The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. LXIV, Part 1-2, 1976 - Khamkoo

6 Nicholas Tarling
Pradit's economic programme, and April a royal decree dissolving the
Assembly and State Council. A new State Council excluded the
'extremists', and an anti-Communist law was issued. 20 The 'moderates'
were backed by Col. Phya Song Suradej, a Promoter previously thought
a Communist, and by Colonel Luang Pibul Songgram, 'who has become
the most important military personality'. Dormer was pleased. 'If the
moderates who are now in power can consolidate their position, as they
should be able to do, there is more hope in the future for Siam than
there has been at any time since the revolution of last June ...'2 1 But
late in June he bad to report a new coup, led by Col. Phya Phahol
Pholpayuha Sena and Luang Pibul Songgram, designed to restore the
Assembly and recall Luang Pradit. 22
The references to foreign intervention reappeared. The Siamese
Minister called at the Foreign Office, and assured Sir Victor Wellesley,
the Deputy Under-Secretary, that the new coup was not a revolution.
'The fear of British or French intervention may help to keep developments
within bounds', minuted G. Harrison,23 The new adminstration
insisted it had no 'communistic' tendencies. Dormer referred to an
'unfounded' rumour that be had protested against Luang Pradit's return.
'The Government is evidently very afraid of British and French intervention.
I am hopeful they will prove moderate.•24 A letter from
H. Christiansen, manager in Bangkok of the East Asiatic Company, a
Danish firm that had been very influential, referred to the same question.
'The greatest fear possessed by all is the danger of foreign intervention,
and even the extremists are expected to diminish their aspirations if it
should appear that such an event is possible.' According to Christiansen,
the British Minister bad said that the situation was 'of quite an internal
nature', but that if it led to 'disturbances in which foreign property
b~comes endangered, someone would have to intervene' .2s
20) Thawatt, pp. 139 ff.
21) Dormer to Simon, 4 April 1933, No. 60, P.O. 37111717 5 (P3113/42/40).
22) Telegram, 20 June 1933, No. 13, F.O. 371/17175 (F4097/42/40).
23) Minute, 24 June 19 33, P.O. 371/1717 5 (F4170/ 42/40).
24) Telegram, 23 June 1933, No. 16, F.O. 371/17175 (F4194/42/40).
25) EnclosureinGurneytoOliphant, 15July 1933, P.O. 371/171.75 (F4780/42/
40).