View source for Finland Plot

{{Short description|Conspiracy theory of a coup in Thailand}}
[[Image:Sondhi.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Sondhi speaking at a mass rally, February 2006]]
In [[Politics of Thailand|Thai politics]], the '''Finland Plot''', '''Finland Plan''', '''Finland Strategy, Finland Conspiracy''' or '''Finland Declaration''' ({{langx|th|แผนฟินแลนด์, ยุทธศาสตร์ฟินแลนด์, ปฏิญญาฟินแลนด์}}, {{langx|fi|Suomi-salaliitto, Suomi-suunnitelma, Suomi-strategia}}) are names of a controversial [[conspiracy theory]] espoused by [[Sondhi Limthongkul]] and supporters affiliated with the [[People's Alliance for Democracy]] (PAD) in 2006 describing a plot allegedly developed by [[Thailand|Thai]] Prime Minister [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] and former left-wing student leaders to overthrow the [[Bhumibol Adulyadej|former Thai monarch]], take control of the nation, and establish a [[communist state]].  The plot allegedly originated in [[Finland]].

The allegations damaged the popularity of Thaksin and his government, despite the fact that no evidence was ever produced to verify the existence of a plot. [[Thaksin Shinawatra|Thaksin]] and his [[Thai Rak Thai]] (TRT) party vehemently denied the accusations and sued the accusers.  The [[CDRM|leaders]] of the [[2006 Thailand coup|2006 military coup]] claimed Thaksin's alleged disloyalty as one of their rationales for seizing power.<ref name="loyalty">Asian Sentinel, [http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=710&Itemid=185 Thailand's Uncharted Waters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120035440/http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=710&Itemid=185 |date=2013-01-20 }}, 19 September 2007</ref>

== Background ==
Protests against [[Thailand|Thai]] Prime Minister [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] increased throughout 2005 and 2006 due to a variety of factors, including his April 2005 appearance at a [[Sondhi Limthongkul#The Royal Power / Temple of the Emerald Buddha incident|merit-making ceremony at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha]], the September 2005 cancellation of [[Sondhi Limthongkul|Sondhi Limthongkul's]] [[Muangthai Raisabdah]] television show, Thaksin's November 2005 [[Policies of the Thaksin government#Education policies|plan to give local communities control of public schools]], Thaksin's sale of [[Shin Corporation]] in January 2006, and Thaksin's alleged role in the March 2006 destruction of the [[Sondhi Limthongkul#The Phra Phrom Erawan Shrine incident|Phra Phrom Erawan shrine]].<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2005/11/11/headlines/index.php?news=headlines_19127252.html PM’s Office dismisses report in 'Phujadkarn'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402143726/http://nationmultimedia.com/2005/11/11/headlines/index.php?news=headlines_19127252.html |date=2013-04-02 }}, 11 November 2006</ref><ref>Freedom House, [http://www.freedomhouse.org/inc/content/pubs/pfs/inc_country_detail.cfm?country=7072&year=2006&pf  Freedom Of The Press &ndash; Thailand (2006)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930221624/http://www.freedomhouse.org/inc/content/pubs/pfs/inc_country_detail.cfm?country=7072&year=2006&pf |date=2007-09-30 }}</ref><ref>Danielle Sabai and Jean Sanuk, ''International Viewpoint'', [http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/article.php3?id_article=1009  Crisis in the 'Land of the Smile'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060917045902/http://internationalviewpoint.org/article.php3?id_article=1009 |date=2006-09-17 }}, March 2006</ref><ref>''The Star'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20080531011055/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2006%2F4%2F2%2Ffocus%2F13836842&sec=focus Dreaded day dawns – despite lies and dark forces], 2 April 2006</ref><ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/23/politics/politics_20003410.php Vandal's dad distraught] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120012349/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/03/23/politics/politics_20003410.php |date=2012-01-20 }}, 23 March 2006</ref> 

== Conspiracy theory ==

In May 2006, on the eve of King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej|Bhumibol Adulyadej's]] [[60th anniversary of the accession of Bhumibol Adulyadej|60th anniversary celebrations]], the [[Sondhi Limthongkul]]-owned ''[[Manager Daily]]'' newspaper published the details of what it called the "Finland Plan," "Finland Declaration," or "Finland Strategy."  The articles claimed that Thaksin and former student leaders of [[History of Thailand (1932-1973)#The 1973 democracy movement|Thailand's 1970s democratic movement]] met in [[Finland]] in 1999 to develop a plan to institute rule by a single party, overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic, and hold elections for provincial governors.  The 5-part article was titled "Finland Strategy: Thailand's Revolution Plan?" was written by Pramote Nakhonthap and appeared on 17, 19, 22, 23 and 24 May 2006. Thaksin's alleged co-conspirators apparently included Thai Rak Thai party members [[Prommin Lertsuridej]] (Secretary-General to the Premier), [[Chaturon Chaisaeng]] (Deputy Prime Minister), [[Surapong Suebwonglee]] (Minister of Information and Communications Technology), [[Adisorn Piangket]] (Former Deputy Science Minister), [[Sutham Saengprathum]] (Deputy Interior Minister), and [[Phumtham Wechayachai]] (Deputy Transport Minister), all of whom had been affiliated with the [[Communist Party of Thailand]] following the [[6 October 1976 Massacre|massacre of 6 October 1976]].<ref name="asiamedia.ucla.edu">''The Bangkok Post'', [http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-southeastasia.asp?parentid=46976 "Manager sued for articles on 'Finland plot'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060917221333/http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-southeastasia.asp?parentid=46976 |date=2006-09-17 }}, 31 May 2006</ref>

The allegations were taken up by several prominent critics, including leaders of the [[People's Alliance for Democracy]], [[Constitution of Thailand#The constitution drafting process|constitution drafter]] [[Chai-anan Samudavanija]], Senator [[Sophon Supapong]], writer Pramote Nakornthab, and [[Democrat Party (Thailand)|Democrat]] leader [[Thaworn Senniam]].<ref name="ReferenceA">''The Bangkok Post'', "TRT goes on offensive over 'Finland Plan'", 22 May 2006</ref><ref name=Nation-20060525>''The Nation'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20060709202527/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/25/politics/politics_30004843.php Thaksin clearly wanted republic, critics charge], 25 May 2006 </ref>

None of the accusers provided any evidence to back up their allegations.  Sondhi noted that his source was a Thai Rak Thai worker who had recently "defected."<ref>''The Nation'',[http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/25/politics/politics_30004842.php "'Finland plot' on dangerous ground"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305103103/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/25/politics/politics_30004842.php |date=2007-03-05 }}, 25 May 2006</ref>

=== Variations and denials ===

Variations of the original theory were also proposed, including the claim that the plot involved overseas groups intent on overthrowing the [[Chakri dynasty]], the claim that [[media consolidation]] was a core component of the conspiracy, the claim that the Plan was aimed at maintaining a [[constitutional monarchy]] while reducing the powers of the monarch to a mere figurehead, and the claim that a law designed to further [[Thaksin Shinawatra#Administrative reform|decentralize]] central administrative power to the [[Provinces of Thailand|Thai provinces]], and the claim that Thaksin wanted to establish a government based on the model of western [[Democracy|democracies]].<ref>''The Bangkok Post'', "Sondhi expands on 'Finland Plan'", 21 May 2006</ref><ref name="Nation-20060525" />

Another variation claimed that Thaksin's co-conspirators were former members of the [[Communist Party of Thailand]] including Deputy Transport Minister [[Phumtham Wechayachai]] and had applied a theory of orthodox [[Marxism]] to map out the TRT strategy to promote capitalism.  This variation claimed that Thailand during the 1970s was still a [[feudalism|semi-feudal]] society and needed to become a [[capitalism|capitalist]] society as part of the [[historical materialism|transition]] to socialism.  The communists then worked with Thaksin to fully develop Thailand's capitalist economic system, destroy all remnants of feudalism, and privatize state-owned assets, while at the same time establishing a single-party dictatorship, all in order to create a socialist dictatorship.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/25/politics/politics_30004842.php 'Finland plot' on dangerous ground] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305103103/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/25/politics/politics_30004842.php |date=2007-03-05 }}, 25 May 2006</ref>

The allegations were roundly denied by Thaksin Shinawatra and the leadership of his [[Thai Rak Thai]] party, including Surapong Suebwonglee and [[Prommin Lertsuridej]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>''The Nation'', [https://archive.today/20120906213838/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/22/politics/politics_30004578.php "TRT: No such thing as 'Finland declaration'"], 22 May 2006</ref> 

On 30 May, Thaksin Shinawatra and Thana Benjathikul, a lawyer from the Thai Rak Thai party, sued [[Sondhi Limthongkul|Sondhi]], editor Khunthong Lorserivanich, columnist Pramote Nakhonthap, executive Saowalak Thiranujanyong, and webmaster Panjapat Angkhasuwan for libel.  The lawsuit alleged that the articles were intended to ruin Thai Rak Thai and Thaksin's political future by making the public believe the party was planning to overturn the constitutional monarchy.  Thaksin's lawsuit attracted criticism and claims that Thaksin was trying to [[Censorship in Thailand|censor the media]].<ref name="asiamedia.ucla.edu"/>

== Impact of the allegations ==
[[Image:From anti-Thaksin demonstration.jpg|right|thumb|An anti-Thaksin protester wears a [[Sleeveless shirt|tank top]] with the Thai slogan "We will fight for the King".]]  
The allegations damaged the popularity of Thaksin and his government.  Thaksin was forced to expend a significant amount of time and [[political capital]] on damage control, explaining his position and swearing his loyalty to the monarchy.<ref>Kavi Chongkittavorn, [http://www.anu.edu.au/thaionline/Kavi.pdf Thailand's Current Political Crisis seminar presentation], 7 June 2006</ref>

In an editorial, the influential anti-Thaksin newspaper ''[[The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]]'' noted:
{{quote|Whether or not such a plot really exists may be impossible to prove. But Sondhi and the others should know better than to stir up an already volatile political situation with irresponsible accusations that have a potential to inflame further hatred and violence between opposing groups.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.news.php?clid=11&id=30005048&usrsess= Hatred debases public discourse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312031248/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/page.news.php?clid=11&id=30005048&usrsess= |date=2007-03-12 }}, 27 May 2006</ref>}}

''[[The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]]'' noted that the actual existence of the Plot was not important—the mere invocation of royalty would be enough to damage the [[Thai Rak Thai]] party.<ref>''The Nation'', "Burning Issue: Finland, monarchy: a dangerous mix", May 25, 2006</ref>  Many commentators noted the similarity between the Finland Plot allegations and the allegations used justify the massacre of students on 6 October 1976, which in the context of the [[Thailand political crisis 2005-2006|Thailand political crisis]], might justify a [[military coup]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Demosthenes |title=Yep, it was a coup |url=https://demosthenes.blogspot.com/2006/09/yep-it-was-coup_20.html |website=Shadow of the Hegemon|date=20 September 2006 |access-date=2 July 2020}}</ref><ref>Etat de droit, [http://etatdedroit.blogspot.com/2006/05/blog-post_21.html ความเหมือนที่แตกต่าง], 21 May 2006</ref><ref>Bookish, [http://ekumen.wordpress.com/2006/05/23/the-finland-declaration/ The Finland Declaration], 23 May 2006</ref>  The Thai military eventually successfully executed a [[2006 Thailand coup|coup]] against the Thaksin government on 19 September 2006. One of the [[CDRM|junta's]] stated rationales for the coup was that Thaksin had insulted the King.<ref name="loyalty"></ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Thailand crisis 2005-2006}}
{{Thaksin Shinawatra}}
{{Conspiracy theories}}

<!--Do not add the category "1999 in Finland" or any similar category. The category is for actual events, whereas the alleged meeting that is the topic of the article never happened.-->
[[Category:Politics of Thailand]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theories in Thailand]]
[[Category:2006 in Thai politics]]
[[Category:Anti-communism in Thailand]]
[[Category:Political career of Thaksin Shinawatra]]
[[Category:Republicanism in Thailand]]

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