The end of absolute rule

1932

View of Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Po, & Grand Palace [from Wat Arun]

The year 1932 marked a turning point in the history of Thailand. Faced with a failing economy, a reduced military budget, and cuts to civil service payrolls, a group of foreign-educated civilians and military leaders secretly began plotting the overthrow of the ruling princes of the Supreme Council.

In an attempt to ease the economic tension, King Prajadhipok proposed the levying of income taxes and property taxes but the Supreme Council opposed these policies, fearing that their personal fortunes would suffer.

They instead made cuts to civil service and military spending, causing the Minister of Defense Prince Boworadet to resign, and angering civilians.

The king himself was of a passive nature and allowed the Supreme Council to overrule him. He admitted his lack of financial acumen and publicly apologized for his failings:

“I myself do not profess to know much about the matter… if I have made a mistake I really deserve to be excused by the officials and people of Siam.”

King Prajadhipok had promised to reveal his planned constitution during the celebration of the of the Chakri dynasty. When the sesquicentennial passed without mention of a constitution, the People’s Party began to foment revolution.

The revolution was brought about by a group of military and civilians, who formed Siam's first political party, Khana Ratsadon (Peoples' Party)

In the early hours of June 24, 1932, civilian and military members of the People’s Party began to gather on the pavilion of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall.

While Prajadhipok was away at Klaikangworn Palace in Hua Hin, the plotters took control of the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok and arrested key officials (mainly the princes). The People's Party demanded Prajadhipok become a constitutional monarch and grant the Thai people a constitution.

King Prajadhipok and his entourage arrived in Bangkok late the next night.

Early the next morning, the king expressed his wish to meet with the leaders of the coup.

He smiled and rose to greet them. “I rise,” he said, “in honour of the People’s Party.”

In a country where civilians had once been obliged to prostrate themselves in the presence of the king, this significant moment was seen as a clear sign of King Prajadhipok’s willingness to agree to the terms of the People’s Party Manifesto.

On June 27 ,1932, King Prajadhipok signed the draft constitution, which stripped him of all his ancient powers. All the princes held captive were then released, all except Prince Paribatra, who was exiled to Germany for fear that he might stage a counter coup.

The new government had drafted up a Permanent Constitution and it was formally signed by King Prajadhipok on December 10, 1932, thus ending 150 years of absolute monarchy.