Luang Phibunsongkhram

Field Marshall Phibunsongkhram (July 14, 1887–June 11, 1964) (also sometimes spelled Phibul Songkhram or Pibul Songgram) was prime minister and military dictator in Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.

He was born on July 14, 1887 in the Nonthaburi province as son of Mr. Keed and Mrs. Sam-Ang Khittasangkha. His original name is Plaek, because of his peculiar position of ears (Plaek means "strange" in Thai). His family name was added after an official announcement which let Thais have family names by Rama VI.

He studied at the Royal Army Academy as well as the General Staff Army College in France.

During the Siamese coup d'état of 1932 which changed Thailand to a constitutional monarchy Major Phibunsongkhram joined the People's Party as its military representative. In 1933 there was a coup d'etat attempt called "Bavoradej" after the name of the leader, prince Bavoradej. Plaek singlehandedly led the army to defeat them and his power became very formidable. After prime minister Colonel Phraya Phaholpolpayuhasena resigned he was appointed prime minister on December 16, 1938. During his term he was promoted to Field Marshall in recognition of the modernizations of the country done by him. He renamed the country from Siam to Thailand, and also finally introduced the western calendar. Moreover, he and his renown scholarly subordinate, Luang Vichit, vividly boosted the so-called Siamese cultural renaissance: the people were ordered to wear the cloth in the western styles, especially a hat; Thais must not chew the betel; Thais must buy only domestic merchandise; the national anthem was written and the people were ordered to stand saluting the flag raised at 8 o'clock in the morning and 6 o'clock in the evening.

During World War II Japan invaded Thailand, to which Plaek showed an ambiguous reaction. Some scholars believe that he had a megalomaniac plan in mind with Japan. First, in the early morning of December 8, 1941, Plaek disappeared and let his cabinet taken aback with the news of invasion. Thus, the soldiers along with police, were ordered by minister of defence to fight against the Japanese army which had landed on several different places in the Kra Peninsula. Plaek appeared again and wavered in his cabinet's decision to surrender and cooperate with the Japanese army. It is historically controversial whether Thailand "actually" sided with the invader. Although the so-called friendship pact was signed, the relationship between the two countries was never smooth. Pridi Phanomyong, another leader of the people's party, was ousted from the cabinet and was given the unimportant position of regent. He secretly formed the resistance against Japan named Free Thai Movement. It is doubtful whether Plaek knew about this and did anything to counter them.

Ultimately, Plaek was ousted from premiership by the parliament in 1944 when he tried arrogantly to relocate Thailand's capital from Bangkok to Phetchabun, and the project of building Phutthamonthon (the great sacred place for Buddha). The defeat of Axis led to his imprisonment but at his trial as a war criminal he was acquitted. Plaek was in exile from the political stage for several years. In 1948 he returned to office after a military coup.

Plaek's second reign would last for nearly 10 years, but it was quite different from his first one. He had no absolute power anymore, but had to cooperate with the powerful cliques of Field Marshal Sarit Dhanarajata and Police General Pao Sriyanon.

Plaek led his country to have a close relationship with the United States during the escalation of the Cold War. In 1951-52, Plaek sent Thai troops to join the United Nations (led by the US Army) in the Korean War.

At the end of his reign suspicions of fraudulent practices during an election came up. The resulting unrest led to a coup by Field Marshal Sarit Dhanarajata in 1957, after which Phibunsongkhram had to leave the country. His final exile was in Japan, where he died in 1964.

Preceded by: Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena	Prime Minister of Thailand 1938–1944	Succeeded by: Khuang Abhaiwongse
Preceded by: Khuang Abhaiwongse	Prime Minister of Thailand 1948–1957	Succeeded by: Pote Sarasin Template:End boxde:Phibul Songkhram nl:Plaek Pibul Songkram ja:プレーク・ピブーンソンクラーム