Word: sarit
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Time of Decision. Last week Pibul achieved exile. With him into discard, but in a different direction, went the more powerful of his two oldest and closest political cronies, Police Chief General Phao Sriyanond. His second longtime crony, Army Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, stayed on in Bangkok, comfortably ensconced as the new political leader of Thailand...
...Marshal Sarit, onetime heavy drinker now reformed (liver trouble) who raises orchids and roses in his spare time, seemed genuinely sorry that he had found it necessary to call in his tanks and troops to remove Pibul. "I would like to say," said the marshal wistfully, "that I am not pleased with what I am doing. I will always be grateful to the Prime Minister. He has done a great deal for the nation...
...Sarit added that he hoped Pibul would return, and "even run for Parliament, if he likes." Others were less kind. Cracked a Western diplomat: "This is the end of government of the Pibul, by the Pibul. and for the Pibul...
...Resigning Game. Premier Pibul thought this an excellent suggestion-and appointed Simple Soldier Sarit to his Cabinet as Defense Minister. Then he ordered all Cabinet ministers to forsake their commercial interests. Marshal Sarit and some of his supporters resigned both their political posts and-in theory at least-their positions in private enterprises. General Phao resigned from his various directorships, but held firmly to his position as police chief...
These maneuvers troubled Pibul, because Sarit's resignation was followed by so many resignations from the National Assembly that it left the government's majority in doubt. Sarit & Co. insisted they would not cooperate with Pibul unless Phao resigned as police chief. At week's end, General Phao did just that, but remained on as Minister of Interior. This pleased everyone; it also served to strengthen a growing conviction that Premier Pibul, though his troubles with Marshal Sarit were far from over, was still pretty firmly in control, as he has been for 15 of the last...