History of Thailand (1932–1973)

Military period

1932–1973
Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.
Preceded by	Rattanakosin Kingdom
Followed by	Thailand Democratic period
Monarch	Prajadhipok (King Rama VII) Ananda Mahidol (King Rama VIII) Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX)

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 (better known as Phibun), who allied the country with Japan during the Second World War, and the civilian politician Pridi Phanomyong, who founded Thammasat University and was briefly prime minister after the war.

A succession of military dictators followed Pridi's ouster—Phibun again, Sarit Dhanarajata, and Thanom Kittikachorn—under whom traditional, authoritarian rule was combined with increasing modernisation and Westernisation under the influence of the US The end of the period was marked by Thanom's resignation, following a massacre of pro-democracy protesters led by Thammasat students.

The military came to power in the bloodless Siamese revolution of 1932, which transformed the government of Siam (as Thailand was then known) from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy. King Prajadhipok initially accepted this change but later abdicated due to his strained relations with the government. Upon his abdication, King Prajadhipok issued a brief statement criticising the regime. His statement included the following phrases—often quoted by critics of the slow pace of Siam's political development:

The new regime of 1932 was led by a group of colonels headed by Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena and Phraya Songsuradej. In December they produced a constitution—Siam's first—which included a national assembly, half appointed and half indirectly elected. The people were promised that full democratic elections would be held once half the population had completed primary education—which was expected to be sometime in the 1940s. A prime minister and cabinet were appointed and a facade of constitutional rule was maintained.