EX-KING OF SIAM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20570, 2 June 1941, Page 5

EX-KING OF SIAM

DEATH IN ENGLAND ABDICATED THRONE (Reed. June 2, 11.30 a.m.) - - LONDON, June i. The death is announced of Prajadhipek, the ex-King of Siam. The abdication of the throne of Siam by King Prajadhipok was signed at Cranleigh, near Guildford, Surrey, in March, 1935. A revolt broke out in Siam on June 23, 1932, when the newly-formed People’s Party arrested the heir to the throne, Prince Paribatra, Prince Purachatra, Minister of Communications, and the Chief of Police, and seized the Law Courts. The revclt - s mnhed by the marines, with the support of some sections of the army. The object of the rising was to secure a Constitution, and it succeeded in compelling the King to introduce constitutional government. The change from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy had been peacefully accomplished. The army and the navy combined to form the People’s Party. Siam hitherto had been an absolute monarchy for 60 years.

On April 2, 1933, King Prajadhipok issued a decree proclaiming martial law, dissolving Parliament and temporarily putting aside the Constitution. He formed a Council of 20 members, with which' he proceeded to govern the country. This Government was overthrown on June 15, 1933, by Colonel Bolabayuha, who had resigned on the previous day his post as com-mander-in-chief of the army. The chief Ministers were arrested and the State Council was forced to resign. The King agreed to the reopening of the People’s Assembly. The King went to London in October, 1934. A communique was issued explaining that the King alone, from ancient times, had held the power of life and death. The Siamese criminal code provided that the King must approve a sentence of death, but the Assembly had passed a law amending that provision, which His Majesty refused to sanction. He held that the people ought to decide such an important change by a plebiscite or a general election, especially as it was passed only after a heated debate.

The Government contended that the change would only bring Siam into line with monarchies where sovereigns do not sign death warrants, but only have the right to pardon. The King asked that a law regulating the procedure of petitions for mercy should be passed to prevent the execution being carried out before he had made his decision on the matter, but ■ the Assembly rejected this. Accordingly the King felt he was able no longer to act in defence of the people’s rights and liberties.