Tiang Sirikhanth
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Tiang Sirikhanth (Thai: เตียง ศิริขันธ์; RTGS: Tiang Sirikan; December 5, 1909 – December 12, 1952) was a Thai politician and a Seri Thai resistance leader during World War II.
Early life
Tiang was born to a merchant family in Sakon Nakhon province in the northeast of Thailand. He graduated in arts from Chulalongkorn University in 1930 and became a secondary school teacher in Bangkok. He then accepted the position of headmaster at a school in his home province. Tiang was elected to the National Assembly in 1940 and would represent his province until his death.
The Free Thai Movement
On the morning of December 8, 1941 Japanese forces invaded Thailand at numerous points along the seacoast and from
Tiang and others opposed to the Japanese met with the Regent, Pridi Banomyong, on the night of December 8 to discuss forming a resistance movement. This would eventually develop into the "Seri Thai", the Free Thai Movement.
Tiang organised the largest Seri Thai guerrilla training operation near his hometown in Sakorn Nakorn, with military support from British Force 136. His British code name was Pluto.
Post war and murder
Following the war, Tiang served as a cabinet minister in several democratic governments. Along with his friend and political ally
A staunch opponent of the Phibun dictatorship, which had staged a coup against the elected government, Tiang and four associates were arrested and murdered by the police under orders of Phibun's ruthless ally, Phao Siyanon. Their buried remains were discovered in Kanchanaburi province many years later.