Khuang Aphaiwong

Khuang Aphaiwong (also spelled Kuang, Abhaiwong and Abhaiwongse; , ; 17 May 1902 – 15 March 1968), also known by his noble title Luang Kowit-aphaiwong (, ), was the founder of the Democrat Party and three times the prime minister of Thailand: from August 1944 to 1945, from January to May 1946, and from November 1947 to April 1948.

Early life and political career Khuang was born in Battambang (a city in Cambodia), a son of the Siamese governor Chao Phraya Abhayabhubet. The Aphaiwongs were of royal Khmer lineage. Khuang attended Debsirin School and Assumption College, Bangkok, later studying engineering at the Ecole Centrale de Lyon in France. On his return to Thailand, he worked in the telegraph department, finally becoming director of the department. This earned him the feudal title Luang Kowit-aphaiwong. He married Lekha Kunadilok (Goone-Tilleke), daughter of Ceylon-born lawyer William Alfred Goone-Tilleke, founder of the law firm Tilleke & Gibbins.

Promoter of regime change and minister Khuang was a member of the civil faction of Khana Ratsadon ("People's Party"), the group that promoted the Siamese revolution of 1932, that brought a regime change from absolute to constitutional monarchy. Afterwards, he served as minister without portfolio in the cabinets of Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena and Plaek Phibunsongkhram (Phibun). During World War II he was commissioned a major and joined the King's Guard. As such he was at the head of the mission to Battambang which in July 1941 took control of the Cambodian territories occupied during the Franco-Thai War, to be renamed Phra Tabong Province. His father had been governor of part of this region before it was ceded to France 1907. Later he became minister of commerce and communications.

Despite holding positions in the government, Khuang was largely apolitical and held technical posts such as Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department, and Minister of Communications.

Prime Minister of Thailand

First premiership (1944–1945) On 24 July 1944, Phibun submitted his resignation to the Council of Regency over the National Assembly's refusal to accept two bills concerning the construction of a new capital city at Phetchabun and a Buddhist city near Saraburi, which were defeated on July 20 and July 22 respectively. Whether this was a planned conspiracy to oust Phibun is unclear, with Khuang stating that Pridi Banomyong (Phibun's rival since the 1930s) had sent agents to get in touch with Assembly members. The council accepted Phibun's resignation on July 26. In an emergency session, the Assembly elected Khuang as Prime Minister, who was the vice-president of the Assembly at the time. Khuang attributed his success to Pridi's influence. His appointment was opposed by Prince Aditya Dibabha, head of the Council of Regency, who refused to sign the decree appointing Khuang as PM. After failing to persuade Khuang against becoming PM, Aditya resigned from the council on July 31. Pridi was named the sole regent by the Assembly and appointed Khuang PM on August 1.

After the defeat of the Japanese in August 1945, Khuang resigned on 31 August 1945, to make way for a new administration by the Free Thai forces. Thawi succeeded Khuang in a caretaker role until Senj Pramoj was appointed PM on September 17.

Khuang died on 15 March 1968, at age 65.

Honours

Thai Decorations

Foreign Decorations