Songsuradet Rebellion
Encyclopedia
The Songsuradet Rebellion (Thai:
กบฏพระยาทรงสุรเดช; RTGS:
Kabot Phraya Songsuradet) also known as the Rebellion of 18 corpses (Thai:
กบฏ 18 ศพ) was an important Thai
historical event in 1939. Phraya Songsuradet (Thai:
พระยาทรงสุรเดช) actually did not instigate the rebellion
or coup in any way yet it was named after him. The coup was in truth carried out by Luang Phibulsonggram
(Thai:
หลวงพิบูลสงคราม) or Phibul on 29 January 1939 to purge
the country of his political enemies and former rivals (one of them just happened to be Songsuradet).
Born in 1892 as Thep Panthumasen (Thai:
เทพ พันธุมเสน), Songsuradet received a commissioned in the Royal Thai Army as an Artillery
Lieutenant
after graduating from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
and furthering his studies in Germany
where he studied at the Engineer
school he returned to Thailand
in 1915. From then on he was given many responsibility especially in the construction of railway tracks. In 1932 he was given the title of Phraya Songsuradet by King Prajadhipok
(or Rama VII). He played a crucial role in the Revolution of 1932 and subsequently became an important member of the new Thai constitutional government.
The roots of the rebellion
began during the Coup d'état of June 1933
, when Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena ousted Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
and replace him as Prime Minister
. Phraya Songsuradet a supporter of Phraya Mano and many of his companions were barred from politics for life by the new premier. Songsuradet went on exile in Sri Lanka
for 2 years.
During before and after the coup conflicts arose between Songsuradet and Phibulsonggram, who were both Ministers of State and members of the People’s Committee.
When Luang Phibulsonggram succeeded Phraya Phahon as Prime Minister of Thailand
on the 11 September 1938, there were many resistance to his premiership based on his dictator
ial style and cronyism
. This coupled with his role in suppressing the Boworadet Rebellion
; resulted in three assassination
attempt: 2 by gunmen and 1 by poison
ing.
for 5 years (but not yet from the Army
) was Commander of the Military School in Chiang Mai
. On the 16 December he was commanding a military exercise
(practiced by his students) in Ratchaburi Province
, west of the capital. On that date he received orders from Bangkok
relinquishing his command of all units, striping him of all his ranks and titles and forcing him to retire from the army without pension
and his expulsion from the country. Under fear of death Songsuradet complied and with his Aide-de-camp
Captain Samruad Kanjonsit (Thai:
ร้อยเอกสำรวจ กาญจนสิทธิ์) escaped to Cambodia
.
The ‘rebellion’ however did not end there, in the early hours of the morning on the 29 January 1939 Phibul, with the help of his Minister of the Interior and Director of the Royal Thai Police
, ordered the arrest of a further 51 ‘suspects’ (suspected of being sympathizers of Songsuradet). The persons arrested included inter alia Prince Ragsit, Prince of Chainat
(Thai:
พระองค์เจ้ารังสิตประยูรศักดิ์) (a son of King Chulalongkorn
), General Phraya Thepahatsadin (Thai:
พระยาเทพหัสดิน) (a 62 year old former Commander of the Siamese Expeditionary Force during the First World War) and Phraya Udom Pongphensawad (Thai:
พระยาอุดมพงศ์เพ็ญสวัสดิ์ ) (former Minister of State). Many others were former politicians such as members of the People’s Assembly
and many were military officers and aristocrat
s. A further 20 ‘suspects’ were arrested by the end of the day including one of Phibul’s own servant.
A special Tribunal
was created by Phibul to try those involved in the so-called ‘rebellion’ and the assassination attempts on Phibul’s life. 7 were released under lack of evidence, 25 were imprisoned for life
and 21 were to be executed by firing squad. However 3 were pardon
ed, due to their honorable records and services to the nation, the 3 included Prince Rangsit and Phraya Thepahatsadin, who were instead imprisoned for life. The other 18, however did not share that fate, they were incarcerated at Bang Kwang Central Prison. Eventually they were executed by firing squad in installments of four prisoners a day.
, lived the rest of his life in abject poverty, making a living by selling small confectionery
in the streets of Phnom Penh
; he died in 1944. Many of the other suspects who were imprisoned by Phibul were eventually pardoned by Khuang Abhaiwongse
when he became Prime Minister in 1944.
The rebellion was in effect Phibul’s own version of the Night of the Long Knives. By 1938 he had consolidated his power to such an extent that he had become virtual dictator of the country, changing the name of the country from Siam to Thailand in June 1938. He was able to accomplish this using brutal tactics and the absence of any credible opposition; Prajadhipok
had by then been succeeded to the throne by Ananda Mahidol
, who was only 13 years old and was studying in Switzerland
. The tribunal which Phibul had set up to try these suspects was filled with judges appointed by him and his government, there were no lawyers present and no witness
es were called. Historians agree today that the men executed were mostly innocent and were not a part of real plot to kill Phibul or overthrow his government. Phibul was eventually removed in 1944, however four years later he returned as Prime Minister from 1948–1957, dying in 1964.
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
กบฏพระยาทรงสุรเดช; RTGS:
Royal Thai General System of Transcription
The Royal Thai General System of Transcription is the official system for rendering Thai language words in the Latin alphabet, published by the Royal Institute of Thailand...
Kabot Phraya Songsuradet) also known as the Rebellion of 18 corpses (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
กบฏ 18 ศพ) was an important Thai
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...
historical event in 1939. Phraya Songsuradet (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
พระยาทรงสุรเดช) actually did not instigate the rebellion
Rebellion
Rebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
or coup in any way yet it was named after him. The coup was in truth carried out by Luang 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 :...
(Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
หลวงพิบูลสงคราม) or Phibul on 29 January 1939 to purge
Purge
In history, religion, and political science, a purge is the removal of people who are considered undesirable by those in power from a government, from another organization, or from society as a whole. Purges can be peaceful or violent; many will end with the imprisonment or exile of those purged,...
the country of his political enemies and former rivals (one of them just happened to be Songsuradet).
Background & Phraya Songsuradet
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
เทพ พันธุมเสน), Songsuradet received a commissioned in the Royal Thai Army as an Artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
after graduating from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy or CRMA is the military academy of Royal Thai Army. Established in 1887 it has graduated the vast majority of Thailand's military leaders and many of them become Thai Prime Ministers.-History:...
and furthering his studies in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
where he studied at the Engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
school he returned to Thailand
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...
in 1915. From then on he was given many responsibility especially in the construction of railway tracks. In 1932 he was given the title of Phraya Songsuradet by 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...
(or Rama VII). He played a crucial role in the Revolution of 1932 and subsequently became an important member of the new Thai constitutional government.
The roots of the rebellion
Rebellion
Rebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
began during the Coup d'état of June 1933
Siamese 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...
, when Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena ousted Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada , born Kon Hutasingha , was the first Prime Minister of Siam after the Siamese Revolution of 1932 as he was selected by the leader of the People's Party - the party that instigated the revolution...
and replace him as Prime Minister
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....
. Phraya Songsuradet a supporter of Phraya Mano and many of his companions were barred from politics for life by the new premier. Songsuradet went on exile in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
for 2 years.
During before and after the coup conflicts arose between Songsuradet and Phibulsonggram, who were both Ministers of State and members of the People’s Committee.
When Luang Phibulsonggram succeeded Phraya Phahon as Prime Minister 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....
on the 11 September 1938, there were many resistance to his premiership based on his dictator
Dictator
A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
ial style and cronyism
Cronyism
Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications. Hence, cronyism is contrary in practice and principle to meritocracy....
. This coupled with his role in suppressing the Boworadet Rebellion
Boworadet Rebellion
The Boworadet Rebellion was a Thai rebellion led by royalist Prince Boworadet in 1933, in consequence of the conflicts between the previous royalist regime and the succeeding constitutional regime following the Revolution in 1932. The Boworadet revolt was eventually defeated by the Siamese...
; resulted in three assassination
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
attempt: 2 by gunmen and 1 by poison
Poison
In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism....
ing.
The Purge
In 1938 Songsuradet, by then having retired from politicsPolitics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
for 5 years (but not yet from the 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...
) was Commander of the Military School in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province , a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939. It is...
. On the 16 December he was commanding a military exercise
Military exercise
A military exercise is the employment of military resources in training for military operations, either exploring the effects of warfare or testing strategies without actual combat...
(practiced by his students) in Ratchaburi Province
Ratchaburi Province
Ratchaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom,Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi...
, west of the capital. On that date he received orders from 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...
relinquishing his command of all units, striping him of all his ranks and titles and forcing him to retire from the army without pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
and his expulsion from the country. Under fear of death Songsuradet complied and with his Aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
Captain Samruad Kanjonsit (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
ร้อยเอกสำรวจ กาญจนสิทธิ์) escaped to Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
.
The ‘rebellion’ however did not end there, in the early hours of the morning on the 29 January 1939 Phibul, with the help of his Minister of the Interior and Director of the Royal Thai Police
Royal Thai Police
The Royal Thai Police are the national police of Thailand.-About:Primary responsibility for the maintenance of public order through enforcement of the kingdom's laws was exercised by the Thailand National Police Department , a subdivision of the Ministry of Interior...
, ordered the arrest of a further 51 ‘suspects’ (suspected of being sympathizers of Songsuradet). The persons arrested included inter alia Prince Ragsit, Prince of Chainat
Rangsit, Prince of Chainat
Rangsit Prayurasakdi, Prince of Chainat or Somdej Phra Chao Boromawongse Ther Krom Phraya Jainad Narendhorn was the Thai Founder of the Public Health Ministry and Prince Regent.-Early life:...
(Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
พระองค์เจ้ารังสิตประยูรศักดิ์) (a son of King Chulalongkorn
Chulalongkorn
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama V was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang . He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam...
), General Phraya Thepahatsadin (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
พระยาเทพหัสดิน) (a 62 year old former Commander of the Siamese Expeditionary Force during the First World War) and Phraya Udom Pongphensawad (Thai:
Thai language
Thai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
พระยาอุดมพงศ์เพ็ญสวัสดิ์ ) (former Minister of State). Many others were former politicians such as members of the People’s Assembly
National Assembly of Thailand
The National Assembly of Thailand or the Parliament of Thailand is the legislative branch of the government of Thailand. The National Assembly of Thailand is a bicameral body, consisting of two chambers: the upper house, , and the lower house,...
and many were military officers and aristocrat
Aristocracy (class)
The aristocracy are people considered to be in the highest social class in a society which has or once had a political system of Aristocracy. Aristocrats possess hereditary titles granted by a monarch, which once granted them feudal or legal privileges, or deriving, as in Ancient Greece and India,...
s. A further 20 ‘suspects’ were arrested by the end of the day including one of Phibul’s own servant.
A special Tribunal
Tribunal
A tribunal in the general sense is any person or institution with the authority to judge, adjudicate on, or determine claims or disputes—whether or not it is called a tribunal in its title....
was created by Phibul to try those involved in the so-called ‘rebellion’ and the assassination attempts on Phibul’s life. 7 were released under lack of evidence, 25 were imprisoned for life
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
and 21 were to be executed by firing squad. However 3 were pardon
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
ed, due to their honorable records and services to the nation, the 3 included Prince Rangsit and Phraya Thepahatsadin, who were instead imprisoned for life. The other 18, however did not share that fate, they were incarcerated at Bang Kwang Central Prison. Eventually they were executed by firing squad in installments of four prisoners a day.
Aftermath
Songsuradet, having escaped to CambodiaCambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, lived the rest of his life in abject poverty, making a living by selling small confectionery
Confectionery
Confectionery is the set of food items that are rich in sugar, any one or type of which is called a confection. Modern usage may include substances rich in artificial sweeteners as well...
in the streets of Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security,...
; he died in 1944. Many of the other suspects who were imprisoned by Phibul were eventually pardoned by Khuang Abhaiwongse
Khuang Abhaiwongse
Major 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...
when he became Prime Minister in 1944.
The rebellion was in effect Phibul’s own version of the Night of the Long Knives. By 1938 he had consolidated his power to such an extent that he had become virtual dictator of the country, changing the name of the country from Siam to Thailand in June 1938. He was able to accomplish this using brutal tactics and the absence of any credible opposition; 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...
had by then been succeeded to the throne by Ananda Mahidol
Ananda Mahidol
Ananda Mahidol was the eighth monarch of Thailand under the House of Chakri. At the time he was recognized as king by the National Assembly, in March 1935, he was a nine-year-old boy living in Switzerland. He returned to Thailand in December 1945. Six months later, in June 1946, he was found shot...
, who was only 13 years old and was studying in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. The tribunal which Phibul had set up to try these suspects was filled with judges appointed by him and his government, there were no lawyers present and no witness
Witness
A witness is someone who has firsthand knowledge about an event, or in the criminal justice systems usually a crime, through his or her senses and can help certify important considerations about the crime or event. A witness who has seen the event first hand is known as an eyewitness...
es were called. Historians agree today that the men executed were mostly innocent and were not a part of real plot to kill Phibul or overthrow his government. Phibul was eventually removed in 1944, however four years later he returned as Prime Minister from 1948–1957, dying in 1964.
See also
- Siamese Revolution of 1932Siamese Revolution of 1932The Siamese Revolution of 1932 or the Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century...
- 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...
- Boworadet RebellionBoworadet RebellionThe Boworadet Rebellion was a Thai rebellion led by royalist Prince Boworadet in 1933, in consequence of the conflicts between the previous royalist regime and the succeeding constitutional regime following the Revolution in 1932. The Boworadet revolt was eventually defeated by the Siamese...
- Plaek PibulsonggramPlaek 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 :...