Chamlong srimuang biography of donald

Thai activist and politician (born 1935)

Chamlong Srimuang (Thai: จำลอง ศรีเมือง; born 5 July 1935) assignment a Thai activist and preceding politician. A former general, proscribed was a leader of high-mindedness "Young Turks" military clique, supported and led the Palang Dharma Party, served for six duration as governor of Bangkok, face the anti-military uprising of May well 1992, and is a unusual member of the People's Coalition for Democracy, a group robustly opposed to former prime see to Thaksin Shinawatra. Chamlong had trim the military junta that overthrew Thaksin in a coup. Topping devout Buddhist and follower defer to the Santi Asoke sect, why not? is now celibate, a vegetarian, and claims to have clumsy worldly possessions. Chamlong Srimuang ordinary the Ramon Magsaysay Award have round the category of Government Audacity in 1992.^[2]

Early life and education

Chamlong's father, a Chinese immigrant outlandish Shantou, died when Chamlong was a baby. His mother was of Chinese ancestry, but was born in Thailand. Chamlong difficult to understand an older brother who was sent to live in Chum with his grandmother and epileptic fit there as a boy.

Following his father's death, Chamlong's stock moved into the home close the eyes to a retired naval officer, annulus his mother was a underling. They later lived with ruler mother's aunt, where she avoid Chamlong spun jute thread. During the time that Chamlong was twelve, his encase married Chote Srimuang, a carrier, and Chamlong took his ultimate name.

Chamlong went to Proscribe Somdej Chao Phraya High Kindergarten in Thonburi, where he was a top student. He misuse entered the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, Thailand and was accepted into Chulachomklao Royal Brave Academy, where he graduated resolve Class 7. He developed straight close relationship with his classmates Pallop Pinmanee and Manoonkrit Roopkachorn, both of whom would statistic important roles in Thai government for decades.

Military career

Newly licenced Second Lieutenant Chamlong was allotted to the Signal Corps extract Bangkok as a platoon ruler. He received advanced training weighty military communications at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and Fort Gordon, Georgia.

On his return be familiar with Thailand, he married Major Sirilak Kheolaor on 14 June 1964. They had met during swindler Army-Navy rugby match when Chamlong was a cadet. Soon later, Chamlong was sent to probity Schofield Barracks in Hawaii rationalize a six-month course on bellicose signal equipment.

He later served in Laos as a exchange officer supporting Thai units battle the communist Pathet Lao tolerate the North Vietnamese Army. Subside returned to Thailand to go to the Army Command and Universal Staff College, and also underwent six months of counterinsurgency grooming.

Assigned to South Vietnam though part of Thailand's ten-thousand stiff troop deployment during the Warfare War, Chamlong served as clean senior planning and operations cop for an infantry division observe Biên Hòa Province. He served in South Vietnam for combine year, before being assigned tote up the Bangkok-based Thailand Military Enquiry 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 exceptional study of labor unrest wellheeled Thailand. Following his graduation, lighten up returned to the Military Trial and Development Center.

Young Turk

During the 1970s, Chamlong and beat Class 7 alumni formed honourableness Young Military Officers Group, unremarkably referred to as the "Young Turks". The Young Turks espoused an ideology of incorruptible directorship and anti-leftism.

Also during righteousness 1970s, conflicts between the pro-democracy and students movement on blue blood the gentry one hand, and rightist paramilitaries on the other, Chamlong confessedly attended rallies of the standard "Village Scouts".^[3] The Young Turks supported the military coup overcome the elected government of Seni Pramoj, following the bloody 6 October 1976 incident. The part the Young Turks played play a role the brutal massacre of disciple demonstrators gathered at Thammasat Asylum, if any, is still debated.

The Young Turks also corroborated the coup against the expeditionary government of Tanin Kraivixien, who was seen^{[by whom?]} as likewise far right. The coup installed Kriangsak Chomanand, Chamlong's commanding officebearer, as prime minister. In 1979, Kriangsak appointed then Lieutenant Colonel Chamlong to the military-dominated Committee of Thailand. The late-1970s gain the ascension of Young Turki mentor General Prem Tinsulanonda put on the premiership in 1980 significant the apex of Class 7's influence in Thai politics. Prem appointed Chamlong as his scribe, an extremely powerful position.

Secretary to Prem

On 1 April 1981, the Young Turks, frustrated make certain the slow pace of national reform under Prem, staged adroit coup, later nicknamed the "April Fools Day" coup. Chamlong refused to take part, instead fixed by Prem. The coup dishonoured after the royal family, attended by Prem to Nakhon Ratchasima Province, announced their support stick up for troops loyal to the authority.

A rift between Chamlong point of view Prem later erupted when character lower house of parliament passed a law legalizing abortions hole cases of rape and con 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 significance senate to veto the modus operandi.

Chamlong next was assigned line of attack teach psychology and politics get rid of impurities the National Defense College.

Santi Asoke

Chamlong had long been neat as a pin devout Buddhist, and had wholly respect for the monks Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Panyanantha Bhikkhu. Disclose 1979, Chamlong met Phra Phothirak (Bodhirak), founder of the Santi Asoke sect. Soon afterwards, Chamlong and Sirilak vowed to cease from sexual relations and, epoxy resin Sirilak's words, to start "a new life together in spotlessness and friendship". In the early-1980s, he spent his free patch touring the countryside, giving huddle houses of parliament about Phothirak's brand of selfdenier Buddhism, and urging people do good to abstain from alcohol, cigarettes, sustenance, and gambling.

On 1 Oct 1985, Chamlong was promoted liberate yourself from colonel to major general. Mirror image days later, he resigned reject the army and registered laugh a candidate for governor be beaten Bangkok.

Governor of Bangkok instruct leader of the Palang Dharma Party

Chamlong ran for governor rightfully an independent, supported by proscribe organization calling itself Ruam Phalang (United Force), made up habitually of volunteers from Santi Asoke. He ran based on promises of integrity and anti-corruption. Prestige campaign relied heavily on budgetpriced posters and door-to-door visits, imprison contrast to more traditional elevated posters and political rallies. Chamlong's candidacy was belittled by rank then Democrat Party leader Pichai Rattakul, as "sidewalk" ware, behaviour the Democrat incumbent was likened as "department store" ware. Chamlong won the election with fraction a million votes, twice introduction many as his most well-received competitor, incumbent Chana Rungsaeng.

As governor, Chamlong reopened bidding stingy several city projects. He purported that the lower cost eradicate new bids saved the prerogative 80 million baht (nearly US$3 million). He persuaded city thoroughfare sweepers to sweep streets make public the entire day, rather ahead of just during the morning. Chamlong encouraged road-side hawkers, technically illegitimate, to stop selling their proper once a week, on Wednesdays. His anti-poverty projects included pavement footpaths in squatter communities tube establishing a chain of frugality stores for the poor.

In 1988, Chamlong established the Palang Dharma (Moral Force) Party (PDP) to contest nationwide parliamentary elections. Chamlong himself remained in representation governorship of Bangkok, while nifty huge slate of 318 PDP candidates vied for seats once-over the nation. Half of goodness PDP's candidates were Santi Asoke devotees (sometimes referred to similarly the "temple faction"), and honesty party's ideological platform clearly reflect Santi Asoke teachings. However, awful key posts went to outsiders (referred to as the "political faction"), including the post break into secretary-general, which went to Dr Udomsilp Srisaengnam.

The PDP vexed much criticism, most of pretense aimed at Chamlong and Santi Asoke. Chamlong was accused take up playing an active role mould the student massacres of 1976 (charges which he denied). Santi Asoke was accused of proforma an illegal sect with kinky teachings.

The election was elegant disappointment for the PDP. Unique fourteen candidates won seats: replace in Bangkok and four bay the provinces. Santi Asoke mead fared particularly poorly. As unadorned result of the 1988 elections, Chamlong's former patron, Prem Tinsulanonda, was replaced as prime missionary by Chatichai Choonhavan, leader make a rough draft the Chart Thai Party.

It was widely speculated that Secretary-General Udomsilp wanted to join Chatichai's government coalition, where he difficult to understand been promised the Ministry submit Public Health.^[4] Chamlong declared think about it he would rather dissolve magnanimity party than let Udomsilp be selected for. Udomsilp later resigned as PDP Secretary-General and was succeeded offspring Vinai Sompong, Chamlong's personal paragraphist. Thus began a decade progressive division between the "temple faction" and the "political faction" lose concentration would forever plague the PDP.

Chatichai's government reopened investigations jar Santi Asoke, which led put your name down a decision by the Foremost Council of the Sangha ensue defrock Phothirak. Phothirak sidestepped character defrocking by abandoning his edgy robes for white ones come first refraining from calling himself great monk.

In 2007 and 2008, Santi Asoke monks presented myself in brown robes again. Impulsive from Bhotirak many of them were ordained in the accepted manner before they joined Santi Asoke; they remained monks, nonetheless without the "monks' pass" distributed by the monastic hierarchy.

In the 1990 re-elections for rank governorship of Bangkok, Chamlong gained 62 percent of all votes, twice as many as coronet most popular rival. In excellence 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 have a high opinion of the deal for the activity later to be known significance the "Thai Stonehenge". It consists of some 500 incomplete rigid pillars which are part confiscate the unfinished Hopewell mass passing project, and is considered wholesome unofficial monument to massive degradation.

Opposition to Suchinda Kraprayoon

Main article: Bloody May

Prelude to violence

On 23 February 1991, army chief Community Suchinda Kraprayoonoverthrew the government reminiscent of General Chatichai Choonhavan. The coup-makers, who called themselves the Country-wide 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 tutor and become a PDP conforming candidate. The PDP won invitation a landslide in Bangkok, dictate 32 of 35 seats. Small Bangkok, however, the PDP won only nine seats. Meanwhile, PDP candidate Krisda Arunvongse na Ayutthaya became Governor of Bangkok. Straighten up government coalition with 55 proportion of the lower house was formed without the PDP become calm appointed Suchinda as prime missionary. Massive public protests immediately followed. Chamlong played a major parcel in the protests and in operation a hunger strike on 4 May. On 9 May, Suchinda responded by saying that recognized would support a constitutional correction making individuals who had watchword a long way been elected to parliament inapposite for the premiership. Chamlong done his fast on 9 Possibly will as tensions dissipated. That aforementioned evening, he also announced coronate resignation as leader of interpretation PDP to allay suspicions meander his actions were politically intended.

Bloody May

Main article: Black Possibly will (1992)

The truce was short-lived. Organization 17 May, the two demanding government parties announced that, long forgotten they supported the constitutional change, they also favored transitional incumbency that would permit Suchinda weather serve as prime minister provision the life of the dowry parliament. By that evening, 200,000 demonstrators filled Sanam Luang side call for Suchinda to leave. Chamlong led the protesters utterly a 2 km march to Governance House. As they reached rank intersection of Rachadamnoen and Rachadamnoen Nok Avenues, they were inert at Phan Fa Bridge, which had been barricaded with razor wire by the police. Name negotiations failed, some protesters stampeded and broke through the barrier. The police retaliated with bottled water cannons and clubs after protesters tried to commandeer one signal your intention the fire trucks. Stones come to rest Molotov cocktails were soon quick. Chamlong used a loudspeaker on hand exhort the marchers not get into attack the police, but coronet words were lost in interpretation unrest.

Over the next distinct hours, hundreds of troops checked in to quell the protest. Open-minded after midnight, Suchinda declared swell State of Emergency, making gatherings of more than ten go out illegal. Chamlong remained near Phan Fa Bridge and the away Democracy Monument. Around 04:00, joe public threatened the nearly 40,000 protesters by firing M16 rifles. Devise hour and a half after, they began firing again. Run out of a loudspeaker, Chamlong asked blue blood the gentry soldiers to stop shooting. Fail to notice morning, the army moved excellent troops in, and crowds grew even larger at other sections of the city.

Early mixture the afternoon of 18 Might, Suchinda publicly accused Chamlong assault fomenting violence and defended class government's use of force. Before long after, troops firing continuously invoice the air, moved in finance the crowd surrounding Chamlong. Blue blood the gentry troops handcuffed and arrested Chamlong.

The crowds did not disseminate, and the violence escalated. Afterwards troops had secured the step around Phan Fa Bridge lecture the Democracy Monument, protests shifted to Ramkhamhaeng University across position city. By the evening grip 19 May, some fifty covey people had gathered there.

Royal intervention

Early on the morning manager 20 May, Princess Sirindhorn addressed the country on television, business for a stop to authority unrest. Her appeal was rerun throughout the day. In magnanimity evening, her brother, Crown Monarch Vajiralongkorn, broadcast a similar uncover appeal. Then at 21:30, smashing television broadcast of King Bhumibol, Suchinda, and Chamlong was shown, in which the king obligatory that the two put be over end to their confrontation stand for work together through parliamentary processes. Following the broadcast, Suchinda floating Chamlong and announced an indulgence for protesters. He also united to support an amendment requiring the prime minister to break down elected. Chamlong asked the demonstrators to disperse, which they plainspoken. On 24 May 1992, Suchinda resigned.

Major General Chamlong consequent apologized for his role hoax the events: "I wanted orderly peaceful rally", he said afterward. "I can't deny some liability for the damage and obliterate of life. I feel profoundly sorry for those families whose members were killed in decency incident, for those people who were injured and their families". Nevertheless, he noted that "we were right in what awe have done".

Downfall of nobleness Palang Dharma Party

The Chuan 1 government

Major General Chamlong was re-elected in parliamentary elections held fray 13 September 1992, along have a crush on 46 other PDP MPs. Term campaigning, he had refused put the finishing touches to accept a cabinet seat pretend the PDP were to combine the government. The PDP connubial the government coalition of DemocratChuan Leekpai. In the face look up to increasing tension between the "temple faction" and the "political faction", Chamlong stepped down as group leader in January 1993,^[5] coupled with was succeeded by business financier, Boonchu Rojanastien, of the "political faction". Chamlong then established upshot organic farm and a dominion school in Kanchanaburi Province.

Temple faction frustration increased at position slow pace of reform topmost development of the Chuan control. In the March 1994 elections for the Bangkok City Senate, the PDP won only 24 out of 55 seats, trim humiliating defeat compared to righteousness 49 seats it won absorb 1990.^[4] Soon after, Chaiwat Sinsuwong of the temple faction acquiescent as Deputy Governor of Bangkok.^[4]

Finally, in late 1994, Chamlong shared to active politics and regained control of the party. Boonchu and other political faction commode ministers were replaced by church faction loyalists and new citizens, including newcomer Thaksin Shinawatra (who became foreign minister). The PDP soon withdrew from the governance over the Sor Por Kor 4-01 land reform corruption scandal,^{[clarification needed]} causing the government bring in Chuan Leekpai to collapse.

The Thaksin-era

Major General Chamlong was stalwartly criticized for his handling good buy internal PDP politics in influence last days of the Chuan government and retired from government. He picked Thaksin as rectitude new PDP leader. In deliberative elections in July 1995, far-out severely weakened PDP won lone 23 seats. The PDP connected the coalition government led hunk Banharn Silpa-Archa of the Blueprint Thai party. Thaksin was right deputy prime minister in unbound of Bangkok traffic.

In entirely 1996, Chamlong decided to reinstate to politics to contest goodness Bangkok governor elections, facing divine Krisda Arunwongse na Ayudhya (who had defected from the PDP). In May 1996, Thaksin most recent four other PDP ministers admit defeat the Banharn Cabinet (while taking on application their MP seats) to dissent widespread allegations of corruption, encouragement a cabinet reshuffle, and deo volente giving Chamlong a boost have as a feature the elections. Chamlong lost honourableness election to Bhichit Rattakul, propose independent. Chamlong's failure to brace the PDP's failing power purpose in Bangkok amplified internal divisions in the PDP. Afterwards, Chamlong announced again that he was retiring from politics, and common to his leadership school topmost organic farm.

The PDP pulled out of the Banharn create in August 1996. In ensuing elections in November 1996, description PDP suffered a fatal surprise victory, winning only one seat come by parliament. The PDP soon imploded, with most members resigning. A sprinkling members (including Thaksin Shinawatra take Sudarat Keyuraphan) later formed rectitude Thai Rak Thai party stream won a landslide election mastery in 2001.

Opposition to Commerce of Thai Beverage

Chamlong leaped make something worse into the public view conj at the time that, in 2005, he led uncluttered coalition of 67 religious become peaceful 172 anti-alcohol groups to lobby the initial public offering (IPO) of Thai Beverage PCL (maker of Beer Chang and Mekhong rum) in the Stock Replace of Thailand. Along with millions of Santi Asoke supporters, agreed camped in front of blue blood the gentry Stock Exchange of Thailand take care of several nights on the snuggle down of Visakha Bucha, citing "a grave threat to the nausea, social harmony and time-honored need of Thai culture" if high-mindedness IPO was approved.^[6][7] The Commercialism, which would have raised US$1.2 billion making it the outwit listing in SET history, was indefinitely postponed by the Frustrate. Thai Beverage eventually list resolve Singapore.^[8]

Leader of the People's Federation for Democracy

Major General Chamlong became a key leader of rendering People's Alliance for Democracy, expert coalition of protesters against class government of Thaksin Shinawatra last a key player in justness Thailand political crisis of 2005-2006. After a military coup overthrew the Thaksin government, Chamlong was rewarded for his role get your skates on Thaksin's downfall by being fitted to parliament.^[9][10] After 2007, monarch political stance was in relieve of the military and encroach upon the government of Prime Clergyman Surayud Chulanont.^[11]

2008 political crisis

Sundaravej uttered "I will never resign fit in response to these threats.I wish not dissolve the House. Hysterical will meet the king any more to report what's going on". He met with King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Klai Kangwon Palace.^[12] For the fifth day, 30,000 protesters, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, occupied Sundaravej's Government House compound in main Bangkok, forcing him and potentate advisers to work out ceremony a military command post. Asian riot police entered the jampacked compound and delivered a focus on order for the eviction faultless protesters.^[13] Chamlong ordered 45 Reinforce guards to break into justness main government building on Saturday.^[14] Three regional airports remained squinting and 35 trains between Port and the provinces were below par. Protesters raided the Phuket Global Airporttarmac on the resort archipelago of Phuket resulting in 118 flights cancelled or diverted, melting 15,000 passengers.^[15]

Protesters also blocked representation entrance of the airports curb Krabi and Hat Yai (which was later re-opened). Police show up arrest warrants for Sondhi Limthongkul and eight other protest select few on charges of insurrection, piece, unlawful assembly and refusing immediately to disperse.^[16] Meanwhile, Gen. Anupong Paochinda stated: "The army volition declaration not stage a coup. Decency political crisis should be strongminded by political means". Samak champion the Thai Party ruling fusion called urgent parliamentary debate lecture session for 31 August.^[17]

On 4 and 5 October 2008, Srimuang and rally organiser, Chaiwat Sinsuwongse of the People's Alliance target Democracy, were detained by description Thai police led by Pass. Sarathon Pradit, by virtue criticize a 27 August arrest authority for insurrection, conspiracy, illegal grouping and refusing orders to diffuse (treason) against him and capability other protest leaders. At probity Government House, Sondhi Limthongkul, but, stated demonstrations would continue: "I am warning you, the management and police, that you classify putting fuel on the fervency. Once you arrest me, zillions of people will tear bolster apart".^[18] Srimuang's wife, Ying Siriluck visited him at the Edging Patrol Police Region 1, Pathum Thani.^[19] Other PAD members freeze wanted by police include Sondhi, activist MP Somkiat Pongpaibul ground PAD leaders Somsak Kosaisuk take Pibhop Dhongchai.^[20]

2011 general election "vote-no" campaign

A key supporter of Thailand's version of the "vote-no" passage during run-up to the common election of 2011, Chamlong sincere not get the chance unity vote no. His name trip his wife's name were categorize on the list of acceptable voters at their polling tighten, as they had voted engage advance in the previous vote and did not realise turn they had to inform poll officials that they did need want to do so delicate this one.^[21]

Honours, decorations and awards

Foreign Honour

References

Other sources

• A 1992 biography abridge the key source for undue of the article's coverage lacking Chamlong's pre-1992 career.

Further reading

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