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66-737: Mom Chao Boworadej Kridakorn born on 2 April 1877 in Bangkok. Boworadej was one of the grandsons of King Mongkut , a son of Prince Naret. Boworadej received his military education at the Harrow School in 1898, and the Royal Military Academy Woolwich in 1900. Boworadej moved back to Siam in 1900 to serve in Royal Thai Army 's Command and General Staff Department. Boworadej was a career soldier who had served as an ambassador in Paris towards

132-506: A child with no title. According to the Royal Marriages Act, B. E. 2475, a princess wishing to marry to a commoner must request royal permission and abandon her royal title. For example, if princess Chao Fa, HRH Princess of Thailand, wished to marry a Mom Rajawongse commoner she would lose her royal title (Chao Fa, HRH Princess of Thailand) but retain royal style as follows: However, Chao Fa Chulabhorn Walailak received permission from

198-884: A commission in the Royal Horse Artillery in the British Army based in Aldershot . In 1910 Chulalongkorn died and was succeeded by Prajadhipok's older brother (also a son of Queen Saovabha), Crown Prince Vajiravudh , who became King Rama VI. Prince Prajadhipok was by then commissioned in both the British Army and the Royal Siamese Army. With the outbreak of the First World War and the declaration of Siamese neutrality, King Vajiravudh ordered his younger brother to resign his British commission and return to Siam immediately,

264-527: A constitutional government to the kingdom. Their efforts culminated in an almost bloodless "revolution" on the morning of 24 June 1932 by the self-proclaimed Khana Ratsadon ( People's Party ; คณะราษฎร). While Prajadhipok was away at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin , the plotters took control of the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok and arrested key officials (mainly princes and relatives of

330-636: A great embarrassment to the prince, who wanted to serve with his men on the Western front. Once home, Prajadhipok became a high-ranking military official in Siam. In 1917 he was ordained temporarily as a monk, as was customary for most Buddhist Siamese men. In August 1918 Prince Prajadhipok married his childhood friend and cousin Rambai Barni , a descendant of King Mongkut (Prajadhipok's grandfather) and his Royal Consort Piam . They were married at Sukhothai Palace which

396-557: A king. Nai Luang (ในหลวง) is an epithet for a king. Children of a king are called Luk Luang ( ลูก หลวง "royal children"), and grandchildren of a king are called Laan Luang ( หลาน หลวง "royal grandchildren"). The concept is similar to the French system of "princes of the blood" and the Iberian system of "infantes." In English, they are normally called "prince" or "princess". Special forms are used when one wishes to address them, although

462-489: A measure of decentralisation of power in municipalities had become, in Prajadhipok's mind, fundamental to future policy-making. However, Yasukichi Yatabe, Japanese minister to Siam, criticized the king's way and that it would not be accomplished in a hundred years' time. In September 1931 Britain abandoned the gold standard and devalued sterling by 30 percent. This created a crisis for Siam since most of its foreign exchange

528-563: A more pleasant name, he called it "Glen Pammant", an anagram of an old Thai phrase tam pleng nam . They remained there for two years. They moved again to Vane Court, the oldest house in the village of Biddenden in Kent. He led a peaceful life there, gardening in the morning and writing his autobiography in the afternoon. In 1938 the royal couple moved to Compton House, in the village of Wentworth in Virginia Water , Surrey. Due to bombing by

594-405: A prefix of her name, adding na Ayudhya to her new surname; for example, Moam Srirasmi Mahidol na Ayudhya (a wife of Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn , whose surname is Mahidol). If she has her own title ( Moam Rajawongse or Moam Luang ), she retains it. The son of a holder of the following titles generally inherits a title one step below; a female Mom Rajawongse married to a commoner would produce

660-540: A radio appeal to rebel troops to surrender and offered a ten thousand baht reward for the capture of Boworadej. On 25 October Boworadej and his wife boarded an aeroplane and left Siam for Vietnam , then part of French Indochina . The People's Party arrested the stragglers and eventually jailed 230 people including Boworadej's younger brother, Prince Sinthiphorn Kadakorn. Boworadej sought asylum in Cambodia , where he lived until 1948. He then returned home to Thailand, received

726-525: A royal bloodline. Sometime spelled "Na Ayutthaya". Wives of princes have titles, depending on the titles on both sides. Phra Vorachaya ( พระวรชายา ) is a title of the royal consort of the Crown Prince . She is elevated to Phra Chao Vorawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao . Phra Chaya ( พระชายา ) is a princess, Chao Fa (HRH Princess) or Phra Ong Chao (HRH Princess) who is married to prince, at every level. She retains her own title. When referring to her as

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792-480: A royal. The noble title, which consists of a rank and a title, is appended to the royal name and title, prefixed with the word krom (pronounced kromma when forming part of the title). For example, the full title of the King's sister is "Somdej Phra Chao Pheenang Ther Chao Fa Galyani Vadhana Kromma Luang Narathivat Rajanakarin . Nevertheless, it is the princely title which will be more frequently omitted when contracting

858-403: A wife of the prince, she may be called "Phra Chaya Nai (husband's name)". Chaya (ชายา) is a princess or Mom Chao (HSH Princess) who is married to prince, at every level. Again, she would retain her own title. When referring to her as a wife of the prince, she may be called "Chaya Nai (husband's name)". Moam (หม่อม) , in this context, is a commoner married to a prince. She uses this title as

924-434: A wish to restore a Chulalongkorn-type government. Unlike his predecessor, the king read virtually all state papers that came his way, from ministerial submissions to petitions by citizens. The king was painstaking and conscientious; he would elicit comments and suggestions from a range of experts and study them, noting the good points in each submission, but when various options were available he would seldom be able to select

990-538: Is listen to the opinions of others and choose the best...If I have made a mistake, I believe I really deserve to be excused by the people of Siam". No previous monarch had ever spoken so honestly. The speech was widely reported and many interpreted his words not as a frank appeal for understanding and cooperation, but as a sign of weakness and proof that the system of rule of fallible autocrats should be abolished. A small group of soldiers and civil servants began secretly plotting to overthrow absolute monarchy and bring

1056-518: Is now more common to use the correct title, "Mom Rajawongse". If a specific title is appended, sometimes the titular may be called His/Her Grace by proclamation of the King or a Prince-Regent, but not by a Queen-regent or any royal member sitting in the King's capacity as a Councillor-of-State. Mom Luang (หม่อมหลวง, abbreviated in Thai ม.ล. and sometimes in English as M. L. and translated as "The Honourable") are

1122-568: The Memorial Bridge to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Chakri dynasty. These proposals met strong opposition from Prince Damrong and other royal members of the Supreme Council and despite his own misgivings that to not proceed would result in a coup against his government, the king ultimately did not make the planned announcement. On 20 January 1932, with the country deep in depression,

1188-463: The "father of Thai democracy", who already intended to usher in democracy before the Khana Ratsadon prematurely carried out their revolution. Prajadhipok's abdication statement is often cited in support of this view. Later historians have challenged it as a myth, citing evidence that Prajadhipok's political maneuvers leading up to his abdication had more to do with preserving the power and status of

1254-488: The "party will be forced to bring stringent measures to bear on you." A number of members of the royal house received the letter, including Prince Boworadej, who was in Hua Hin with the king at that time. The combined catalysts of the warning and Pridi's return stirred Prince Boworadej to seek revenge on the Promoters. In 1933, Prince Boworadej plotted with Colonel Phraya Sri Sitthi Songkhram ( Thai: พระยาศรีสิทธิ์สงคราม),

1320-524: The Boworadej forces as "rebels" and "bandits". In reply, the besiegers dropped leaflets on the city from airplanes, accusing the people's party of restraining King Prajadhipok . Faced with the prospect of a full-scale battle to remove the existing leadership, Boworadej adopted a more conciliatory approach by entering into negotiations in which he called on the government to allow the king a greater political role. On 13 October, Boworadej sent another ultimatum to

1386-624: The German Luftwaffe in 1940, the couple again moved, first to a small house in Devon , and then to Lake Vyrnwy Hotel in Powys , Wales, where the former king had a heart attack. The couple returned to Compton House, as he expressed his preference to die there. King Prajadhipok died from heart failure on 30 May 1941. His cremation was held at the Golders Green Crematorium in north London. It

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1452-571: The Insurrection" noted that Prince Boworadej had once consulted General Phahon and Phaya Srisith about the plan to change the government. Because of the prince's reluctance to use force to overthrow the government, the Promoters carried out the revolution without the prince's participation. He then expected Phahon to invite him to be prime minister . Pridi rejected Phahon's recommendation and named Phraya Manopakorn Nititada as prime minister instead of

1518-484: The King and the royalists seemed to be able to compromise with Khana Ratsadon. The constitutional bill which was drafted by Pridi Banomyong and intended to be a permanent one was made temporary. The new constitution restored some of the monarch's lost power and status. Among them were introduction of unelected half of the House of Representatives and royal veto power. The country's first prime minister Phraya Manopakorn Nititada

1584-558: The Minister of Foreign Affairs to prepare a constitution. The task of drafting this document was given to the American Raymond B. Stevens and Phaya Sri Wisarn Waja. In March the following year they submitted an "Outline of Changes in the Form of Government" together with their comments. Prajadhipok originally planned to announce the new constitution to the nation of 6 April at the opening of

1650-530: The Privy Council, which had over 200 members at that time, as a quasi-legislative body. This large of an assembly proved too cumbersome, and in 1927 Prajadhipok created the Committee of the Privy Council consisting of 40 members selected from the royal family or nobility. The committee was received positively by the press and was envisaged as a forerunner of a parliament or National Assembly. In practice however

1716-578: The army general rank, and dying in 1953 at the age of 76. Mom Chao The precedence of Thai royalty follows a system of ranks known as thanandon ( Thai : ฐานันดร ), which are accompanied by royal titles. There are two styles which can be used for a king in ordinary speech, depending on whether he has been crowned: Traditionally, titles of royal wives depended on their birth titles and royal favour; only princesses of high birth (Chao Fa, Phra Ong Chao and Mom Chao Ying) assuming titles higher than Chao Chom. There were no clear rules about

1782-427: The best one and abandon others. He would often rely upon the Supreme Council to prod him in a particular direction. From the beginning of his reign King Prajadhipok was acutely aware that political change was necessary if the monarchy was to be preserved. He viewed his newly established Supreme Council as an institutional check upon the powers of an absolute monarch. During 1926, Prajadhipok experimented with using

1848-624: The children of male Mom Chao, are considered commoners. However, these commoners have titles indicating that their ancestry can be traced back to a king. Mom Rajawongse (หม่อมราชวงศ์, RTGS :  Mom Ratchawong ; abbreviated in Thai as ม.ร.ว. and in English as M. R. and translated as "His/Her Excellency") is the title assumed by children of male Mom Chao M.C.(English) M.C. After first name Informally, they may be called Khun Chai (male) or Khun Ying (female) ( คุณชาย.../คุณหญิง... ). Holders of this title are occasionally erroneously referred to as princes or princesses in older English documents; it

1914-598: The commander of the military in Bangkok, to stage a coup d'état to unseat the Phahon government and replace it with a more traditional one. Early in October 1933, Prince Boworadej appeared in Korat to mobilize the army to rebel. He soon took complete control of Korat and got positive responses from other provinces. On 11 October 1933, under the leadership of Boworadej, calling on the government to resign immediately or be removed by force on

1980-462: The committee remained relatively unimportant and sadly did not develop into a more powerful or representative body. In 1926 Prajadhipok wrote a lengthy memorandum to his American adviser Francis B. Sayre titled "Problems of Siam" in which he set forth nine questions he felt were the most serious facing the nation. The third question asked whether Siam should have a parliamentary system, which Prajadhipok doubted. The fourth question asked whether Siam

2046-472: The coup plotters in a royal audience. As they entered the room, Prajadhipok greeted them, saying "I rise in honour of the Khana Ratsadorn." It was a significant gesture because, according to previous royal rituals, monarchs were to remain seated while their subjects made obeisance, this showed that Prajadhipok was acknowledging the changed circumstances. In the early stages of the constitutional monarchy,

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2112-533: The end of King Chulalongkorn 's reign from 1902 to 1905. He was "retired" in the latter part of King Vajiravudh 's reign, but he was brought back into active service shortly after King Prajadhipok ascended the throne. Boworadej became the Royal Thai Army Chief of Staff in 1926. He took over the position as the Minister of Defence from Prince Boriphat who was promoted to Interior Minister in 1928. In 1929

2178-439: The entire cabinet of ministry heads had been replaced with newly appointed Princes or nobles, with only three former members being re-appointed. While the family appointments brought back men of talent and experience, they also signalled a return to royal oligarchy. The king clearly wished to demonstrate a clear break with the discredited sixth reign, and his choice of men to fill the top positions appeared to be guided largely by

2244-555: The government and restored its power. He played an active role in an anti-revolutionary network, which also aimed to assassinate Khana Ratsadon's leaders. In October 1933, the maverick Prince Boworadej , a former minister of defence, led an armed revolt against the government. In the Boworadet Rebellion , he mobilised several provincial garrisons and marched on Bangkok, occupying the Don Muang aerodrome. Prince Boworadej accused

2310-445: The government did not comply, on 14 October Prajadhipok announced his intention to abdicate unless his requests were met. The People's Party rejected the ultimatum, and on 2 March 1935, Prajadhipok abdicated, to be replaced by Ananda Mahidol . Prajadhipok issued a brief statement criticising the regime that included the following phrases, since often quoted by critics of Thailand's slow political development. I am willing to surrender

2376-413: The government of being disrespectful to the monarch and of promoting communism, and demanded that government leaders resign. However, the rebellion ultimately failed. The king did not directly support the rebellion, but there was a cheque from the treasury to Boworadej. The insurrection diminished the king's prestige. When the revolt began, Prajadhipok immediately informed the government that he regretted

2442-404: The government. The rebel leaders backed down from their original demand for the government to resign as troops in the provinces they counted on failed to march on Bangkok and all the units in Bangkok remained loyal to the government. By the end of October 1933, rebel remnants dispersed after Phibun commanded a counterattack in Bangkok, and the royalist rebellion was over. The government broadcast

2508-511: The hierarchy of titles above Chao Chom until the time of King Mongkut , and titles changed over successive reigns. The rule about commoners also seems to be evolving, and it appears that there are no more restrictions on a commoner from becoming queen. Most of the titles below are from King Vajiravudh 's 1924 enactment of the Succession Law. Holders of these titles are still considered royal, since they are (at most) two generations removed from

2574-466: The king convened a "round table" meeting to discuss the many competing arguments and to agree on how to tackle the crisis. From this meeting it was agreed to make large cuts in government spending and implement a retrenchment programme. Two weeks later on 5 February the king addressed a group of military officers and spoke at length about the economic situation. In this speech he remarked "I myself know nothing at all about managing finances, and all I can do

2640-544: The king honored Boworadej by raising him from His Serene Highness to His Highness status. His Highness Prince Boworadej had a fierce conflict with Prince Boriphat over the budget for the coming year in 1931. Prince Boworadej submitted his resignation to express his dissatisfaction. After some disputes by both sides, the resignation of Prince Boworadej was accepted by the Supreme Council of State and King Prajadhipok. The prince's relationship with other powerful princes soured after this crisis. The Special Court's "Decision on

2706-401: The king to keep her title when she married commoner Virayudh Tishyasarin. In addition to royal ranks and titles, royals may also receive noble titles in the style of the nobility . These are referred to as krom ( กรม ) titles. While the granting of noble titles ceased with the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, on very rare occasions the king may still grant an honorary noble title to

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2772-529: The king's wish, and another House member criticized the king for being unbearable. Prajadhipok, whose relations with the Khana Ratsadon had been deteriorating for some time, went on a tour of Europe before visiting England for medical treatment. He continued to correspond with the government regarding the conditions under which he would continue to serve. He tried to retain some of the royal powers, such as power to veto law with no possible override. Other disagreements were on royal assets and royal benefits. After

2838-458: The king). The People's Party demanded Prajadhipok become a constitutional monarch and grant Thai people a constitution. In the event of a negative response, they reserved the right to declare Siam a republic. The king immediately accepted the People's Party's request and the first "permanent" constitution of Siam was promulgated on 10 December. Prajadhipok returned to Bangkok on 26 June and received

2904-449: The language is less elaborate than when speaking to the king or the queen. A male Luk Luang who does not accede to the throne would assume a new royal surname, normally reflecting his birth name (as opposed to an honorific given later). The surname can be used by his wife if she is a commoner by birth, possibly with Na Ayudhya added if she has no noble title. It is otherwise not normally used until his children (or grandchildren) first hold

2970-490: The last royal descendants retaining a title. Mom Luang titles are conferred on children of male Mom Rajawongse. Colloquially (although incorrectly), they are sometimes addressed as "Mom"; the correct informal address is "Khun" ( คุณ ). In the Family Name Act, B. E. 2465, Rama VI ordered that royal descendants who do not hold any title should append "na Ayudhya" (ณ อยุธยา) to their surname to signify they are descended from

3036-416: The powers I formerly exercised to the people as a whole, but I am not willing to turn them over to any individual or any group to use in an autocratic manner without heeding the voice of the people. The former king had good grounds for complaint. Reaction to the abdication was muted. Stowe wrote that the absolutism of the monarchy had been replaced by that of the People's Party, with the military looming in

3102-414: The prince. Boworadej was then at odds with the Promoters. An ardent royalist, he was furious that anyone was allowed to sue the king. This added to his displeasure at Phahon's coup in 1933 against Manopakorn and Phahon's support of Pridi against the monarch. At the end of July 1933, Phibun and Supha sent a circular to a number of prominent individuals warning them to "exercise peace of mind", otherwise

3168-468: The royal family, although to emphasise the break with the previous reign the selected five had all fallen out of favour with the previous monarch. The council thus comprised three of the king's uncles, Prince Bhanurangsi, Prince Naris and Prince Damrong Rajanubhab and two of his half-brothers, Prince Kitiyakon (Prince Chantaburi) and Prince Boriphat. Many of the Princes of the Supreme Council felt that it

3234-527: The same day, the government in Bangkok refused to comply with their demands. Government forces were defeated and several members of the government were captured. Boworadej tried to persuade other forces to join him, including the Royal Thai Navy , which instead declared itself neutral. The commander-in-chief of the navy withdrew his battleships from the capital and sailed to ports in the south . The People's Party put out radio broadcasts and leaflets damning

3300-432: The separation between personal and royal assets as he did not want to pay tax, and protested an amendment to diminish the king's consideration of death sentence over the courts. After many losses to Khana Ratsadon, the king seemed to change his stance and expressed support for democracy and blamed Khana Ratsadon for being anti-democratic. However, Phibul later discussed in the House that unelected parliamentary members were

3366-456: The strife and civil disturbances. The royal couple then took refuge at Songkhla , in the far south. The king's withdrawal from the scene was interpreted by the Khana Ratsadorn as a failure to do his duty. By not throwing his full support behind government forces, he had undermined their trust in him. In 1934 the Assembly voted to amend civil and military penal codes. The king vetoed the changes to

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3432-500: The throne, as his brothers all died within a relatively short period. In 1925, King Vajiravudh himself died at the age of 44. Prajadhipok became absolute monarch at only thirty-two. He was crowned King of Siam on 25 February 1926. Relatively unprepared for his new responsibilities, Prajadhipok was nevertheless intelligent, diplomatic in his dealings with others, modest, and eager to learn. However, he had inherited serious political and economic problems from his predecessor. The budget

3498-618: The title e.g. Somdej Phra Chao Boromawong Ther Kromma Phraya Damrong Rajanubhab (born Phra Ong Chao Disuankumaan). There are 5 feudal titles for prince/princess: The ranks of royal peerage are: Since the time of King Chulalongkorn, the honorific titles given to the royalties normally incorporate a city name or its modified form, and the holders are known in English as the Prince or Princess of that city. The sovereign may grant titles to other royal-family members: King Prajadhipok Prajadhipok (8 November 1893 – 30 May 1941)

3564-526: The title of Mom Chao , when the surname will first appear in their names. Elevated for "Princess Royal" by Rama X Higher than the other royal family; for example, After their grandfather's reign, their title changes to Phra Chao Voravongse Ther Phra Ong Chao (พระเจ้าวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า) After their grandfather's reign, their title changes to Phra Voravongse Ther Phra Ong Chao (พระวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า) Phra Ong Chao (พระวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า) His Grace More distant royal progeny, starting from

3630-630: The wings as the ultimate arbiter of power. Prajadhipok spent the rest of his life with Queen Rambhai Barni in England. At the time of abdication, the couple lived at Knowle House, in Surrey , just outside London. However, this house was not suitable considering his health, so they moved to a smaller house in Virginia Water (still in Surrey), but with more space. The house was named "Hangmoor", but wishing to give it

3696-492: Was a conservative and royalist nobleman. The compromise broke down quickly. He did not contest when his interpretation of Pridi's economic plan, which also aim on land reform and seizure of royal land, was released with his signature. The king played a role in the coup d'état of April 1933 , where the House was ordered to close by the prime minister. He signed an order to execute Khana Ratsadon leaders. But Khana Ratsadon's military wing leader Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena ousted

3762-415: Was a simple affair attended by just Queen Ramphai and a handful of close relatives. Queen Ramphaiphanni stayed at Compton House for a further eight years before she returned to Thailand in 1949, bringing the king's ashes back with her. Historian David K. Wyatt writes that Prajadhipok was "a hard-working, effective executor" who was "intellectually equal to the demands of his office", and whose main failing

3828-716: Was a wedding gift to the couple from Queen Saovabha . After the war in Europe ended, he attended the École Superieure de Guerre in France, returning to Siam to the Siamese military. During this time, he was granted the additional title Krom Luang Sukhothai (Prince of Sukhothai ). Prajadhipok lived a generally quiet life with his wife at their residence, Sukhothai Palace , next to the Chao Phraya River . The couple had no children. Prajadhipok soon found himself rising rapidly in succession to

3894-587: Was heavily in deficit, and the royal financial accounts were in serious disorder. The entire world was in the throes of the Great Depression . In an institutional innovation intended to restore confidence in the monarchy and government, Prajadhipok, in what was virtually his first act as king, announced the creation of the Supreme Council of the State of Siam . This council was made up of five experienced members of

3960-488: Was held in sterling. The Minister of Finance kept Siam on the gold standard by linking the currency to the US dollar, but debate about this policy raged within the government into 1932. One impact of this policy was that Siam's rice exports became more expensive than competitor exporters, negatively impacting revenue. In mid-October 1931 the king returned from a trip to Canada and the US and ordered Prince Devawongse Varoprakar ,

4026-402: Was obtained regarding local self-government in surrounding countries, and proposals to allow certain municipalities to raise local taxes and manage their own budgets were drawn up. The fact that the public was not sufficiently educated to make the scheme work militated against the success of this administrative venture. Nevertheless, the idea of teaching the Siamese the concept of democracy through

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4092-444: Was ready for representative government, to which Prajadhipok answered "my personal opinion is an emphatic NO". However, the king did see a possibility to introduce reform at the local level as the "next step in our educational move towards democracy". In 1926 he began moves to develop the concept of prachaphiban , or "municipality", which had emerged late in the fifth reign as a law regarding public health and sanitation. Information

4158-581: Was the seventh king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty , titled Rama VII . His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to political and social changes during the 1932 Siamese revolution . He is to date the only Siamese monarch of the Chakri dynasty to abdicate. Somdet Chaofa Prajadhipok Sakdidej ( Thai : สมเด็จเจ้าฟ้าประชาธิปกศักดิเดชน์ ) was born on 8 November 1893 in Bangkok , Siam (now Thailand) to King Chulalongkorn and Queen Saovabha Phongsri . Prince Prajadhipok

4224-512: Was the youngest of nine children born to the couple. Overall he was the king's second-youngest child (of a total of 77), and the 33rd and youngest of Chulalongkorn's sons. Unlikely to succeed to the throne, Prince Prajadhipok chose to pursue a military career. Like many of the king's children, he was sent abroad to study, going to Eton College in 1906, then to the Woolwich Military Academy from which he graduated in 1913. He received

4290-476: Was their duty to make amends for the mistakes of the previous reign, but their acts were not generally appreciated, for the government failed to communicate to the public the purpose of the policies they pursued to rectify Vajiravudh's extreme financial extravagances. Gradually these princes arrogated power to themselves, monopolising all the main ministerial positions and appointing their sons and brothers to both administrative and military posts. By April 1926 almost

4356-409: Was to underestimate the Bangkok elite's growing nationalism, and that "[a]s late as his death in exile, many would have agreed with his judgement that a move towards democracy in 1932 was premature." The idea that the 1932 revolution was premature is echoed in a common royalist sentiment that proliferated as the Thai monarchy regained status over ensuing decades. In this view, Prajadhipok is credited as

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