Several of the members of the People’s Party who topple the absolute monarchy will play a predominant role in Thai politics for the next 30 years. Participant Phibul Songkhran will be prime minister for around 15 years, 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957, sometimes with dictatorial powers, sometimes without; sometimes reaching the position through a coup d’etat, sometimes through an election. Khuang Aphaiwong serves four short terms as prime minister at the end of, and immediately after Word War II. The first two times he will step down from office after just a few weeks because of quarrels within the government or with the National Assembly; the third time his terms lasts just a few weeks until the next general election; the forth is interrupted after a few weeks by a military coup d’etat. The most colorful figure of the initial group of revolutionaries is, however, Pridi Panomyong. In the first few governments of the People’s Party, he is in charge of the economy. When he is suspected to be a communist he has to go into exile for the first time. He later takes part in a coup that installs Phibul Songkhran. However, when the Phibul allies himself with the Japanese during World War II, it’s Pridi Panomyong who organizes the underground resistance movement against the Japanese and Phibul Songkhran. Pridi, after being a member of the Council of Regents, ends up for a while as the sole Regent of Thailand, in behalf of the minor King Ananda Mahidol. He also serves a short term as prime minister after World War II. When the military reinstalls Phibul Songkhran as prime minister in 1948, he attempts to overthrow him with the help of another military fraction but fails. Pridi Panomyong dies 1983 at the age of 83 in exile in Paris, but three years later his ashes are spread into the Gulf of Thailand in a state ceremony.
1932, Jun 25 - King Rama VII returns to Bangkok.
1932, Jun 27 - All department heads, ministers and secretaries of the monarchial system of government are retired. The Executive Committee of the People’s Party is assigned as provisional government and a National Assembly is created. The legislative National Assembly is composed of 70 appointed members.
1932, Dec 10 - King Rama VII promulgates the constitution, patterned after Western constitutions. It provides for a Parliament of which half of the members are elected and the other half appointed by Royal Command on recommendation of the cabinet. The prime minister is to be appointed by the King on recommendation of the National Assembly. Phaya Monapahorn Nitithada (1884 - 1948) of the People’s Party is appointed the first prime minister. Royal Pardon is granted to the participants of the revolution.
1933, Mar 1 - Minister of Economy, People’s Party member Pridi Panomyong (1900 - 1983) presents a national economic policy based on a socialist pattern with a touch of liberalism. He is accused of being a communist.
1933, Apr 1 - For alleged communistic leanings of the present government, Prime Minister Phaya Monapahorn Nitithada requests the King to grant him dictatorial powers and to suspend the session of the Assembly and some of the provisions of the newly implemented constitution. The King, again left with little choice as actual power rests with the prime minister, agrees. Adherence to Communism becomes punishable by 10 years imprisonment. Dissatisfaction arises in some sectors of the People’s Party leading to the resignation of cabinet members including former Minister of Economy, Pridi Panomyong, who silently goes into exile.
1933, Jun 20 - Disgruntled members of the People’s Party topple the government of Phaya Monapahorn Nitithada, whose turn it becomes to go into exile (he chooses Penang were he lives until his death). The National Assembly is reopened; Phaya Bahol Polpayushasena (1888 - 1947) becomes prime minister.
1933, Oct 11 - In protest of the new constitutional government, a revolt headed by General Prince Bovoradej breaks out and fighting occurs in Bongkhen, Laksi and Dammuang.
1933, Oct 24 - The revolt ends with a victory of the government army, led by Colonel Phibul Songkhran.
1933 Nov - The first national election in Siam is held for the 78 elective seats in the assembly. Bahol Polpayushasena remains prime minister.
1934 Jan - King Rama VII leaves for Europe as the sentiment of the public for the royal family cools. Pridi Panomyong is allowed to return to Bangkok after he is cleared of charges of being a communist.
