Palace Rebellion

Thailand's 1949 Palace Rebellion was a failed coup attempt. The aims of its plotters were to overthrow the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram and to restore his main civilian rival Pridi Phanomyong to the Thai political scene.

Pridi had disavowed the use of violence during the immediate aftermath of the 1947 coup,^[1] but the frustrations of exile eventually overcame him. Although in China, he still maintained contacts with his supporters in Thailand and, with their help, laid plans for a counter-coup. In the first week of February 1949 he secretly returned to Thailand. Phibun however soon learned of Pridi's intentions, and quickly a radio announcement in which he called Pridi his "friend" was made. He went on to offer Pridi a position in the government, but Pridi decided to go ahead with his plans and the field marshal's overtures were rebuffed.

A state of emergency was declared by the government in anticipation of the counter-coup,^[2] which began on February 26. On that day an army officer loyal to Pridi and a group of supporters seized a radio station, and Free Thai elements and Thammasat University teachers and students occupied the Grand Palace. The group at the radio station announced over the air the formation of a new government headed by Pridi's friend Direk Chaiyanam. Major-General Sarit Thanarat then moved in troops and managed to easily oust Pridi from the palace grounds. In the meanwhile the navy and marines took up defensive positions around Bangkok to protect its allies.

The rebels managed to escape in naval vessels across the Chao Phraya River, and navy units engaged the army in fierce street fighting. A ceasefire was declared that afternoon, although it would take the navy and the army a full week to negotiate a resolution to the crisis.^[3]

References

↑ Suchin Tantikun. Ratthapraharn Phor Sor 2490. Social Science Association of Thailand (1972).
↑ Siam Nikorn, February 18, 1949
↑ Thak Chaloemtiarana. Thailand: The Politics of Despotic Paternalism. Thammasat University Press (1979).

History of Thailand (1932–73)

Office holders	Individuals and institutions	Key events

The Monarchy Prajadhipok (Rama VII) Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) Regents of Thailand Prime Ministers of Thailand Phraya Manopakorn Nititada General Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram Khuang Aphaiwong Thawi Bunyaket Seni Pramoj Pridi Banomyong Thawan Thamrongnawasawat Pote Sarasin Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat	Military Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan General Phao Sriyanond Lieutenant-General Kat Katsongkhram Marshal of the Air Force Fuen Ronnaphagrad Ritthakhanee Others Direk Jayanama Luang Wichitwathakan Institutions Khana Ratsadon Free Thai Movement Coup Group Communist Party of Thailand Southeast Asia Treaty Organization Association of Southeast Asian Nations	Key events Rattanakosin Kingdom Siamese revolution of 1932 Constitutions of Thailand Siamese coup d'état of 1933 Boworadet Rebellion Rebellion of the Sergeants Songsuradet Rebellion Franco-Thai War Japanese invasion of Thailand World War II Thai cultural restoration Siamese coup d'état of 1947 Korean War Army General Staff Plot Palace Rebellion Manhattan Rebellion Silent Coup (Thailand) 1957 Thai coup d'état 1958 Thai coup d'état Vietnam War Communist insurgency in Thailand 1971 Thai coup d'état 14 October 1973 Uprising History of Thailand since 1973

Coups, rebellions, revolts and revolution in Thailand

Rebellions, revolts, and revolution	Palace Revolt (1912) 1932 Revolution Boworadet Rebellion (October 1933) Rebellion of the Sergeants (1935) Songsuradet Rebellion (1939) Palace Rebellion (1949) Manhattan Rebellion (June 1951) 1964 Rebellion

Coups and coup attempts	June 1933 coup 1947 coup Army General Staff Plot (1948) Silent Coup (November 1951) 1957 coup 1958 coup 1971 coup 1976 coup March 1977 coup attempt October 1977 coup 1981 coup attempt 1985 coup attempt 1991 coup 2006 coup 2014 coup

Popular revolts	Peace Rebellion (1952) 1973 Uprising Black May (1992)

Protests and crises	Thammasat University massacre (1976) 2005–06 Thai political crisis 2010 Thai political protests 2013–14 Thai political crisis

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