Who Did What Now – Ep. 176: Who Killed the King of Siam?

Host: Katie Charlwood
Date: January 14, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Katie Charlwood explores the mysterious death of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII), the young monarch of Siam (now Thailand), who was found dead in his palace in 1946 under unknown circumstances. With her characteristic wit and depth, Katie delves into Siamese royal history, the labyrinthine politics of early 20th-century Southeast Asia, the events leading up to and following King Ananda's death, and the tangle of conspiracy theories that remain unsolved to this day.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: On Research, Context, and Why History Matters

• Katie opens with a frank and entertaining aside about feedback she receives, body-shaming on the internet, and the importance of providing sources, emphasizing her philosophy on historical storytelling:
  • “I will always provide sources. I will always cite my sources in the podcast episode. Because, like, you shouldn’t just take my word for anything… People matter because people make history.” (07:06)
• Provides her sources for the episode, which include academic works and historical narratives on Thai history and the violent death of King Ananda.

Thai Royal History: A Quick Primer (10:45–23:00)

• Guides listeners through 700+ years of Thai/Siam history, addressing the migration of the Thai-speaking peoples, their kingdoms (Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Thonburi, Chakri/modern era), and how Siam avoided total colonization by leveraging diplomacy between rival colonial powers.
• Summarizes major reforms, the rise and fall of absolute monarchy, and the 1932 coup that created Thailand’s constitutional monarchy.

Modernization, Instability, and the Young King in Switzerland (23:00–31:30)

• Details the reigns of Rama VI and VII, political instability following constitutional reform, and the rise of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram—a military strongman who renamed the nation from Siam to Thailand.
• Ananda Mahidol, grandson of a prior king, is a surprise heir, living in central Europe for health and educational reasons during his youth.
  • “Ananda Mahidol, the first son of a third prince, was not expected to become a king of Siam, but the reign was thrust upon him…” (14:54)

War, Diplomacy, and Two Governments (31:30–41:45)

• Explains Thailand’s dilemma during WWII: initially resisting Japan briefly, then joining as a partner of the Axis powers—but with a clandestine Allied-leaning civilian resistance (the Seri Thai).
• The king’s role during this: “Well, the safest place he could possibly be. Switzerland.” (23:01), underlining the disconnect between the monarchy and day-to-day Thai wartime governance.

Postwar Politics and King Ananda’s Return (41:45–46:21)

• After WWII, the monarchy briefly retakes center stage. King Ananda returns to Thailand in December 1945 at age 20 to reclaim his throne; political and social anxieties swirl.
• Reports from contemporaries describe a young king out of his element and overwhelmed.
  • “A frightened, short sighted boy. His slurping shoulders and thin chest be hung with a gorgeous blue diamond studded decorations. Altogether a pathetic and lonely figure.” – Louis Mountbatten’s description, as quoted by Katie (44:24)

The Death of King Ananda Mahidol (48:23–54:00)

• On June 9, 1946, Ananda is found dead in bed, a bullet wound in his forehead—no witnesses and only circumstantial evidence.
• Initial official announcements claim an accident, but rumors of suicide, murder, and conspiracy immediately erupt.
• Contextualizes the last morning: king woken by his mother, interacts with his page and brother, later found dead.
  • “At quarter to nine…a single shot rings out from the King’s bedroom…” (48:55)
• Outlines the peculiarities:
  • Wound location not typical of suicide.
  • “He is shot right in the forehead which…if you’re going to shoot yourself, like you put the gun to your temple, like logically, you’re gonna put it to your temple, you’re not gonna put it to the front, right?” (51:04)
  • Gun found near his left hand, though he was right-handed.

Investigations, Trials, and Executions (54:00–60:00)

• Early inquiries inconclusive; another coup stirs the pot, new government orders a high-profile trial.
• Royal secretary and two pages tried; court procedures draw criticism for unfairness and possible political manipulation.
  • “There is just so much evidence that the defence counsel asked for an adjournment just to give them time to consider this. Like, it gets refused. And so like the lawyers, they resign…” (56:42)
• After years of appeals, all three men convicted and ultimately executed, despite ongoing pleas.
• King Ananda’s brother, now Rama IX (Bhumibol Adulyadej), publicly doubts the verdict:
  • “He ended up saying that the investigation provided the fact that he died with a bullet wound in his forehead. It was proved that it was not an accident and not a suicide. One doesn’t know. But what happened is very mysterious…” (60:18)

Theories & Aftermath (60:45–65:00)

• Katie walks through prominent theories:
  • Suicide, due to forbidden love.
  • Palace intrigue—accident or plot—perhaps even fratricide.
  • Conspiracy by Prime Minister or political factions.
  • Each ultimately undermined by missing or manipulated evidence, political meddling, and hasty conclusions.
• “The whole thing stinks. The whole thing stinks…” (63:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• History & Sourcing:
  “I will always provide sources. I will always cite my sources in the podcast episode. Because, like, you shouldn’t just take my word for anything…” (07:06, Katie)

• On Siam’s Survival:
  “So Siam convinces France and Britain that it was better to have them as a neutral nation…because taking the country over would result in a power imbalance between the imperial nations.” (16:35)

• On the Young King:
  “Ananda Mahidol, the first son of a third prince, was not expected to become a king of Siam, but the reign was thrust upon him…” (14:54)

• Louis Mountbatten on Ananda:
  “A frightened, short sighted boy. His slurping shoulders and thin chest be hung with a gorgeous blue diamond studded decorations. Altogether a pathetic and lonely figure. His nervousness increased to such an alarming extent that I came very close to support him in case he passed out.” (44:24)

• On the Official Verdict:
  “He ended up saying that the investigation provided the fact that he died with a bullet wound in his forehead. It was proved that it was not an accident and not a suicide. One doesn’t know. But what happened is very mysterious…” (60:18)

• On the Unresolved Mystery:
  “The whole thing stinks. The whole thing stinks…” (63:05, Katie)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro, philosophy on history & sources: 02:52–08:30
• Overview of Thai/Siam royal history: 10:45–23:00
• 1932 coup, transition to constitutional monarchy: 18:23–23:00
• Ananda Mahidol’s early life and rise: 25:58–31:30
• Thailand during WWII & two governments: 31:30–41:45
• Postwar politics, king’s return: 41:45–46:21
• The King’s last day and mysterious death: 48:23–54:00
• Trials and political aftermath: 54:00–60:00
• Conspiracy theories and unsolved questions: 60:00–65:00
• Katie’s recommendations (pop culture, reading, music): 65:59–68:05

Recommendations (66:00–68:05)

• Watch: Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (“My comfort movie”)
• Read: Anne Foster’s Rebel of the Regency (hasn’t read it yet, but recommends the author), Agatha Christie (“Any of it. All of it. Some of it, yeah.”)
• Listen: “Denis” by Blondie (good for karaoke—“small and easy”)

Conclusion

Katie finishes with her signature mix of warmth and irreverence, reminding listeners not only of the human complexity beneath historical tragedy but also the necessity of questioning “tidy” official stories. No clear answer emerges to “Who killed the King of Siam?”, but the episode packs a vivid journey through modern Thai history, scandal, and enduring mystery.

Next Week: Katie teases a murder-heavy historical episode for those who like their history with a dark edge.

(Skip to outlined timestamps to dive into specific segments. Adverts, intros/outros, and non-content sections excluded.)