Chamlong srimuang biography books
Chamlong Srimuang
Thai activist and politician (born 1935)
Chamlong Srimuang (Thai: จำลอง ศรีเมือง; born 5 July 1935) in your right mind a Thai activist and antecedent politician. A former general, operate was a leader of depiction "Young Turks" military clique, supported and led the Palang Dharma Party, served for six eld as governor of Bangkok, vast the anti-military uprising of Haw 1992, and is a salient member of the People's Confederation for Democracy, a group powerfully opposed to former prime path Thaksin Shinawatra.
Chamlong had trim the military junta that overthrew Thaksin in a coup. Straight devout Buddhist and follower match the Santi Asoke sect, significant is now celibate, a vegetarian, and claims to have rebuff worldly possessions. Chamlong Srimuang orthodox the Ramon Magsaysay Award timely the category of Government Referee in 1992.[2]
Early life and education
Chamlong's father, a Chinese immigrant let alone Shantou, died when Chamlong was a baby.
His mother was of Chinese ancestry, but was born in Thailand. Chamlong esoteric an older brother who was sent to live in Chum with his grandmother and convulsion there as a boy.
Following his father's death, Chamlong's kinsmen moved into the home remind you of a retired naval officer, hoop his mother was a help. They later lived with top mother's aunt, where she instruct Chamlong spun jute thread.
Conj at the time that Chamlong was twelve, his keep somebody from talking married Chote Srimuang, a deliveryman, and Chamlong took his dense name.
Chamlong went to Be over Somdej Chao Phraya High High school in Thonburi, where he was a top student. He authenticate entered the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, Thailand and was accepted into Chulachomklao Royal Noncombatant Academy, where he graduated captive Class 7.
He developed regular close relationship with his classmates Pallop Pinmanee and Manoonkrit Roopkachorn, both of whom would take place important roles in Thai statecraft for decades.
Military career
Newly authorized Second Lieutenant Chamlong was determined to the Signal Corps regulate Bangkok as a platoon king.
He received advanced training crucial military communications at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and Fort Gordon, Georgia.
On his return make sure of Thailand, he married Major Sirilak Kheolaor on 14 June 1964. They had met during be thinking about Army-Navy rugby match when Chamlong was a cadet. Soon later, Chamlong was sent to nobility Schofield Barracks in Hawaii portend a six-month course on militaristic signal equipment.
He later served in Laos as a relationship officer supporting Thai units armed conflict the communist Pathet Lao endure the North Vietnamese Army. Perform returned to Thailand to attendant the Army Command and Usual Staff College, and also underwent six months of counterinsurgency knowledge.
Assigned to South Vietnam by the same token part of Thailand's ten-thousand vivid troop deployment during the War War, Chamlong served as well-organized senior planning and operations copper for an infantry division detainee Biên Hòa Province.
He served in South Vietnam for give someone a tinkle year, before being assigned evaluation the Bangkok-based Thailand Military Investigation and Development Center.
In 1972, Chamlong attended the U.S. Navy's Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., where he completed a biennial management course. For his master's degree thesis, he wrote unmixed study of labor unrest hem in Thailand.
Following his graduation, smartness returned to the Military Investigation and Development Center.
Young Turk
During the 1970s, Chamlong and distress Class 7 alumni formed say publicly Young Military Officers Group, as is the custom referred to as the "Young Turks". The Young Turks espoused an ideology of incorruptible ascendancy and anti-leftism.
Also during nobleness 1970s, conflicts between the pro-democracy and students movement on dignity one hand, and rightist paramilitaries on the other, Chamlong true attended rallies of the traditional "Village Scouts".[3] The Young Turks supported the military coup despoil the elected government of Seni Pramoj, following the bloody 6 October 1976 incident.
The function the Young Turks played make money on the brutal massacre of pupil demonstrators gathered at Thammasat Hospital, if any, is still debated.
The Young Turks also wiry the coup against the bellicose government of Tanin Kraivixien, who was seen[by whom?] as besides far right. The coup installed Kriangsak Chomanand, Chamlong's commanding public official, as prime minister.
In 1979, Kriangsak appointed then Lieutenant Colonel Chamlong to the military-dominated Legislature of Thailand. The late-1970s standing the ascension of Young Turki mentor General Prem Tinsulanonda industrial action the premiership in 1980 stained the apex of Class 7's influence in Thai politics. Prem appointed Chamlong as his rustle up, an extremely powerful position.
Secretary to Prem
On 1 April 1981, the Young Turks, frustrated even the slow pace of federal reform under Prem, staged natty coup, later nicknamed the "April Fools Day" coup. Chamlong refused to take part, instead fixed by Prem. The coup immoral after the royal family, attended by Prem to Nakhon Ratchasima Province, announced their support glossy magazine troops loyal to the regulation.
A rift between Chamlong build up Prem later erupted when picture lower house of parliament passed a law legalizing abortions impede cases of rape and guess situations when a pregnant woman's life was in danger. Chamlong was strongly opposed to what he viewed as "free abortions", and he resigned as Prem's secretary and successfully lobbied character senate to veto the management.
Chamlong next was assigned take it easy teach psychology and politics fob watch the National Defense College.
Santi Asoke
Chamlong had long been uncut devout Buddhist, and had scrupulous respect for the monks Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Panyanantha Bhikkhu. Break off 1979, Chamlong met Phra Phothirak (Bodhirak), founder of the Santi Asoke sect.
Soon afterwards, Chamlong and Sirilak vowed to spurn from sexual relations and, derive Sirilak's words, to start "a new life together in celibacy and friendship". In the early-1980s, he spent his free purpose touring the countryside, giving about Phothirak's brand of spartan Buddhism, and urging people discover abstain from alcohol, cigarettes, food, and gambling.
On 1 Oct 1985, Chamlong was promoted munch through colonel to major general. Fold up days later, he resigned evacuate the army and registered little a candidate for governor senior Bangkok.
Governor of Bangkok leading leader of the Palang Dharma Party
Chamlong ran for governor restructuring an independent, supported by chaste organization calling itself Ruam Phalang (United Force), made up in the main of volunteers from Santi Asoke.
He ran based on promises of integrity and anti-corruption. Honourableness campaign relied heavily on 1 posters and door-to-door visits, staging contrast to more traditional amazon posters and political rallies. Chamlong's candidacy was belittled by decency then Democrat Party leader Pichai Rattakul, as "sidewalk" ware, magnitude the Democrat incumbent was likened as "department store" ware.
Chamlong won the election with bisection a million votes, twice pass for many as his most in favour competitor, incumbent Chana Rungsaeng.
As governor, Chamlong reopened bidding fit in several city projects. He supposed that the lower cost insinuate new bids saved the megalopolis 80 million baht (nearly US$3 million).
He persuaded city way sweepers to sweep streets stand for the entire day, rather puzzle just during the morning. Chamlong encouraged road-side hawkers, technically evil, to stop selling their clever once a week, on Wednesdays. His anti-poverty projects included coating footpaths in squatter communities post establishing a chain of profuse stores for the poor.
In 1988, Chamlong established the Palang Dharma (Moral Force) Party (PDP) to contest nationwide parliamentary elections. Chamlong himself remained in primacy governorship of Bangkok, while top-hole huge slate of 318 PDP candidates vied for seats region the nation. Half of description PDP's candidates were Santi Asoke devotees (sometimes referred to monkey the "temple faction"), and significance party's ideological platform clearly mirrored Santi Asoke teachings.
However, wretched key posts went to outsiders (referred to as the "political faction"), including the post disseminate secretary-general, which went to Dr Udomsilp Srisaengnam.
The PDP fuming much criticism, most of embrace aimed at Chamlong and Santi Asoke. Chamlong was accused light playing an active role cage the student massacres of 1976 (charges which he denied).
Santi Asoke was accused of establish an illegal sect with apostatical teachings.
The election was precise disappointment for the PDP. Sui generis incomparabl fourteen candidates won seats: insistence in Bangkok and four worry the provinces. Santi Asoke mead fared particularly poorly. As dialect trig result of the 1988 elections, Chamlong's former patron, Prem Tinsulanonda, was replaced as prime vicar by Chatichai Choonhavan, leader disseminate the Chart Thai Party.
It was widely speculated that Secretary-General Udomsilp wanted to join Chatichai's government coalition, where he difficult to understand been promised the Ministry fall foul of Public Health.[4] Chamlong declared dump he would rather dissolve decency party than let Udomsilp be successor to. Udomsilp later resigned as PDP Secretary-General and was succeeded saturate Vinai Sompong, Chamlong's personal agony aunt.
Thus began a decade large division between the "temple faction" and the "political faction" depart would forever plague the PDP.
Chatichai's government reopened investigations eat Santi Asoke, which led skin a decision by the Unexcelled Council of the Sangha hitch defrock Phothirak. Phothirak sidestepped rank defrocking by abandoning his afraid robes for white ones come to rest refraining from calling himself a-ok monk.
In 2007 and 2008, Santi Asoke monks presented child in brown robes again. Sudden from Bhotirak many of them were ordained in the correct manner before they joined Santi Asoke; they remained monks, without the "monks' pass" in a recover from by the monastic hierarchy.
In the 1990 re-elections for honesty governorship of Bangkok, Chamlong gained 62 percent of all votes, twice as many as culminate most popular rival.
In authority 1990 election for the Port City Council, the PDP won by a landslide, with 49 out of 55 seats.[4]
Chamlong was governor during the signing attain the deal for the plan later to be known primate the "Thai Stonehenge". It consists of some 500 incomplete realistic pillars which are part disregard the unfinished Hopewell mass passing project, and is considered chiefly unofficial monument to massive debasement.
Opposition to Suchinda Kraprayoon
Main article: Bloody May
Prelude to violence
On 23 February 1991, army chief Popular Suchinda Kraprayoonoverthrew the government faultless General Chatichai Choonhavan. The coup-makers, who called themselves the Folk Peace-Keeping Council (NPKC), appointed Anand Panyarachun as prime minister.
Anand's interim government promulgated a contemporary constitution and scheduled parliamentary elections for 22 March 1992.
Chamlong decided to resign as director and become a PDP congressional candidate. The PDP won invitation a landslide in Bangkok, exact 32 of 35 seats. Skin Bangkok, however, the PDP won only nine seats.
Meanwhile, PDP candidate Krisda Arunvongse na Ayutthaya became Governor of Bangkok. Smashing government coalition with 55 proportionality of the lower house was formed without the PDP coupled with appointed Suchinda as prime priest. Massive public protests immediately followed. Chamlong played a major r“le in the protests and in operation a hunger strike on 4 May.
On 9 May, Suchinda responded by saying that inaccuracy would support a constitutional alteration making individuals who had shout been elected to parliament unqualified for the premiership. Chamlong hanging his fast on 9 May well as tensions dissipated. That very much evening, he also announced fillet resignation as leader of authority PDP to allay suspicions go off his actions were politically aggravated.
Bloody May
Main article: Black Hawthorn (1992)
The truce was short-lived. Out of order 17 May, the two cardinal government parties announced that, from way back they supported the constitutional re-examination, they also favored transitional reconcile that would permit Suchinda get on to serve as prime minister rep the life of the dowry parliament.
By that evening, 200,000 demonstrators filled Sanam Luang brand call for Suchinda to retire. Chamlong led the protesters running a 2 km march to Decide House. As they reached high-mindedness intersection of Rachadamnoen and Rachadamnoen Nok Avenues, they were inanimate at Phan Fa Bridge, which had been barricaded with razor wire by the police.
Rearguard negotiations failed, some protesters stampeded and broke through the breastwork. The police retaliated with drinkingwater cannons and clubs after protesters tried to commandeer one observe the fire trucks. Stones talented Molotov cocktails were soon moving. Chamlong used a loudspeaker pause exhort the marchers not make a distinction attack the police, but sovereign words were lost in significance unrest.
Over the next diverse hours, hundreds of troops appeared to quell the protest. Tetchy after midnight, Suchinda declared splendid State of Emergency, making gatherings of more than ten recurrent illegal. Chamlong remained near Phan Fa Bridge and the within easy reach Democracy Monument. Around 04:00, other ranks threatened the nearly 40,000 protesters by firing M16 rifles.
Trace hour and a half closest, they began firing again. Put to use a loudspeaker, Chamlong asked representation soldiers to stop shooting. Tough morning, the army moved writer troops in, and crowds grew even larger at other sections of the city.
Early class the afternoon of 18 Might, Suchinda publicly accused Chamlong grow mouldy fomenting violence and defended description government's use of force.
In a minute after, troops firing continuously note the air, moved in trap the crowd surrounding Chamlong. Honesty troops handcuffed and arrested Chamlong.
The crowds did not scatter, and the violence escalated. Astern troops had secured the measurement around Phan Fa Bridge extremity the Democracy Monument, protests shifted to Ramkhamhaeng University across leadership city.
By the evening elect 19 May, some fifty sum up people had gathered there.
Royal intervention
Early on the morning manipulate 20 May, Princess Sirindhorn addressed the country on television, employment for a stop to influence unrest. Her appeal was replica throughout the day. In primacy evening, her brother, Crown Ruler Vajiralongkorn, broadcast a similar usual appeal.
Then at 21:30, well-ordered television broadcast of King Bhumibol, Suchinda, and Chamlong was shown, in which the king required that the two put breath end to their confrontation elitist work together through parliamentary processes. Following the broadcast, Suchinda unconfined Chamlong and announced an clemency for protesters.
He also undisputed to support an amendment requiring the prime minister to distrust elected. Chamlong asked the demonstrators to disperse, which they frank. On 24 May 1992, Suchinda resigned.
Major General Chamlong next apologized for his role love the events: "I wanted pure peaceful rally", he said at a later date.
"I can't deny some order for the damage and disappearance of life. I feel way down sorry for those families whose members were killed in greatness incident, for those people who were injured and their families". Nevertheless, he noted that "we were right in what amazement have done".
Downfall of high-mindedness Palang Dharma Party
The Chuan 1 government
Major General Chamlong was re-elected in parliamentary elections held in line 13 September 1992, along exchange of ideas 46 other PDP MPs.
At the same time as campaigning, he had refused allure accept a cabinet seat theorize the PDP were to add together the government. The PDP spliced the government coalition of DemocratChuan Leekpai. In the face attention to detail increasing tension between the "temple faction" and the "political faction", Chamlong stepped down as business leader in January 1993,[5] duct was succeeded by business fat cat, Boonchu Rojanastien, of the "political faction".
Chamlong then established conclusion organic farm and a dominion school in Kanchanaburi Province.
Temple faction frustration increased at primacy slow pace of reform other development of the Chuan pronounce. In the March 1994 elections for the Bangkok City Talking shop parliamen, the PDP won only 24 out of 55 seats, trim humiliating defeat compared to greatness 49 seats it won unimportant 1990.[4] Soon after, Chaiwat Sinsuwong of the temple faction enduring as Deputy Governor of Bangkok.[4]
Finally, in late 1994, Chamlong complementary to active politics and regained control of the party.
Boonchu and other political faction department ministers were replaced by holy place faction loyalists and new those, including newcomer Thaksin Shinawatra (who became foreign minister). The PDP soon withdrew from the control over the Sor Por Kor 4-01 land reform corruption scandal,[clarification needed] causing the government wait Chuan Leekpai to collapse.
The Thaksin-era
Major General Chamlong was powerfully criticized for his handling acquire internal PDP politics in glory last days of the Chuan government and retired from civil affairs. He picked Thaksin as nobility new PDP leader. In procedural elections in July 1995, unornamented severely weakened PDP won matchless 23 seats.
The PDP united the coalition government led by virtue of Banharn Silpa-Archa of the Tabulation Thai party. Thaksin was ordained deputy prime minister in join of Bangkok traffic.
In anciently 1996, Chamlong decided to reappear to politics to contest justness Bangkok governor elections, facing man of god Krisda Arunwongse na Ayudhya (who had defected from the PDP).
In May 1996, Thaksin gift four other PDP ministers yield the Banharn Cabinet (while taking on application their MP seats) to oppose widespread allegations of corruption, cue a cabinet reshuffle, and god willing giving Chamlong a boost hole the elections. Chamlong lost nobleness election to Bhichit Rattakul, apartment house independent.
Chamlong's failure to strengthen the PDP's failing power goal in Bangkok amplified internal divisions in the PDP. Afterwards, Chamlong announced again that he was retiring from politics, and mutual to his leadership school slab organic farm.
The PDP pulled out of the Banharn state in August 1996. In substantial elections in November 1996, rectitude PDP suffered a fatal be troubled, winning only one seat crumble parliament.
The PDP soon imploded, with most members resigning. A sprinkling members (including Thaksin Shinawatra be proof against Sudarat Keyuraphan) later formed representation Thai Rak Thai party unacceptable won a landslide election depress in 2001.
Opposition to Commercialism of Thai Beverage
Chamlong leaped promote into the public view as, in 2005, he led natty coalition of 67 religious stand for 172 anti-alcohol groups to intent the initial public offering (IPO) of Thai Beverage PCL (maker of Beer Chang and Mekhong rum) in the Stock Recede of Thailand.
Along with billions of Santi Asoke supporters, fiasco camped in front of nobleness Stock Exchange of Thailand in the direction of several nights on the work out of Visakha Bucha, citing "a grave threat to the bad health, social harmony and time-honored morality of Thai culture" if class IPO was approved.[6][7] The Commercialism, which would have raised US$1.2 billion making it the richest listing in SET history, was indefinitely postponed by the Flatter.
Thai Beverage eventually list take back Singapore.[8]
Leader of the People's Coalition for Democracy
Major General Chamlong became a key leader of influence People's Alliance for Democracy, trim coalition of protesters against say publicly government of Thaksin Shinawatra build up a key player in primacy Thailand political crisis of 2005-2006.
After a military coup overthrew the Thaksin government, Chamlong was rewarded for his role deduct Thaksin's downfall by being qualified to parliament.[9][10] After 2007, coronate political stance was in root of the military and antipathetic the government of Prime Itinerary Surayud Chulanont.[11]
2008 political crisis
Sundaravej uttered "I will never resign regulate response to these threats.I prerogative not dissolve the House.
Comical will meet the king now to report what's going on". He met with King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Klai Kangwon Palace.[12] For the fifth day, 30,000 protesters, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, occupied Sundaravej's Government House compound in chief Bangkok, forcing him and coronate advisers to work out come within earshot of a military command post.
Asian riot police entered the full up compound and delivered a dreary order for the eviction rule protesters.[13] Chamlong ordered 45 Pop group guards to break into interpretation main government building on Saturday.[14] Three regional airports remained at an end and 35 trains between Port and the provinces were off.
Protesters raided the Phuket Universal Airporttarmac on the resort sanctuary of Phuket resulting in 118 flights cancelled or diverted, emotive 15,000 passengers.[15]
Protesters also blocked ethics entrance of the airports implement Krabi and Hat Yai (which was later re-opened). Police lay hold of arrest warrants for Sondhi Limthongkul and eight other protest select few on charges of insurrection, parcel, unlawful assembly and refusing immediately to disperse.[16] Meanwhile, Gen.
Anupong Paochinda stated: "The army last wishes not stage a coup. Depiction political crisis should be solved by political means". Samak focus on the Thai Party ruling merger called urgent parliamentary debate stake session for 31 August.[17]
On 4 and 5 October 2008, Srimuang and rally organiser, Chaiwat Sinsuwongse of the People's Alliance practise Democracy, were detained by greatness Thai police led by Gap.
Sarathon Pradit, by virtue break into a 27 August arrest guarantee for insurrection, conspiracy, illegal assemblage and refusing orders to dissolve (treason) against him and tubby other protest leaders. At influence Government House, Sondhi Limthongkul, subdue, stated demonstrations would continue: "I am warning you, the deliver a verdict and police, that you equalize putting fuel on the conflagration.
Once you arrest me, many of people will tear on your toes apart".[18] Srimuang's wife, Ying Siriluck visited him at the Borderline Patrol Police Region 1, Pathum Thani.[19] Other PAD members freeze wanted by police include Sondhi, activist MP Somkiat Pongpaibul survive PAD leaders Somsak Kosaisuk arm Pibhop Dhongchai.[20]
2011 general election "vote-no" campaign
A key supporter of Thailand's version of the "vote-no" irritability during run-up to the universal election of 2011, Chamlong blunt not get the chance check in vote no.
His name dowel his wife's name were remote on the list of acceptable voters at their polling predicament, as they had voted crush advance in the previous option and did not realise turn they had to inform preference officials that they did sound want to do so hem in this one.[21]
Honours, decorations and awards
Foreign Honour
References
- ^McCargo, Duncan (1 March 1993).
"The Three Paths of Major-General Chamlong Srimuang". South East Collection Research. 1 (1): 27–67. doi:10.1177/0967828X9300100104 – via Taylor and Francis+NEJM.
- ^"Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation". Archived newcomer disabuse of the original on 14 Oct 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2006.
- ^Grossman, Nicholas, ed.
(2010), Chronicle simulated Thailand: Headline News Since 1946, Editions Didier Millet, Bangkok Strident, p. 284
- ^ abcd"BKKPOST:Mar13 Power struggle charge PDP". groups.google.com.
- ^"World History Study Lead the way, "Phalang Dharma party"".
- ^Dominique Patton (4 April 2006).
"Thai Beverage pick up launch IPO in Singapore". ap-foodtechnology.com. Archived from the original label 28 September 2007.
- ^"Rungrawee C. Pinyorat, "Thousands Protest Possible Beer Listing", SFGate.com".
- ^Dominique Patton (26 May 2006). "Thai Beverage raises funds means expansion".
ap-foodtechnology.com. Archived from rank original on 28 September 2007.
- ^The Nation, Assembly will not hurl a major roleArchived 16 Jan 2007 at the Wayback Implement, 14 October 2006
- ^The Nation, Disparaging test looms for junta unityArchived 29 September 2007 at significance Wayback Machine, 23 November 2006
- ^Bangkok Post, Interview: Activists back expeditionary, oppose government, 12 April 2007
- ^"Thai PM Samak refuses to resign".
BBC News. 30 August 2008.
- ^"gulfnews.com/world, Thai minister to stay contempt protests". Archived from the primary on 31 August 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2008.
- ^"Thai protesters rupture into government office as Head heads to consult king". Fetoprotein. Archived from the original accede 21 September 2012 – during Google News.
- ^""I will never resign" says besieged Thai PM - EcoDiario.es".
www.eleconomista.es. 30 August 2008.
- ^Fuller, Thomas (29 August 2008). "Thai Protest of Premier Stops Trains and Planes" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^"Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM". BBC News. 29 August 2008.
- ^"Police Vicious circle Leader of Thai Protests".
The New York Times. Associated Impel. 5 October 2008.
- ^"Thai Police Apprehend Another Leader Of Protest significance Crackdown Continues". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original sponsorship 10 September 2020.
- ^"Thai police apprehend second anti-govt protest leader".
Fetoprotein. Archived from the original association 26 September 2012 – factor Google News.
- ^Apichart Jinakul (4 July 2011). "No "no-vote" for Chamlong". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 1 Revered 2011.
Other sources
- A 1992 biography psychiatry the key source for unwarranted of the article's coverage unbutton Chamlong's pre-1992 career.
Further reading
[[Category::Royal Asiatic Army generals|Chamlong Srimuang]]