The Nawaphon organization (Thai: ขบวนการนวพล, alternatively transcribed as Navapol, Nawapol, Nawaphol, translated variously as 'new force', 'ninth force',[1]) or 'nine new forces'[2]: 80 was a Thai extreme right-wing,[3] patriotic,[4] Buddhist[3] and anti-communist[5][6] propaganda organization[7] active during the country's short democratic period in the mid-1970s. Nawaphon has been described as a psychological warfare unit. Its mission: to support the Red Gaurs and propagandize the Thai population.[8]
Nawaphon was set up by Wattana Keovimol in 1974. Wattana had been the head of the Thai Students Association in the United States, when he studied at Seton Hall University.[4] Nawaphon was supported by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) of the Thai military[8] and the Ministry of Interior.[1] The group was said to have links to wealthy businessmen, politicians, the National Security Council, and Thai military intelligence.[3] Nawaphon rallied merchants, businessmen, and monks who were opposed to social change and democracy, fearing for their wealth.[8] The organization attracted a number of Buddhist monks, the most prominent being Kittiwuttho Bhikkhu, who infamously said that killing communists was not a sin.[8][9]
The movement was opposed to parliamentary democracy and campaigned for the three principles of nation, religion, monarchy.[4] Nawaphon attracted considerable support due to the common feeling that these national principles were threatened by left-wing forces.[4] In 1976, the group was thought to have 30,000–50,000 members.[2]: 82 Nawaphon played a key role in the anti-leftist agitation that led to the Thammasat University massacre on 6 October 1976,[4] in which members of the organization were involved.[3]
After the coup re-establishing the military rule following the massacre, Nawaphon's popularity diminished due to suspicions that it had become a means of catering to the ambitions of the military clique.[4]
An alternative view on Nawaphon's membership has been given by historian Thongchai Winichakul, who pointed out that unlike the Red Gaurs and the Village Scouts, the other right-wing groups involved in the massacre, information on Nawaphon is scarce and much of it seems to derive from boasts made by Wattana. In addition, photos of large gatherings attributed to the group came from mixed crowds, not allowing different right-wing groups to be distinguished. Thongchai therefore suggested that Nawaphon may have been "a phantom organization intended to inflate the image of the right-wing movement" that had no base of its own but took credit for counterinsurgency operations by the ISOC.[10][11]
^ abBaker, Chris; Phongpaichit, Pasuk (2009), A History of Thailand, Cambridge University Press, p. 192, ISBN 9780521767682
^ abSuksamran, Somboon (1982). Buddhism and Politics in Thailand; A Study of Socio-Political Change and Political Activism of the Thai Sangha. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 76–83. ISBN 9971902435. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
^ abcdSchmid, Alex P.; Jongman, Albert J. (2005), Political Terrorism, Transaction Publishers, p. 671, ISBN 9781412815666
^ abcdefLeifer, Michael (2001), "Nawaphon Movement (Thailand)" (Hardcover), Dictionary of the Modern Politics of South-East Asia (3rd ed.), Taylor & Francis, p. 199, ISBN 0415238757
^Elinor Bartak (1993). The Student Movement in Thailand, 1970-1976. Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, Monash University. p. 27.
^Alan Klima (2002). The Funeral Casino: Meditation, Massacre, and Exchange with the Dead in Thailand. Princeton University Press. p. 26.
^Karin Zackari (2016). Bettina Koch (ed.). Violence on the Periphery of the Thai State and Nationhood. Springer VS. p. 86. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
^ abcdUngphakorn, Puey (1977). "Violence and the Military Coup in Thailand". Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars. 9 (3): 11. doi:10.1080/14672715.1977.10406422. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
^Politics and Religion Mix for Asia's Activist Monks, USC Annenberg School for Communications, 11 September 2007 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^Winichakul, Thongchai (2020). Moments of Silence: The Unforgetting of the October 6, 1976, Massacre in Bangkok. University of Hawaiʻi Press. pp. 43–44. ISBN 9780824889999.
Thammasat University for four days until a deadly clash with Red Gaur and Nawaphon. Apparently the coup plotters were not ready yet, and Praphas left the...
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bantamweight title eliminator bout between Astrolabio and the #1 ranked Nawaphon Kaikanha. The winner of this contest was slated to face the mandatory titleholder...
favor of his WBC super flyweight title. 42 Juan Hernández Navarrete (def. Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai) 4 Mar – 20 May 2017 0 43 Daigo Higa 20 May 2017 – 14 April...
Thailand 46–100+ 167 FO Police, Army and right- wing paramilitary Red Gaurs, Nawaphon and Village Scouts No None 13. Chencholai bombing Aug 14 2006 Mullaitivu...
Thai popular uprising (1973–1976), three right-wing paramilitary groups, Nawaphon, Red Gaurs, and Village Scouts were founded and supported by Internal Security...
Rungvisai brothers Suriyan Sor Rungvisai (1989–), WBC super flyweight champion Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai (1991–), WBC-ABC flyweight champion Sakkreerin family Fahlan...
flyweight title. Hernández had won the title earlier that year against Nawaphon Por Chokchai and was scheduled to make his first defense against Higa....
Corps Thahan Phran Internal Security Operations Command Village Scouts Nawaphon Red Gaurs Republic of China (until July 1967) Republic of China Army 49th...
appointed by the king. He became a member of the far-right anti-communist Nawaphon movement. He had a TV show in which he attacked communism, the students'...
Stockton, California, US Won vacant WBO bantamweight title 27 Win 25–2 Nawaphon Kaikanha UD 12 16 Oct 2022 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia 26 Win...
TKO 3 (6) Nov 16, 2009 Pamok School, Ang Thong, Thailand 3 Draw 0–2–1 Nawaphon Kaikanha PTS 6 Aug 14, 2009 Ban Phai, Thailand 2 Loss 0–2 Yushin Yafuso...
was knocked out in 5th round by a younger fighter, his fellow-countryman Nawaphon Por Chokchai. On 1 August 2020, Ruenroeng fought former world champion...
Aug 5, 2022 Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines 65 Loss 45–15–5 Nawaphon Kaikanha KO 7 (12), 1:30 May 18, 2019 Workpoint Studio, Bang Phun, Thailand...
super flyweight champion. and the older brother of flyweight contender Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai. Suriyan started his career in Muay Thai at the age of seven...
pushing. Other contenders Handing has fought includes Paipharob Kokietgym, Nawaphon Kaikanha, and Drian Francisco. Handing also won the WBC–ABCO title in 2011...
in the three southernmost provinces. Cyber Scouts (Thailand) Red Gaurs Nawaphon Rubbish Collection Organization Thai Rangers Bowie, Katherine A. (2005)...
Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes 76 Loss 61–14–1 Nawaphon Kaikanha TKO 5 (8) 2022-08-27 Suamlum Night Bazaar, Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok...