Word: pibul
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...most powerful politician in Thailand is astute Premier Pibulsonggram, but there has long been dispute as to just which of the Premier's closest cronies, his Army field marshal, Sarit Thanarat, or his police chief, General Phao Sriyanond, is the second most powerful. This uncertainty has always suited Pibul just fine...
...smuggling, activities which got particularly careful coverage in Marshal Sarit's own personal chain of newspapers, while Marshal Sarit's commercial connections were discussed in the columns of General Phao's papers. The activities of both Phao and Sarit, in turn, were dutifully reported by Premier Pibul's string of newspapers, and with this delicate system of checks and balances, Thailand's government has survived an impressive list of ups and downs...
When Thailand held its national election this year, General Phao's police force was highly active in its support of Pibul's government. Pibul declared martial law when it became apparent his majority was going to be less than he had hoped, and called out the army and air force to see that the election itself did not get out of hand. Afterwards Marshal Sarit let it be known that he was "the only good man left." He demanded, as a slap meant for Phao, a new government in which Cabinet ministers would not maintain private commercial connections...
...only did Pibul lead all other candidates in Bangkok, but the sole woman candidate elected turned out to be his wife, Lady Laiad. True enough, two of Pibul's ministers were defeated and at least 26 seats had fallen to Nai Khuang and his Democrats, but at week's end, with 135 seats accounted for, Pibul's men had won 77-more than enough to assure the Premier control of even the free half of Parliament...
...this point, would-be Democrat Pibul apparently decided there was something to be said for the old book-learned techniques after all. At 7, one morning, Bangkok Radio suddenly announced that the Premier had proclaimed a nationwide "state of emergency," banning political meetings of more than five people. Then, as Thai air force Sabre Jets screamed over the city, the impromptu news broadcast gave way to the stirring strains of Marching Through Georgia...