The People's Party, known in Thai as Khana Ratsadon ( th, คณะราษฎร, ), was a
Siamese group of military and civil officers, and later a
political party, which staged a
bloodless revolution
The Glorious Revolution; gd, Rèabhlaid Ghlòrmhor; cy, Chwyldro Gogoneddus , also known as the ''Glorieuze Overtocht'' or ''Glorious Crossing'' in the Netherlands, is the sequence of events leading to the deposition of King James II and ...
against King
Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok ( th, ประชาธิปก, RTGS: ''Prachathipok'', 8 November 1893 – 30 May 1941), also Rama VII, was the seventh monarch of Siam of the Chakri dynasty. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to political and ...
's government and transformed the country's
absolute monarchy to
constitutional monarchy on 24 June 1932.
Background
The Promoters
In 1927, the
Kingdom of Siam Kingdom of Siam may refer to:
* Sukhothai Kingdom (1238–1351)
* Ayutthaya Kingdom
The Ayutthaya Kingdom (; th, อยุธยา, , IAST: or , ) was a Siamese kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767, centered around the ...
, the
Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)
The Rattanakosin Kingdom ( th, อาณาจักรรัตนโกสินทร์, , , abbreviated as , ) or Kingdom of Siam were names used to reference the fourth and current Thai people, Thai kingdom in the History of Thailand, h ...
, was under the
absolutist rule of the
House of Chakri, under King
Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok ( th, ประชาธิปก, RTGS: ''Prachathipok'', 8 November 1893 – 30 May 1941), also Rama VII, was the seventh monarch of Siam of the Chakri dynasty. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to political and ...
, Rama VII. Under his reign, the nation experienced troubles stemming from an archaic government confronted with serious economic problems and threats from abroad, the
British and
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
Empires. The country was also experiencing a dramatic social change as the urban and middle classes of
Bangkok were starting to grow, slowly demanding more rights from their government, criticizing it as ineffective. These changes were mostly led by men, civilians and military, who had graduated or travelled abroad. They wanted to transform Siam into a modern country along the lines of a Western
democracy.
In February 1927, a group of seven Siamese students, later known as the "promoters", met at a hotel on the
Rue Du Sommerard in
Paris and founded what would become the People's Party. For five days they met and proposed arguments for and against various aspects of the movement, the men were:
:1. Lieutenant
Prayoon Pamornmontri ( th, ร.ท. ประยูร ภมรมนตรี), Army officer, formerly of
King Vajiravudh's Royal Guards
:2. Lieutenant
Plaek Khittasangkha ( th, ร.ท. แปลก ขีตตะสังคะ), later Luang Phibulsonggram, Army officer, student,
School of Applied Artillery
The School of Applied Artillery ( French: ''École d'application de l'artillerie'') is an applied military academy of the French Army. It is based in Draguignan.
Pre-Revolutionary history
During the 18th Century, there were several artillery scho ...
, France
:3. Lieutenant
Thatsanai Mitphakdi ( th, ร.ต. ทัศนัย มิตรภักดี), Army officer, student, French Cavalry Academy
:4.
Tua Lophanukrom ( th, ตั้ว ลพานุกรม), scientist studying in Switzerland
:5.
Luang Siriratchamaitri Luang may refer to:
*Luang (title), a Thai noble title
*Luang Island, an island in the southwestern part of the Maluku Province, Indonesia
*Luang language, a language that is spoken on the islands Luang, Wetang, Moa and Lakor
*Luang Prabang
L ...
( th, หลวงสิริราชไมตรี), diplomat, officer at the Siamese Embassy in Paris
:6.
Naep Phahonyothin ( th, แนบ พหลโยธิน), law student studying in England
:7.
Pridi Banomyong ( th, ปรีดี พนมยงค์), law student studying at the
Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris
Six principles
The revolutionaries made Pridi Panomyong their
president and termed themselves the "promoters" ( th, ผู้ก่อการ; ). The party determined a sixfold objective which was later called the "Six Principles" ( th, หลักหกประการ; ), as follows:
:1. To maintain the
supreme power of the Thai people.
:2. To maintain
national security
National security, or national defence, is the security and defence of a sovereign state, including its citizens, economy, and institutions, which is regarded as a duty of government. Originally conceived as protection against military atta ...
.
:3. To maintain the economic
welfare of the Thai people in accordance with the National Economic Project.
:4. To protect the
equality of the Thai people.
:5. To maintain the people's
rights and liberties, insofar as they are not inconsistent with any of the above-mentioned principles.
:6. To provide
public education
State schools (in England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand) or public schools (Scottish English and North American English) are generally primary or secondary schools that educate all students without charge. They are funded in whole or in pa ...
for all citizens.
To achieve these goals, the party determined that they must overthrow, using force if necessary, the
present government and the system of
absolute monarchy and turn the
Asian
kingdom into a modern
constitutional monarchy. Most of the members were students educated abroad, mostly in the
United Kingdom and
France.
When the group returned to Siam, they enlisted members from among the
army and
navy, the merchant class,
civil servant
The civil service is a collective term for a sector of government composed mainly of career civil servants hired on professional merit rather than appointed or elected, whose institutional tenure typically survives transitions of political leaders ...
s and others. Their membership eventually reached 102, separated into four main branches. These included the
civilians, led by
Pridi Banomyong; the navy, led by
Luang Sinthusongkhramchai; the junior army officers, led by
Major Phibulsonggram; and finally the senior officers, led by Colonel
Phot Phahonyothin.
Legacy
The party was eventually successful in their goal of
revolution by bloodless coup. By 1933 they had
turned Siam into a single party state. However the party itself was short-lived, due to infighting as the party had too many factions, conflicting interests, and political beliefs. The party eventually divided into two factions, a civilian faction led by
Pridi Bhanomyong
Pridi Banomyong ( th, ปรีดี พนมยงค์, , ; 11 May 1900 – 2 May 1983), also known by his noble title Luang Praditmanutham ( th, หลวงประดิษฐ์มนูธรรม) was a Thai politician and professo ...
, and a military faction led by Marshal Pibulsongkram.
They would dominate
Thai politics for the next two decades, producing six
Prime Ministers of Thailand
The prime minister of Thailand ( th, นายกรัฐมนตรี, , ; literally 'chief minister of state') is the head of government of Thailand. The prime minister is also the chair of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed si ...
from their ranks. The party declined at about the time the
Second World War ended.
As the party lost power, subsequent governments attempted to downplay their significance and erase their legacy. Part of this was accomplished through the removal of architecture associated with the party, most significantly beginning with the demolition of
Sala Chaloem Thai
Sala Chaloem Thai ( th, ศาลาเฉลิมไทย, ), abbreviated as Chaloem Thai (), was a former movie theatre in Bangkok, located at the corner of Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Mahachai Road near the Fort Mahakan, opposite what is now the ...
in 1989. This movement intensified in the 2010s; the Supreme Court building controversially demolished in 2013, and following the
2014 coup, multiple landmarks became quietly removed without explanation. On the 88th anniversary of the revolution in 2020, the
Reuters news service identified six historical markers memorialising the People's Party and the events of 1932 which have been removed or renamed over the previous year. In most cases it is not known who is responsible. Some historians, such as Chatri Prakitnonthakan of
Silpakorn University, interpreted these removals as an attempted "ideological cleansing" by the conservative establishment.
A memorial plaque honoring the 1932 Revolution was reported missing on 14 April 2017. It was thought to be stolen on 5 April and was replaced with another plaque with text praising the Chakri Dynasty. , no one has taken responsibility for the theft.
The 1932 Revolution brass plaque, about 30 centimeters across, was embedded in the asphalt of the
Royal Plaza, less than 10 meters from the
equestrian statue depicting King Rama V. The site is where the revolt took place on 24 June 1932. Here, a declaration condemning absolute monarchy was read. Press reports noted that ultraroyalist groups had threatened to remove the plaque in the months preceding its theft.
[
A Royal Thai Army artillery base in Lopburi Province bore the name of General Phraya Phahon until 2019 when, at the order of the current king, ]Vajiralongkorn
Vajiralongkorn ( th, วชิราลงกรณ; , ; born 28 July 1952) is the King of Thailand. He is the only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. In 1972, at the age of 20, he was made crown prince by his father. After his ...
, it was renamed King Bhumibol base. Long-standing statues of Phraya Phahon and Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram installed at the base are to be removed and replaced by a statue of King Bhumibol.
Public perception and discourse over the party's legacy has also fluctuated over time. Their role in establishing a constitutional monarchy was glossed over by school textbooks, and rhetoric dismissing the party's actions as premature was popularized. Such ideas were reignited in the 2010s, as ideological conflicts over democracy and the monarchy intensified. Conservative writers demonized the People's Party as republicans. This led to a reactionary response by liberal groups. During the 2020 protests, youth protesters symbolically installed a new plaque in Sanam Luang, and a group leading the protest movement called themselves "Khana Ratsadon 2563" (People's Party 2020).
Members
The members of the People's Party were a mix of both military officers and civilians. Lieutenant Krachang Tularak
Krachang Tularak ( th, กระจ่าง ตุลารักษ์; ; June 18, 1913 - June 23, 2009) was a member of the Seri Thai and the Khana Ratsadon (People's Party). He participated in the Siamese Revolution of 1932. Krachang, a Thai ...
was its last surviving member. He died on 24 June 2009 at the age of 98.[Prachathai]
the Last Member of Khana Ratsadon dead
24 June 2009
Military faction
Army faction
# Colonel Phahon Phonphayuhasena (Phot Phahonyothin), the Head of the military faction and leader of Khana Ratsadon
# Phraya Songsuradet
Colonel Thep Phanthumsen ( th, เทพ พันธุมเสน; 12 August 1892 – 1 June 1944), better known by the noble title Phraya Songsuradet (), was a Thai military officer and member of the People's Party. As a cadet he studied at ...
(Deva Bandhumasena)
# Phraya Ritthiakhaney (Sala Emasiri)
# Phra Phrasasphithayayut (Wan Choothin)
# Major Luang Phibulsonggram (Plaek Khittasangkha)
# Captain Luang Chamnanyutthasin (Choei Rayanan)
# Captain Luang Katsongkhram (Thian Kengradomying)
# Captain Luang Kriangsakphichit (Khuan Chittakhun)
# Captain Luang Chansongkhram (Phan Chalichan)
# Captain Luang Chawengsaksongkhram (Chuang Khwanchoet)
# Captain Luang Thatsanainiyomsuek (Thatsanai Mittraphakdi)
# Captain Luang Phromyothi (Mangkon Phonchiwin)
# Captain Luang Ronnasitthiphichai (Chuea Kanchanaphinthu)
# Captain Luang Sawatronnarong (Sawat Darasawat)
# Captain Luang Seriroengrit (Charun Rattanakun)
# Captain Luang Aduldejcharat (Bat Phuengphrakhun)
# Lieutenant Khun Sucharitronnakan (Phong Nakhanut)
# Lieutenant Khun Chamnongphummiwet (Chamnong Siwaphaet)
# Lieutenant Khun Nirandonchai (Sawek Nilanchai)
# Lieutenant Khun Phiphatsorakan (Theng Phatthanasiri)
# Lieutenant Khun Plotporapak (Plot Phanusawa)
# Lieutenant Khun Rueangwirayut (Bunrueang Wirahong)
# Lieutenant Khun Wimonsorakit (Wimon Kengrian)
# Lieutenant Khun Sisarakon (Chalo Sithanakon)
# Lieutenant Chai Prathipasen
# Lieutenant Thuan Wichaikhatthakha
# Lieutenant Nom Ketunuti
# Minor Lieutenant Charun Chittralak
# Minor Lieutenant Saman Thephatsadin Na Ayutthaya
# Minor Lieutenant Udom Phutthikasetarin
# Major Luang Wichakkonlayut (Sian Susin)
Navy faction
# Group Commander Luang Sinthusongkhramchai (Sin Kamalanavin)
# Lieutenant Commander Luang Supachalasai Luang may refer to:
*Luang (title), a Thai noble title
*Luang Island, an island in the southwestern part of the Maluku Province, Indonesia
*Luang language, a language that is spoken on the islands Luang, Wetang, Moa and Lakor
*Luang Prabang
L ...
(Bung Supachalasai)
# Senior Lieutenant Luang Thamrongnawasawat (Thawan Tharisawat)
# Senior Lieutenant Luang Sangworayutthakit (Sangson Suwannachip)
# Senior Lieutenant Luang Nithetkonlakit (Klang Rotchanasena)
# Senior Lieutenant Luang Nawawichit (Phan Amphaiwan)
# Senior Lieutenant Sa-nguan Ruchirapha
# Senior Lieutenant Sa-ngop Charunphon
# Senior Lieutenant Chalit Kunkamthon
# Junior Lieutenant Thonglo Khamhiran
# Junior Lieutenant Chip Siriphaibun
# Junior Lieutenant Prasoet Suksamai
# Junior Lieutenant Wan Ruyuphon
# Ensign Chan Ratsamithat
# Ensign Thongdi Ra-ngapphai
# Chamrat Suwannachip
Civil faction
# Luang Praditmanutham (Pridi Phanomyong), the head of the civil faction and vice leader of Khana Ratsadon
# Luang Sirirajmaitree (Charun Singhaseni)
# Luang Kowit-aphaiwong (Khuang Aphaiwong)
# Luang Naruebetmanit (Sa-nguan Chuthatemi)
# Luang Chamnanitikaset (Uthai Saengmani)
# Luang Atthasanraprasit (Thongyen Lilamia)
# Luang Atthakitikamchon (Klueng Phahomyonh)
# Luang Sunthonthephatsadin (Saphrang Thephatsadin Na Ayutthaya)
# Luang Dechatiwongwarawat (M.L. Kri Dechatiwong)
# Tua Laphanukrom
# Prachuap Bunnak
# M.L. Udom Sanitwong
# Naep Phahonlayothin
# Thawee Boonyaket
# Junior Lieutenant Prayoon Pamornmontri
# Wilat Osathanon
# Charun Suepsaeng
# Leng Sisonwong
# Direk Jayanama
# Wichian Suwannathat
# Chun Pinthanon
# Sawat Sotthithat
# Chittasen Pancha
# Yong Phonlabun
# Ek Supphapodok
# Surin Chinothai
# Siri Chatinan
# Chaliao Pathummarot
# Banchong Sicharun
# Prasoet Sicharun
# Chaeng Muttafa
# Karim Sicharun
# Sa-nguan Tularak
# Sim Wirawaithaya
# Nguan Thongprasoet
# Pramot Phuengsunthon
# Charoen Pantharo
# Thongpleo Chonlaphum
# Phadoem Angsuwat
# Chup Salayachiwin
# Klin Thephatsadin Na Ayutthaya
# Son Bunchung
# Yon Samananon
# Yin Samananon
# Police Lieutenant Choei Kalanchai
# Police Lieutenant Thiang Chaloemsak
See also
* Siamese coup d'état of 1932
* Siamese coup d'état of 1933
Siamese describes something of or related to Siam (now called Thailand), or more specifically the region of Central Thailand, usually including Southern Thailand.
Siamese may refer to:
Animals
*Siamese cat, a domestic cat breed
*Siamese crocodi ...
* History of Thailand (1932-1973)
* Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok ( th, ประชาธิปก, RTGS: ''Prachathipok'', 8 November 1893 – 30 May 1941), also Rama VII, was the seventh monarch of Siam of the Chakri dynasty. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to political and ...
* List of prime ministers of Thailand
References
Bibliography
*
Further reading
* Sombat Thamrongthanyawong. (2006) ''Kan mueang kan pok khrong thai phoso 1762-2500'' (Fourth publication). Bangkok: Sematham Publishing House.
External links
{{History of Thailand 1932 - 1973
Political history of Thailand
Defunct political parties in Thailand
Thai democracy movements
Political parties established in 1927
1927 establishments in Siam
Siamese revolution of 1932