Thailand in the Cold War:
Sarit-Thanom Regime (1957-1973)
Politics and Government in Thailand
Viengrat Nethipo
Group presentation; select 1 question
and answer in 5 minutes
• 1. What is the cold war? What is its influence in Southeast Asian
Region?
• 2. What is the role of Thailand that contributed to the cold war during
Sarit Regime?
• 3. What is the role of USA in supporting Sarit to become the leader in
Thai politics?
• 4. What are the key features of economic development in Sarit period?
• 5.Describe the change of Monarch’s status during Sarit’s time
• 6. What is The Politics of Despotic Paternalism?
• 7. What is the political view of Sarit, particularly the view on
democracy?
• 8. In what ways the country was modernized during Sarit’s time?
• 9.What are the factors that later caused the fall of dictatorship after
Sarit’s time?
Phibun’s regime 1
• Phibunsongkhram as Prime Minister 1938-45
– Increase modernization
– Pro fascism and nationalism
– Built Leadership Cult ลัทธิเชื่อผู้นำ
• “Aimed to uplift the national spirit and moral code of
the nation and instilling progressive tendencies and a
newness into Thai life”
– Reform Thai language
– Encouraged western manner
Phibun Regime 2
• 1939 changed from Siam to Thailand
• 1941 changed new year from Songkran to
January 1
• Encouraged economic nationalism; Anti
Chinese policy
Alliance with Japan 1941-45
2nd Phibun term
• April 1948 Phibun assumed his second
premiership
• 2 unsuccessful coupe attempts (1951)
• Promoted democracy “Open Politics”
• Entered Korean War to support USA
• Received large American aid
• Entered early Cold War
Sarit seized power
• Accused Phibun of cheating in election
• American supported Thai army played crucial
roles in 1957 coup
Cold War ?
• Communist World (Soviet) VS. Western World
(USA)
• Vietnam war (1955-1975), US’ military bases
in Thailand (1965-75)
• USA’s funding for development
• USA development model for allied countries
Map of Cold war
Sarit Thanarat (1908-1963)
• Successful in army
• Staged a coup in 1957 and second coup in
1958
• Prime Minister 1958-1963
• Strong leadership
• Started National Economic and Social
Development Plan
Politics in Sarit Regime
• Governed under Martial Law
• Most authoritarian in the history of modern
Thai politics
– Abrogating constitution
– Dissolving parliament
• Centralized power to his Revolutionary Party
• Controlled Bureaucratic system and military
Politics (2)
• Banned all political parties
• Strict censorship of the press (banned 18
publications)
• Intense crackdown on leftists
– Suppressed many professors, politicians and
newspapers
Chit Phumisak
• Historian, writer, left wing intellectuals
• “Che Guevara” of Thailand
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Studied philosophy at Chulalongkorn
The Face of Thai Feudalism
1965 joined Communist Party of Thailand
Killed in 1966
Bureaucratic Polity
• No Elections
• No political power from society outside
bureaucracy
• No political participation from people
• Decision making relied on bureaucratic elites
Economic Development
• Established National Economic and Social
Development Board (NESDB) สภำพัฒฯ
• 1961 launched the 1st National Economic and
Social Development Plan
• Technocrats’ role in decision making
– NESDB
– Bank of Thailand
– Finance Ministry
Mittraphap Road (#2)
Thai Railway
Ideology: Thai Style Democracy
• Political Instability caused by too much
democracy
• Nation (and state) is more important than
individual
• People do not need to participate, they can
assure the country is in good hands (elites)
• Thainess should be applied in government and
politics (Western is not suitable to Thai
society)
Ideology: Despotic Paternalism
•
•
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Help children
Keep family security
Promote health and morality
Command
Visit family members
Father or Dictator?
As Father
The Role of the King
• Represent Thailand to
other countries
• Visited provinces
• Patronized
development projects
• Personally presented
degrees for university
graduates
• Practice of laying on the
ground in front of the
royal family
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5
WGCMfKyulo
Role of the King
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjRAak_sx
nk
• Role in Development
• National day – King’s Birthday
• Role in Government
Sarit’s funeral
Thanom Kittikajorn
• Prime Minister 1963-1973
• Army commander
• 1971 election, then made a coup against
himself
University Students
• Upper Class (graduate ceremony)
• Enjoyed privileges
• Outside politics
BUT
1960s Hippies culture
Liberalism
Anti Vietnam war 1963http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt5MDaTapEw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7Y0ekr3So Woodstock