Direk Jayanama

Direk Jayanama
ดิเรก ชัยนาม
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand
In office 24 August 1946 – 6 February 1947
Prime Minister	Thawan Thamrongnawasawat
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 24 March 1946 – 6 February 1947
Prime Minister	Pridi Banomyong Thawan Thamrongnawasawat
Preceded by	Seni Pramoj
Succeeded by	Thawan Thamrongnawasawat
In office 20 October 1943 – 31 August 1944
Prime Minister	Plaek Phibunsongkhram Khuang Aphaiwong
Preceded by	Luang Wichitwathakan
Succeeded by	Srisena Sampatisiri
In office 22 August 1941 – 14 December 1941
Prime Minister	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Preceded by	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Succeeded by	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Minister of Finance
In office 1 September 1945 – 23 March 1946
Prime Minister	Thawi Bunyaket Seni Pramoj Khuang Aphaiwong
Preceded by	Leng Srisomwong
Succeeded by	Phraya Srivisaravaja
Minister of Justice
In office 1 September 1945 – 18 September 1945
Prime Minister	Thawi Bunyaket
Preceded by	Chao Phraya Sridharmadhibes
Succeeded by	Phraya Nararajwasuwat
Personal details
Born	(1905-01-18)18 January 1905 Phitsanulok, Siam
Died	1 May 1967(1967-05-01) (aged 62) Bangkok, Thailand
Nationality	Thai
Party	Khana Ratsadon
Other political affiliations	Free Thai Movement
Spouse	Pui Jayanama
Alma mater	Thammasat University
Profession	Diplomat politician
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Direk Jayanama (Thai: ดิเรก ชัยนาม, RTGS: Direk Chaiyanam; January 18, 1905 – May 1, 1967) was a Thai diplomat and politician.

He was one of the civilian Promoters of the Siamese Revolution of 1932 that changed the country's form of government from absolute to constitutional monarchy. He was closely associated with Pridi Banomyong. In the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, but resigned when Phibunsongkhram led Thailand into World War II alongside Japan. Direk became a member of the Free Thai Movement (Seri Thai) alongside Pridi, who fought for the full sovereignty of Thailand and against collaboration with Japan. After the end of war, he served as Minister of Justice, Finance, Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister in several short-lived cabinets. From 1949 to 1952 he was the first dean of the Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University.

Political career

From 1938 to 1947, Direk served in many important posts in the Thai government during the early years of constitutional rule. During World War II, he held the post of Foreign Minister to become the Ambassador to Japan. He also held the posts of Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister (multiple times), Justice Minister, and Finance Minister. He also served as the Thai ambassador to the Court of St. James's (England), Germany and Finland.

In 1947, he was appointed ambassador in London, but resigned a few months later as a result of the Phibunite coup.

Direk's memoir Thailand and World War II was first published in 1966. Direk's account is "especially good on the Franco-Thai conflict of 1940, the invasion by Japan in 1941, the delicate relationship with Japan over 1942–1943, financial affairs in the immediate postwar period, and the negotiations to rehabilitate Thailand with the Allied Powers, including becoming a member of the United Nations".

Thammasat University

In 1949, Direk also founded the Thammasat University Faculty of Political Science. It offers undergraduate and graduate studies in three majors, politics and government, public administration, and international affairs. Many Thai provincial governors, mayors, leaders, and activists are graduates from this faculty. He then taught law at Thammasat University, and wrote texts on diplomacy and foreign affairs.

Family

Direk's younger brother was Pairote Jayanama, former Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs (who had 4 sons who eventually became ambassadors include Asda Jayanama, Surapong Jayanama), and Am Jayanama, an Air Force General at the time.

He was married to Khunying ML Pui, member of the aristocratic Nopawongse royal bloodline, and had 4 sons with her. One son, Wattana Jayanama, became an important figure during the establishment phase of the Bank of Thailand.

Honours

National honours

• File:Order of the White Elephant - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• File:Order of the Crown of Thailand - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Cordon of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
• File:Order of Chula Chom Klao - 2nd Class upper (Thailand) ribbon.svg Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao
• File:Dushdi Mala - Civilian (Thailand).svg Dushdi Mala Medal Pin of Arts and Science (Civilian)
• File:Medal for Service in the Interior - Indochina (Thailand) ribbon.svg Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior (Franco-Thai War)
• File:King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg King Rama VIII Royal Cypher Medal, 1st Class

Foreign honours

• Nazi Germany :
  • File:DEU Deutsche Adlerorden 1 BAR.svg Order of the German Eagle with Star
• France :
  • File:Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour
• Japan :
  • File:JPN Kyokujitsu-sho 1Class BAR.svg Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
• USA :
  • File:Medal of Freedom stripe sølvpalme.svg Medal of Freedom with Silver Palm

• Germany
  • File:GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 8 Grosskreuz bes Ausf.svg Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Grand Cross 1st Class, Special Issue

Further reading

• Direk Jayanama. Thailand and World War II (2008) 575pp;