THAILAND's involvement in world war 1 and 2
In 1917 Thailand entered World War 1 on the Allies side. Before that, the country had been kept neutral by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) because of the good relations with Germany, little love for Britain or France and imperialist ways in Burma, Malaya, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. However, when the Americans left for war after finally deciding to enter, Thailand followed suit. More than 1,000 Thai's left for the Western front which included a small number of Air Corps and nurses. The 19 Thai's who were killed in World War 1 have a memorial erected in Sanam Luang park to honour and commemorate them. The positive effects of Thailand's participation was a greater diplomatic recognition and founding membership of the league of Nations and the International Labour Organization.
World War 2 began in 1939 but Thailand did not involve themselves until Japan invaded the country in 1941. After several hours of fighting on December 8th, 1941 between Thai and Japanese troops, Thailand elected to comply with the Japanese demands for access through the country. Japanese troops wanted to travel through Thailand so they could invade Burma and Malaya, which were held by Britain. Thailand declared war on the Allies after allowing Japanese troops to pass through their country. Thailand was rewarded for its cooperation with Japan during the early years of war with the return of further territory that had once been under Bangkok's control, along with portions of Shan states in Burma and the four most northern Malay states.
By now Japan was struggling to send supplies to it's forces in it's greatly expanding empire. This included essential supplies to Burma and any future foray into India. Japanese had to think of a clever idea quickly as the pacific was growing increasingly risky for shipping goods. A bold plan was complied to build a rail link from Ban Pong (near Bangkok in Thailand) through a dense and dangerous jungle (one of the worst in the world) to Burma. The railway would give the Japanese the ability to send much needed resources to depleted forces. Japan stationed 150,000 troops on Thai soil and built the infamous 'death railway' through Thailand using Allied prisoners of war.
The railway ended up taking over 100,000 lives, "A life for every sleeper" one author once stated. Over 6,000 British were killed along with 2,710 Australians, 2,600 Dutch, 400 Americans and a great number of labourers from Malay, Burma, China and Thailand. Deaths came to prisoners from malnutrition, tropical ulcers, malaria, cholera, dysentery and murder.
World War 2 began in 1939 but Thailand did not involve themselves until Japan invaded the country in 1941. After several hours of fighting on December 8th, 1941 between Thai and Japanese troops, Thailand elected to comply with the Japanese demands for access through the country. Japanese troops wanted to travel through Thailand so they could invade Burma and Malaya, which were held by Britain. Thailand declared war on the Allies after allowing Japanese troops to pass through their country. Thailand was rewarded for its cooperation with Japan during the early years of war with the return of further territory that had once been under Bangkok's control, along with portions of Shan states in Burma and the four most northern Malay states.
By now Japan was struggling to send supplies to it's forces in it's greatly expanding empire. This included essential supplies to Burma and any future foray into India. Japanese had to think of a clever idea quickly as the pacific was growing increasingly risky for shipping goods. A bold plan was complied to build a rail link from Ban Pong (near Bangkok in Thailand) through a dense and dangerous jungle (one of the worst in the world) to Burma. The railway would give the Japanese the ability to send much needed resources to depleted forces. Japan stationed 150,000 troops on Thai soil and built the infamous 'death railway' through Thailand using Allied prisoners of war.
The railway ended up taking over 100,000 lives, "A life for every sleeper" one author once stated. Over 6,000 British were killed along with 2,710 Australians, 2,600 Dutch, 400 Americans and a great number of labourers from Malay, Burma, China and Thailand. Deaths came to prisoners from malnutrition, tropical ulcers, malaria, cholera, dysentery and murder.