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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XII, 2020

King Prajatibok commented on the topic of abdication four time. The first
time was five days after the revolution of 1932. The reason was His Majesty's
bad health.
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The second time was on 30 June 1932 during the drafting of the constitution.
King Prajatibok answered Prime Minister Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena

that if some group forced him to act against his will, his only choice would be to
abdicate. After the Bavorndej uprising, too, His Majesty told Mr. James Baxter,
the British advisor, that he wanted to keep as far away from conflict as possible.
His best weapon would be the threat of abdication. Such a threat would be most
effective if there was a chance to put it into practice.
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The last comment came during the visit to Europe in 1934. King Prajatibok
always read all documents and correspondence from Bangkok. According
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to Prince Narissara Nuwattiwong, the Regent in Bangkok, His Majesty had no
doubts about the stance of the Siamese government and expressed it thusly:
His Majesty had the impression that the parliament and the government of
Siam had no interest in a compromise with him, no matter what subject. 54

The abdication of King Prajatibok should be seen in a context that
takes the following factors into account: (i) the situation in Siam between
May and September 1934 while His Majesty was staying in Europe, (ii) the
negotiations with the Siamese government

7.1 The Situation in Siam from May to September 1934

Between May and September 1934, the situation in Siam was not normal,
which had a great effect on domestic politics. There were, for example, several

In: Secret report No. 109/1922 from Secretary Office of the Palace, dated 2 July 1932, signed by
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Phraya Mahithorn, to Maha Ammat To Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada, Head of the "Khana
Ratsadon" (Revolutionary Group), quoted in: Diary of Her Majesty Rambai Barni, Wife of King
Prajatipok (1 edition 2002), footnote 4, page 24
st
52 Prudtisan Jumbala, M.R. “Opening of the Parliament and the Visit to Europe by King Rama VII.“(kw57).
Website project of the King Prajadhipok's Institute on the topic of Prapokklao and Democracy, A
Complete Biography of King Prapokklao-Chaoyuhua, page 7
53 Prudtisan Jumbala, M.R., Website project of the Prapokklao Institute on the topic of Prapokklao and
Democracy, (kw20 essay by Pornsan Watanangura und kw57)
54 In the letter by the Regent in Bangkok, Prince Narissaranuwattiwong, to Prime Minister Phraya
Pahol Polpayuhasena, 14 October 1934. Quoted in: Diary of Her Majesty Rambai Barni, Wife of
King Prajatipok (1 edition 2002), footnote 4, page 22-23
st

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Pornsan Watanangura

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