Silent Coup (Thailand)
Silent Coup (Thailand) | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Government of Thailand | National Military Council of Thailand | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
King Bhumibol Adulyadej |
Gen. Phao Siyanon
Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat Fuen Ronnaphakat |
Thailand's Silent Coup of 29 November 1951, otherwise known as the Radio Coup, consolidated the military's hold on the country. It reinstated the 1932 constitution, which effectively eliminated the Senate, established a unicameral legislature composed equally of elected and government-appointed members, and allowed serving military officers to supplement their commands with important ministerial portfolios.
Prelude to the coup
Having defeated the
The Coup Group quickly decided that rewriting or amending the constitution was the only way to get rid of these irritants. Because the 1949 constitution drafted by the palace-backed Democrats barred active government officials—including military and police officers—from the cabinet, the Coup Group found it objectionable.
In August and October 1951 the powerful police chief,
By then the generals' only obstacle was Phibun. Because his strength lay in the multiplicity of political groups and his ability to play one off the other, the field marshal resisted all efforts by the Coup Group to remove civilians from their positions in the administration.
The coup
In the end, the Coup Group chose to disregard Phibun as well as the king. On 26 November they sent a representative to the prime minister to suggest reverting the 1949 constitution to the less democratic and anti-royalist one of 1932. The proposal was immediately rejected by Phibun, but, three days later, nine leading members of the Coup Group—among them Phao Siyanon, Field Marshals
Aftermath
As with the Manhattan Rebellion, it was Phao who gained the most from the coup. His visits to the king indicate that he probably led the coup, and, most likely because of this role, he was able to take advantage of the civilians' defeat more readily than the other Coup Group members. While Phao's rival, Sarit, entered the cabinet as deputy minister of defence unaccompanied by close supporters, the Phao-Phin clique captured five cabinet slots. Phao's own appointment as deputy minister of the interior gave him effective control over this politically powerful ministry that allowed him to ruthlessly eliminate parliamentary opposition.[1]
References
- ^ a b Thak Chaloemtiarana. Thai Politics: Extracts and Documents 1932-1957. Social Science Association of Thailand.[full citation needed]
- ^ Office of Intelligence Research. The Background of the November 29 Coup D'Etat in Thailand. USNA.[full citation needed]
- ^ Rolland Bushner. November 29 Coup d'etat - Comments of Sang Phathanothai. UNA.[full citation needed]
- ^ David K. Wyatt. Thailand: A Short History. Silkworm Books.[full citation needed]
- ^ Rolland Bushner. November 29, 1951 Coup d'etat and Plans of the New Government. UNA.[full citation needed]