Manhattan Rebellion
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| Manhattan Rebellion | |||||
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.jpg) The Sri Ayudhya sinking near the naval headquarters | |||||
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| Belligerents | |||||
| Phibul's Government | Group of naval officers | ||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||
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Phao Sriyanond |
Anon Puntharikapha Manat Charupha | ||||
The Manhattan Rebellion (
Plaek Pibulsonggram (Phibun) on 29–30 June 1951. They took the prime minister hostage during a handover ceremony for the US dredge Manhattan and brought him aboard the Navy's flagship HTMS Sri Ayudhya
. However, they were met by the combined forces of the Royal Thai Army, Air Force and Police. Heavy fighting ensued, and Sri Ayudhya was sunk despite Phibun's presence on board; the prime minister had to swim ashore along with the ship's crew. The event led to the Navy being stripped of most of its power and influence. It also showed that political power actually lay with commanders of the Armed Forces rather than the prime minister.
Events
On 29 June 1951, a group of junior naval officers seized Phibun at gunpoint while he was attending the transfer ceremony of the
Bang Na
.
However, the coup plotters failed to secure the opening of the Wichaiprasit Fort. It was heavily fired upon from the eastern bank by guns and mortars, and, by afternoon, was also bombarded by AT-6 trainer planes. Heavy fires broke out, and the order was given to abandon ship.[2] Phibun had to swim ashore along with the sailors, but was uninjured.[1] The fires continued throughout the night and into the next day, when fighting ceased. The heavily damaged Sri Ayudhya finally sank on the night of 1 July.[2] The struggle led to the deaths of 17 military personnel, eight police officers, and 103 civilians. More than 500 people were wounded. Property damage amounted to 15 million baht and the loss of the navy's most powerful warship.[1]: p.41 According to New York Times, there were 68 deaths.[3]
In the aftermath, the navy's leadership was immediately fired, including Admiral Sindhu, its top commander. Seventy other officers were relieved of duty. More than 1,300 sailors suspected of joining or aiding the rebellion were arrested. All naval combat aircraft were handed over to the air force. Heavy naval weapons were confiscated. Naval bases in Bangkok were relocated to outer provinces such as
Samut Prakan. The Thai Marines was downsized and placed under army command. The naval submarine fleet was decommissioned.[4]
The wreck of Sri Ayudhya was later salvaged for scrap, as it had become a navigational hazard.[5] The ship was officially struck from the naval register on 8 October 1959 in Ministerial Order 350/21315.
References
- ^ ISBN 9780877277422.
- ^ a b c d e Fuangrabil, Krisda (May 2007). "สู่วาระสุดท้ายของเรือหลวงศรีอยุธยา: ทหารเรือกับเหตุสำคัญของบ้านเมืองในอดีต (ตอนที่ 4)" (PDF). Nawikasat. 90 (5): 6–14.
- ^ New York Times 1957.
- ^ Charuvastra, Teeranai (29 June 2018). "Battlefield Bangkok: The Time the Navy Defied the Army – And Lost". Khaosod English. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- ^ Pattaragoson, Dilok (June 2007). "เรือจ้างในลำน้ำ" (PDF). Nawikasat. 90 (6): 64–72.
Bibliography
- New York Times (17 September 1957). "Coup Used In Past In Thais' Politics". timesmachine.nytimes.com. New York Times.
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