29 June 1951

Premier taken hostage

Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram was taken by armed naval officers who boarded the Manhattan dredger docked in the Chao Phraya River in central Bangkok.

Scores of navy armed with submachine guns and rifles quickly took up positions along the Royal Landing in a bid to overthrow the Plaek government, seizing fleet headquarters and taking over the navy radio station.

The rebels sprung their attack as Plaek was finishing a speech at an official ceremony attended by Thai and foreign dignitaries to mark the transferring of the Manhattan vessel from the United States.

The navy-led rebellion reportedly took place so quickly that none of the premier’s bodyguards, police or troops present at the hand-over ceremony offered any resistance. Field Marshal Plaek did not struggle as he was whisked away by an armed sailor, taken off the boat and held captive on a nearby navy flagship cruiser, the Sri Ayuthaya.

29 June 1951

Premier taken hostage

Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram was taken by armed naval officers who boarded the Manhattan dredger docked in the Chao Phraya River in central Bangkok.

Scores of navy armed with submachine guns and rifles quickly took up positions along the Royal Landing in a bid to overthrow the Plaek government, seizing fleet headquarters and taking over the navy radio station.

The rebels sprung their attack as Plaek was finishing a speech at an official ceremony attended by Thai and foreign dignitaries to mark the transferring of the Manhattan vessel from the United States.

The navy-led rebellion reportedly took place so quickly that none of the premier’s bodyguards, police or troops present at the hand-over ceremony offered any resistance. Field Marshal Plaek did not struggle as he was whisked away by an armed sailor, taken off the boat and held captive on a nearby navy flagship cruiser, the Sri Ayuthaya.