unfinished Hopewell mass transit project, and is considered an unofficial monument to massive corruption.
Opposition to Suchinda Kraprayoon
Prelude to violence
On 23 February 1991, army chief General
Chamlong decided to resign as governor and become a PDP parliamentary candidate. The PDP won by a landslide in Bangkok, with 32 of 35 seats. Outside Bangkok, however, the PDP won only nine seats. Meanwhile, PDP candidate Krisda Arunvongse na Ayutthaya became Governor of Bangkok. A government coalition with 55 percent of the lower house was formed without the PDP and appointed Suchinda as prime minister. Massive public protests immediately followed. Chamlong played a major role in the protests and started a hunger strike on 4 May. On 9 May, Suchinda responded by saying that he would support a constitutional amendment making individuals who had not been elected to parliament ineligible for the premiership. Chamlong ended his fast on 9 May as tensions dissipated. That same evening, he also announced his resignation as leader of the PDP to allay suspicions that his actions were politically motivated.
Bloody May
The truce was short-lived. On 17 May the two leading government parties announced that, while they supported the constitutional amendment, they also favored transitional clauses that would permit Suchinda to serve as prime minister for the life of the current parliament. By that evening, 200,000 demonstrators filled Sanam Luang to call for Suchinda to resign. Chamlong led the protesters on a 2 km march to Government House. As they reached the intersection of Rachadamnoen and Rachadamnoen Nok Avenues, they were halted at Phan Fa Bridge, which had been barricaded with razor wire by the police. After negotiations failed, some protesters stampeded and broke through the barricade. The police retaliated with water cannons and clubs after protesters tried to commandeer one of the fire trucks. Stones and Molotov cocktails were soon flying. Chamlong used a loudspeaker to exhort the marchers not to attack the police, but his words were lost in the unrest.
Over the next several hours, hundreds of troops arrived to quell the protest. Just after midnight, Suchinda declared a
Early on the afternoon of 18 May, Suchinda publicly accused Chamlong of fomenting violence and defended the government's use of force. Shortly after, troops firing continuously in the air, moved in on the crowd surrounding Chamlong. The troops handcuffed and arrested Chamlong.
The crowds did not disperse, and the violence escalated. After troops had secured the area around Phan Fa Bridge and the Democracy Monument, protests shifted to Ramkhamhaeng University across the city. By the evening of 19 May, some fifty thousand people had gathered there.
Royal intervention
Early on the morning of 20 May, Princess Sirindhorn addressed the country on television, calling for a stop to the unrest. Her appeal was rebroadcast throughout the day. In the evening, her brother, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, broadcast a similar public appeal. Then at 21:30, a television broadcast of King Bhumibol, Suchinda, and Chamlong was shown, in which the king demanded that the two put an end to their confrontation and work together through parliamentary processes. Following the broadcast, Suchinda released Chamlong and announced an amnesty for protesters. He also agreed to support an amendment requiring the prime minister to be elected. Chamlong asked the demonstrators to disperse, which they did. On 24 May 1992, Suchinda resigned.
Major General Chamlong later apologized for his role in the events: "I wanted a peaceful rally," he said afterwards. "I can't deny some responsibility for the damage and loss of life. I feel deeply sorry for those families whose members were killed in the incident, for those people who were injured and their families." Nevertheless, he noted that "we were right in what we have done".
Downfall of the Palang Dharma Party
The Chuan 1 government
Major General Chamlong was re-elected in parliamentary elections held on 13 September 1992, along with 46 other PDP
Temple faction frustration increased at the slow pace of reform and development of the Chuan government. In the March 1994 elections for the Bangkok City Council, the PDP won only 24 out of 55 seats, a humiliating defeat compared to the 49 seats it won in 1990.[4] Soon after, Chaiwat Sinsuwong of the temple faction resigned as Deputy Governor of Bangkok.[4]
Finally, in late 1994, Chamlong returned to active politics and regained control of the party. Boonchu and other political faction cabinet ministers were replaced by temple faction loyalists and new blood, including newcomer Thaksin Shinawatra (who became foreign minister). The PDP soon withdrew from the government over the Sor Por Kor 4-01 land reform corruption scandal, causing the government of Chuan Leekpai to collapse.
The Thaksin-era
Major General Chamlong was strongly criticized for his handling of internal PDP politics in the last days of the Chuan government and retired from politics. He picked Thaksin as the new PDP leader. In parliamentary elections in July 1995, a severely weakened PDP won only 23 seats. The PDP joined the coalition government led by
In early 1996, Chamlong decided to return to politics to contest the Bangkok governor elections, facing incumbent Krisda Arunwongse na Ayudhya (who had defected from the PDP). In May 1996, Thaksin and four other PDP ministers quit the Banharn Cabinet (while retaining their MP seats) to protest widespread allegations of corruption, prompting a cabinet reshuffle, and possibly giving Chamlong a boost in the elections. Chamlong lost the election to Bhichit Rattakul, an independent. Chamlong's failure to buttress the PDP's failing power base in Bangkok amplified internal divisions in the PDP. Afterwards, Chamlong announced again that he was retiring from politics, and returned to his leadership school and organic farm.
The PDP pulled out of the Banharn government in August 1996. In subsequent elections in November 1996, the PDP suffered a fatal defeat, winning only one seat in parliament. The PDP soon imploded, with most members resigning. Several members (including
Opposition to IPO of Thai Beverage
Chamlong leaped back into the public view when, in 2005, he led a coalition of 67 religious and 172 anti-alcohol groups to protest the
Leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy
Major General Chamlong became a key leader of the
2008 political crisis
Sundaravej said "I will never resign in response to these threats.I will not dissolve the House. I will meet the king today to report what's going on." He met with King
Protesters also blocked the entrance of the airports in
On 4–5 October 2008, Srimuang and rally organiser, Chaiwat Sinsuwongse of the
2011 general election "vote-no" campaign
A key supporter of Thailand's version of the "vote-no" movement during run-up to the general election of 2011, Chamlong did not get the chance to vote no. His name and his wife's name were not on the list of eligible voters at their polling place, as they had voted in advance in the previous election and did not realise that they had to inform election officials that they did not want to do so in this one.[21]
Honours, decorations and awards
- Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (1989)
- Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (1987)
- Victory Medal - Vietnam War (1972)
- Border Service Medal (1969)
- Chakra Mala Medal - Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military and Police) (1972)
- First Class of Boy Scout Citation Medal of Vajira (1988)
Foreign Honour
- South Korea :
- Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, Class 2 (1981)
- Japan :
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (1992)
References
- – via Taylor and Francis+NEJM.
- ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation". Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2006.
- ^ Grossman, Nicholas, ed. (2010), Chronicle of Thailand: Headline News Since 1946, Editions Didier Millet, Bangkok Post, p. 284
- ^ a b c d "BKKPOST:Mar13 Power struggle in PDP". groups.google.com.
- ^ "World History Study Guide, "Phalang Dharma party"".
- ^ Dominique Patton (4 April 2006). "Thai Beverage to launch IPO in Singapore". ap-foodtechnology.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
- ^ "Rungrawee C. Pinyorat, "Thousands Protest Possible Beer Listing", SFGate.com".
- ^ Dominique Patton (26 May 2006). "Thai Beverage raises funds for expansion". ap-foodtechnology.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
- ^ The Nation, Assembly will not play a major role Archived 16 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine, 14 October 2006
- ^ The Nation, Critical test looms for junta unity Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, 23 November 2006
- ^ Bangkok Post, Interview: Activists back military, oppose government, 12 April 2007
- ^ "Thai PM Samak refuses to resign". BBC News. 30 August 2008.
- ^ "gulfnews.com/world, Thai minister to stay despite protests". Archived from the original on 31 August 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2008.
- ^ "Thai protesters break into government office as PM heads to consult king". AFP. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012 – via Google News.
- ^ ""I will never resign" says besieged Thai PM - EcoDiario.es". www.eleconomista.es. 30 August 2008.
- ^ Fuller, Thomas (29 August 2008). "Thai Protest of Premier Stops Trains and Planes" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM". BBC News. 29 August 2008.
- ^ "Police Arrest Leader of Thai Protests". The New York Times. Associated Press. 5 October 2008.
- ^ "Thai Police Arrest Another Leader Of Protest as Crackdown Continues". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 10 September 2020.
- ^ "Thai police arrest second anti-govt protest leader". AFP. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012 – via Google News.
- ^ Apichart Jinakul (4 July 2011). "No "no-vote" for Chamlong". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
Other sources
- A 1992 biography is the key source for much of the article's coverage of Chamlong's pre-1992 career.
Further reading
- ISBN 9780312165888.
- "Going Back to School", an article in Asiaweek describing Chamlong's leadership school.