EDITORIAL: Pridi: the beginning of history without end

11 May 2000

Today marks the centenary anniversary of Pridi Banomyong with a long list of activities and programmes organised by the government, Thammasat University and various citizen groups.

Pridi was the main force that transformed the absolute monarchy to the constitutional monarchy as it is today. He also led the Free Thai Movement which fought alongside the allied troops while the government of Luang Phibulsonggram was cooperating with the Japanese forces. The outcome was obvious: Thailand was spared from the wrath of World War II.

During the weeklong celebration, the Thai public, for the first time, will be able to get a view of their former leader ? who has been under wraps for a long time ? in the form of music, speeches, seminars and exhibitions. Pridi was forced to leave Thailand in 1949. Until his death in 1983, he lived in exile, first in China and then in France.

This is a good opportunity to put the record straight for this ordinary yet great man, who instilled into the country democracy and various facets of Thai life. Thai history is full of ironies with unwritten chunks of events. But fortunately this time around, the commemoration has already increased public awareness of Pridi?s life and work as never seen before.

In the past, Thai society seldom respected the right persons, let alone talked about them. Stories of Pridi were rewritten and challenged time and again. It is only proper that his life and work be reviewed and put into the right perspective.

One of his great achievements was in diplomacy, especially his sympathy towards indigenous revolutionaries who wanted to fight against Western colonisers. During his life in Thailand, he established links with the region?s leaders who would subsequently change the face of Southeast Asia. Pridi got to know Ho Chi Minh personally while in France. On several occasions, Ho visited Thailand and was well received by Pridi and his associates. Thailand gave Ho hospitality and arms and ammunition to fight against French troops. Ho stayed in Nong Khai and travelled extensively in Thailand during 192830. This part of history has not been widely read about because Thailand considered Vietnam an enemy during the Cold War.

So when Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Van Khai visits Ban Nong Chok today on the outskirts of Nong Khai, it is extremely significant. It is also a courageous act of recognition by the Vietnamese leaders of the good deeds Pridi had done for the freedom struggle against the French.

With his knowledge of French and English, Pridi was one of the best educated Thai leaders, exposed to the new liberalism in Europe. But he was able to mix this with local wisdom from the country?s central plain. That helps to explain why his writings and thoughts were so influential and carried farreaching ramifications in Thai society, such as in his advocacy of parliamentary democracy, despite its current weakness.

Today is the beginning of history. Pridi used to say that history did not end with the life of one person or one race but kept rolling on into the future without end. ?I will leave it to you and members of future generations who wish to see the truth to find the answer,? he said. We shall.

The Nation / Editorial Opinion