1 April 1981

Prem has last laugh as ‘April Fool’s Coup’ is quashed

A group of military officers led by Gen Sant Chitpatima, deputy commander-in-chief of the army, attempted to seize power in a bloodless coup early on April 1 announcing to the nation that Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanond had stepped down.

Sant, the leader of a group of disgruntled, middle-ranking army officers that came together in the early 1970s and were known as the ‘Young Turks’, said general elections would be held when the situation had stabilised. Prem sought refuge at the Second Army Headquarters in Nakhon Ratchasima and was joined by the royal family, including the King, as well as cabinet members and provincial governors. The coup leaders, calling themselves the Revolutionary Council, abrogated the constitution, dissolved the Senate and House of Representatives, and dismissed the cabinet.

Sant said the need to act was imperative as a weak government was leading the nation to disaster.

On April 3, the coup ended when several thousand troops supporting Gen Prem entered Bangkok and retook the capital.

1 April 1981

Prem has last laugh as ‘April Fool’s Coup’ is quashed

A group of military officers led by Gen Sant Chitpatima, deputy commander-in-chief of the army, attempted to seize power in a bloodless coup early on April 1 announcing to the nation that Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanond had stepped down.

Sant, the leader of a group of disgruntled, middle-ranking army officers that came together in the early 1970s and were known as the ‘Young Turks’, said general elections would be held when the situation had stabilised. Prem sought refuge at the Second Army Headquarters in Nakhon Ratchasima and was joined by the royal family, including the King, as well as cabinet members and provincial governors. The coup leaders, calling themselves the Revolutionary Council, abrogated the constitution, dissolved the Senate and House of Representatives, and dismissed the cabinet.

Sant said the need to act was imperative as a weak government was leading the nation to disaster.

On April 3, the coup ended when several thousand troops supporting Gen Prem entered Bangkok and retook the capital.