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| 1981 Thai military rebellion | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 1st Army Area |
 Monarchy of Thailand | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| San JitpathimaManoonkrit Roopkachorn |  Prem TinsulanondaArthit Kamlang-ek | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| 1st Army Area 1st Division, King's Guard 2nd Infantry Division, Queen Sirikit's Guard 9th Infantry Division 2nd Cavalry Division, King's Guard | 21st Infantry Regiment | ||||||
The1981 Thai military rebellion was a military coup attempt to consolidate power by the government ofPrem Tinsulanonda, staged by Thai military leaders ofClass 7 on 1 April 1981, but a counter-coup by Prem,Arthit Kamlang-ek, and support by theroyal family on 3 April led to the coup's failure, turning it into a rebellion. In Thailand, it is known as the "Young Turk Rebellion" (Thai:กบฏยังเติร์ก,romanized: Kabot Yang Toek), referring to the group of military officers that led the coup, or more mockingly as the "April Fools' Day Rebellion" (Thai:กบฏเมษาฮาวาย,romanized: Kabot Mesa Hawai), referring to the date of the coup along with its failure.[1] The coup attempt failed despite garnering the support of as many as 42 battalions, the most in Thai history.[1]
Field officers from theArmed Forces Academies Preparatory School Class 7, known as the "Young Turks", includingManoonkrit Roopkachorn (Manoon Roopkachorn at that time),Prajak Sawangjit, andPallop Pinmanee, were involved in1976 Thai coup d'état as a significant force and helpedKriangsak Chamanan become prime minister. Later when Kriangsak became unpopular, they strongly supported and helpedPrem Tinsulanonda, the northeast army leader, becomePrime Minister of Thailand in 1980. Prem realized that he should not depend on Class 7 only and began to seek for another class's support.[2]
On 31 March 1981, Class 7 leaders visited Prem in the night to ask him lead a coup on 1 April but Prem refused.Arthit Kamlang-ek, a deputy commander of the 2nd army region, was informed of the coup plan. Arthit telephoned QueenSirikit. Sirikit then ordered the coup planning group to let Prem come to the royal palace.[2]
On 1 April 1981, Class 7 leaders led bySan Jitpathima, deputycommander-in-chief of the army, staged a coup, calling themselves the "Revolutionary Council". Manoonkrit, secretary-general of the group, proclaimed reasons such as selfish politicians, social justice problems, and economic problems.[2]
Prem went to Suranari Base of the 2nd Army Area inNakhon Ratchasima Province with theThai Royal Family, including KingBhumibol Adulyadej, in the morning, and set up a counter-coup with an assistance from Arthit. The influence of Royal Family helped Prem to get support from the second, third and fourth regional armies, theRoyal Thai Navy, and theRoyal Thai Air Force. The21st Infantry Regiment, the Queen Guards, secretly enteredBangkok on 3 April and arrested the coup attempt leaders.[3]
Following the coup's failure, its leaders fled the country to various destinations. 52 were later given amnesty and had their military ranks restored. Having aided Prem in putting down the coup, Arthit was promoted to Commander of the 1st Army Area. Manoonkrit and the Young Turks wouldattempt another coup in 1985, which also failed.[4]
| Rebellions, revolts, and revolution | |
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| Coups and coup attempts | |
| Popular revolts | |
| Protests and crises | |
