Born Phot Phahonyothin[c] and for a brief period educated in Germany, he was a member of the Khana Ratsadon and launched a coup d'état to become Prime Minister of Siam in 1933, a position he held until 1938.

[citation needed] He was then sent to study at the Engineering College of Copenhagen in Denmark, but was only able to complete one year as his scholarship funds ran out, forcing him to return to Siam in 1912.

In March 1933 a constitutional crisis developed in Siam over the "Yellow Cover Dossier" incident, precipitated by Pridi's draft economic plan, which contained socialist elements.

Luang Phibunsongkhram, a trusted confidant, became minister of defence under the new government and he began to acquire greater power and influence in preparation for his eventual ascension to the premiership.

The beginning of the end for Phraya Phahon's time as prime minister began in 1937 when a scandal erupted involving the sale of crown real estate to high-ranking officials at below-market prices.

After budget issues in 1938, the cabinet was forced to resign in September 1938 followed by elections in December which resulted in Luang Phibunsongkhram becoming the prime minister of Thailand.

It was said that when he died, despite the fact that he had held many positions in government, his family lacked the funds to pay for his funeral before Luang Phibunsongkhram, his protege and the incumbent prime minister, stepped in.

[citation needed] Phahonyothin Road, which runs from Bangkok to the border of Burma in the north, is named after Phraya Phahon.