Prominent Thai statesman and strong supporter of Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian anti-colonialists during the early stages of the Indochina War. He studied in France between 1920 and 1927 during which time he obtained his doctorate in law from the Sorbonne. He met with Vietnamese nationalists in France, including Duong Van Giao, Tran Van Giau, and possibly Ho Chi Minh. He took part in the coup d’état ending the absolute monarchy in Thailand in 1932 and held important cabinet positions during the 1930s. During World War II, he led the Free Thai (Seri Thai) movement secretly from Bangkok. He worked closely with ethnic Lao politicians in northeastern Thailand, such as Tiang Sirikhan and Thongin Buriphat. After World War II, Pridi served as prime minister between August 1945 and January 1946 and was a strong supporter of the anti-colonialist causes of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), Khmer Issarak, and Lao Issara. He allowed DRV agents to trade clandestinely in Thailand and to administer an unofficial diplomatic office for Southeast Asia in Bangkok. He was forced from power by a coup d’état in November 1947 and the return of Pibun Songgram in April 1948. He lived in exile in China between 1949 and 1970, when he moved to France where he passed away.