Plaek Phibunsongkhram

Prime Minister of Thailand

Plaek Khittasangkha 14 July 1897 Mueang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi, Siam

11 June 1964(1964-06-11) (66) Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

8 April 1948 – 16 September 1957

Prime Minister of Thailand from 1938-44 and 1948-57 "Phibunsongkhram" redirects here. For other uses, see Phibunsongkhram (disambiguation). Plaek Phibunsongkhram PChW MPCh MWM NRแปลก พิบูลสงครามPrime Minister of ThailandIn office 8 April 1948 – 16 September 1957MonarchBhumibol AdulyadejDeputy See list Fuen Ronnaphagrad Ritthakhanee Prayoon Yuthasastrkosol Worakarn Bancha Phin Choonhavan Sawat Sawatdironnachai Sawatdikea Preceded by Khuang AphaiwongSucceeded by Pote SarasinIn office 16 December 1938 – 1 August 1944MonarchAnanda MahidolDeputy See list Adul Aduldetjarat Chaweng Saksongkhram Preceded by Phraya PhahonphonphayuhasenaSucceeded by Khuang AphaiwongMinister of DefenceIn office 28 June 1949 – 26 February 1957Prime Minister himselfPreceded by Suk ChatnakrobSucceeded by Sarit ThanaratIn office 22 September 1934 – 15 November 1943Prime Minister Phot Phahonyothin himselfPreceded by Phot PhahonyothinSucceeded by Phichit KriangsakphichitMinister of Foreign AffairsIn office 15 December 1941 – 19 June 1942Prime Minister himselfPreceded by Direk JayanamaSucceeded by Luang WichitwathakanMinister of Agriculture and CooperativesIn office 12 September 1957 – 16 September 1957Prime Minister himselfPreceded by Siri SiriyothinSucceeded by Wiboon ThammabootMinister of CultureIn office 12 September 1957 – 16 September 1957Prime Minister himselfPreceded by position establishSucceeded by Pisan SunavinvivatMinister of CommerceIn office 4 February 1954 – 23 March 1954Prime Minister himselfPreceded by Boonkerd SutantanonSucceeded by Siri SiriyothinMinister of FinanceIn office 13 October 1949 – 18 July 1950Prime Minister himselfPreceded by Prince Vivatchai ChaiyantSucceeded by Chom JamornmarnMinister of InteriorIn office 13 October 1949 – 18 July 1950Prime Minister himselfPreceded by Thawan ThamrongnawasawatSucceeded by Chuang KwancherdMinister of EducationIn office 1942–1942Prime Minister himselfPreceded by Sindhu KamolnavinSucceeded by Prayun PhamonmontriSupreme Commander of the Armed ForcesIn office 13 November 1940 – 24 November 1943Preceded by position establishedSucceeded by Sarit ThanaratCommander in Chief of the Royal Thai ArmyIn office 4 January 1938 – 5 August 1944Preceded by Phraya PhahonphonphayuhasenaSucceeded by Phichit Kriangsakphichit Personal detailsBornPlaek Khittasangkha (1897-07-14 ) 14 July 1897 Mueang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi, SiamDied11 June 1964(1964-06-11) (aged 66) Sagamihara, Kanagawa, JapanNationalityThaiPolitical partySeri Manangkhasila Party (1955–57)Other political affiliationsKhana Ratsadon (1927–54)Spouse(s)La-iad BhandhukraviChildren6, including NityaSignatureMilitary serviceAllegiance Siam ThailandBranch/service Royal Thai Army Royal Armed ForcesYears of service1914–1957Rank Field Marshal Admiral of the Fleet Marshal of the Air ForceCommandsSupreme CommanderBattles/wars Siamese Revolution Boworadet Rebellion World War II Franco-Thai War Pacific War Palace Rebellion Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram (Thai: แปลก พิบูลสงคราม ; alternatively transcribed as Pibulsongkram or Pibulsonggram; 14 July 1897 – 11 June 1964), locally known as Marshal P. (Thai: จอมพล ป. ; ), contemporarily known as Phibun (Pibul) in the West, was a Thai military officer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Thailand and dictator from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957. Phibunsongkhram was a member of the Royal Siamese Army wing of Khana Ratsadon, the first political party in Thailand, and a leader of the Siamese revolution of 1932 transforming Thailand from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Phibun became the third Prime Minister of Thailand in 1938 as Commander of the Royal Siamese Army, established a de facto military dictatorship inspired by the Italian fascist Benito Mussolini and Irish-born American white supremacist Denis Kearney, 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 a series of cultural mandates, changing the country's name from "Siam" to "Thailand", and promotion of the common Thai language. Phibun was ousted as Prime Minister by the National Assembly in 1944 and replaced by members of the Free Thai Movement until returning to power in the Siamese coup d'état of 1947 led by the Coup Group. Phibun aligned Thailand with anti-communism in the Cold War, entered 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 was subject to several attempted coup d'etats to remove him 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 a electoral democracy from the mid-1950s, but was overthrown in 1957 and entered exile in Japan where he died in 1964. Phibun is the longest serving Prime Minister of Thailand to date at 15 years and one month.