Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE THAI MONARCHY
After the 1932 revolution, King Prajathipok (Rama VII) abdicated the throne in 1935, but was replaced shortly
thereafter by Ananda Mahidol, the nephew of the abdicated king. He was crowned Rama VIII, though he was
only 10 years old and had spent much of his childhood studying abroad. After returning to Thailand, he was shot
dead under mysterious circumstances in his bedroom in 1946.
That same year, his brother, Bhumibol Adulyadej (pronounced
phuumíphon adunyádèt
), assumed the throne -
he has gone on to become the longest-reigning king in Thai history, as well as the world's longest-reigning living
monarch. Though he had no direct role in politics, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) often served as a
stabilising force in times of political crisis. The king enjoys great respect, even worship, among his subjects and
served as a role model for the modern Thai man (educated, family oriented, philanthropic and even stylish). His
Royal Project Foundation started in 1969 is often credited for the eradication of opium cultivation among the
northern hill tribes.
Now in his mid-80s, the king has receded from public view. He was hospitalised for nearly four years and was
recently released to his seaside palace. His last public appearances was in 2012. Queen Sirikit is also struggling
with old age having suffered a stroke.
The heir apparent, his son the Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, has assumed many of the royal duties. The Crown
Prince's daughter Princess Bajraktiyabha (also known as 'Princess Patty') has also taken on a public role. She is
well educated with a doctorate degree in law from Cornell University and is currently serving as Thailand's am-
bassador to Austria. Her philanthropic work includes various campaigns for women's rights.
Democracy vs Military
In 1932 a group of young military officers and bureaucrats calling themselves Khana Rat-
sadon (People's Party) mounted a successful, bloodless coup which marked the end of ab-
solute monarchy and introduced a constitutional monarchy. The leaders of the group were
inspired by the democratic ideology they had encountered during their studies in Europe.
In the years after the coup, rival factions (royalists, military, civilians) struggled for the
upper hand in the new power regime. Even the People's Party was not unified in its vision
of a democratic Thailand, and before general elections were held the military wing of the
party seized control of the government. The leader of the civilian wing of the People's
Party, Pridi Phanomyong, a French-educated lawyer, was forced into exile in 1933 after
introducing a socialist-leaning economic plan that angered the military generals. Thail-
and's first popular election was held in 1937 for half of the seats in the People's
Assembly, the newly instated legislative body. General Phibul Songkhram, one of the mil-
itary leaders, became prime minister, a position he held from 1938 to 1944 and again from
1948 to 1957.
Phibul's regime coincided with WWII and was characterised by strong nationalistic
tendencies of 'nation' and 'Thai-ness'. He collaborated with the Japanese and allowed
them to use Thailand as a staging ground for its invasion of other Southeast Asian nations.
