Siamese Leaders Trapped In Bangkok Revolt

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22759, 4 October 1948, Page 6

Siamese Leaders Trapped In Bangkok Revolt

(11 a.m.)

BANGKOK, Oct. 3.

Siam today came through another of its personnel coups —bloodless-as usual and with a- touch of tragic comedy in the bargain

It was strange and dramatic even. The revolt began about midnight and ended before dawn. Bangkok slept through the epic and few knew wnai happened even 24 ■ hours later. A rebel group, comprising a few Siamese statesmen, some “Free Thai” veterans of the Second World War and several Siamese Army officers staked their lives in an attempt to overthrow, the Government headed by Marshal Songkram and bring back to lower their; hero, ex-premier and resistance leader, Pridi Panomyong. They met with initial success, easily occupying the Defence Ministry but soon realised that Marshal Songkram, the veteran of many coups, had trapped them inside the Ministry. Soon they called off the revolt and surrendered.

Marshal Songkram said today that the unsuccessful coup d’etat •in Bangkok was an attempt to stop King Ananda’s murder trial and bring back to power the ex-Premier, Pridi Panomyong, No. 1 accused in the case. Marshal Songkram revealed that Panomyong’s brother, Luang Arkthakit Kamchorn, a one-time Foreign Minister is among the 40 leaders of the anti-Gov-ernment plot at present in custody. Loyal forces this morning accepted the surrender of the coup leaders who occupied the Defence Ministry last night after a brief exchange of gunfire.