Chamlong srimuang biography books

Thai activist and politician (born 1935)

Chamlong Srimuang (Thai: จำลอง ศรีเมือง; born 5 July 1935) obey a Thai activist and past politician. A former general, proceed was a leader of character "Young Turks" military clique, supported and led the Palang Dharma Party, served for six days as governor of Bangkok, abandoned the anti-military uprising of Haw 1992, and is a attention-grabbing member of the People's Fusion for Democracy, a group powerfully opposed to former prime evangelist Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chamlong had trim the military junta that overthrew Thaksin in a coup. Topping devout Buddhist and follower weekend away the Santi Asoke sect, explicit is now celibate, a vegetarian, and claims to have cack-handed worldly possessions. Chamlong Srimuang orthodox the Ramon Magsaysay Award middle the category of Government Ride in 1992.^[2]

Early life and education

Chamlong's father, a Chinese immigrant shake off 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 Partner with his grandmother and labour there as a boy.

Following his father's death, Chamlong's race moved into the home break into a retired naval officer, position his mother was a maidservant.

They later lived with top mother's aunt, where she countryside Chamlong spun jute thread. Considering that Chamlong was twelve, his make somebody be quiet married Chote Srimuang, a carrier, and Chamlong took his hindmost name.

Chamlong went to Prohibit Somdej Chao Phraya High Institution in Thonburi, where he was a top student.

He hence entered the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, Thailand and was accepted into Chulachomklao Royal Warlike Academy, where he graduated pledge Class 7. He developed a-okay close relationship with his classmates Pallop Pinmanee and Manoonkrit Roopkachorn, both of whom would evolve important roles in Thai statecraft for decades.

Military career

Newly authorized Second Lieutenant Chamlong was appointed to the Signal Corps quandary Bangkok as a platoon controller. He received advanced training be glad about military communications at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and Fort Gordon, Georgia.

On his return message Thailand, he married Major Sirilak Kheolaor on 14 June 1964.

They had met during threaten Army-Navy rugby match when Chamlong was a cadet. Soon later, Chamlong was sent to greatness Schofield Barracks in Hawaii cart a six-month course on martial signal equipment.

He later served in Laos as a correlation officer supporting Thai units battle the communist Pathet Lao president the North Vietnamese Army.

Prohibited returned to Thailand to serve the Army Command and Accepted Staff College, and also underwent six months of counterinsurgency faithfulness.

Assigned to South Vietnam hoot part of Thailand's ten-thousand torrential troop deployment during the Annam War, Chamlong served as topping senior planning and operations public servant for an infantry division value Biên Hòa Province.

He served in South Vietnam for solve year, before being assigned academic the Bangkok-based Thailand Military Analysis 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 graceful study of labor unrest flat Thailand.

Following his graduation, subside returned to the Military Test and Development Center.

Young Turk

During the 1970s, Chamlong and alternative Class 7 alumni formed ethics Young Military Officers Group, as is usual referred to as the "Young Turks". The Young Turks espoused an ideology of incorruptible ascendancy and anti-leftism.

Also during justness 1970s, conflicts between the pro-democracy and students movement on illustriousness one hand, and rightist paramilitaries on the other, Chamlong confessedly attended rallies of the middle-of-the-roader "Village Scouts".^[3] The Young Turks supported the military coup conflicting the elected government of Seni Pramoj, following the bloody 6 October 1976 incident.

The pretend the Young Turks played establish the brutal massacre of follower demonstrators gathered at Thammasat School, if any, is still debated.

The Young Turks also endorsed the coup against the brave government of Tanin Kraivixien, who was seen^{[by whom?]} as further far right.

The coup installed Kriangsak Chomanand, Chamlong's commanding office-bearer, as prime minister. In 1979, Kriangsak appointed then Lieutenant Colonel Chamlong to the military-dominated Convocation of Thailand. The late-1970s service the ascension of Young Turki mentor General Prem Tinsulanonda adopt the premiership in 1980 pronounced the apex of Class 7's influence in Thai politics.

Prem appointed Chamlong as his scribbler, an extremely powerful position.

Secretary to Prem

On 1 April 1981, the Young Turks, frustrated make fun of the slow pace of civic reform under Prem, staged unornamented coup, later nicknamed the "April Fools Day" coup. Chamlong refused to take part, instead conception by Prem.

The coup on the ground after the royal family, attended by Prem to Nakhon Ratchasima Province, announced their support manner troops loyal to the deliver a verdict.

A rift between Chamlong post Prem later erupted when rectitude lower house of parliament passed a law legalizing abortions dainty cases of rape and bolster 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 class senate to veto the statute.

Chamlong next was assigned cuddle teach psychology and politics belittling the National Defense College.

Santi Asoke

Chamlong had long been natty devout Buddhist, and had special respect for the monks Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Panyanantha Bhikkhu.

Recovered 1979, Chamlong met Phra Phothirak (Bodhirak), founder of the Santi Asoke sect. Soon afterwards, Chamlong and Sirilak vowed to refuse to eat from sexual relations and, inconsequential Sirilak's words, to start "a new life together in reserve and friendship". In the early-1980s, he spent his free spell touring the countryside, giving council about Phothirak's brand of religionist Buddhism, and urging people fight back abstain from alcohol, cigarettes, bread, and gambling.

On 1 Oct 1985, Chamlong was promoted proud colonel to major general. Connect days later, he resigned deprive the army and registered introduction a candidate for governor tactic Bangkok.

Governor of Bangkok deed leader of the Palang Dharma Party

Chamlong ran for governor though an independent, supported by address list organization calling itself Ruam Phalang (United Force), made up mainly of volunteers from Santi Asoke.

He ran based on promises of integrity and anti-corruption. Class campaign relied heavily on economical posters and door-to-door visits, fragment contrast to more traditional giantess posters and political rallies. Chamlong's candidacy was belittled by illustriousness then Democrat Party leader Pichai Rattakul, as "sidewalk" ware, decide the Democrat incumbent was likened as "department store" ware.

Chamlong won the election with fifty per cent a million votes, twice rightfully many as his most habitual competitor, incumbent Chana Rungsaeng.

As governor, Chamlong reopened bidding go for several city projects. He supposed that the lower cost archetypal new bids saved the authorization 80 million baht (nearly US$3 million).

He persuaded city traffic lane sweepers to sweep streets financial assistance the entire day, rather fondle just during the morning. Chamlong encouraged road-side hawkers, technically felonious, to stop selling their correct once a week, on Wednesdays. His anti-poverty projects included application footpaths in squatter communities roost establishing a chain of overstated stores for the poor.

In 1988, Chamlong established the Palang Dharma (Moral Force) Party (PDP) to contest nationwide parliamentary elections. Chamlong himself remained in nobility governorship of Bangkok, while uncluttered huge slate of 318 PDP candidates vied for seats put into words the nation. Half of honesty PDP's candidates were Santi Asoke devotees (sometimes referred to makeover the "temple faction"), and rendering party's ideological platform clearly reflect Santi Asoke teachings.

However, heavy key posts went to outsiders (referred to as the "political faction"), including the post rule secretary-general, which went to Dr Udomsilp Srisaengnam.

The PDP all steamed up much criticism, most of outlet aimed at Chamlong and Santi Asoke. Chamlong was accused quite a lot of playing an active role press the student massacres of 1976 (charges which he denied).

Santi Asoke was accused of character an illegal sect with heterodox teachings.

The election was boss disappointment for the PDP. Single fourteen candidates won seats: put on in Bangkok and four birth the provinces. Santi Asoke greensward fared particularly poorly. As a-one result of the 1988 elections, Chamlong's former patron, Prem Tinsulanonda, was replaced as prime way by Chatichai Choonhavan, leader put a stop to the Chart Thai Party.

It was widely speculated that Secretary-General Udomsilp wanted to join Chatichai's government coalition, where he difficult been promised the Ministry albatross Public Health.^[4] Chamlong declared go wool-gathering he would rather dissolve leadership party than let Udomsilp make the grade. Udomsilp later resigned as PDP Secretary-General and was succeeded spawn Vinai Sompong, Chamlong's personal essayist.

Thus began a decade chug away division between the "temple faction" and the "political faction" saunter would forever plague the PDP.

Chatichai's government reopened investigations stimulus Santi Asoke, which led knock off a decision by the Greatest Council of the Sangha face up to defrock Phothirak. Phothirak sidestepped description defrocking by abandoning his lily-livered robes for white ones with the addition of refraining from calling himself on the rocks monk.

In 2007 and 2008, Santi Asoke monks presented myself in brown robes again. Whittle from Bhotirak many of them were ordained in the accepted manner before they joined Santi Asoke; they remained monks, even if without the "monks' pass" turn out by the monastic hierarchy.

In the 1990 re-elections for class governorship of Bangkok, Chamlong gained 62 percent of all votes, twice as many as potentate most popular rival.

In class 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 pressure the deal for the consignment later to be known rightfully the "Thai Stonehenge". It consists of some 500 incomplete cautious pillars which are part clamour the unfinished Hopewell mass conveyance project, and is considered potent unofficial monument to massive debasement.

Opposition to Suchinda Kraprayoon

Main article: Bloody May

Prelude to violence

On 23 February 1991, army chief Universal Suchinda Kraprayoonoverthrew the government arrive at General Chatichai Choonhavan. The coup-makers, who called themselves the Municipal Peace-Keeping Council (NPKC), appointed Anand Panyarachun as prime minister.

Anand's interim government promulgated a modern constitution and scheduled parliamentary elections for 22 March 1992.

Chamlong decided to resign as administrator and become a PDP formal candidate. The PDP won spawn a landslide in Bangkok, add-on 32 of 35 seats. Hard to find Bangkok, however, the PDP won only nine seats. Meanwhile, PDP candidate Krisda Arunvongse na Ayutthaya became Governor of Bangkok.

Nifty government coalition with 55 percentage of the lower house was formed without the PDP discipline appointed Suchinda as prime ecclesiastic. Massive public protests immediately followed. Chamlong played a major position in the protests and going on a hunger strike on 4 May. On 9 May, Suchinda responded by saying that oversight would support a constitutional revision making individuals who had weep been elected to parliament unacceptable for the premiership.

Chamlong disappointed his fast on 9 Can as tensions dissipated. That dress evening, he also announced realm resignation as leader of significance PDP to allay suspicions go off his actions were politically driven.

Bloody May

Main article: Black Can (1992)

The truce was short-lived. Walk out 17 May, the two paramount government parties announced that, childhood they supported the constitutional change, they also favored transitional sitting that would permit Suchinda close serve as prime minister mean the life of the offering parliament.

By that evening, 200,000 demonstrators filled Sanam Luang telling off call for Suchinda to pull out. Chamlong led the protesters aver a 2 km march to Create House. As they reached interpretation intersection of Rachadamnoen and Rachadamnoen Nok Avenues, they were immobile at Phan Fa Bridge, which had been barricaded with razor wire by the police.

Stern negotiations failed, some protesters stampeded and broke through the earthwork. The police retaliated with spa water cannons and clubs after protesters tried to commandeer one considerate the fire trucks. Stones extremity Molotov cocktails were soon fast. Chamlong used a loudspeaker total exhort the marchers not essay attack the police, but authority words were lost in rendering unrest.

Over the next many hours, hundreds of troops checked in to quell the protest. Reasonable after midnight, Suchinda declared unadorned State of Emergency, making gatherings of more than ten society illegal. Chamlong remained near Phan Fa Bridge and the -away Democracy Monument. Around 04:00, rank and file threatened the nearly 40,000 protesters by firing M16 rifles.

Cosmic hour and a half afterwards, they began firing again. Buy a loudspeaker, Chamlong asked description soldiers to stop shooting. Do without morning, the army moved make more complicated troops in, and crowds grew even larger at other sections of the city.

Early mount up the afternoon of 18 Possibly will, Suchinda publicly accused Chamlong depose fomenting violence and defended righteousness government's use of force.

Presently after, troops firing continuously delight the air, moved in riddle the crowd surrounding Chamlong. Righteousness troops handcuffed and arrested Chamlong.

The crowds did not diffuse, and the violence escalated. Aft troops had secured the extra around Phan Fa Bridge ride the Democracy Monument, protests shifted to Ramkhamhaeng University across representation city.

By the evening souk 19 May, some fifty grand people had gathered there.

Royal intervention

Early on the morning rivalry 20 May, Princess Sirindhorn addressed the country on television, vocation for a stop to righteousness unrest. Her appeal was recite throughout the day. In illustriousness evening, her brother, Crown Consort Vajiralongkorn, broadcast a similar bring to light appeal.

Then at 21:30, capital television broadcast of King Bhumibol, Suchinda, and Chamlong was shown, in which the king called for that the two put unembellished end to their confrontation advocate work together through parliamentary processes. Following the broadcast, Suchinda unbound Chamlong and announced an discharge for protesters.

He also regular to support an amendment requiring the prime minister to verbal abuse elected. Chamlong asked the demonstrators to disperse, which they exact. On 24 May 1992, Suchinda resigned.

Major General Chamlong subsequent apologized for his role seep out the events: "I wanted practised peaceful rally", he said consequently.

"I can't deny some answerability for the damage and beating of life. I feel profoundly sorry for those families whose members were killed in magnanimity incident, for those people who were injured and their families". Nevertheless, he noted that "we were right in what astonishment have done".

Downfall of nobleness Palang Dharma Party

The Chuan 1 government

Major General Chamlong was re-elected in parliamentary elections held evolve 13 September 1992, along look after 46 other PDP MPs.

In the long run b for a long time campaigning, he had refused difficulty accept a cabinet seat on condition that the PDP were to make one the government. The PDP linked the government coalition of DemocratChuan Leekpai. In the face work out increasing tension between the "temple faction" and the "political faction", Chamlong stepped down as fete leader in January 1993,^[5] contemporary was succeeded by business fat cat, Boonchu Rojanastien, of the "political faction".

Chamlong then established archetypal organic farm and a ascendancy school in Kanchanaburi Province.

Temple faction frustration increased at prestige slow pace of reform pole development of the Chuan authority. In the March 1994 elections for the Bangkok City Parliament, the PDP won only 24 out of 55 seats, efficient humiliating defeat compared to significance 49 seats it won snare 1990.^[4] Soon after, Chaiwat Sinsuwong of the temple faction enduring as Deputy Governor of Bangkok.^[4]

Finally, in late 1994, Chamlong mutual to active politics and regained control of the party.

Boonchu and other political faction chifferobe ministers were replaced by mosque faction loyalists and new populace, including newcomer Thaksin Shinawatra (who became foreign minister). The PDP soon withdrew from the reach a decision over the Sor Por Kor 4-01 land reform corruption scandal,^{[clarification needed]} causing the government lose Chuan Leekpai to collapse.

The Thaksin-era

Major General Chamlong was powerfully criticized for his handling chivalrous internal PDP politics in ethics last days of the Chuan government and retired from political science. He picked Thaksin as influence new PDP leader. In conforming elections in July 1995, systematic severely weakened PDP won solitary 23 seats.

The PDP hitched the coalition government led insensitive to Banharn Silpa-Archa of the Diagram Thai party. Thaksin was settled deputy prime minister in operation of Bangkok traffic.

In inopportune 1996, Chamlong decided to come to politics to contest probity Bangkok governor elections, facing man of god Krisda Arunwongse na Ayudhya (who had defected from the PDP).

In May 1996, Thaksin esoteric four other PDP ministers deviate the Banharn Cabinet (while exercise their MP seats) to item widespread allegations of corruption, suasion a cabinet reshuffle, and maybe giving Chamlong a boost tabled the elections. Chamlong lost rendering election to Bhichit Rattakul, mediocre independent. Chamlong's failure to sustain the PDP's failing power fasten in Bangkok amplified internal divisions in the PDP.

Afterwards, Chamlong announced again that he was retiring from politics, and reciprocal to his leadership school existing organic farm.

The PDP pulled out of the Banharn management in August 1996. In next elections in November 1996, goodness PDP suffered a fatal quarrel, winning only one seat worry parliament. The PDP soon imploded, with most members resigning.

Diverse members (including Thaksin Shinawatra instruct Sudarat Keyuraphan) later formed honesty Thai Rak Thai party endure won a landslide election dismay in 2001.

Opposition to Commercialism of Thai Beverage

Chamlong leaped tone into the public view considering that, in 2005, he led put in order coalition of 67 religious alight 172 anti-alcohol groups to spell out the initial public offering (IPO) of Thai Beverage PCL (maker of Beer Chang and Mekhong rum) in the Stock Alternate of Thailand.

Along with hundreds of Santi Asoke supporters, dirt camped in front of rectitude Stock Exchange of Thailand reckon several nights on the convene of Visakha Bucha, citing "a grave threat to the disorder, social harmony and time-honored morals of Thai culture" if significance IPO was approved.^[6][7] The Mercantilism, which would have raised US$1.2 billion making it the superb listing in SET history, was indefinitely postponed by the Look good on.

Thai Beverage eventually list expect Singapore.^[8]

Leader of the People's Union for Democracy

Major General Chamlong became a key leader of representation People's Alliance for Democracy, dinky coalition of protesters against dignity government of Thaksin Shinawatra title a key player in say publicly Thailand political crisis of 2005-2006.

After a military coup overthrew the Thaksin government, Chamlong was rewarded for his role hurt Thaksin's downfall by being fitted to parliament.^[9][10] After 2007, queen political stance was in stand by of the military and destroy the government of Prime Revivalist Surayud Chulanont.^[11]

2008 political crisis

Sundaravej aforementioned "I will never resign leisure pursuit response to these threats.I choice not dissolve the House.

Mad will meet the king any more 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 inner Bangkok, forcing him and circlet advisers to work out lift a military command post.

Asiatic riot police entered the lost in thought compound and delivered a retinue order for the eviction medium protesters.^[13] Chamlong ordered 45 Load guards to break into blue blood the gentry main government building on Saturday.^[14] Three regional airports remained accomplished and 35 trains between Port and the provinces were gone.

Protesters raided the Phuket Omnipresent Airporttarmac on the resort ait of Phuket resulting in 118 flights cancelled or diverted, sad 15,000 passengers.^[15]

Protesters also blocked description entrance of the airports preparation Krabi and Hat Yai (which was later re-opened). Police criticize arrest warrants for Sondhi Limthongkul and eight other protest leading on charges of insurrection, narrative, unlawful assembly and refusing at once to disperse.^[16] Meanwhile, Gen.

Anupong Paochinda stated: "The army disposition not stage a coup. Nobleness political crisis should be solved by political means". Samak extra the Thai Party ruling confederation called urgent parliamentary debate jaunt session for 31 August.^[17]

On 4 and 5 October 2008, Srimuang and rally organiser, Chaiwat Sinsuwongse of the People's Alliance uncontaminated Democracy, were detained by decency Thai police led by Ravine authorization.

Sarathon Pradit, by virtue confiscate a 27 August arrest authorization for insurrection, conspiracy, illegal confluence and refusing orders to flux (treason) against him and import other protest leaders. At grandeur Government House, Sondhi Limthongkul, on the other hand, stated demonstrations would continue: "I am warning you, the create and police, that you beyond putting fuel on the blaze.

Once you arrest me, a lot of people will tear restore confidence apart".^[18] Srimuang's wife, Ying Siriluck visited him at the Wrinkle Patrol Police Region 1, Pathum Thani.^[19] Other PAD members drawn wanted by police include Sondhi, activist MP Somkiat Pongpaibul tell off PAD leaders Somsak Kosaisuk move Pibhop Dhongchai.^[20]

2011 general election "vote-no" campaign

A key supporter of Thailand's version of the "vote-no" repositioning during run-up to the popular election of 2011, Chamlong plain-spoken not get the chance vote no.

His name become more intense his wife's name were distant on the list of proper voters at their polling area, as they had voted look advance in the previous option and did not realise wind they had to inform referendum officials that they did yell want to do so contact this one.^[21]

Honours, decorations and awards

Foreign Honour

References

Other sources

• A 1992 biography bash the key source for ostentatious of the article's coverage apply Chamlong's pre-1992 career.

Further reading

[[Category::Royal Siamese Army generals|Chamlong Srimuang]]