Page 33 - _21-0619 OK
P. 33
The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XII, 2020
Phraya Pahol Polpayuhasena (left),
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada (right) Pan To Luang Pibulsongkram
www.google.com//พัระยามโน้ปกรณ์น้ิติิธุาดา (15.2.2021)
All these incidents caused the “Bavorndej uprising” on 11 October 1933.
And after this uprising, the government under Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena
made a new decision concerning the King's visit to Europe. Members of the
government abandoned their previous stance that the trip could establish
international relations with the West and instead demanded that the King
should get medical treatment in his home country, as the timing was bad for an
overseas trip, due to the Bavorndej uprising. There was still unrest in country,
they said, and the King's presence in Siam would calm the Siamese people down.
The researcher believes that this reason was only a pretense to allow the
government to consolidate its power by seeking the King's protection without
considering his bad health. Besides, the government showed little appreciation
for the preparations for the trip in cooperation with the western countries,
not knowing that these could hurt international relations and lead to financial
damage, as it had happened with the trip to Java in 1929.
With the Bavorndej uprising, we can see the King's serious efforts to stay
neutral and independent to free himself from the influences of any political group
in order to show his status as King within a constitutional monarchy. The King's
exile to Songkhla on the royal boat “Sorn Varun” was meant to demonstrate the
firm determination of His Majesty to leave the area of conflict to prevent any group
from exploiting the King or holding him hostage for a political goal that he
did not agree with, also to counter the accusations that he was a supporter of
Prince Bavorndej, who after all was a member of the royal court.
After the Bavorndej uprising, the government was strict and inconsiderate
to all members of the royal family. It eliminated part of the coronation ceremony
25
Pornsan Watanangura
5/1/2565 BE 09:03
_21-0619(019-054)3.indd 25
_21-0619(019-054)3.indd 25 5/1/2565 BE 09:03