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57-472: Luang may refer to: Luang (title) , a Thai noble title Luang language , a language that is spoken on the islands Luang, Wetang, Moa and Lakor Luang Prabang , a city and former royal capital located in north central Laos Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Luang . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change

114-509: A constitutional monarchy . Phibun, at the time a lieutenant colonel , quickly rose to prominence in the military as a "man-on-horseback". The 1932 coup was followed by the nationalization of several companies and increased state control of the economy. The following year, Phibun and his military allies successfully crushed the Boworadet Rebellion , a royalist revolt led by Prince Boworadet . The new king, Ananda Mahidol ,

171-535: A military alliance with Japan. The following month, on 25 January 1942, Phibun declared war on Britain and the United States. South Africa and New Zealand declared war on Thailand on the same day. Australia followed soon after. Phibun purged all who opposed the Japanese alliance from his government. Pridi Banomyong was appointed acting regent for the absent King Ananda Mahidol , while Direk Jayanama ,

228-603: A military dictatorship , consolidating his position by rewarding several members of his own army clique with influential positions in his government. After the revolution of 1932, the Thai government of Phraya Phahol was impressed by the success of the March on Rome of Benito Mussolini 's Italian fascist movement. Phibun, also an admirer of Italian fascism, sought to replicate fascist-style propaganda tactics, valued in Italy as one of

285-765: A series of cultural mandates , which changed the country's name from "Siam" to "Thailand", and promoted the Thai language . Phibun was ousted as prime minister by the National Assembly in 1944 and replaced by members of the Free Thai Movement , but returned to power after the Siamese coup d'état of 1947 , led by the Coup Group . Phibun aligned Thailand with anti-communism in the Cold War , entered

342-599: A 1913 decree on surnames. He received his given name – meaning "strange" or "weird" in English – because of his unusual appearance as a child where his ears were positioned below his eyes, rather than above his eyes like others. Plaek's paternal grandfather was a Chinese immigrant from Guangdong of Cantonese descent. However, the family was completely assimilated, being considered Central Thai people , since most of Chinese in Thailand are Teochew , Plaek did not pass

399-475: A border with them and felt threatened by a potential Japanese invasion. Phibun's administration also realised that Thailand would have to fend for itself if a Japanese invasion came, considering its deteriorating relationships with Western powers in the area. When the Japanese invaded Thailand on 8 December 1941, (because of the International Date Line this occurred an hour and a half before

456-588: A ceremony aboard the Manhattan , a US dredge boat , when he was taken hostage by a group of Royal Thai Navy officers, who then quickly confined him aboard the warship Sri Ayutthaya . Negotiations between the government and the coup organizers swiftly broke down, leading to violent street fighting in Bangkok between the navy and the army, which was supported by the Royal Thai Air Force . Phibun

513-561: A façade of democracy. The beginning of the Cold War saw Phibun align Thailand with the anti-communist camp. Phibun supported UN action in the Korean War and dispatched an expeditionary force of 4,000 troops. and received large quantities of US aid following Thailand's entry into the Korean War as part of the United Nations Command 's multi-national allied force against the communist forces of North Korea and

570-409: A modern civil service system. His successor Vajiravudh (Rama VI, r. 1910–1925) introduced a military-style promotion-based rank system, superseding the traditional titles, though they could still be granted at the king's discretion. Following the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, royal decrees issued during the government of Plaek Phibunsongkhram in 1942 abolished the use of noble titles and

627-471: A rank and a title, which denote the holder's post or office. Unlike in European aristocracies, Thai noble titles were not inherited, but individually granted based on personal merit. Nevertheless, familial influence was substantial, and some families were able to accumulate large amounts of wealth and power, especially during the 17th to 19th centuries. While the use of noble rank and title words are found in

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684-931: The Fall of France in June 1940 and the Japanese invasion of French Indochina in September 1940 to advance Thai interests in French Indochina following a border dispute with France . Phibun believed Thailand could recover territories ceded to France by King Rama V because the French would avoid armed confrontation or offer serious resistance. Thailand fought against Vichy France over the disputed areas from October 1940 to May 1941. The technologically and numerically superior Thai force invaded French Indochina and attacked military targets in major cities. Despite Thai successes,

741-643: The Korean War under the United Nations Command , and abandoned fascism for a façade of democracy. Phibun's second term as prime minister was plagued by political instability and several attempts to launch a coup d'etat against him were made, including the Army General Staff plot in 1948, the Palace Rebellion in 1949, and the Manhattan Rebellion in 1951. Phibun attempted to transform Thailand into an electoral democracy from

798-585: The National Assembly ousted Phibun as prime minister and his six-year reign as the military commander-in-chief came to an end. Phibun's resignation was partly forced by two grandiose plans: one was to relocate the capital from Bangkok to a remote site in the jungle near Phetchabun in north central Thailand, and another was to build a "Buddhist city" in Saraburi . Announced at a time of severe economic difficulty, these ideas turned many government officers against him. After his resignation, Phibun went to stay at

855-472: The Palace Rebellion was another failed coup attempt against Phibun to restore Pridi Phanomyong by occupying the Grand Palace in Bangkok and declaring a new government led by Direk Jayanama , a close associate of Pridi. The civilian rebels were quickly ousted from the palace, but fighting broke out between military rebels and loyalists which lasted for over a week. On 29 June 1951, Phibun was attending

912-667: The Seri Manangkhasila Party , which was dominated by the most influential in the military and the government. The Employment Act of January 1957 legalized trade unions, limited weekly working hours, regulated holidays and overtime , and instituted health and safety regulations. The International Workers' Day became a public holiday. Phibun's second premiership was longer but plagued with political instability , and there were numerous attempts to oppose his rule and remove him from power. Unlike his first premiership, Phibun faced noticeable opposition from people connected to

969-570: The attack on Pearl Harbor ), Phibun was reluctantly forced to order a general ceasefire after just one day of resistance and allow the Japanese armies to use the country as a base for their invasions of the British colonies of Burma and Malaya . Hesitancy, however, gave way to enthusiasm after the Japanese rolled through the Malayan Campaign in a " Bicycle Blitzkrieg" with surprisingly little resistance. On 21 December Phibun signed

1026-564: The interwar period . Phibun adopted the fascist salute , modelled on the Roman salute , using it during speeches. The salute was not compulsory in Thailand, and it was opposed by Luang Wichitwathakan and many cabinet members as they believed it inappropriate for Thai culture. Together with Wichitwathakan, the Minister of Propaganda, he built a leadership cult in 1938 and thereafter. Photographs of Phibun were to be found everywhere, and those of

1083-650: The 1950s and 1960s among the leaders of China. Phibun was reportedly thrilled by the democracy and freedom of speech he had witnessed during a long trip abroad to the United States and Europe in 1955. Following the example of Hyde Park in London, he set up a " Speakers' Corner " at the Sanam Luang in Bangkok. Phibun began to democratize Thailand by allowing the formation of new political parties, amnestied political opponents, and planned free elections . Phibun founded and became chairman of his own new political party,

1140-650: The Free Thai Movement due to his alliance with the Japanese, including from within the military. Additionally, Phibun was indebted to the powerful Coup Group that had returned him to power. On 1 October 1948, the unsuccessful Army General Staff Plot was launched by members of the army general staff to topple his government, but failed when discovered by the Coup Group. As a result, more than fifty army and reserve officers and several prominent supporters of Pridi Phanomyong were arrested. On 26 February 1949,

1197-556: The French tactical victory at the Battle of Ko Chang prompted intervention from the Japanese , who mediated an armistice where the French were forced to cede the disputed territories to Thailand. Phibun and the Thai public viewed the outcome of the Franco-Thai War as a victory, but it resulted in the rapidly expanding Japanese gaining the right to occupy French Indochina. Although Phibun was ardently pro-Japanese, he now shared

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1254-519: The King. The latter was the case especially from the late 19th century, as the proliferation of officials necessitated the creation of a large number of titles. Nobles would be known almost exclusively by their current title. Historical references to holders of shared titles conventionally include the person's birth name in parentheses, e.g. Chao Phraya Chakri (Mut) , who was chief minister under King Taksin . The ranks, in descending order, are: Some of

1311-455: The People's Republic of China. Phibun's anti-Chinese campaign was resumed, with the government restricting Chinese immigration and undertaking various measures to restrict economic domination of the Thai market by those of Chinese descent. Chinese schools and associations were once again shut down. Despite open pro-Western and anti-Chinese policies, in the late 1950s Phibun arranged to send two of

1368-513: The West in the Cold War by helping establish SEATO . In 1956, it became clearer that Plaek, allied to Phao, was losing to another influential group led by Sarit which consisted of "Sakdina" (royalties and royalists). Both Plaek and Phao intended to bring home Pridi Banomyong to clear his name from the mystery around the death of King Rama VIII. However, the US government disapproved, and they cancelled

1425-409: The West, was a Thai politician, military officer, and revolutionary who served as the 3rd prime minister of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and again from 1948 to 1957. Phibun was a member of the army wing of Khana Ratsadon , the first political party in Thailand, and a leader of the Siamese revolution of 1932 , which replaced Thailand's absolute monarchy with a constitutional monarchy . Phibun became

1482-490: The abdicated King Prajadhipok were banned. His quotes appeared in newspapers, were plastered on billboards, and were repeated over the radio. Phibun immediately promoted Thai nationalism (to the point of ultranationalism ), and to support this policy, he launched a series of major reforms, known as the Thai Cultural Revolution , to increase the pace of modernisation in Thailand. His goal aimed to uplift

1539-535: The army headquarters in Lopburi . Khuang Aphaiwong replaced Phibun as prime minister, ostensibly to continue relations with the Japanese, but, in reality, to secretly assist the Free Thai Movement. At the war's end, Phibun was put on trial at Allied insistence on charges of having committed war crimes , mainly that of collaborating with the Axis powers . However, he was acquitted amid intense pressure as public opinion

1596-471: The children of Sang Phathanothai , his closest advisor, to China with the intention of establishing a backdoor channel for dialogue between China and Thailand. Sirin Phathanothai , aged eight, and her brother, aged twelve, were sent to be brought up under the assistants of Premier Zhou Enlai as his wards . Sirin later wrote The Dragon's Pearl , an autobiography telling her experiences growing up in

1653-552: The command of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat , who had earlier sworn to be Phibun's most loyal subordinate. Sarit was supported by many royalists who wanted to regain a foothold, and there were rumours that the United States was "deeply involved" in the coup. Phibun was then forced into exile after the coup, first fleeing to Cambodia , but later settled in Japan after Sarit's new regime rejected his requests to allow him to return to Thailand. In 1960, Phibun briefly travelled to India to be

1710-406: The country's official English name from "Siam" to "Thailand" at Wichitwathakan's urging. The name "Siam" was an exonym of unknown and probably foreign origin, which conflicted with Phibun's nationalist policies. In 1941, in the midst of World War II , Phibun decreed 1 January as the official start of the new year instead of the traditional Songkran date on 13 April. Phibun exploited

1767-672: The criteria for being considered Chinese as well, enabling him to successfully conceal and deny his Chinese roots. He studied in Buddhist temples before joining the Royal Military Academy ; upon graduation in 1914, he was commissioned into the Royal Siamese Army as a second lieutenant in the artillery . Following World War I , he was sent to France to study artillery tactics at the École d'application d'artillerie . In 1928, as he rose in rank, he received

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1824-488: The determining factor for promotions. Several noble families gained much power and influence during the late Ayutthaya period, and even more so during early Rattanakosin; some, such as the Bunnags , effectively became as powerful as the monarchy. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, r. 1868–1910) introduced reforms that ended the system that allowed nobles to command manpower, and transformed titled nobles into paid officials under

1881-457: The documents of many early Tai city states including Sukhothai , the earliest extensive descriptions are from the administrative reforms introduced in 1448 by King Borommatrailokanat of Ayutthaya, which by then had become the dominant polity in the region. The reforms established official titles for high-ranking ministers of the chatusadom system, and the rank of phra was added to the previously used khun and nai , in order to accommodate

1938-726: The economic power of Siam's Teochew-Hoklo population and encouraged the Central Thai people to purchase as many Thai products as possible. In a speech in 1938, Luang Wichitwathakan, himself of one-quarter Chinese ancestry, followed Rama VI 's book Jews of the East in comparing the Teochew in Siam to the Jews in Germany, who at the time were harshly repressed. On 24 June 1939, Phibun changed

1995-411: The expanding machinery of government. (The ranks luang and okya were further introduced during the mid- and late-16th century, respectively.) The sakdina system, which assigned a numeral rank representing the amount of land one was entitled to own, was also officially described. Nobles were not directly remunerated for their service, but enjoyed earnings and benefits derived from their office and

2052-401: The importance of the city. Each city had its associated noble title, e.g. Surasi for Phitsanulok , Surinluechai for Phetchaburi , Wichitphakdi for Chaiya , Aphaiphubet for Phra Tabong ( Battambang ), etc. Plaek Phibunsongkhram Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram (14 July 1897 – 11 June 1964), locally known as Marshal P. , and contemporarily known as Phibun in

2109-428: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Luang&oldid=1192964132 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Place name disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Luang (title) Thai noble titles comprise

2166-539: The mid-1950s onward, but was overthrown in 1957 and went into exile in Japan, where he died in 1964. At fifteen years and one month, Phibun's term as Prime Minister of Thailand was the longest to date. Phibun was born Plaek on 14 July 1897 in Mueang Nonthaburi , Nonthaburi Province, in the Kingdom of Siam to durian farmers. His family began using the surname Khittasangkha ( Thai : ขีตตะสังคะ ) after

2223-449: The military coup risked international disapproval. Pridi Phanomyong was persecuted but was aided by British and US intelligence officers, and thus managed to escape the country. On 8 April 1948, Phibun assumed the position of Prime Minister after the military forced Khuang out of office. Phibun's second premiership was notably different, abandoning the fascist styling and rhetoric that characterised his first premiership, and instead promoted

2280-479: The most powerful propaganda instruments of political power. In Italy, its main purpose was to promote nationalism and militarism , strengthen the unity and harmony of the state, and glorify the policy of ruralisation in Italy and abroad. As a consequence of the fascist leanings of Thai political leaders, Italian propaganda films including newsreels, documentaries, short films, and full-length feature films, such as Istituto Luce Cinecittà , were shown in Thailand during

2337-547: The national spirit and moral code of the nation and instil progressive tendencies and a newness into Thai life. A series of cultural mandates were issued by the government, which encouraged all Thais to salute the flag in public places, learn the new national anthem and use the standardised Thai language (not regional dialects or languages). People were encouraged to adopt Western-style attire as opposed to traditional clothing styles, and eat with Western-style utensils, such as forks and spoons , rather than with their hands as

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2394-679: The noble posts and titles include: The samuhanayok was head of the Mahatthai . During the Ayutthaya period, office-holders took the title Chakri , with the rank of phraya . The rank was increased to chaophraya during Thonburi, and in Rattanakosin individualized titles were granted to each appointee. According to the Three Seals Law , the samuhanayok had a sakdina of 10,000. ( List of samuhanayok ) The samuhakalahom

2451-478: The noble title Luang from King Prajadhipok , and became known as Luang Phibunsongkhram . He would later drop his Luang title but permanently adopted Phibunsongkhram as his surname. In 1932, Phibun was one of the leaders of the Royal Siamese Army branch of the People's Party ( Khana Ratsadon ), a political organization that staged a coup d'état which overthrew Siam's absolute monarchy and replaced it with

2508-411: The plan. In February 1957, public opinion turned against Phibun at the end of his second term when his party was suspected of fraudulent practices during an election, including the intimidation of the opposition, buying votes, and electoral fraud . In addition, critics of Phibun accused him of a lack of respect for the Thai monarchy , as the anti- aristocratic prime minister had always sought to limit

2565-518: The prominent foreign minister who had advocated continued resistance against the Japanese, was later sent to Tokyo as an ambassador. The United States considered Thailand to be a puppet state of Japan and refused to declare war on it. When the Allies were victorious, the United States blocked British efforts to impose a punitive peace. In 1944, as the Japanese neared defeat and the underground anti-Japanese Free Thai Movement steadily grew in strength,

2622-581: The rank of chaophraya . The head of the Krom Wang was titled Thammathikon after the department, or Thammathikoranathibodi . Most heads of the Krom Phra Khlang took the rank and title Chaophraya Phra Khlang , while during Ayutthaya period the title was also called Kosathibodi . The heads of Krom Na or Kasettrathikan had the rank and title Chaophraya Phonlathep . Governorships were major noble positions, with several types of posts depending on

2679-509: The rank system. While the decree abolishing titles was repealed by the Khuang Aphaiwong government two years later, allowing previously held titles to be reinstated, the granting of noble titles never resumed after 1932. Thai noble titles comprise a rank ( บรรดาศักดิ์ , bandasak ) and a title ( ราชทินนาม , ratchathinnanam ), which denote the holder's post or office ( ตำแหน่ง , tamnaeng ). For example, Chaophraya Chakri

2736-553: The role of the monarchy to a constitutional minimum and had taken on religious functions that traditionally belonged to the monarch. For example, Phibun led the celebrations of the 2500th anniversary of Buddhism in 1956/57 instead of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej , who was openly critical of Phibun. On 16 September 1957, Phibun was eventually overthrown in a coup d'etat by members of the Royal Thai Army under

2793-617: The third Prime Minister of Thailand in 1938 while serving as Commander of the Royal Siamese Army . Inspired by the Italian fascism of Benito Mussolini , he established a de facto military dictatorship run along fascist lines, promoted Thai nationalism and Sinophobia , and allied Thailand with Imperial Japan in World War II . Phibun launched a modernization campaign known as the Thai Cultural Revolution that included

2850-510: The work of commoners ( phrai ) under their command. Unlike in European aristocracies, Thai noble titles were not inherited, but individually granted by the king or his ministers based on personal merit. Noble families could, however, present their sons to the royal household, placing them at an advantage to succeeding in those positions. This practice became especially influential from the 17th century, when war subsided and commerce flourished, leading personal patronage to displace martial ability as

2907-519: Was able to escape and swim back to shore when the Sri Ayutthaya was bombed by the air force, and with their hostage gone, the navy were forced to lay down their arms. "...tell your father [Pridi] that I want [him] to come back [and] help me work for the nation. I alone can no longer contest Sakdina." Plaek to one of Pridi's sons in June 1957. On 29 November 1951, the Silent Coup

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2964-401: Was customary in Thai culture at the time. Phibun saw these policies as necessary, in the interest of progressivism , to change Thailand's international image from that of an undeveloped country into a civilized and modern nation. Phibun's administration encouraged economic nationalism and espoused staunch anti-Teochew sentiment . Sinophobic policies were imposed by the government to reduce

3021-513: Was head of the Kalahom . Like the samuhanayok , the post had a sakdina of 10,000. Most of office-holders were titled Chaophraya Mahasena well into the Rattanakosin period. ( List of samuhakalahom ) Four ministers headed the four government departments of the chatusadom . By the Rattanakosin period, the head of the Krom Mueang or Nakhonban were titled Yommarat , with most having

3078-536: Was staged by the Coup Group and it consolidated the military's hold on the country. It reinstated the Constitution of 1932 , which effectively eliminated the Senate , established a unicameral legislature composed equally of elected and government-appointed members, and allowed serving military officers to supplement their commands with important ministerial portfolios . In 1954 Phibun allied Thailand further with

3135-578: Was still a child studying in Switzerland , and the Parliament appointed Colonel Prince Anuwatjaturong, Lieutenant Commander Prince Aditya Dibabha , and Chao Phraya Yommaraj (Pun Sukhum) as his regents . On 16 December 1938, Phibun replaced Phraya Phahon as Prime Minister of Thailand and as the Commander of the Royal Siamese Army . Phibun became a de facto dictator, and established

3192-501: Was still favourable to him, as he was thought to have done his best to protect Thai interests. Phibun's alliance with Japan had Thailand take advantage of Japanese support to expand Thai territory into Malaya and Burma. In November 1947, Royal Thai Army units under the control of Phibun known as the Coup Group carried out the Siamese coup d'état of 1947 which forced then-Prime Minister Thawan Thamrongnawasawat to resign. The rebels installed Khuang Aphaiwong again as prime minister as

3249-418: Was the full title of the samuhanayok , one of the king's two chief ministers. Chaophraya was the highest rank of the nobility, and Chakri was the title associated with the post. The titleholder would also have received a numerical rank under the sakdina system. Most major titles were tied to the post, and shared by successive holders, while others could be created specifically for a singular person by

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