NOTE: Apologies for the formatting problems, but this post was done in Google Docs. Please don't click on footnote links. They did not quite work as I had hoped. Please scroll down instead.
Samak Sundaravej was recently appointed the leader of Palang Prachachon (People’s Power Party) which is the party a number of key former Thai Rak Thai members have joined. Samak has no Wikipedia page, when I last checked, and it is difficult to find much on him, hence this post.
This is one of those posts which started off really small, but just grew larger and larger on what I could find on Samak. I will be upfront about this post and that is I, as any student of Thai politics had done, had read widely on the 1970s, particularly 1976. I thought I was having a mind blank with Samak seemingly been prominently linked to the events of October 6, 1976 - I have read dozens of dissertations, books, and journal articles over the years and rarely saw Samak’s name come up that often. I was thinking, had I missed something? Unfortunately, traipsing through the library to dig up and scan sources is not something I am willing to do for a blog post, but I do have a number of journal articles, magazine articles and books (via Google Books) from over the years. Nevertheless, as the new leader of the People’s Power Party, he will likely play a key role in Thai politics over the next few years, but sources on him are limited.
This is not a complete look on Samak it was what I could find in the allotted time I set aside for this post.
1. Up to 1978
Samak was born on June 13, 1935. His father held a relatively high position, in his words in the bureaucracy, his father was laid during an economic crisis and his family had little money. He cooked for his parents and his 7 siblings – hence his cooking shows on TV to this day and he was a deserts vendor in the local market. He is a Bangkok native and graduated from Thammasat University's Faculty of Law[1] – Chuan Leekpai was one of his fellow classmates.[2] He worked as a tour guide, a trainer (instructing cashiers in the use of registers), a salesman and a public relations officer at the Israeli Embassy in Thailand before applying for membership in the Democrat Party in 1968. [3] In 1967, Samak also had a column in Sayaam Rat where he berated all.[4]
He was with the Democrat Party for 8 years from 1968 to 1976 - as stated below:
Source: "The Oyster and the Shell": Thai Bureaucrats in Politics Kamol Somvichian Asian Survey, Vol. 18, No. 8 (Aug., 1978), pp. 829-837 on page 836:
Samak was a member for Dusit, this is the government area of Bangkok which I understand includes the Palace and is a prominent military area. He was Deputy Minister of Interior in the Seni Cabinet of April 20 1976-September 23 1976.[5] Samak was also not any member of the Democrat party, but he was Deputy Secretary General as well:
Source: "The Oyster and the Shell": Thai Bureaucrats in Politics Kamol Somvichian Asian Survey, Vol. 18, No. 8 (Aug., 1978), pp. 829-837 on page 830.
The Seni government collapsed when Seni resigned as PM in September 23 1976, but he was back a few days later. Samak had a major difference of opinion with his fellow Democrat Party Cabinet Ministers as illustrated in this excerpt below:
Source: Thailand in 1976: Another Defeat for Constitutional Democracy Frank C. Darling Asian Survey, Vol. 17, No. 2, A Survey of Asia in 1976: Part 2 (Feb., 1977), pp. 116-132 at page 126
Samak was not reappointed to the Cabinet for the short-live Cabinet of Seni government again from September 25 1976 to the coup on October 6 1976. Given the prominent linking of Samak’s name to October 6 one would seemingly think that he was some prominent leader, but he was at best a minor player in the events of October 6, 1976. The most prominent link to Samak and October 6 is this Chang Noi article from 2000:
Of these, Samak Sundaravej is one of the most prominent. Hence Acharn Ji Ungphakorn’s little exam for him. Q1: Did he back the radio station which was screaming "Kill them, kill them" on the eve of the massacre? Q2: Did he claim the Thammasat students were working for the Vietnamese communists? Q3: Did he, basically, approve? The answers to this exam are easy. Samak’s major role in these events is well-known.
COMMENT: I am not sure that Samak’s role in the “October 6 affair” is that well known. Yes, Samak was certainly on the “right” of the political perspective, but I think the claims that Giles/Ji makes seem a little of a stretch.[6]
On “backing the radio station”, was this Samak’s radio station or a Samak program? The prominent radio station at the time that was attacking the students was a military radio station, the Armoured Division Radio Station, and I assume this is the radio station that Giles/Chang Noi was referring to. This was under the military’s control, not Samak’s. Now, you can rightfully criticise Samak for supporting such radio stations putting out nationalist propaganda, but then you should criticise all other members of the military-bureaucracy for supporting such a radio station. I am little bemused why Samak was singled out here.
There were numerous other entities unrelated to Samak who played a much bigger role in the events of October 6. You had the Red Guars, the Village Scout Movement[7] and the Nawaphon.[8] The Red Gaurs were directed from officers from Internal Security Operations Command.[9] It was founded by Sudsai Husdin and one of its leaders was Gen. Chatchai Choonhaven.[10] Sudsai Husdin was a personal friend of Prem and Prem appointed him Interior Minister in the 1980s, where he well assisted Prem. All of these groups had links to the monarchy - Bowie skillfully lays out the link with the Village Scouts in this book. These were the groups who perpetrated the killings and other incidents in the lead up to October 6 and on October 6. I haven’t read anywhere on Samak’s connection with any of these groups.
After October 8, 1976, Samak was appointed as Minister of Interior in the military government of Thanin Kraivixien from October 8, 1976 - October 19, 1977. This is probably where most criticism of Samak emanates from. But there is little criticism of this government and one can only surmise this is because of its links with the monarchy.
2. 1978-1992.
In the 1979 election, Samk’s party newly established party, Prachakorn Thai Party, won 32 seats in the 301 seat House of Representatives.[11]
One of the reasons for Samak's success was his strong rhetoric
Source: Ansil Ramsay, 'Thailand 1979: A Government in Trouble', Asian Survey, Vol. 20, No. 2, A Survey of Asia in 1979: Part II (Feb., 1980), pp. 112-122 at 114-115.
In the 1983 election, Samk’s party, Prachakorn Thai Party, won 36 seats in the 324 seat House of Representatives.[12] Samak was appointed the Minister of Transport in Prem’s government of April 30, 1983 - August 5, 1986. However, after the 1986 election, Samak’s party only 24 seats including 16 in Bangkok.[13] Samak did not become part of the Prem government as this report states:
However, it probably came as a surprise to Samak Sundaravej, leader of the Prachakorn Thai Party formed in 1978, that his right-wing and monarchist group was not invited to join the coalition. Before the election, master orator Samak stated that the new postelection government should continue its strong military ties and should once again be led by outgoing Prem. In so doing, he rejected the suggestion that Kukrit Pramoj, who had retired from party politics altogether in May 1986, should head the new postelection regime
COMMENT: I think one could say this was the beginning of the tension between Prem and Samak.
Samak’s replacement as Minister of Transport was none other than Banharn Silpa-Archa who instituted what was called a “de-Samakisation” campaign to abrogate various projects instituted by Samak.[14] Samak though regained his position as Minister of Transport in the Chatchai government of December 9, 1990 - February 23, 1991 – before it was overthrown by a military coup. Samak was also Deputy Prime Minister in Suchinda’s short-live government of April 7, 1992 - June 9, 1992.
[1] Samak Sundaravej (3) Feature Style Profiles. Bangkok: Feb 22, 1998.
[2] Business Day, Bangkok. Bangkok: Sep 1, 2000. pg. 1.
[3] Samak Sundaravej (3) Feature Style Profiles. Bangkok: Feb 22, 1998.
[4] David Streckfuss, ‘Kings in the Age of Nations: The Paradox of Lese-Majeste as Political Crime in Thailand’, Comparative Studies in Society and History, Vol. 37, No. 3 (Jul., 1995), pp. 445-475 at 467. In a 1967 book review. Samak Sunthorawet berated American journalist Louis Lomax as a "lousy American" for his account. Thailand, the War That Is, the War That Will Be. In his Sajaam Rat column. Samak Sunthorawet condemns this book because it implies that "the king does not have enough charisma to unite the Thai people, and insults all the goodness of all the Thai people by saying if they could choose, the Southerners would join Malaya, and Isaan would choose to be of another. unspecified country".
[5] Guess who was also in the Cabinet with him? Actually, there were a few notable members, Chuan Leekpai, the long time former Democrat Party leader and two time PM in the 90s. Banharn "I have charisma" Silpa-Archa, current Chat Thai leader and former PM in the mid 90s, and Major General Chatichai Choonhaven, who was PM at the time of the coup in 1991.
[6] I should note though that Giles in other writings (MS Word Doc) on “Cleansing democracy of socialism : Crushing the Thai Left on the 6th Oct 1976 and the consequences for present day politics” does not make one single mention of Samak.
[8] You had Nawaphon or Navapol New Force, or Ninth Force, alluding to the King,
ninth in the dynasty) set up by a group of 'senior rightist army officers. Nawaphon was founded in October 1974. The former head of military intelligence, General Wallop Rojanawisut, and friends, alarmed at mounting political unrest in Thailand and the deteriorating situation in Indochina, then decided to promote a 'sort of national ideology' in support of Nation, Religion and Monarchy. Navapol's spokesman, Wattana Khieowimon, openly declared in a speech at Khonkaen in October 1975 that his movement would polarise the domestic situation and create conditions of political unrest that would permit a coup: Navapol publication, Kaen Prachachon, quoted by Flood, 'The United States and the Military Coup in Thailand,' loc. cit. Thailand. [Source: J. L. S. Girling, ‘The Coup and Its Implications’ Pacific Affairs, Vol. 50, No. 3 (Autumn, 1977), pp. 387-405, at 396]. You can read more about them here.
[9] : J. L. S. Girling, ‘The Coup and Its Implications’ Pacific Affairs, Vol. 50, No. 3 (Autumn, 1977), pp. 387-405, at 395
[10] Jim. Glassman, Thailand at the Margins: Internationalization of the State and the Transformation of Labour: http://books.google.com/books?id=fYhNPWewY2MC& amp;pg=PA68&lpg=PA68&dq=village+scouts+bowie&source= web&ots=l-6D1bcPM4&sig=AF1xH8iiS0rVKiYifx_UuRwSVgg#PPA68,M1
[11] Ansil Ramsay, ‘Thailand 1979: A Government in Trouble’, Asian Survey, Vol. 20, No. 2, A Survey of Asia in 1979: Part II (Feb., 1980), pp. 112-122 at 114.
[12] COLIN CAMPBELL, Special to the New York Times. New York Times. (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Apr 19, 1983. pg. A.3
[13] Thailand in 1986: Prem, Parliament, and Political Pragmatism
Clark D. Neher Asian Survey, Vol. 27, No. 2, A Survey of Asia in 1986: Part II (Feb., 1987), pp. 219-230 at 223
A comprehensive post. I'm hoping that Samak's Bangkok Mayor pledge. "If you want to use me, vote for me" gets a mention.
He did nothing from what I can recall.
...Samak's Bangkok Mayor pledge...
I dont think I recall any outstanding achievement on his mayorship either.
But I do recall one interview when Bangkok was flooded(again) that goes something like this.
Reporter: "Why do the mayor(Samak) not wade into water and visit houses like other mayor?"
Samak: "Would me wading into water help reduce the flood?"
If Abhisit is an idealist, Samak is definitely a realist. However, PPP wont gain much vote from Bangkok on him. Rural, may be.
He did nothing from what I can recall.
His achievements were so minor that one finds them difficult to achieve them achievements.
I better get back onto part 2.
If Abhisit is an idealist, Samak is definitely a realist. However, PPP wont gain much vote from Bangkok on him. Rural, may be.
I think Samak was chosen for a number of reasons which I will go into in further detail later. First, the Bangkok vote, he has done very well in Bangkok over the years. He appeals to a different constituency than many of the other People's Power candidates. I would say alone, he will help PPP in Bangkok. Yes, he didn't achieve much as Governor, but in the 3 years since he has left office, I don't think Apirak has managed to achieve that much either. It was only last year that Samak came second in Bangkok in the Senate election. He has own his TV cooking show and is now back in the public spotlight. He is known for a good soundbite and will get plenty of press coverage in the lead-up to the election. Samak is good at communicating his point across to the average voter, this is what Abhisit lacks and why there is discontent in the Democrat Party and the talk of a 3rd choice.
Like Banharn, Chavalit, and a few others, write off Samak at your own peril.
I still don't understand what you meant by Samak's rejection of the suggestion that Kukrit head the post-election regime being the source of the beginning of tensions between Samak and Prem. Is there a fuller history of the Samak-Prem relationship somewhere?
C.T.
C.T: It was more about Samak's party not being included in the 1986 Cabinet which might have annoyed Samak and how his replacement "de-Samakised" all his policies. Unfortunately, I was unable to find that much more on the topic in the time available. In hindsight, I should have stated this might have played a part in current tensions today. It is really difficult to find that much material on Samak.
Before thaksin came to power, I thought Samak was already popular among Bkk taxi drivers who praised his proposal to solve traffic problem with his "spider web" system. I heard this directly from their mouths.
BTS
Is Samak really 72 years old? B-day 1935?
On Samak's role in 1976, well.. as you noted, he doesn't have big authority or command and such, but I'm pretty darn sure his role is well known. Well, as well known as October 6, 1976 could be these days. (Oct. 6 is not something talked about much, as you know) I wasn't born yet in 1976, but my older relatives are students at the time and they clearly remembered Samak went on the radio and used his eloquence to incite the rightists.
I don't think Ji's question is a a stretch at all. Dr. Puay, Ji's father, certainly remember a lot about those dark days. I would ask the same question. We have long known about Samak's involvement. I don't remember exactly which is the source of my idea of Samak as the rightist monster, but I'm pretty sure it's from one of the books we had at home, since by the time of Black May 1992, even though I was very young, I already had a well-formed image of Samak as evil impersonated.
Samak was instrumental in bringing to a head the crisis that toppled the Seni govt in Oct 76. He was Deputy Interior Minister and abruptly resigned, together with Somboon, another Deputy Interior Minister. I believe he actually handed Seni his letter of resignation while they were all waiting in their whites at the airport for a royal arrival. He then immediately turned his practised vitriol on the govt he had just left. This helped to strengthen the impression that the Seni govt was simply not in control of events. His quick return to Cabinet office after the the Oct 6 coup in the Thanin administration is consistent with, but would not prove, a premeditated aspect to his resignation. With his royalist connections it is quite likely that he was aware of at least some of the anti-democratic machinations of the day.
As Interior Minister he was given to one-man shows. He personally attended book-burnings that the govt and military organized, partly by his Ministry. A mysterious bomb blast in the transit area at Don Mueang saw him dashing up the Superhighway and immediately 'solving' the crime. He followed Dr Puey round the western capitals trying to spin the account of the horrific events on and around Oct 6 and browbeat expat Thai communities into accepting the NPKC line. And he was personally involved in nthe deportation of FEER correspondent Norman Peagam. He was as 'shoot-from-the-lip' then as now and he often made statements that had to be 'explained' by his retinue when they proved to be hopelessly wrong-headed.
The night of the end of the Thanin administration contained a piece of Samak theatre. While the Young Turks were inside Govt House trying to convince Thanin that he was no longer PM (he wouldn't have it - coups were only supposed to topple non-right-wing govts) Samak turned up in his govt limo. He entered the compound, took one look at the tank parked outside the front door and told his driver to go straight back home, where he immediately started scanning the Situations Vacant.
I am trying to remember the many new faces Samak recruited to Prachakon Thai. As I remember, there was a Hontrakul relative and several English speakers. Do you remember?