Pridi Banomyong was one of the prominent leaders in the 1932 coup that changed Thailand to a constitutional monarchy. A brilliant and charismatic leader, Pridi laid the foundations for modern constitutional government and is regarded as the father of Thai democracy.
He was born in Ayutthaya on 11 May 1900 of a Chinese father who was a rice merchant. A brilliant student at an early age, he completed his secondary education at 14 and graduated from law school at 19.
The Early Years
Awarded a scholarship to study in France, Pridi completed his Masters and Doctorate in Law at the University of Paris at the age of 27.
In the 1920s the spirit of revolution was in the air. There was heightened political awareness among Thai students studying abroad, stimulated by the political and social climate of the day. It was the radical politics in France that sowed the seeds of socialism and democracy in Pridi Banomyong's mind.
Here he met Major Plaek Kittasa ngkha, later to be known by his title Luang Phibun Songkhram, on advanced military training in France. Together with others, they plotted to change the absolute monarchy to a constitutional one.
Both these two men were to have a great impact on Thai politics in the years to come. Both were to become Prime Ministers and also bitter adversaries later in life.
The six point political plan formulated by Pridi and his People's PArty consisted of national independence, national security, economic planning, equality, liberty and universal education.
The 1932 Coup
At dawn on 24 June 1932, the small group led by Pridi Banomyong and Phibun Songkhram launched a lightning coup. The conservative military under Phibun and the radical People's PArty led by Pridi Banomyong, made strange bedfellows. But the alliance held until the outbreak of World War II.
From 1932 1949, Pridi Banomyong was Minister of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Regent, Seri Thai (Free Thai) resistance leader, Senior Statesman and Prime Minister. He saw five Prime Ministers, a World War, five coups and went into exile three times.
The Reform Years 1933 -1941
Pridi Banomyong wrote the first constitution for Thailand. This was followed by the Elections Act 1932 providing for national elections and universal suffrage, a major step forward.
As Minister of Interior (Mar 1933 Aug 1937) he enacted laws for municipal government and an administrative court outside political control.
In 1934, Pridi proposed an economic plan for the nationalization of assets and the conversion of all workers to state employees. His plan was rejected outright, he was denounced as a Communist and had to leave country temporarily. This was a sign of worse to come.
His rejection of King Rama VII's proposed amendments to the constitution and the government's treatment of the royal family after the 1932 coup caused deep offence to the royalists. This and the Communist stigma were to hound him for the rest of his political career and life.
The People's PArty increased investment in education and instituted compulsory education. In 1934 Pridi founded the University of Moral and Political Sciences, later called Thammasat University and became the first Rector.
As Minister of Foreign Affairs (Aug 1937 - Sept 1938) Pridi Banomyong repudiated and renegotiated all the unequal treaties imposed on Thailand by the European powers. These t reaties covered extraterritorial rights and a limitation on import duties on foreign goods to Thailand by these powers.
After the November 1938 elections Pridi was Minister of Finance (Dec 1938 Dec 1941) under the Phibun government. He revamped the entire taxation system. Unfair taxes like the head tax, paddy field tax were abolished and a proper taxation system based on earnings and consumption was established.
A national budget system was introduced. He nationalized the foreign tobacco industry which served as a valuable source of government revenue.
World War II and the post-war years
As World War II approached, the militaristic and pro-Fascist Phibun broke ranks with the democratic and anti-Japanese Pridi. Pridi lost his ministerial post and was sidelined as Regent to King Ananda Mahidol.
When Thailand declared war on USA and Britain, Pridi headed the Seri Thai (Free Thai) resistance movement in Thailand and operated under the code name Rut h.
When it was apparent that Japan was going to lose the war, the assembly dumped the pro-Japanese Phibun and appointed Khuang Apaiwong as Prime Minister.
With Phibun gone, Pridi Banomyong as Regent nullified Thailand's declaration of war on the Allies and repudiated all previous agreements made with Japan. These shrewd moves pacified the Americans and saved Thailand from the severe war reparations that Britain intended to impose.
With the return of King Ananda to Thailand in 1945, Pridi resigned as Regent and was named Senior Statesman. He continued to play an influential role in government.
Pridi Banomyong became Prime Minister in March 1946, passed a new constitution for a bicameral parliament and laws to protect labor rights.
The end of a career
The death of King Ananda Mahidol on 9 June 1946 sounded the death knell for Pridi's political career. He resigned as Prime Minister five months later. What was even more damaging; he was accuse d of regicide by the royalists.
In November 1947 Phibun struck with a coup. Pridi narrowly evaded arrest with the help of his British and US contacts and went into exile again. Arrests of his supporters followed.
Pridi supported by Marines and Navy countered in February 1949 with a coup against Phibun. Fierce fighting ensued for three days. Pridi lost badly, his reputation tarnished further by the violence. In the aftermath his men were ruthlessly purged.
By now, the political winds have shifted. The West found it more expedient to support military dictators like Phibun for their Cold War operations. Pridi had become an embarrassment.
Into Exile
Pridi Banomyong went into exile for the last time - this time to China. He would never see his homeland again. His acceptance by China gave his detractors more grounds to brand him a Communist.
His wife Thanpuying Poonsuk was arrested in November 1952 on charges of subversion. She was held in custo dy till February 1953. On her release she joined Pridi in exile with the rest of their children less his son who was also jailed.
In May 1970 Pridi moved to Paris, where he died on 2 May 1983 after 34 years in exile. Only his ashes were brought home to Thailand to be scattered in the Gulf of Thailand.
Thanpuying Poonsuk returned to Thailand in 1986. In an interview in 2000, she remarked with some bitterness, All Thailand ever gave us was a place to be born.
That would have been a very sad and tragic epitaph for a man who played such a pivotal role in his country's political and social development.
How is Pridi Banonyong remembered in Thailand today?
He was a profound political and economic thinker, providing the vision, the legal framework and political structure for constitutional government, the basis of which remains to this day.
It was in education that Pridi left his lasting legacy. Thammasat University is a premier tertiary institut ion in Thailand today. Thammasat remembers Pridi.
Sois 1 50 off Sukhumvit Soi 71 are named after Pridi Banomyong. How many people living in the area know or remember the man after whom the sois were named?
The Pridi Banomyong Foundation and Pridi Banomyong Institute in Sukhumvit Soi 55 promote research in social studies, Art, music and culture.
In a belated tribute in 2000, the centenary of Pridi Banomyong's birth, UNESCO named Pridi as one of the world great personalities of the century. In that year, Articles appeared in the English dailies in Thailand vindicating Pridi and recognising his contribution to Thai politics and society .
The symbolism of the Democracy Monument in Ratchadamnoen Avenue aptly commemorates the change to constitutional government in 1932. The first Thai constitution written by Pridi Banomyong is enshrined in the pedestal within.
Pridi Banomyong is one of the legendary figures in Tour Bangkok Legacies a historical travel site on people, places and events that left their mark in the landscape of Bangkok.
The author Eric Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok Thailand.
Author:: Eric Lim
Keywords:: Pridi Banomyong, 24 June 1932 coup, Phibun Songkhram, King Rama VII, Seri Thai Free Thai
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