Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Plaek Phibunsongkhram (Thai: แปลก พิบูลสงคราม; other name were Marshal P. (Thai: จอมพล ป.) in Thailand and Phibun in the West; 14 July 1897 – 11 June 1964) was a Thai military officer and politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and again from 1948 to 1957. In 1941, he was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal.
Plaek Phibunsongkhram | |
|---|---|
แปลก พิบูลสงคราม | |
 Phibunsongkhram c. 1940s | |
| Prime Minister of Thailand | |
| In office 8 April 1948 – 16 September 1957 | |
| Monarch | Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Deputy | |
| Preceded by | Khuang Aphaiwong |
| Succeeded by | Sarit Thanarat (de facto) |
| In office 16 December 1938 – 1 August 1944 | |
| Monarch | Ananda Mahidol |
| Deputy | See list |
| Preceded by | Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena |
| Succeeded by | Khuang Aphaiwong |
| Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces | |
| In office 13 November 1940 – 24 November 1943 | |
| Succeeded by | Sarit Thanarat |
| Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army | |
| In office 9 November 1947 – 15 May 1948 | |
| Preceded by | Adun Adundetcharat |
| Succeeded by | Phin Choonhavan |
| In office 4 January 1938 – 5 August 1944 | |
| Preceded by | Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena |
| Succeeded by | Phichit Kriangsakphichit |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Plaek 14 July 1897 Nonthaburi, Siam |
| Died | 11 June 1964 (aged 66) Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Political party | Seri Manangkhasila Party (1955–1957) |
| Other political affiliations | People's Party (1927–1954) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 6 |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch/service | |
| Years of service | 1914–1957 |
| Rank | |
| Commands | Supreme Commander |
| Battles/wars | |
As a young artillery officer, Phibun studied at French military academies. He joined the constitutionalist "People's Party" (Thai: คณะราษฎร) and gained military and political power after their takeover in the Siamese revolution of 1932. After suppressing a royalist coup attempt, he became Minister of Defense in 1934. In 1938, he was elected Prime Minister by the parliament.
Phibun ruled Thailand in an authoritarian manner, promoting aggressive nationalism and militarism. He aimed to culturally modernize Thailand, drawing inspiration from Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, and Empire of Japan. Phibun aspired to create a "Greater Thai Empire" and demanded territorial concessions from the British and French colonial empires. Between 1940 and 1941, he led Thailand in a war against France and in 1942 allied with Japan in World War II. In July 1944, Phibun was forced to resign.
In 1947, the military, under Phibun, seized power again. In 1948, he became Prime Minister once more, ruling the country in an authoritarian manner but this time closely aligning with the United States. After initiating steps towards democratization in 1955, he was ousted by a rival military faction in 1957. Phibun went into exile in Japan, where he died.
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