Chapter 1 - History of Thailand during World War II
Before World War II - as in other countries in Southeast Asia - nationalism and strong opposition to the European colonial system are growing in Thailand . In Thailand, this situation was reflected in particular in the growth of proponents of the so-called pan-Thai idea, the main aim of which was to unite the "historic" countries of Thailand into one state - an area that Thailand lost to France between 1893-1907 (eastern border of today). Thailand, especially the Laos region, southern Vietnam and Cambodia) and Britain in 1909 (part of the Malaysian territory), then the territory of Burma (especially the Shan states, the Karen state and the western border area of Burma).
The main representative of this political line within Thailand was its Prime Minister Phibun Songkhram.
FIG. 1 - Phibun Songkhram after the war
[img] https://galerie.valka.cz/data/798/medium/phibun.jpg[/img ]
He came to power during the turbulent years between 1930-1938 - he first tried to do so as a member of a 114-member group called "Promoters" (ie the Founders or Announcers). In short, it was a group of officers who carried out a military coup on June 24, 1932, the main goal of which was to create a constitutional monarchy - this succeeded and the coup plotters thus achieved their goal. In a way, it was a legitimate demand. Another coup led by Phibun was the June 20, 1933 coup, which aimed to prevent attempts by the then Conservative Party to severely weaken the influence of junior officers (mostly graduates of French military academies). After several more coups (supporters of the king) and the resignation of Prime Minister Phray Phahon, Phibun took a chance and was elected Prime Minister of Thailand in 1938. Since then, a strong nationalist line in the Thai government has begun.
This culminates in 1938, when Phibun decides to transform his government into a military dictatorship, arrests the royal family, members of the opposition and possibly his opponents. In 1939, the name of the country was officially changed from the original Siam to Thailand, ie Thailand as a Thai country. This nationalist line has survived to the present day - see very problematic situation of ethnic minorities (Karen, ethnic Chinese, Malaysian tribes, Khmer, etc.).
FIG. 2 - Ethnic composition of contemporary Thailand, map from the 1970s, Musgrave
[img] https://galerie.valka.cz/data/798/medium/thailand_1974_ethnic_groups.jpg[/img ]
Due to the fact that Phibun spent a significant part of his life in France, he also tried to modernize Thailand according to the European model - mandatory wearing of European clothes, changing the New Year's date to January 1 from the original Buddhist April, mandatory kissing of men to his wives and similar interesting regulation.
After the outbreak of World War II, Thailand did not join either side and pragmatically waited for what the current world events would bring. The situation that awaited us occurred in 1940, when the German Blitzkrieg celebrated success on the European continent. In the year of the fall of France, Phibun decided to regain the territory of Indochina lost in 1893-1907.
FIG. 3 - Original territory of Thailand before the invasion
[img] https://galerie.valka.cz/data/798/medium/siam1909-1941.gif[/img ]
Thai troops invaded French, at that time already Vichy territory. The French defended quite bravely, but were defeated in two ground battles at Yang Dang Khum and Phum Preav. The war, which began in November 1940 as a "small" border dispute, lasted into the New Year and grew into more intense fighting.In this situation, Japan came into play when, after the defeat of Thailand in the naval battle of Koh Chang, diplomatic pressure on Vichy France reached a cessation of hostilities. However, France paid a cruel price - in a treaty signed in April 1941, under pressure from Japan, it had to give up 54,000 km2. These were the territory of Cambodia (Battambang Province and part of Siam Reap Province) and the border areas of Laos.
The whole of Thailand celebrated its first victory over the colonial power, and Phibun found itself at the peak of its popularity - in honor of the fallen in this war, he had the so-called Victory Monument erected.
FIG. 4 - Victory Monument
[img] https://galerie.valka.cz/data/798/medium/victorymnt.jpg[/img ]
Unfortunately for Thailand, however, this situation was the beginning of Japan's quest for control of Thailand. This culminated on December 8, 1941, when the Japanese struck Thailand militarily. The Japanese army entered Thai territory from nine directions, which prevented the effective defense of the Thais. These were land raids from Cambodia, air - occupying Don Muang Airport, and sea - 7 landings between the cities of Hua Hin and Pattani in the Gulf. However, the Thai army bravely defended itself for several hours before Field Marshal Phibun Songkhram decided to stop firing. At this time, both England and the United States declared Thailand an occupied country.
However, at this time, however, a very interesting situation arises. Phibun decides to play his own game (without the consent of the government or the king) after Japan offers Thailand some concessions. The question remains, however, whether he merely succumbed to harsh pressure from the Japanese, along with the fact of Allied weakness - see. eg Destruction of Union Z: sinking of the battleship Prince of Wales and the battleship Repulse. Either way, on December 14, 1941, Phibun signs a treaty that commits Thai troops to invade Burma along with Japan. One week later, on December 21, he signs another agreement that has far greater implications - the Alliance with Japan. This was signed at one of the holiest places in Thailand - Wat Phra Kaeo.
In return, the Japanese "dedicated" the territory of Malaysia to the Thailand (especially the problematic areas of the so-called 4 sultanates - Kelantan, Trengganu, Perlis and Kedah), which Thailand lost in 1909 through a peace treaty with Britain. They also militarily annexed the Eastern Shan State in Burma, where the Thais made a historic claim thanks to the kingdoms of Lan Na and Sukhotai and their affiliation with the local Myang ethnic group.
FIG. 5 - Map following agreements signed with France and Japan - Acquired territories of Malaysia, Burma, Laos and Cambodia
[img] https://galerie.valka.cz/data/798/medium/thai1942-1945.gif[/img ]
Following further pressure from the Japanese, Phibun declared war on Britain and the United States on December 25, 1942. Fortunately for Thailand, in the United States, then-Ambassador Seni Pramoj (an aristocrat known for his strong anti-Japanese sentiment) decides not to deliver this note to the US government.
FIG. 6 - Seni Pranoj, Ambassador of Thailand to the USA
[img] https://galerie.valka.cz/data/798/medium/Senipramoj.jpg[/img ]
In addition, he founded the Free Thai Movement, whose members were mainly young Thai people studying in the USA. Members of this movement join the United States Office of Strategic Services, the US OSS, which then deploys them to Thailand. By the end of the war, the Americans had managed to land about 2,500 of these well-trained men, who had caused great hardship to the Japanese and Thai. At the end of the war, there were about 50,000 free Thais in Thailand.
FIG. 7 - Patch of Free Thais and Siddhi Savedsila in OSS uniform
[img] https://galerie.valka.cz/data/798/medium/OSS-FT.JPG[/img ]
In 1942, Thailand undertook its largest military operation during WW II. - the invasion of the Shan States, which I would describe in more detail in the next chapter.
After the defeat of Germany at Stalingrad, Kursk, the defeat of Japan on Guadalcanal and Midway, the overall situation is slowly turning to the detriment of the Axis forces. At the same time, reports from the Japanese fighting in Burma and the Thai fighting in the Shan States are not as positive as expected. Thailand is slowly beginning to expect the worst. The plague hit Thailand around the end of 1943, when the Allies very often bombed Bangkok, but especially when the Japanese decided to increase the quota for food and other military supplies. Thanks to the activities of the Allies, basically any trade fell apart and the industry of Japan and the Japanese army had to obtain supplies in the occupied territories very barbarically. The situation escalated on July 24, 1944, when with the fall of Toj's cabinet, the Thai government decided not to agree to the two Japanese claims. The Japanese immediately occupied the country militarily and placed up to 150,000 troops there. Phibun Songkhram's cabinet resigned and was replaced by a so-called civilian government led by Khuang Aphaiyawongs.
FIG. 8 - Khuang Aphaiyawongse
[img] https://galerie.valka.cz/data/798/medium/Khuang_Aphaiyawong.jpg[/img ]
This was heavily influenced by the Free Thai Movement, and since its inception it has sought to get Thailand back on the Allies. There were secret negotiations between him and the Allies, in which, however, Britain in particular and Churchill's famous vengeance almost prevailed. The British were reluctant to forget that the Japanese were attacking Burma and Malaysia from Thai territory. On the other hand, the Americans, who had never been at war with Thailand, tried to blunt the demands of the British, which they did in part. However, at the end of the war, Britain invaded Thailand and occupied the northern areas. After the end of World War II, "anger" continues in Thailand. France, which became a victorious power, blocked Thailand's entry into the League of Nations until Thailand returned the territory it had acquired in 1942. The USSR again sought to repeal tough Thai laws against Finally, Britain demanded war reparations worth 1.5 million tons of rice, which accounted for about 10% of Thailand's annual production.
In January 1946, Britain signed a peace agreement with Thailand, ending the Thai intermezzo in World War II.
Note: I would like to thank my colleague Kare Kučer for very valuable comments, additions and remarks.