Phot Phahonyothin

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General Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena พันเอกพระยาพหลพลพยุหเสนา

2nd Prime Minister of Thailand
In office June 21, 1933 – September 11, 1938
Preceded by	Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
Succeeded by	Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram

Born	March 29, 1887 Bangkok, Thailand
Died	February 14, 1947 Bangkok, Thailand
Spouse	Bunlong Phahonpholphayuhasena
Religion	Buddhism

General Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena (Thai พระยาพหลพลพยุหเสนา born March 29, 1887) was a Thai military leader and politician. Born in Phra Nakhorn province (present-day Bangkok), and as a child attended school in Germany and Denmark, and married Bunlong Phahonpholphayuhasena (Thai คุณหญิงบุญหลง พหลพลพยุหเสนา). Phraya Phahon was an important member of the group of conspirators known as the Promoters who carried out the revolution of 1932. He was the second Prime Minister of Thailand, serving five consecutive terms from June 21, 1933 until September 11, 1938. His name prior to receiving his ceremonial Thai name was Phot Phahonyothin (Thai พจน์ พหลโยธิน).

After the revolution of 1932, three factions had formed among the group of Thai politicians and military leaders, known as the Promoters, who had supported the coup. These were: first, the senior military faction led by Phraya Phahon; second, the junior army and navy faction led by Luang Phibunsongkhram; and third, the civilian faction led by Pridi Phanomyong. Believing that others of the senior military faction were planning to move against the junior military faction, Luang Phibunsongkhram won the allegiance of Phraya Phahon, and carried out a bloodless coup on June 20, 1933. The following day, Phraya Phahon was installed as Prime Minister.

The next five years were a struggle to maintain power. The cabinet was extremely divided politically, and the government was maintained but for the personality of Phraya Phahon. Luang Phibunsongkhram became Minister of Defense under the new government, and he began to acquire greater power and influence in preparation for his eventual ascension to the premiership.

The beginning of the end for Phraya Phahon’s time as Prime Minister began in 1937 when a scandal erupted, involving sale of crown real estate to high-ranking officials for below-market prices. After a near collapse that year, the first direct elections for the National Assembly took place in November 1937, and those of Phahon’s cabinet found themselves an ideological and political minority. After budget issues the next year, the cabinet was forced to resign in September 1938, and elections were held in December, installing Luang Phibunsongkhram as the next Prime Minister of Thailand.

After his difficult years as Prime Minister, General Phraya Phahon retired from public life.

[edit] Periods of service as Prime Minister

First term: June 21, 1933 – December 16, 1933
Second term: December 16, 1933 – September 22, 1934
Third term: September 22, 1934 – July 28, 1937
Fourth term: August 9, 1937 – December 21, 1937
Fifth term: December 21, 1937 – September 11, 1938

[edit] Trivia

The Phahonyothin highway, which runs from Bangkok to the border of Myanmar in the north, is named after him.

[edit] References

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