The Preah Vihear Temple Conflict and the Consolidation of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat’s Political Legitimacy, 1958-1963

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between Thai-Cambodia ‘Preah Vihear Temple’ conflict and the consolidation of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat’s political legitimacy. It seeks to demonstrate that regional conflicts provide another context to explain Field Marshal Sarit’s ability to stay in power and gain legitimacy for his actions. The article thus provides an alternative narrative on existing knowledge that usually focusses on three main factors, i.e., bureaucratic control, the United States’ support and glorification of the monarchy. It was found that the widespread national feeling caused by the Preah Vihear Temple conflict played a part in Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat’s rise to full political power as Prime Minister after the coup d’état on the 20th October 1958. In the period thereafter, amid rising tensions caused by the conflict Field Marshal Sarit was able to successfully handle the situation and create a fighting spirit among the people. This in turn resulted in him receiving greater confidence as a leader who strived to maintain the nation’s interests. In the end, even after the International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia, the ruling did not reduce confidence in Field Marshal Sarit’s intentions. It can be said, therefore, that the management of this issue by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat did, in fact, contribute to the consolidation of political legitimacy.