DEATH OF KING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26621, 18 November 1947, Page 5

DEATH OF KING

ASSASSINATION ESTABLISHED MANY ARRESTS IN SIAM BANGKOK, Nov. 16. The late King Ananda Mahidol of Siam, who died mysteriously, on June 9, 1946, was assassinated, an official , spokesman announced, to.-day.. i ‘ General Pin Chun Ha wan, deputy Supreme Commander, confirmed longstanding rumours that the king was slain. He was found dead in his bed chamber with a pistol oh the floor. Chun Hawan said new evidence had been found which, might' lead to the solution ,of the King’s death. A medical committee of British, American, and Siamese doctors had reported that the possibility of accidental death could be ruled out. A number of suspects have been arrested, and there is adequate evidence against them. Chun Hawan. revealed_ that the coup d’etat last Sunday fore-stalled-a revolution planned for November 30, aimed at setting up a republic. Plotters in Bangkok and North-east Siam, planned to use the weapons of the “ Free Thai ” movement for the revolution. They were alleged to have planned to prevent King Phumiphon’s return to Siam from Switzerland.

Arrests are being carried out throughout the country, but no military personnel is involved. A later message says the new Siamese Government has linked Lieutenant Vajarachi Siddhivjev, former secretary of the fugitive Opposition leader, Pridi Phanomyong, with the assassinaiton of King Ananda Mamidol. . The Government said it had arrested seven persons, including four women scullery workers in the Royal Palace, as participants in Ananda’s murder. Those arrested include Ananda’s former secretary, Chaliew Tradunros, and palace attendants. Lieutenant Siddhivjev has disappeared. Phanamyong is reported to be hiding at secret headquarters awaiting political developments. The previous Siamese Government was ousted'by a recent military coup led by Marshal Pibul Songgram, wartime Premier, who, however, has taken no Government position.