The Hyde Park Movement Party was a left-wing political party in Thailand.
Hyde Park Movement Party พรรคขบวนการไฮด์ปาร์ค | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 21 March 1956 |
| Dissolved | 20 October 1958 |
| Headquarters | Thailand |
| Political position | Left-wing |
In 1955, Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram visited the United Kingdom as part of an international tour. He became impressed with the "Speakers' Corner" in Hyde Park, London. Upon his return to Thailand a "Hyde Park" space for free speech and assembly was instituted at the Phramane Grounds in Bangkok.[1] The experiment was well received and effectively stimulated political debate.[1] The experiment was not appreciated by the government, however, and in February 1956 restrictions were imposed on the Phramane "Hyde Park".[1] However, during this period the Hyde Park Movement Party had evolved, upholding the legacy of the Hyde Park experiment.[2] The party was registered with the authorities on March 21, 1955.[3] When it was formed, the Hyde Park Movement Party was the sole left-wing group represented with parliamentary presence.[4]
The party expressed its aims and orientation in four points; 1. For complete independence and democracy. 2. A state of the people, by the people, and for the people. 3. The people are supreme. 4. United we live, divided we die.[2]
The party had a rather weak organizational structure, and several leading figures left the party to join other political parties.[2]
In late 1956 the Hyde Park Movement Party became one of three parties to form the Socialist Front, a coalition led by Thep Chotinuchit.[4][5][6] The Socialist Front favoured a neutralist foreign policy, and called for Thai withdrawal from SEATO.[7]
In the February 1957 parliamentary election, the Hyde Park Movement Party won two seats.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c Rose, Saul. Socialism in Southern Asia. London: Oxford University Press, 1959. p. 181
- ^ a b c Trager, Frank N (ed.). Marxism in Southeast Asia; A Study of Four Countries. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press, 1959. p. 97
- ^ Pickerell, Albert and Daniel E. Moore. Elections in Thailand (II), in Far Eastern Survey, Vol. 26, No. 7 (Jul., 1957), pp. 103-111
- ^ a b Wilson, David A.. China, Thailand and the Spirit of Bandung (Part II), in The China Quarterly, No. 31 (Jul. - Sep., 1967), pp. 96-127
- ^ Ockey, James. Through Multiple Transitions in Thailand. Variations on a Theme: Societal Cleavages and Party Orientations, in Party Politics 2005; 11; 728
- ^ "HKU Scholars Hub: HKU Theses Online" (PDF).
- ^ "The Age - Google News Archive Search".
- ^ Rose, Saul. Socialism in Southern Asia. London: Oxford University Press, 1959. p. 183