“The Bangkok Plot”: the Plot to Overthrow Samdech Preah Upayuvareach Norodom Sihanouk (1958-1959)
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Abstract
This paper aims to examine the relationship between the Thai Government, the South Vietnamese Government, and the Khmer anti-government protesters, and the plan to overthrow Samdech Preah Upayuvareach Norodom Sihanouk from the position of Prime Minister of Cambodia during 1958-1959. It proposes that the political conflict within Cambodia is another dimension that can be used to explain “the Bangkok Plot”, thus supplementing the existing body of knowledge that emphasizes the differences between the two countries in conducting international politics as a main drive behind “the Bangkok Plot”. The results of the study indicate that the political conflicts within Cambodia contributed to the emergence of “the Bangkok Plot”. The existence of the Sangkum Reastr Niyum or People Socialist Party, where Samdech Preah Upayuvareach Norodom Sihanouk had absolute control, instilled discontent among Khmer intellectuals, civil servants, and politicians who lost their benefits. This discontent grew further when Samdech Preah Upayuvareach Norodom Sihanouk pursued a policy of neutrality in a way that leaned towards the socialist side, thus creating an impetus towards counter-government movements. Such turn of events allowed the governments of Thailand and South Vietnam, who were concerned about the expansion of communism, to coordinate and support the Khmer anti-government side to provide money, weapons and combat-training in order to overthrow Samdech Preah Upayuvareach Norodom Sihanouk. “The Bangkok Plot” eventually failed, but the political conflict within Cambodia not only helped the Thai and South Vietnamese governments to coordinate with the oppositions, it also resulted in the plot being accepted and expanded rapidly.
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