Prominent Thai Political Thinkers: A Study of Political Ideas 9747469804

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Prominent Thai Political Thinkers by Thanapol Chadchaidee M.A., Ph.D.

Published by

Thanapol Vittayakarn Co., Ltd. Tel.

0-2373-5135, 0-2372-0076

Prominent Thai Political Thinkers © 2002 by Thanapol Chadchaidee

ISBN

974-7469-80-4

First published in 2002

Distributed by DK Today Co., Ltd. 90/20-25 Rajaprarob Rd., Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand Tel. 0-2245-5586, 0-2247-1030 Fax. 0-2247-1033, 0-2642-4242 e-mail: [email protected] All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the author. Printed at Thai Chareon Press 64-70 Soi Ladprow 1 0 7 , Ladprow Rd., Klongchan, Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240 Tel/Fax:

731-0154-8

Publisher: Mr Smith Prapatsaratit

Price: 300 Baht

I

Foreward This work of Dr Thanapol

Chadchaidee is a revised version of his

Ph.D. Thesis entitled “Thai Political Thinkers from 1932-1998” Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth

submitted to

(Nehru Institute of Social Sciences),

Pune,

India. The year 1932 is very important in the history of Thailand. It opened the gates for the democratic political process. The royal courtiers and then existing elite were replaced by a new structure consisting of civil service and military officers. They had a new zeal and set of ideas about the development of Thailand. Dr Thanapol Chadchaidee has selected to study the process of political change since 1932. He has made the case studies of: 1) the late Dr Pridi Banomyong (1900-1983), 1995), 3) Dr Chai-Anan

2) the late Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj (1911Samudavanija (1944- ) and 4) former Prime Minister

Chuan Leekpai (1938- ). These are the key figures in this period. They have made decisive impact on the Thai political system in order to make it more democratic.

Dr Thanapol has explained their role in changing the nature of

the Thai political process. Dr Thanapol’s

work is unique and original

and

perhaps the first of its kind in the academic field of Thailand. Dr Thanapol has tried his best to give justice to these four key politicians and made an important contribution in this field. I hope that this book will be useful to students and academicians

in Thailand as well as abroad. It seems

that Dr Thanapol has become a very useful bridge between India and Thailand.

Prof Dr S.R. Kakade Department of Political Science Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune 13-2-2002

II

Preface The book which you are holding is originally titled “Thai Political Thinkers from 1932-1998”. It is an adapted version of my Ph.D. thesis, submitted to the Nehru Institute of Social Sciences (India) in 2002. The book is aimed at bringing a new dimension of study on the political development in Thailand as a whole. I was aware that it was not easy to do research on a topic which was not familiar to Thai people, but I found it interesting and intriguing. The study was conducted under the guidance of Prof Dr S-R. Kakade, who was kind enough to devote his attention to my work even at odd hours as many times I rang him from Thailand at night just to consult him about a matter in doubt. Without his kindness and warm support, my research work would have never been completed. I owe him much more than I can render in words. I am greatly indebted to him for writing a Foreword for this book. At the same time, I am greatly indebted to Dr R. B. Kolhe, Officiating Director of Nehru Institute of Social Sciences, who kindly accepted me as a research student of this prestigious institution and who helped recommend such a well-respected

scholar as Prof Dr S.R. Kakade to be my teacher.

I would like to acknowledge my special thanks and appreciation to former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai for his kindness in permitting me to interview him at Government House though he had a tight schedule, and to Prof Dr Chai-Anan Smudavanija as well as Mr Sala Likitkul for their full cooperation and kindness in allowing me to interview them. Above all, they even gave me a lot of supporting materials for my research work. My personal discussion and interviews with these three distinguished

personalities

were of tremendous

help as some points had never been raised for discussion before. I would like to give my sincere thanks to Dr Chamnong Wongkhong who acted as my coordinator while I was away from India as most of the time of undertaking this research I had to stay in Thailand due to my teaching commitment at Assumption University in Bangkok.

Ill My special thanks are also due to my parents, my wife and my children who always gave me moral support and affectionate encouragement during my research studies. Without their encouragement

and patience, my

work would remain incomplete. I sincerely acknowledge the courtesy of the authorities of Libraries such as Library of Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Library of Assumption University, Library of Mahachula Buddhist University and the DK Books centre for their permission to consult the literature. I remember with particular gratitude my junior friends: Dr Detchat Treesap, Dr Wites Muakdhaisong,

Dr Thongpae Chaitontuang and Dr Surat Karaket.

Indeed, I am thankful to them all for their constant assistance. Finally, my special thanks go to Mr Roger Aslin who kindly helped check the English context and to my teaching colleagues at Assumption University for their help in searching for the materials essential for this research work.

Thanapol Chadchaidee

April 2002 Bangkok THAILAND

IV

Dedicated to my parents and teachers whose inspiration has nurtured my life and knowledge

V Contents Foreword

..........................................................................

I

........................................................................

II

.....................................................................................

IX

Preface Abbreviations List of Tables

X

List of Photographs

XI

Map of Thailand ................................................................................... CHAPTER I; Introduction

XII 1

CHAPTER II: Dr Pridi Banomyong -

Introduction

-

A Brief Biography of Dr Pridi Banomyong

7

-

The Beginning of his Political Life

8

-

Pridi’s contributions to the country

9

-

Pridi in exile

11

-

Condusive Factors for Revolutionary Aspiration

13

-

Pridi as the ideological leader of the revolutionary group

16

-

Sun Yat-sen’s influence on Pridi

19

-

Pridi’s National Economic Plan

22

-

Some Observations and Criticism on Pridi’s Economic Plan

32

-

Pridi and his Asian contemporaries

39

-

Causes of the Revolution of 1932 as conceived by various writers

..........

7

.................................................................................

-

Pridi’s Political Ideas

-

Most Thais are unaware of Pridi’s Work

-

Latest Development on Pridi..

39 41

....................

43 44

VI -

-

Pridi’s books become an important part of history of the Thai Kingdom......................................

45

Last Interview of Dr Pridi ......................................

47

CHAPTER III: M.R. Kukrit Pramoj -

Introduction......................

52

-

A Brief Biography of M.R. Kukrit Pramoj..... ....... .......................

53

-

The Beginning of his career. .................................

54

-

M.R. Kukrit’s Political Career. ......................

56

-

M.R. Kukrit as the Grand guru of Politics ...............

...............

62

-

M.R. Kukrit as the Pillar of the Thai Democracy .......................

65

-

Kukrit as a Visionary Leader.................

72

-

Some Observations and Criticism on Kukrit’s Ideas..................

78

-

Kukrit’s literary Contribution ..................

81

-

Thai Politics in Kukrit’s View........................

83

-

Latest Developments on M.R. Kukrit Pramoj ............

....... ......

89

CHAPTER IV: Prof Dr Chi-Anan Samudavanija -

Introduction..... ................ ................................

-

A Brief Biography of Dr Chai-Anan Samudavanija................... 101

-

His early career. ...........................................

-

Dr Chai-Anan’s Contributions and Achievements. ...................... 103

-

Chai-Anan’s

-

Mode of Relations between State and Society ...................

-

Type of Relationship ....................................................................... i l l

-

Area of Relations.................................................

117

-

Three-Dimensional State...................................................

117

Theory of Three-Dimensional

100

102

State...................

107 110

VII - Three-Dimensional State in Western Society...: ..................... - Theoretical Conclusion.... ............ ......................

119 «... 120

- Dual Political Situations......... ............................................................ 122 - Three-Dimensional State Analytical Framework ............................ 123 - Definition of Three-Dimensional. State............................................ 123 - Salient Features of State and Thai Society ...................................... 124 - Three-Dimensional Thai State.....................

125

- The Summary of Thai Political Condition in a Democratic Period.... 137 - Conclusion of Chai-Anan’s

Political Theory .........................

139

- Chai-Anan as Prophet of Politics ..................................................

140

- Some Observations on Prof Chai-Anan’s Political Concept........

143

- Prof Chai-Anan’s

Theory of the Vicious Cycle of Thai

politics ................................................................................................. 145 - Conclusion.......................................................................................... 148 CHAPTER V: Mr Chuan Leekpai - Introduction......................................

151

- A Brief Biography of Mr Chuan Leekpai....... ......................

154

- Chuan’s Political Life and the Democrat Party............... .............

155

- Chuan’s Political Ideas. ......................

157

- Chuan’s Contribution for the Public................................................

168

- Chuan is a Prime Minister out of the mainstream... ......................

176

- Chuan rises to Prime Minister and the Downfall of his first Government ................................................................................

182

- Thailand’s Economic Crash of 1997................................................

185

- The Collapse of Chavalit’s Government.........................................

187

vin - Chuan’s Second Term as Prime Minister. ......................................

188

- Economic and Social Development Policy ...................

188

- Chuan’s Economic Measures with the IMF’s Blessing. ................

192

- The year 1999 is a period of hope and a stimulating time for the Thai economy................

198

- The year 2000 is a period of stability that provides a recoveiy platform ....... ..............................................

201

- How far has the Chuan II administration succeeded in tackling the economic crisis? .........................................................

203

~ Prime Minister Chuan is second in global Cabinet dream team......

206

- Books that bring troubles to the writers.................

207

- Conclusion.............................

209

CHAPTER VI: Conclusion ....................................................................

212

References.......................

219

Appendix......................................

232

Bibliography.

249

IX ABBREVIATIONS AFTA

=

Asean Free Trade Area

CPP

=

Chart Pattana Party

CPT

=

Communist Party of Thailand

DTEC

=

Department of Technical and Economic Cooperation

IMF

=

International Monetary Fund

ISOC

=

Internal Security Operations Command

M.R.

=

Mom Rachawongse (a royal title)

NICS

=

Newly Industrialized Countries

NIDA

=

National Institute of Development Administration

NPKC

=

National Peace Keeping Council

NAP

=

New Aspiration Party

NPLs

=

Non-Performing

SAP

=

Social Action Party

UNESCO =

Loans

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation

USAID

=

United States Agency for International Development

USIS

=

United States Information Service

TURA

=

Thai University Research Association

X List of Tables Table No. 1.

Number of Prime Ministers classified according to their education

2. Number of Prime Ministers classified according to their studies

Page 179 180

3. Number of Prime Ministers classified according to their age on appointment

180

4. Number of Cabinets and duration of their administration classified according to the political status of the Prime Ministers

181

5. Number of Cabinets and Prime Ministers classified according to their background

181

6. Key 1998 economic targets

197

7. Economic outlook

197

8. 1998 external balance

198

9. Capacity utilisation

202

XI List of Photographs

Number of Photographs No.l ; Dr Pridi Banomyong

Page 6

No.2 : M.R. Kukrit Pramoj

50

No.3 : Interviewing Mr Sala Likitkul

51

No.4 : Prof Dr Chai-Anan Samudavanija

98

No. 5 : Interviewing Prof Dr Chai-Anan Samudavanija

99

No.e : Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai

149

No. 7 : Interviewing Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai

150

XII

Thailand

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