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World War II & Post War

World War II & Post War

In 1941, The Japanese attacked the Allied troop in Malay and Burma. Field Marshal Phibul Songkhram cultivated the Japanese as a way to extend Thailand's influence in Asia. Phibul declared war with the United States and Britain in 1942 but Seni Pramoj, Thai ambassador in Washington, refused to deliver the declaration. Phibul resigned in 1944 under the pressure from the Thai underground resistance. In 1945, Seni became the premier.

In 1946, King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) who had returned from Switzerland after completing his education was assassinated with a pistol. Seni and Kukrit (Seni's brother) were unseated in a general election and a democratic civilian group took power for a short time because Phibul returned to overthrown in 1948.

In 1951, Phibul's power was snatched by General Sarit Thanarat, who continued the tradition of military dictatorship. However, Phibul still retained the premier until 1957 but finally exiled by Sarit. Sarit was forced to resign by the general election. He escaped abroad after the election and returned in 1958 to launch another coup. By that time he expanded his power to the constitution by dissolving the parliament and banning all political parties until his death from cirrhosis in 1963.

During Vietnam War from 1964 to 1973, Thailand was based for USA operations with the permission of army officers, Thanom Kittikachorn and Praphat Charusathien. Bangkok was the center for troop rest and recreation. As a reaction to political repression, Thai students demanded the real constitution in June 1973. In October of the same year, students from Thammasat University in Bangkok went to the streets demanding a new constitution but "King Bhumiphol (Rama IX) and General Krit Sivara tried to mediate to prevent the bloodshed confrontation, forcing army leader, Thanom and Praphat to leave Thailand by helicopters. In 1974, a new constitution was declared by a civil government under the leading of Prof. Sanya Dharmasakti but it didn't last for a long time.

In 1976, Thammasat University once again became the battlefield. Students demonstrated to protect the return of Thanom as a monk and Thanin Kraivichien, a new right-wing government official was declared as a premier. This incident made Thai students and numerous idealists joined the insurgents in the forest. Finally Thanin was forced to resign by another coup in 1977. In 1980, the military position changed again, leaving General Prem Tinsulanonda at the helm. Prem retained as primer until 1988 who was politically credited for the economic stabilization of Thailand in the Vietnam post-war years.

During the latest period of democracy (1988-1991), Chatichai Choonhaven led a coalition of parties. The economy had unprecedented boom for three years. However, Chatichai was arrested by the soldiers who were ordered by the military to intervene as he was in the airport hangar because of corruption charges and the accusation of inability against him. Then the non-elected primer General Suchinda Kraprayoon appointed himself to hold the position on May 18, 1992. In one intervening incident, hundreds of pro-democracy protestors and many Thai people were killed and wounded in the violence. King Bhumipol (Rama IX) had to lend a hand to stop the bloodshed confrontation. Afterwards, Suchinda was forced to resign and Anan Panyarchun was appointed to the temporary primer at that time.