Tiang Sirikhanth
Encyclopedia
Tiang Sirikhanth was a Thai politician
and a Seri Thai
resistance leader during World War II
.
province in the northeast of Thailand. He graduated in science 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.
ordered a cease fire that same day and allowed the Japanese to occupy Bangkok. Phibun would later go as far as to make a formal alliance with Japan.
Tiang and others who opposed the Japanese met with Pridi Phanomyong
on the night of December 8 to discuss forming a resistance movement. This would eventually develop into the Free Thai Movement
.
Tiang organised the largest Free Thai guerrilla training operation near his hometown in Sakorn Nakorn, with support from British Force 136
. His code name with the British was Pluto.
A staunch opponent of the Pibulsongkram 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 Sriyanond
. Their buried remains were discovered in Kanchanaburi province many years later.
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...
and a Seri 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...
resistance leader during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Early life
Tiang was born to a merchant family in Sakon NakhonSakon Nakhon
Sakon Nakhon is a town in Thailand within the Isan region, and capital city of the Sakon Nakhon Province, with a population of approximately 76,000. It has a regional airport in the north, Sakon Nakhon Airport. During World War II, the town became a haven for Free Thais, and a base for Communist...
province in the northeast of Thailand. He graduated in science from Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
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. Though the Thai military initially resisted, Prime Minister PhibunPlaek 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 :...
ordered a cease fire that same day and allowed the Japanese to occupy Bangkok. Phibun would later go as far as to make a formal alliance with Japan.
Tiang and others who opposed the Japanese met with 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:...
on the night of December 8 to discuss forming a resistance movement. This would eventually develop into the Free Thai Movement
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...
.
Tiang organised the largest Free Thai guerrilla training operation near his hometown in Sakorn Nakorn, with support from British Force 136
Force 136
Force 136 was the general cover name for a branch of the British World War II organization, the Special Operations Executive . The organisation was established to encourage and supply resistance movements in enemy-occupied territory, and occasionally mount clandestine sabotage operations...
. His code name with the British was Pluto.
Post war and murder
Following the war, Tiang served as a cabinet minister in several democratic governments.A staunch opponent of the Pibulsongkram 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 Sriyanond
Phao Sriyanond
Phao Sriyanond was a director general of Thailand's national police who was notorious for his excesses against political opponents. He eventually fled the country and died in exile.-Rise to power:...
. Their buried remains were discovered in Kanchanaburi province many years later.