Boworadet Rebellion - Legacy

Legacy

As the victorious faction Phraya Phahol's Government was able to further cement their grip on power, moving ever closer to a dictatorship using the military as a tool. Even though there is no evidence that Prajadhipok ever supported the rebellion, the result was nevertheless a blow to the King, as his prestige was greatly diminished and his power severely weakened. The King's lack of leadership and indecisiveness showed when he only released a telegram saying that he regretted the strife and civil disturbances that occurred, he and the Queen then left the capital for Songkla leaving the Government to deal with the rebellion. During this time he also failed to support his constitutional Government morally, which undermined his credibility and his perceived commitment to democracy and the constitutional system. This gave Phraya Phahol and the King's opponents reason to point that the monarch has failed to do his duty. The series of events following the rebellion eventually led to the King's abdication in 1935. The rebellion also led to the estrangement of the aristocratic factions and families, which has served the Kingdom for centuries. They were viewed with distrust and would never again regained their power and position in Thai politics.

The rebellion was also seen as a beginning of the meteoric rise of the two key players in the rebellion: Pridi and Phibul. Pridi, eventually became leader of the civilian faction within the Government and later Regent for King Ananda Mahidol (or Rama VIII) from 1944–1946 and then eventually Prime Minister in 1946. Phibul became the new leader and hero of the military faction and replacing Phraya Phahol as Prime Minister from 1938–1944 and then later 1948–1957, and eventually de facto dictator of Thailand (to date the longest serving Prime Minister in Thai history).

The Rebellion Suppression Monument was established at Khet Lak Si, Bangkok, as a commemoration of this event, and later renamed as the Constitution Defense Monument.