Alms and the Man

At first glance, the pudgy man in saffron robes begging for a bowl of rice on the streets of Bangkok seemed like just another Buddhist monk. But the man who called himself Sukittikacharo Bhikku ("Honored Everywhere") was recognized last week as Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, 65, the former dictator, who was toppled from power after a 1973 student uprising.

In his days of political power and glory, Thanom was partial to military gabardine encrusted with medals, stars, laurels, tassels, cordons, aiguillettes, galloons, ribands and frogging. As the new, humbled Thanom told it, his return from luxurious exile in Singapore was prompted by filial devotion to his ailing father, Khun Sopit, 91. Defying a request from the Thai Cabinet that he stay out of the country, Thanom underwent a head shave and instant ordination and flew to Bangkok.

Possible Coup. Suspicious that Thanom was more interested in a return to power than in piety, left-wing Thai students called for mass demonstrations. Bangkok was soon plastered with posters accusing Thanom of ordering the killing of 71 people, mostly students, during the 1973 revolution. After four days of dillydallying, the shaky government coalition led by Prime Minister Seni Pramoj, 71, decided to resign, as accusations of government indecisiveness continued to mount. But then, in a by-now characteristic move for Seni, the Prime Minister announced that he would stay on after all. The monkish former marshal continued to walk the streets, rice bowl in hand, asking for alms and keeping his political plans, whatever they might be, to himself.

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