Khana Ratsadon
Encyclopedia
Khana Ratsadon frequently mistakenly written as Khana Rat , was a Siamese
group of military and civil officers, and later a political party
, which staged a bloodless coup against King Prajadhipok
and transited the country's absolute monarchy
to constitutional monarchy
on 24 June 1932.
was under the absolutist
rule of the House of Chakri, under King Prajadhipok
, Rama VII. Under his reign, the nation experienced troubles stemming from an archaic government confronted with serious economic problems and threats from abroad, British Empire
and French Empire
. The country was also experiencing a dramatic social change as the urban and middle classes of Bangkok
were starting to grow, slowly demanding more rights from their government, criticizing it as ineffective. These changes were mostly led by men, civilians and military, who had graduated or travelled abroad; they wanted to transform Siam into a modern country along the lines of a western constitutional system
.
In February, 1927, a group of 7 Siamese students met at a hotel on the Rue Du Sommerard
in Paris
and founded what would become the Khana Ratsadon. For five days they met and argued, they were:
and termed themselves the "Promoters" . The Party determined a sixfold objective which was later called the "Six Principles" , as follows:,
To achieve these goals, the Party determined that they must overthrow, using force if necessary, the present government
and the system of absolute monarchy
and turn the tiny Asia
n Kingdom
into a modern constitutional monarchy
. Most of the members were students educated abroad mostly in the United Kingdom
and France
.
When the group returned to Siam, they found many members from among the Army, Navy
, Merchant
s, Civil Servants and many others. Their membership eventually reached 102, separated into four main branches. These include the Civilian
s, led by Pridi Phanomyong
; the Navy
, led by Luang Sinthusongkhramchai; the junior Army
Officers, led by Major Phibulsonggram
; and finally the Senior Officers, led by Colonel Phot Phahonyothin
Siam into a single Party state. However the party itself was short lived, this was due to infighting because the party had too many factions, conflicting interests and political beliefs. The party eventually divided into two factions. Pridi Bhanomyong, the leader of civilian faction, and Marshal Pibulsongkram, head of military faction.
They would however dominate Thai politics
for the next two decades, producing six Prime Ministers of Thailand
from their ranks. The party became in decline at about the time the Second World War ended.
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
group of military and civil officers, and later a political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
, which staged a bloodless coup against King Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
and transited the country's absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
to constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
on 24 June 1932.
The Promoters
In 1927, the Kingdom of SiamThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
was under the absolutist
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
rule of the House of Chakri, under King Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
, Rama VII. Under his reign, the nation experienced troubles stemming from an archaic government confronted with serious economic problems and threats from abroad, British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
and French Empire
French colonial empire
The French colonial empire was the set of territories outside Europe that were under French rule primarily from the 17th century to the late 1960s. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the colonial empire of France was the second-largest in the world behind the British Empire. The French colonial empire...
. The country was also experiencing a dramatic social change as the urban and middle classes of Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
were starting to grow, slowly demanding more rights from their government, criticizing it as ineffective. These changes were mostly led by men, civilians and military, who had graduated or travelled abroad; they wanted to transform Siam into a modern country along the lines of a western constitutional system
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
.
In February, 1927, a group of 7 Siamese students met at a hotel on the Rue Du Sommerard
Rue du Sommerard
The rue des Mathurins, now known as the rue du Sommerard after Alexandre Du Sommerard, is a street in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, in the Sorbonne quarter....
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and founded what would become the Khana Ratsadon. For five days they met and argued, they were:
- 1. Lieutenant Prayoon Pamornmontri , Army Officer, formerly of King Vajiravudh's Royal Guards
- 2. Lieutenant Plaek KhittasangkhaPlaek PibulsonggramField Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
, later Luang Phibulsonggram, Army Officer, Student of the School of Applied ArtillerySchool of Applied Artillery (France)The École d'application de l'artillerie is an applied military academy of the French Army.-Pre-Revolutionary History:...
of France - 3. Lieutenant Thatsanai Mitphakdi , Army Officer, Student of the French Cavalry Academy
- 4. Tua Lophanukrom , Scientist studying in Switzerland
- 5. Luang Siriratchamaitri , Diplomat, Officer at the Siamese Embassy in Paris
- 6. Naep Phahonyothin , Student, Studying in England
- 7. Pridi Panomyong , Law Student, Studying at the Institut d'Études Politiques de ParisInstitut d'Études Politiques de ParisThe Institut d'études politiques de Paris , simply referred to as Sciences Po , is a public research and higher education institution in Paris, France, specialised in the social sciences. It has the status of grand établissement, which allows its admissions process to be highly selective...
)
Six Principles
The revolutionaries made Pridi Panomyong their PresidentPresident
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
and termed themselves the "Promoters" . The Party determined a sixfold objective which was later called the "Six Principles" , as follows:,
- 1. To maintain the supreme powerSovereigntySovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
of the Thai people. - 2. To maintain national securityNational securityNational security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States of America after World War II...
. - 3. To maintain the economic welfareWelfareWelfare refers to a broad discourse which may hold certain implications regarding the provision of a minimal level of wellbeing and social support for all citizens without the stigma of charity. This is termed "social solidarity"...
of the Thai people in accordance to the National Economic Project. - 4. To protect the equalityEquality before the lawEquality before the law or equality under the law or legal egalitarianism is the principle under which each individual is subject to the same laws....
of the Thai people. - 5. To maintain the people's rightsRightsRights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people, according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory...
and liberties, insofar as they are not inconsistent with any of the above-mentioned principles. - 6. To provide public educationPublic educationState schools, also known in the United States and Canada as public schools,In much of the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the terms 'public education', 'public school' and 'independent school' are used for private schools, that is, schools...
for all citizens.
To achieve these goals, the Party determined that they must overthrow, using force if necessary, the present government
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
and the system of absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
and turn the tiny Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n Kingdom
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
into a modern constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
. Most of the members were students educated abroad mostly in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
When the group returned to Siam, they found many members from among the Army, Navy
Royal Thai Navy
The Royal Thai Navy is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the...
, Merchant
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
s, Civil Servants and many others. Their membership eventually reached 102, separated into four main branches. These include the Civilian
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
s, led by Pridi Phanomyong
Pridi Phanomyong
Pridi Banomyong was a highly revered Thai politician. He was a former Prime Minister and Senior Statesman of Thailand, and was named one of the world's great personalities of the 20th century by UNESCO in 2000.-Family background:...
; the Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
, led by Luang Sinthusongkhramchai; the junior Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
Officers, led by Major Phibulsonggram
Plaek Pibulsonggram
Field Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
; and finally the Senior Officers, led by Colonel Phot Phahonyothin
Legacy
The Party was eventually successful in their goal of revolution by the bloodless coup, and change. By 1933 they had turnedSiamese coup d'état of 1933
The Siamese Coup d’état of June 1933 was considered the first time in Thai history that the Military has successfully overthrown the Constitutional Government. The actual coup took place peacefully on 20 June 1933 in Bangkok. The Coup was led by Colonel Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena against the...
Siam into a single Party state. However the party itself was short lived, this was due to infighting because the party had too many factions, conflicting interests and political beliefs. The party eventually divided into two factions. Pridi Bhanomyong, the leader of civilian faction, and Marshal Pibulsongkram, head of military faction.
They would however dominate Thai politics
Politics of Thailand
The politics of Thailand are currently conducted within the framework of a constitutional monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government and a hereditary monarch is head of state. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislative branches.Thai kingdoms and late...
for the next two decades, producing six Prime Ministers of Thailand
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
from their ranks. The party became in decline at about the time the Second World War ended.
Members of Khana Ratsadon
The members of Khana Ratsadon were from both the military branch and the civil branch of the country. All of them are now dead. The last deceased was Lieutenant Krachang Tularak who peacefully departed on June 24, 2009 at the age of 98.Military Faction
- Colonel Phahon Phonphayuhasena (Phot Phahonyothin), as the Head of the Military Faction and the Leader of Khana Ratsadon
- Major Luang PhibulsonggramPlaek PibulsonggramField Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
(Plaek Khittasangkha) - Group Commander Luang Sinthusongkhramchai (Sin Kamalanavin)
- Captain Luang Chamnanyutthasin (Choei Rayanan)
- Captain Luang Katsongkhram (Thian Kengradomying)
- Captain Luang Kriangsakphichit (Khuan Chittakhun)
- Captain Luang Chansongkhram (Phan Chalichan)
- Captain Luang Chawengsaksongkhram (Chuang Khwanchoet)
- Captain Luang Thatsanainiyomsuek (Thatsanai Mittraphakdi)
- Captain Luang Phrommayothi (Mangkon Phonchiwin)
- Captain Luang Ronnasitthiphichai (Chuea Kanchanaphinthu)
- Captain Luang Sawatronnarong (Sawat Darasawat)
- Captain Luang Seriroengrit (Charun Rattanakun)
- Captain Luang Adundetcharat (Bat Phuengphrakhun)
- Lieutenant Khun Sucharitronnakan (Phong Nakhanut)
- Lieutenant Khun Chamnongphummiwet (Chamnong Siwaphaet)
- Lieutenant Khun Nirandonchai (Sawek Nilanchai)
- Lieutenant Khun Phiphatsorakan (Theng Phatthanasiri)
- Lieutenant Khun Plotporapak (Plot Phanusawa)
- Lieutenant Khun Rueangwirayut (Bunrueang Wirahong)
- Lieutenant Khun Wimonsorakit (Wimon Kengrian)
- Lieutenant Khun Sisarakon (Chalo Sithanakon)
- Lieutenant Chai Prathipasen
- Lieutenant Thuan Wichaikhatthakha
- Lieutenant Nom Ketunuti
- Minor Lieutenant Charun Chittralak
- Minor Lieutenant Saman Thephatsadin Na Ayutthaya
- Minor Lieutenant Udom Phutthikasetarin
- Lieutenant Commander Luang Supphachalasai (Bung Supphachalasai)
- Major Luang Wichakkonlayut (Sian Susin)
- Senior Lieutenant Luang Thamrongnawasawat (Thawan Tharisawat)
- Senior Lieutenant Luang Nawawichit (Phan Amphaiwan)
- Senior Lieutenant Luang Nithetkonlakit (Klang Rotchanasena)
- Senior Lieutenant Luang Sangworayutthakit (Sangson Suwannachip)
- Senior Lieutenant Sa-ngop Charunphon
- Senior Lieutenant Chalit Kunkamthon
- Senior Lieutenant Sa-nguan Ruchirapha
- Junior Lieutenant Chip Siriphaibun
- Junior Lieutenant Thonglo Khamhiran
- Junior Lieutenant Prasoet Suksamai
- Junior Lieutenant Wan Ruyuphon
- Ensign Chan Ratsamithat
- Ensign Thongdi Ra-ngapphai
- Mr. Chamrat Suwannachip.
Civil Faction
- Major Minister Luang Praditmanutham (Pridi Phanomyong), as the Head of the Civil Faction and the Vice Leader of Khana Ratsadon
- Major Minister Luang Sirirajmaitree (Charun Singhaseni)
- Deputy First-grade Minister Luang Kowit-aphaiwong (Khuang Aphaiwong)Khuang AbhaiwongseMajor Luang Khuang Abhaiwongse was three times the prime minister of Thailand.Khuang was born in Battambang now belonging to Cambodia as the son of the Siamese governor of the province Battambang, Chao Phraya Abhayabhubet...
- Major Court Official Luang Naruebetmanit (Sa-nguan Chuthatemi)
- Deputy High Minister Luang Chamnanitikaset (Uthai Saengmani)
- Deputy High Minister Luang Atthasanraprasit (Thongyen Lilamia)
- Deputy High Minister Luang Atthakitikamchon (Klueng Phahomyonh)
- Deputy High Minister Luang Sunthonthephatsadin (Saphrang Thephatsadin Na Ayutthaya)
- Deputy High Minister Luang Dechatiwongwarawat (M.L. Kri Dechatiwong)
- Deputy High Minister Tua Laphanukrom
- Deputy High Minister Prachuap Bunnak
- Deputy High Minister M.L. Udom Sanitwong
- Mr. Naep Phahonlayothin
- Deputy Minor Minister Tawee BoonyaketTawee BoonyaketTawee Bunyaket was a Thai politician and the prime minister for a short term.After studying at the King's College and the École nationale supérieure d'Agronomie de Grignon , he started to work as a Government Official at the Thai Ministry of Agriculture...
- Junior Lieutenant Prayun Phamonmontri
- Mr. Wilat Osathanon
- Deputy Minor Minister Charun Suepsaeng
- Mr. Leng Sisonwong
- Mr. Direk JayanamaDirek JayanamaDirek Jayanama was the founding member of the Thai Revolution that had instilled Democracy for all Thais, together with Field Marshal P Pibulsonggram and Pridi Panomyong....
- Mr. Wichian Suwannathat
- Deputy Minor Minister Chun Pinthanon
- Mr. Sawat Sotthithat
- Mr. Chittasen Pancha
- Mr. Yong Phonlabun
- Mr. Ek Supphapodok
- Mr. Surin Chinothai
- Mr. Siri Chatinan
- Mr. Chaliao Pathummarot
- Mr. Banchong Sicharun
- Mr. Prasoet Sicharun
- Mr. Chaeng Muttafa
- Mr. Karim Sicharun
- Mr. Sa-nguan Tularak
- Mr. Sim Wirawaithaya
- Mr. Nguan Thongprasoet
- Mr. Pramot Phuengsunthon
- Mr. Charoen Pantharo
- Mr. Thongpleo Chonlaphum
- Mr. Phadoem Angsuwat
- Mr. Chup Salayachiwin
- Mr. Klin Thephatsadin Na Ayutthaya
- Mr. Son Bunchung
- Mr. Yon Samananon
- Mr. Yin Samananon
- Police Lieutenant Choei Kalanchai
- Police Lieutenant Thiang Chaloemsak.
See also
- Siamese coup d'état of 1932
- Siamese coup d'état of 1933Siamese coup d'état of 1933The Siamese Coup d’état of June 1933 was considered the first time in Thai history that the Military has successfully overthrown the Constitutional Government. The actual coup took place peacefully on 20 June 1933 in Bangkok. The Coup was led by Colonel Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena against the...
- History of Thailand (1932-1973)History of Thailand (1932-1973)The history of Thailand from 1932 to 1973 was dominated by military dictatorships which were in power for much of the period. The main personalities of the period were the dictator Luang Phibunsongkhram , who allied the country with Japan during the Second World War, and the civilian politician...
- PrajadhipokPrajadhipokPhra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
- List of Prime Ministers of Thailand