Palace Rebellion
Encyclopedia
Thailand's 1949 Palace Rebellion was a failed coup attempt. The aims of its plotters were to overthrow the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram and to restore his main civilian rival Pridi Phanomyong
to the Thai political scene.
Pridi had disavowed the use of violence during the immediate aftermath of the 1947 coup
, but the frustrations of exile eventually overcame him. Although in China
, he still maintained contacts with his supporters in Thailand and, with their help, laid plans for a counter-coup. In the first week of February 1949 he secretly returned to Thailand. Phibun however soon learned of Pridi's intentions, and quickly a radio announcement in which he called Pridi his "friend" was made. He went on to offer Pridi a position in the government, but Pridi decided to go ahead with his plans and the field marshal's overtures were rebuffed.
A state of emergency was declared by the government in anticipation of the counter-coup, which began on February 26. On that day an army officer loyal to Pridi and a group of supporters seized a radio station, and Free Thai
elements and Thammasat University
teachers and students occupied the Grand Palace
. The group at the radio station announced over the air the formation of a new government headed by Pridi's friend Direk Chaiyanam
. Major-General Sarit Thanarat then moved in troops and managed to easily oust Pridi from the palace grounds. In the meanwhile the navy
and marines took up defensive positions around Bangkok to protect its allies.
The rebels managed to escape in naval vessels across the Chao Phraya River
, and navy units engaged the army in fierce street fighting. A ceasefire was declared that afternoon, although it would take the navy and the army a full week to negotiate a resolution to the crisis.
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:...
to the Thai political scene.
Pridi had disavowed the use of violence during the immediate aftermath of the 1947 coup
Siamese coup d'état of 1947
The Siamese coup d'état of 1947 was a Thai coup d’état that happened on the evening of 7 November 1947, ending in the early hours of the morning on 8 November. The coup ousted the government of Rear Admiral Thawan Thamrong Nawasawat, who was replaced by Khuang Aphaiwong as Prime Minister of...
, but the frustrations of exile eventually overcame him. Although in China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, he still maintained contacts with his supporters in Thailand and, with their help, laid plans for a counter-coup. In the first week of February 1949 he secretly returned to Thailand. Phibun however soon learned of Pridi's intentions, and quickly a radio announcement in which he called Pridi his "friend" was made. He went on to offer Pridi a position in the government, but Pridi decided to go ahead with his plans and the field marshal's overtures were rebuffed.
A state of emergency was declared by the government in anticipation of the counter-coup, which began on February 26. On that day an army officer loyal to Pridi and a group of supporters seized a radio station, and Free Thai
Free Thai Movement
The Free Thai Movement was a Thai underground resistance movement against Imperial Japan during World War II. Seri Thai were an important source of military intelligence for the Allies in the region, and were notable for being the only World War II resistance movement to use fighter aircraft of its...
elements and Thammasat University
Thammasat University
Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
teachers and students occupied the Grand Palace
Grand Palace, Bangkok
The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. It served as the official residence of the Kings of Thailand from the 18th century onwards. Construction of the Palace began in 1782, during the reign of King Rama I, when he moved the capital across the river from Thonburi to Bangkok...
. The group at the radio station announced over the air the formation of a new government headed by Pridi's friend Direk Chaiyanam
Direk Jayanama
Direk 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....
. Major-General Sarit Thanarat then moved in troops and managed to easily oust Pridi from the palace grounds. In the meanwhile the 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...
and marines took up defensive positions around Bangkok to protect its allies.
The rebels managed to escape in naval vessels across the Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It runs through Bangkok, the capital city, and then empties into the Gulf of Thailand.-Etymology:...
, and navy units engaged the army in fierce street fighting. A ceasefire was declared that afternoon, although it would take the navy and the army a full week to negotiate a resolution to the crisis.