514. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson) to the Acting Secretary of State1
SUBJECT
- Restoration of Constitutional Government in Thailand
After over three months of ruling Thailand without benefit of a Parliament or Constitutional procedures, Field Marshal Sarit’s “Revolutionary Party” has restored normal governmental procedures in Thailand by establishing 1) an interim constitution; 2) a constituent assembly; and 3) a cabinet.
The interim constitution, promulgated January 28, 1959, describes the King as Chief of State with sovereignty emanating from the people and provides for a constituent assembly with usual parliamentary privileges; a cabinet whose members are excluded from assembly membership; countersignature of laws, royal rescripts, etc., by a cabinet minister; and special power for the Prime Minister to suppress actions jeopardizing national security. Assembly approval is not required for actions taken under these special powers, and Sarit can operate essentially as he has since October 1958, but in constitutional garb.
The constituent assembly, formed on February 3, will also serve as national legislature pending promulgation of a permanent constitution (probably a year or more from now). It is a unicameral body of 240 members nominally appointed by the King but selected by Sarit. Of the 75% of the members who have military positions, almost all are in Bangkok area. The Assembly also includes a number of reputable career officials, some of Phibun’s followers, a few journalists (including two leftists), but no professional leftist politicians and only two minor members of the conservative opposition. So long as the military oligarchy maintains unity, its control over the Assembly appears unchallengeable, whether or not Sarit dies or becomes incapacitated. Thus, the parliament has once again been remolded to conform to the actual power situation in Thailand.
The Cabinet, appointed by the King on February 10, is led by Sarit who was “elected” Prime Minister by the Assembly the preceding day. It is a competent government, consisting of four army officers (including Generals Thanom and Praphat),2 and ten former civil officials (most of whom are well and favorably known by US representatives). [Page 1069] Inclusion of Prince Wan as a second Deputy Prime Minister is probably a face-saving gesture to permit his utilization for international tasks.3 Sarit reportedly intends to depend for thinking and planning upon special committees set up since October 1958, which will report to the “Executive Office of the Prime Minister.” Absence of constitutionally imposed responsibility to the Assembly provides considerable insurance against political frictions at least within the Cabinet.
Comment
Sarit has now completed his plan for the establishment of a strong executive unhampered by the necessity of coping with an elected parliament. The new institutions appear to afford a constitutional framework for a relatively stable government in the immediate future. Together with the recent appointment of Thanom as Deputy Supreme Commander of the Thai Armed Forces, the new institutions also create conditions which would permit an orderly transfer of power to Thanom and Praphat should Sarit collapse.4 So long as the latter’s health does not deteriorate further, it is unlikely that his authority will be challenged, although factionalism within the military group will continue to be an unsettling factor.
On the basis of present intelligence we do not foresee a loss of power by the military group for some time to come. At the same time, restrictions on freedom of expression, which have now been given legal status by the special powers conferred upon the Prime Minister in the Constitution, conflict with a trend toward political awareness which had been developing in Thai urban centers. Should these restrictions become so oppressive as to prevent an outlet for the government’s opposition, some elements of this opposition might succumb to subversive influences.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 792.03/2–1359. Confidential. Drafted by Bushner.↩
- Thanom was named Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense; Praphat became Minister of the Interior.↩
- Prince Wan became a Deputy Prime Minister with no portfolio. Thanat Khoman was named Minister of Foreign Affairs.↩
- On February 23, Sarit underwent surgery. His post-operative recovery was reported to be excellent. (Telegrams 2141 and 2147 from Bangkok, February 23 and 24; Department of State, Central Files, 792.13/2–2359 and 792.13/2–2459)↩