Plaek Phibunsongkhram (14 July 1897 – 11 June 1964) was Prime Minister of Thailand from 16 December 1938 to 1 August 1944, succeeding Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena and preceding Khuang Aphaiwong and from 8 April 1948 to 16 September 1957, succeeding Khuang Aphaiwong and preceding Pote Sarasin.
Biography[]
Plaek Phibunsongkhram was born on 14 July 1897 in Nonthaburi, Siam. He studied artillery tactics in France during World War I and was one of the members of the Khana Ratsadon group of military officers that overthrew the old kingdom of Siam and installed a constitutional monarchy. In 1933, he helped in crushing the Boworadet Rebellion by Prince Boworadet, and in 1938 he became Prime Minister and commander of the Royal Siamese Army. Phibunsongkhram supported ideas of fascism and nationalism, and he had the people of Thailand adopt Western attire. In 1939, he changed the name of the country from Siam to Thailand and made January 1 the new year and not April 13, and he sacked all in the government opposed to an alliance with nationalist Japan. In 1944, many government officials turned against him and Khuang Aphaiwong replaced hima s Prime Minister, but in 1947 he was restored to power in a coup. He remained Prime Minister until 1957, and he died in 1964 at the age of 66.