Page 86 - ฉบับ "ปรีดี บรรณานุสรณ์ 2561"

The Regent and Origin of “Free Thai”

When there was disunion on current policy among the
cabinet, after Japanese army expanded their military inf uences
into Thailand’s territory, which was an of icial start of Thailand’s
involvement in World War II, in Asia Pacif c. Under the request
of Japanese diplomat, Field Marshall Plaek Phibunsongkhram,
the current prime minister, relieved Mr. Pridi from the position of
Minister of Finance, and appointed him as a member of the Regent
Commission instead on December 16 1941.
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As a result of current situation back then, Mr. Pridi
started working systematically, in order to resolve the problems
at hand, especially problem of invasion and violation of Thailand’s
sovereignty. Moreover, the government’s stance at the time was
seemed to orient toward Japan more and more.
Afterward, once the situation was clearer, Mr. Pridi laid
down three principles for operation, namely.
(1) Resisting exercising of authority of the dictator’s
government
(2) Restoring Thailand’s complete independence and
sovereignty, namely:
(2.1) Resisting and preparing the uprising
against Japan
(2.2) Operating in missions so the Allies
recognize that Thailand did not join force with Japan, in
order to relieve the country’s burden once the war has
ended. For this ef ort, they were later certif ed by the
Allies under the title ‘Free Thai’.
(3) Promoting politics and administration toward the
intention of the Great Revolution of 1932 – 1933, especially
proposal to draft the new constitution that led to enactment of the
Constitution, dated May 9 1946.
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