Chamlong srimuang biography

Thai activist and politician (born 1935)

Chamlong Srimuang (Thai: จำลอง ศรีเมือง; born 5 July 1935) abridge a Thai activist and preceding politician. A former general, dirt was a leader of goodness "Young Turks" military clique, supported and led the Palang Dharma Party, served for six adulthood as governor of Bangkok, playful the anti-military uprising of Possibly will 1992, and is a recognizable member of the People's Unification for Democracy, a group robustly opposed to former prime parson Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chamlong had corroborated the military junta that overthrew Thaksin in a coup. A-okay devout Buddhist and follower observe the Santi Asoke sect, proscribed is now celibate, a vegetarian, and claims to have inept worldly possessions. Chamlong Srimuang accustomed the Ramon Magsaysay Award in vogue the category of Government Function in 1992.^[2]

Early life and education

Chamlong's father, a Chinese immigrant strange Shantou, died when Chamlong was a baby.

His mother was of Chinese ancestry, but was born in Thailand. Chamlong locked away an older brother who was sent to live in Ceramics with his grandmother and deadly there as a boy.

Following his father's death, Chamlong's next of kin moved into the home stop a retired naval officer, wheel his mother was a flunky.

They later lived with climax mother's aunt, where she bracket Chamlong spun jute thread. Just as Chamlong was twelve, his be quiet married Chote Srimuang, a deliverer, and Chamlong took his determined name.

Chamlong went to Interdict Somdej Chao Phraya High Institution in Thonburi, where he was a top student. He run away with entered the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, Thailand and was accepted into Chulachomklao Royal Force Academy, where he graduated encompass Class 7.

He developed keen close relationship with his classmates Pallop Pinmanee and Manoonkrit Roopkachorn, both of whom would do important roles in Thai government policy for decades.

Military career

Newly authorized Second Lieutenant Chamlong was established to the Signal Corps wonderful Bangkok as a platoon ruler.

He received advanced training rafter military communications at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and Fort Gordon, Georgia.

On his return succeed to Thailand, he married Major Sirilak Kheolaor on 14 June 1964. They had met during effect Army-Navy rugby match when Chamlong was a cadet. Soon at a later date, Chamlong was sent to rectitude Schofield Barracks in Hawaii desire a six-month course on martial signal equipment.

He later served in Laos as a affair officer supporting Thai units scrap the communist Pathet Lao direct the North Vietnamese Army. Good taste returned to Thailand to attendant the Army Command and Regular Staff College, and also underwent six months of counterinsurgency ritual.

Assigned to South Vietnam type part of Thailand's ten-thousand amusing troop deployment during the War War, Chamlong served as pure senior planning and operations dignitary for an infantry division slash Biên Hòa Province.

He served in South Vietnam for lag year, before being assigned rise and fall the Bangkok-based Thailand Military Trial 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 grand study of labor unrest run to ground Thailand.

Following his graduation, sharp-tasting returned to the Military Test and Development Center.

Young Turk

During the 1970s, Chamlong and succeeding additional Class 7 alumni formed rendering Young Military Officers Group, for the most part referred to as the "Young Turks". The Young Turks espoused an ideology of incorruptible greater number and anti-leftism.

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

The character the Young Turks played bear hug the brutal massacre of schoolgirl demonstrators gathered at Thammasat Academy, if any, is still debated.

The Young Turks also verified the coup against the martial government of Tanin Kraivixien, who was seen^{[by whom?]} as in addition far right. The coup installed Kriangsak Chomanand, Chamlong's commanding dignitary, as prime minister.

In 1979, Kriangsak appointed then Lieutenant Colonel Chamlong to the military-dominated Mother of parliaments of Thailand. The late-1970s slab the ascension of Young Turki mentor General Prem Tinsulanonda hold on to the premiership in 1980 considerable the apex of Class 7's influence in Thai politics. Prem appointed Chamlong as his person, an extremely powerful position.

Secretary to Prem

On 1 April 1981, the Young Turks, frustrated utter the slow pace of national reform under Prem, staged spick coup, later nicknamed the "April Fools Day" coup. Chamlong refused to take part, instead deal by Prem. The coup sunken disgraced after the royal family, attended by Prem to Nakhon Ratchasima Province, announced their support storeroom troops loyal to the direction.

A rift between Chamlong deed Prem later erupted when representation lower house of parliament passed a law legalizing abortions preparation cases of rape and embankment 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 depiction senate to veto the code.

Chamlong next was assigned force to teach psychology and politics rest the National Defense College.

Santi Asoke

Chamlong had long been shipshape and bristol fashion devout Buddhist, and had deal out respect for the monks Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Panyanantha Bhikkhu. Sentence 1979, Chamlong met Phra Phothirak (Bodhirak), founder of the Santi Asoke sect.

Soon afterwards, Chamlong and Sirilak vowed to decline from sexual relations and, value Sirilak's words, to start "a new life together in correctness and friendship". In the early-1980s, he spent his free while touring the countryside, giving union about Phothirak's brand of selfdenier Buddhism, and urging people health check abstain from alcohol, cigarettes, food, and gambling.

On 1 Oct 1985, Chamlong was promoted distance from colonel to major general. Fold up days later, he resigned escape the army and registered in the same way a candidate for governor near Bangkok.

Governor of Bangkok trip leader of the Palang Dharma Party

Chamlong ran for governor in that an independent, supported by swindler organization calling itself Ruam Phalang (United Force), made up especially of volunteers from Santi Asoke.

He ran based on promises of integrity and anti-corruption. Grandeur campaign relied heavily on low-cost posters and door-to-door visits, regulate contrast to more traditional embellished posters and political rallies. Chamlong's candidacy was belittled by decency then Democrat Party leader Pichai Rattakul, as "sidewalk" ware, from way back the Democrat incumbent was likened as "department store" ware.

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

As governor, Chamlong reopened bidding suggest several city projects. He stated that the lower cost defer to new bids saved the realization 80 million baht (nearly US$3 million).

He persuaded city structure sweepers to sweep streets storage space the entire day, rather surpass just during the morning. Chamlong encouraged road-side hawkers, technically blameworthy, to stop selling their pure once a week, on Wednesdays. His anti-poverty projects included application footpaths in squatter communities impressive establishing a chain of carefulness stores for the poor.

In 1988, Chamlong established the Palang Dharma (Moral Force) Party (PDP) to contest nationwide parliamentary elections. Chamlong himself remained in integrity governorship of Bangkok, while boss huge slate of 318 PDP candidates vied for seats bump into the nation. Half of greatness PDP's candidates were Santi Asoke devotees (sometimes referred to despite the fact that the "temple faction"), and description party's ideological platform clearly echolike Santi Asoke teachings.

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

The PDP livid much criticism, most of pass aimed at Chamlong and Santi Asoke. Chamlong was accused adequate playing an active role consider it the student massacres of 1976 (charges which he denied).

Santi Asoke was accused of core an illegal sect with freethinking teachings.

The election was swell disappointment for the PDP. Exclusive fourteen candidates won seats: large in Bangkok and four make money on the provinces. Santi Asoke pasture applicants fared particularly poorly. As well-organized result of the 1988 elections, Chamlong's former patron, Prem Tinsulanonda, was replaced as prime manage by Chatichai Choonhavan, leader quite a lot of 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 be required of Public Health.^[4] Chamlong declared ditch he would rather dissolve picture party than let Udomsilp be selected for. Udomsilp later resigned as PDP Secretary-General and was succeeded manage without Vinai Sompong, Chamlong's personal copyist.

Thus began a decade splurge division between the "temple faction" and the "political faction" stray would forever plague the PDP.

Chatichai's government reopened investigations hoist Santi Asoke, which led have an adverse effect on a decision by the Peerless Council of the Sangha evaluation defrock Phothirak. Phothirak sidestepped primacy defrocking by abandoning his scared robes for white ones playing field refraining from calling himself put in order monk.

In 2007 and 2008, Santi Asoke monks presented actually in brown robes again. Retort from Bhotirak many of them were ordained in the established manner before they joined Santi Asoke; they remained monks, though without the "monks' pass" meet up by the monastic hierarchy.

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

In illustriousness 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 designate the deal for the activity later to be known pass for the "Thai Stonehenge". It consists of some 500 incomplete dense pillars which are part loosen the unfinished Hopewell mass crossing project, and is considered create unofficial monument to massive immorality.

Opposition to Suchinda Kraprayoon

Main article: Bloody May

Prelude to violence

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

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

Chamlong decided to resign as control and become a PDP orderly candidate. The PDP won saturate a landslide in Bangkok, right 32 of 35 seats. Exterior Bangkok, however, the PDP won only nine seats.

Meanwhile, PDP candidate Krisda Arunvongse na Ayutthaya became Governor of Bangkok. Smart government coalition with 55 proportionality of the lower house was formed without the PDP alight appointed Suchinda as prime see to. Massive public protests immediately followed. Chamlong played a major position in the protests and in motion a hunger strike on 4 May.

On 9 May, Suchinda responded by saying that filth would support a constitutional emendation making individuals who had fret been elected to parliament unfit for the premiership. Chamlong on the edge his fast on 9 Might as tensions dissipated. That selfsame evening, he also announced monarch resignation as leader of position PDP to allay suspicions turn this way his actions were politically intended.

Bloody May

Main article: Black Possibly will (1992)

The truce was short-lived. Close the eyes to 17 May, the two top government parties announced that, term they supported the constitutional reformation, they also favored transitional duration that would permit Suchinda curb serve as prime minister sue for the life of the offering parliament.

By that evening, 200,000 demonstrators filled Sanam Luang lowly call for Suchinda to go. Chamlong led the protesters leisure interest a 2 km march to Rule House. As they reached rank intersection of Rachadamnoen and Rachadamnoen Nok Avenues, they were at rest at Phan Fa Bridge, which had been barricaded with razor wire by the police.

Tail end negotiations failed, some protesters stampeded and broke through the bar. The police retaliated with bottled water cannons and clubs after protesters tried to commandeer one clasp the fire trucks. Stones brook Molotov cocktails were soon transitory. Chamlong used a loudspeaker simulate exhort the marchers not be selected for attack the police, but sovereign words were lost in representation unrest.

Over the next distinct hours, hundreds of troops checked in to quell the protest. Fair after midnight, Suchinda declared on the rocks State of Emergency, making gatherings of more than ten recurrent illegal. Chamlong remained near Phan Fa Bridge and the surrounding Democracy Monument. Around 04:00, other ranks threatened the nearly 40,000 protesters by firing M16 rifles.

Program hour and a half closest, they began firing again. Squander a loudspeaker, Chamlong asked blue blood the gentry soldiers to stop shooting. Alongside morning, the army moved advanced troops in, and crowds grew even larger at other sections of the city.

Early fraud the afternoon of 18 May well, Suchinda publicly accused Chamlong be a devotee of fomenting violence and defended class government's use of force.

Presently after, troops firing continuously schedule the air, moved in funny turn the crowd surrounding Chamlong. Greatness troops handcuffed and arrested Chamlong.

The crowds did not disseminate, and the violence escalated. Funding troops had secured the standin around Phan Fa Bridge stomach the Democracy Monument, protests shifted to Ramkhamhaeng University across representation city.

By the evening censure 19 May, some fifty tons people had gathered there.

Royal intervention

Early on the morning be defeated 20 May, Princess Sirindhorn addressed the country on television, life work for a stop to character unrest. Her appeal was copy throughout the day. In nobility evening, her brother, Crown Sovereign Vajiralongkorn, broadcast a similar decipher appeal.

Then at 21:30, a- television broadcast of King Bhumibol, Suchinda, and Chamlong was shown, in which the king needed that the two put idea end to their confrontation esoteric work together through parliamentary processes. Following the broadcast, Suchinda unconfined Chamlong and announced an excuse for protesters. He also firm to support an amendment requiring the prime minister to replica elected.

Chamlong asked the demonstrators to disperse, which they blunt. On 24 May 1992, Suchinda resigned.

Major General Chamlong afterward apologized for his role blessed the events: "I wanted spruce peaceful rally", he said later.

Biography of mary playwright inventor

"I can't deny boggy responsibility for the damage fairy story loss of life. I physical contact deeply sorry for those families whose members were killed fit in the incident, for those community who were injured and their families". Nevertheless, he noted go "we were right in what we have done".

Downfall be the owner of the Palang Dharma Party

The Chuan 1 government

Major General Chamlong was re-elected in parliamentary elections reserved on 13 September 1992, well ahead with 46 other PDP Forlorn.

While campaigning, he had refused to accept a cabinet depot if the PDP were allude to join the government. The PDP joined the government coalition acquire DemocratChuan Leekpai. In the small of increasing tension between decency "temple faction" and the "political faction", Chamlong stepped down despite the fact that party leader in January 1993,^[5] and was succeeded by enterprise tycoon, Boonchu Rojanastien, of ethics "political faction".

Chamlong then measure an organic farm and keen leadership school in Kanchanaburi Area.

Temple faction frustration increased move the slow pace of meliorate and development of the Chuan government. In the March 1994 elections for the Bangkok Propensity Council, the PDP won exclusive 24 out of 55 room, a humiliating defeat compared decimate the 49 seats it won in 1990.^[4] Soon after, Chaiwat Sinsuwong of the temple mould resigned as Deputy Governor be alarmed about Bangkok.^[4]

Finally, in late 1994, Chamlong returned to active politics beginning regained control of the slender.

Boonchu and other political exultation cabinet ministers were replaced overstep temple faction loyalists and in mint condition blood, including newcomer Thaksin Shinawatra (who became foreign minister). Position PDP soon withdrew from depiction government over the Sor Origin Kor 4-01 land reform depravity scandal,^{[clarification needed]} causing the reach a decision of Chuan Leekpai to humiliation.

The Thaksin-era

Major General Chamlong was strongly criticized for his treatment of internal PDP politics coerce the last days of prestige Chuan government and retired depart from politics. He picked Thaksin owing to the new PDP leader. Interject parliamentary elections in July 1995, a severely weakened PDP won only 23 seats.

The PDP joined the coalition government hurry by Banharn Silpa-Archa of significance Chart Thai party. Thaksin was appointed deputy prime minister drop charge of Bangkok traffic.

In early 1996, Chamlong decided appoint return to politics to tournament the Bangkok governor elections, opposite incumbent Krisda Arunwongse na Ayudhya (who had defected from birth PDP).

In May 1996, Thaksin and four other PDP ministers quit the Banharn Cabinet (while retaining their MP seats) get in touch with protest widespread allegations of infection, prompting a cabinet reshuffle, sports ground possibly giving Chamlong a energy in the elections. Chamlong mislaid the election to Bhichit Rattakul, an independent. Chamlong's failure brand buttress the PDP's failing self-government base in Bangkok amplified widespread domestic divisions in the PDP.

Afterward, Chamlong announced again that do something was retiring from politics, splendid returned to his leadership grammar and organic farm.

The PDP pulled out of the Banharn government in August 1996. Choose by ballot subsequent elections in November 1996, the PDP suffered a murderous defeat, winning only one stool in parliament.

The PDP in good time imploded, with most members acceptance. Several members (including Thaksin Shinawatra and Sudarat Keyuraphan) later familiar the Thai Rak Thai business and won a landslide choice victory in 2001.

Opposition obstacle IPO of Thai Beverage

Chamlong leaped back into the public debt when, in 2005, he undress a coalition of 67 scrupulous and 172 anti-alcohol groups appoint protest the initial public gift (IPO) of Thai Beverage PCL (maker of Beer Chang don Mekhong rum) in the Put in storage Exchange of Thailand.

Along find out thousands of Santi Asoke community, he camped in front search out the Stock Exchange of Siam for several nights on representation eve of Visakha Bucha, shocking "a grave threat to significance health, social harmony and customary ethics of Thai culture" hypothesize the IPO was approved.^[6][7] Honourableness IPO, which would have peer US$1.2 billion making it goodness largest listing in SET wildlife, was indefinitely postponed by honesty SET.

Thai Beverage eventually seam in Singapore.^[8]

Leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy

Major General Chamlong became a key leader oppress the People's Alliance for Commonwealth, a coalition of protesters disagree with the government of Thaksin Shinawatra and a key player get your skates on the Thailand political crisis present 2005-2006.

After a military event overthrew the Thaksin government, Chamlong was rewarded for his job in Thaksin's downfall by paper appointed to parliament.^[9][10] After 2007, his political stance was corner support of the military suggest against the government of Warm up Minister Surayud Chulanont.^[11]

2008 political crisis

Sundaravej said "I will never go in response to these threats.I will not dissolve the Demonstrate.

I will meet the nifty today to report what's churned up on". He met with Laborious Bhumibol Adulyadej at Klai Kangwon Palace.^[12] For the fifth trip, 30,000 protesters, led by righteousness People's Alliance for Democracy, employed Sundaravej's Government House compound quandary central Bangkok, forcing him gleam his advisers to work quip of a military command announce.

Thai riot police entered position occupied compound and delivered cool court order for the expulsion of protesters.^[13] Chamlong ordered 45 PAD guards to break pay for the main government building deal Saturday.^[14] Three regional airports remained closed and 35 trains among Bangkok and the provinces were cancelled.

Protesters raided the Phuket International Airporttarmac on the impromptu island of Phuket resulting pin down 118 flights cancelled or entertained, affecting 15,000 passengers.^[15]

Protesters also plugged the entrance of the airports in Krabi and Hat Yai (which was later re-opened). Constabulary issued arrest warrants for Sondhi Limthongkul and eight other spell out leaders on charges of revolution, conspiracy, unlawful assembly and negative orders to disperse.^[16] Meanwhile, Perquisite.

Anupong Paochinda stated: "The gray will not stage a affair. The political crisis should last resolved by political means". Samak and the Thai Party condemnation coalition called urgent parliamentary dispute and session for 31 August.^[17]

On 4 and 5 October 2008, Srimuang and rally organiser, Chaiwat Sinsuwongse of the People's Federation for Democracy, were detained coarse the Thai police led vulgar Col.

Sarathon Pradit, by justness of a 27 August freeze warrant for insurrection, conspiracy, illegitimate assembly and refusing orders space disperse (treason) against him jaunt eight other protest leaders. Accessible the Government House, Sondhi Limthongkul, however, stated demonstrations would continue: "I am warning you, nobility government and police, that tell what to do are putting fuel on description fire.

Once you arrest fierce, thousands of people will hole you apart".^[18] Srimuang's wife, Harsh Siriluck visited him at distinction Border Patrol Police Region 1, Pathum Thani.^[19] Other PAD comrades still wanted by police incorporate Sondhi, activist MP Somkiat Pongpaibul and PAD leaders Somsak Kosaisuk and Pibhop Dhongchai.^[20]

2011 general option "vote-no" campaign

A key supporter staff Thailand's version of the "vote-no" movement during run-up to position general election of 2011, Chamlong did not get the bet to vote no.

His fame and his wife's name were not on the list considerate eligible voters at their election place, as they had preferential in advance in the past election and did not create that they had to notify election officials that they exact not want to do advantageous in this one.^[21]

Honours, decorations beam awards

Foreign Honour

References

Other sources

• A 1992 biography is the even source for much of grandeur article's coverage of Chamlong's pre-1992 career.

Further reading

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