Plaek Phibunsongkhram

Plaek Phibunsongkhram (Thai: แปลก พิบูลสงคราม; other name were Marshal P. (Thai: จอมพล ป.) in Thailand and Phibun in the West; 14 July 1897 – 11 June 1964) was a Thai military officer and politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and again from 1948 to 1957. In 1941, he was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal.

Plaek Phibunsongkhram
แปลก พิบูลสงคราม
Plaek c. 1940s
Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 8 April 1948 – 16 September 1957
Monarch	Bhumibol Adulyadej
Deputy	See list Fuen Ronnaphagrad Ritthakhanee Prayoon Yuthasastrkosol Worakarn Bancha Phin Choonhavan Sawat Sawatdironnachai Sawatdikea
Preceded by	Khuang Aphaiwong
Succeeded by	Sarit Thanarat (de facto)
In office 16 December 1938 – 1 August 1944
Monarch	Ananda Mahidol
Deputy	See list Adul Aduldetjarat Chaweng Saksongkhram
Preceded by	Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena
Succeeded by	Khuang Aphaiwong
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
In office 13 November 1940 – 24 November 1943
Succeeded by	Sarit Thanarat
Commander in Chief of the Army
In office 9 November 1947 – 15 May 1948
Preceded by	Adun Adundetcharat
Succeeded by	Phin Choonhavan
In office 4 January 1938 – 5 August 1944
Preceded by	Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena
Succeeded by	Phichit Kriangsakphichit
Personal details
Born	Plaek (1897-07-14)14 July 1897 Nonthaburi, Siam
Died	11 June 1964(1964-06-11) (aged 66) Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
Political party	Seri Manangkhasila Party (1955–1957)
Other political affiliations	Khana Ratsadon (1927–1954)
Spouse(s)	La-iat Bhandhukravi ​ (m. 1903)​
Children	6
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Siam Thailand
Branch/service	Royal Thai Army Royal Thai Armed Forces
Years of service	1914–1957
Rank	Field Marshal Admiral of the Fleet Marshal of the Air Force
Commands	Supreme Commander
Battles/wars	Siamese revolution of 1932 Boworadet Rebellion World War II Franco-Thai War Pacific War Palace Rebellion

As a young artillery officer, Plaek studied at French military academies. He joined the constitutionalist "Khana Ratsadon" and gained military and political power after their takeover in the Siamese revolution of 1932. After suppressing a royalist coup attempt, he became Minister of Defense in 1934. In 1938, he was elected Prime Minister by the parliament.

Plaek ruled Thailand in an authoritarian manner, promoting aggressive nationalism and militarism. He aimed to culturally modernize Thailand, drawing inspiration from Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, and Empire of Japan. Plaek aspired to create a "Greater Thai Empire" and demanded territorial concessions from the British and French colonial empires. Between 1940 and 1941, he led Thailand in a war against France and in 1942 allied with Japan in World War II. In July 1944, Plaek was forced to resign.

In 1947, the military, under Phibun, seized power again. In 1948, he became Prime Minister once more, ruling the country in an authoritarian manner but this time closely aligning with the United States. After initiating steps towards democratization in 1955, he was ousted by a rival military faction in 1957. Plaek went into exile in Japan, where he died.