The
Manhattan Rebellion (
Thai:
กบฏแมนฮัตตัน) was a failed
coup attempt by officers of the
Royal Thai Navy against the government of Prime Minister
Plaek Pibulsonggram (Phibun) on 29–30 June 1951. They took the prime minister hostage during a handover ceremony for the US dredge
Manhattan and brought him aboard the Navy's flagship
HTMS Sri Ayudhya. However, they were met by the combined forces of the Royal Thai Army, Air Force and Police. Heavy fighting ensued, and
Sri Ayudhya was sunk despite Phibun's presence on board; the prime minister had to swim ashore along with the ship's crew. The event led to the Navy being stripped of most of its power and influence. It also showed that political power actually lay with commanders of the Armed Forces rather than the prime minister.