Talk:Rangsit Prayurasakdi

Untitled
Date of release from Prison

I have changed, this:

Towards the end of the Second World War, after being jailed for 4 years and 9 months, Prince Rangsit was released along with other political prisoners by the new Seri Thai-dominated government.

to:

On 28th September 1943, having been jailed for 4 years and 9 months, Prince Rangsit was released by the government (1 year prior to the release of other political prisoners).

The date of Prince Rangsit's release was actually in September 1943, which was prior to the coup d'état which overthrewn the Phibun government in June 1944. It is thus rather clear that Prince Rangsit's release predates the accession of the Seri Thai dominated government.

Regards

Maharaj Devraj

Hi. Could you substantiate this? it is an important issue that has much to do with Pridi's reputation. I have seen many references to his release coming after the June 44 ouster of Phibun, and that it was an issue of negotiation between Pridi and the Free Thai's Tan Chin to see if they could work together. Pridi is said to have been open-minded toward the royals because of this. If you are certain, was it a full release and cleaning his record or just a relocation of where he had to stay, or something else. You are challenging what has been written in many histories. MaiNaeJai 01:28, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

Hi, MaiNaeJai, sorry for the late reply, The answer to your questions is infact to be found in major (Thai) libraries or bookstores. Additionally, if one of your 'historical' sources happen to include the popular new book, by Sir.P.M.H (which states that Prince Rangsit was an engineer and a Canal builder!) than I would suggest that you shouldn't take the facts of the book too seriously.

To answer your question. By 1943 as the Japanese army began to suffer defeat and setbacks on all their battle fronts, Phibun's realized he may have picked the wrong side and needed ways to appease his war-crimes and ensure his political future. One way for appeasing his crimes in the eyes of common Thais, was the release Prince Rangsit from prison. The Phibun government Pardoned Prince Rangsit on 28th September 1943 (on the occasion of Rama VIII's birthday). In which Prince Rangsit was able to return to his home and family in Wireless road. His movements however were restricted and he had to report to the government if he was to travel.

This is probably the missing part which I should have added into the article: It was however (again on the occuasion of the King's birthday) more than a year after the release of Prince Rangsit following Phibun's forced resignation, that official titles and honours were restored to Prince Rangsit. This happened under time of the (brief)Pridi-Kaung government/alliance, and was also the date for the release of other political prisoners.

The early release of Prince Rangsit in 1943 however, had nothing to do with Pridi or the SeriThai, as it was initiated while Phibun was in full control of his government and is due to the fact that in the eyes of common Thais Phibun's most offensive crime was his imprisonment of The King's Uncle whom is also the son of a beloved King. Anyhow, I will add these relevent information to the article, if there are any other issues that bothers you or should be clarified, please let me know. Much regards, Maharaj Devraj 10:25, 20 December 2006 (UTC)