Why Was Thailand the ONLY Country in Asia to Align with the Axis? - Allies of the Axis #1
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 พ.ค. 2024
- In this video, we delve into Thailand's contribution to the Second World War, which was likely more complicated than you know.
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Chapters
0:00 A lesser-known Axis ally
0:47 Thailand before World War II
4:06 War with the French and Japanese
7:09 Axis-aligned Thailand
11:13 Conclusion
![[TH] 2024 PMSL SEA W1D5 | Summer | เก็บคะแนนสู่รอบไฟนอล สัปดาห์แรก](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jSlV6eB1f9k/mqdefault.jpg)
Thailand basically…
- invaded by Japanese
- made deal with Japanese
- became an ally of Japanese
- got lost lands back with Japanese help
- treated Thai resistance (Seri-Thai) as rebels
- heard that Japan lost
- said being forced to become ally
- also said that Thai heroes (Seri-Thai the used-to-be rebels) secretly resisted the Axis
- paid fine
- joined the victory parade as a victor
- lost the lands that Japan helped get back and treated it as if this was never happened.
- as a fellow victor with France and England, we should break all those unfair, obsolete agreements we signed a hundred years ago :D
In short, Thailand fought against and with both sides. Diplomacy at its finest.
Lol
It's called survival.
@@alfredpaquin3563 yeah but not the first time this happened
here at the PH we called this "balimbing" at it's finest
Totally agreed…it’s called “2 headed bird” or “นกสองหัว”. It’s what Thailand has been and will always be. Thailand would never stand up on its own principles and jeopardize its benefit.
YES! someone who uses a historically accurate map of the time. I find WW1 and WW2 docs with the wrong maps irritating
Hahahaha! You're welcome 🤗
Fact.
@@TheFront m.
ช่วยด้วยยยยยยย
ตอนนั้นจอม พล ป. กำจัดคนจีน
แต่ปัจจุบัน คนจีนเล่นหุ่นเชิด รัฐบาลไทย 😖😫😣😣😓
@@thismanwalkonhimway3500 เออจริง(แล้วท่านผู้เจริญมาเจอวิดีโอนี้ได้อย่างไร)
Fun fact
Thais always called Phibun (pi-boon) as "Chompol Plaek" which literally means "Marshal Strange"
While currently the Doctor Strange film is in the cinema, you can easily found meme of Phibun dressed as Doctor Strange in Thai social media
LMAO
FYI: His name "Plaek" has got from his mom, she saw his ears are lower than his eyes, which are strange to common people.
Plaek is literally his real name. Probably why it usually shorten as P. Phibunsongkram.
Many old Thai people have a simple first name, mostly a one syllable word. It is also how ancient Thai people name themselves before the introduction of surname and it kinda stuck like before dying down after 1960 where many people start using longer and more complicated name. Like my father’s grandma “chî” (meaning: use) compare to my mother “siripron” (meaning: those who have good blessing). So pleuk is somewhat normal for the time.
@@marcuslipton148 yes, but he wants the people to call him phibun or phibunsonkram because his name sound kinda weird
This partnership, although superficial, had a profound effect on Thailand's future post war. Japan went back to rebuild it's economy and returned to Thailand in the 60's to employ the country as its manufacturing base for everything from automobiles to household appliances. This has helped Thailand transformed its broken post WWII economy from agricultural-based to manufacturing-based model and bring prosperity to the nation. Japan sees Thailand as a trusworthy partner and the two countries' economies remained intertwined to this day.
Thailand sells cheap labor and is still poor
as a Thai, I didn't know that Plaek was like this, they didn't teach the bad things he did, in Thai schools that I learn, they only teach us about how he embraced and recommends Thai people to use and make more Thai products to have recognition all over the world!! Thanks for the actual info!!
I am Thai too. The main reason why I don’t like him was because he treated Chinese people badly.
Propaganda is one hell of a drug.
You need to learn some more
จริงเลย จนโตมาถึงรู้ว่าหบายอย่างเป็นเรื่องโกหก
thai education system moment
2:00 Thailand can also be the land of Thai and Thai in this case is Tai ethnic group, so the idea of changing the name from Siam to Thailand is to create some kind of unity in the nation. And as a Thai I can say that it kinda work.
Yep. Plaek was Thai leader at the time and his idea is "Thailand, land for Tai", there is even a crackdown of Chinese ethnic people in Thailand just like how Germany crackdown Jewish people (altho not as bad)
@@fanwtn5124 I didn't know that. I am very interested considering I am Thai-Chinese. My grandmother from my father's side is actually Chinese.
@@heakhaek Did your father already lives in Thailand at the time or did he move to Thailand after the war? If your father already lives in Thailand then I’m glad to hear that, but if he was living in China during the war… that’s a sad story to hear
@@fanwtn5124 It was my great grandmother who was Chinese living in Thailand although both my parents are Thai. My dad told me my great grandmother was still a child during WW2. I'm just really interested in this topic.
@@fanwtn5124 Chinese people in Thailand are oppressed in terms of their livelihoods. Businesses were seized, but not as heavy as during the Cold War. In the Cold War, Thailand used brutal methods of suppressing communism. That's funny, Field Marshal Phibun is also of Chinese descent ,he doesn't like China 😅
My 86 year old aunt told us how she as an elementary school kid in Northeastern Thai would stop by the Mekong river on her way home from school to watch Japanese troops took their afternoon bath. Compares to what happened throughout the region at that time, Piboon did one thing right. He was able to keep the general Thais from tragic.
that's fair, there was no need to fight the Axis especially when you are outgunned and can prevent literal genocide in which the Japanese were doing in China.
His intention for the goods of his people were admirable but his execution was something else
handsome japanese soldiers naked in the river? No wonder the Thais were helping the Japanese. The Filipinos were colonized by the Spanish for 300 years, so they prefer really Big Men, so they help the Americans.
your aunt liked watching the Japanese taking baths ? ;)
Wow.. my grandmother is from Nong Khai and she also experienced that.
Again very appreciative of the video! I can’t recall many channels or people talking about Thailand and it’s role in the Axis.
No worries man!!!
Well I heard that Thailand had actively aided the Japanese in WWII. But wasn't sure just how much. Now that I know that the countries role in this war was exceedingly complicated. And I say in the end Thailand got off lucky as compared to other Axis aligned countries.
💯
Yes the fact is our ambassador to USA Seni Pramoj he didn't send declaration of war to Us go government. So when the war end in Us perspective they see Thailand like a Japanese Puppet and also see interest in the future to fought against communist so they help us but in UK and French they don't they wanna Thailand to pay war reparations the got the lucky nation even joined Axis.
Thanks for responding you guys
We did help them by lending lands and manpower to build railroads and military installations, sending expeditionary forces to help conquer China. Although that's only half of the story, the other half is the Free Thai Movement that actively relaying messages and coordinate strikes on Japanese targets, sabotage their supply line, and many more.
Also to piggyback off of His Aspher comment, Thailand had to send rice to Malaya (British territory) and pay 6 million GBT to the UK and Australia.
@@hisaspher4519 Yeah, especially the French.
Really great to hear about smaller country’s involvements in the war! Thanks for a great video
Outstanding information!! Thank you!
More new learning! I love it!
There is another fact that Thailand has long been an ally with the Japanese Empire. That is because Thailand and Japan have two kings who have had good relations with each other since before the war. We know that the Japanese during the war worshiped their king very much. which isn’t different from Thailand There was an incident during the Japanese invasion of Thailand to reach some parts of the capital. But he had to turn back when they realized that this was a palace because they understood the feelings of Thai people who respect the king as much as their country. But that was just a small incident in the war that no one talked about. I think this is the reason why Thailand and Japan are still allies until now.
This was a helpful summary of Thailand’s situation in WWII. Thanks for making it available.
I don’t remember specific details, but I’m pretty sure I remember hearing about at least one incident where Thai fighter planes engaged US bombers in air-to-air combat.
did not know this history, thankyou for sharing
Was in Thailand and read a bit about the country but this I did not know - so thank you very much for informing me on this important history !
Best Wishes !
This is all news to me! Thanks for the history lesson.
No worries!
As a Thai person I'm really excited to have people of my nationality be recognised, even if it is part of some of the darkest parts of history. I actually vaguely remember asking my grandfather about WW2 and he told me of the Japanese Railways built through Indochina to supply Japanese troops in Burma.
I’m glad that we can shed some light on it all!
Weird thing to be proud about that your country aided facists who committed crimes against humanity but ok
my step-grandfather was taken from malaya to build the death railway. he never came back.
The war was awful. My granpa was a half-Chinese Thai living in Phuket. He said that the Japanese soldiers actively peed in drinking water and raped people. He saw bombs killed bunch of Thais running away and arms falling of. He still hates Japanese with passion. I don't, but I couldn't say anything because what happened sounds so scary and horrendous.
@@poppermintee yup am from malaya heard gruesome stories from my mother... they surely deserved the atomic bomb 10 more times
Very informative. Thanks
Very informative video
He was also the origin of the now famous Pad Thai.
My second favourite Thai dish after papaya salad.
@@antlerman7644 Som Tam. :)
Change Siam to Thailand created Sawaddee = Hello
@@huggybear441 The big flood made him rethink food logistics. He wanted to integrate immigrant populations traditions into the whole new Thai culture to reduce racial tensions. So he used noodles from the chinese, mixed with Thai food ingredients like dried shrimp and tamarind paste also common with other races like Mon and Laos races etc. Noodles are cheap to make and have long storage life, easy to cook. His descendants said the early form of Pad Thai before it got it's current name was made in their household by their family cook.
Your Imperial Majesty, are absolutely correct. The dish itself has its root in Chinese cuisine, it isn't Thai or Siamese at all.
When the narrator says prepare Thai resistance fighters all I can think of is Thai (tie) fighters. Love hearing about these lesser known nations of the wars though, keep ‘em coming.
Very well done. Thank you
Brilliant !!!!! Thank you so very much
Some interesting facts about Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram. Although he had Chinese ancestry, Field Marshal Plaek was very anti-Chinese (one of the reasons he got along well with Japan). He had imposed several Sino-phobic policies. His propaganda even compared the Chinese in Siam to the Jews in Germany. During his second premiership, he was quick to align Thailand with the anti-communist camp and even send troops to Korea for fighting communists in Korean War.
Hmm, I would have become good buddies with this man because of this.
As a Thai, I never knew that Phibun had Chinese ancestry but he still despised the Chinese.
@@erb72 Having Chinese ancestry is not uncommon. Many Thais, ranging from royalties to commoners, are descended from Chinese immigrants. King Rama I himself was partly Chinese. King Taksin of the Thonburi Kingdom was the son of a Chinese father from Chaoshan.
beyond based, i'm of chinese descent and i have the exact same opinion as him, most chinese people in the mainland are nothing but mindless drones, no innovation, no personally bindless government obedience and corruption, there is almost no discipline or desire to better themselves, the entire reason why china failed so bad in the 18th to the 19th century wit qing china was because it developed a culture of complacency and adamant nature of tradition and lack of outlook. the communist party and nationalist party where just par for the course, tried to change but ended up being just the same, even modern china is like this, sure whats the point if your whole country as a whole is strong if the individual is nothing, if your country is not worth living in that everyone wants to flee, where the country is only good at stealing aspects of other civilizations instead of creating your own things
the japanese on the other hand had the opposite outlook and managed to rise to become the first non white major modern power. he was right to align with the axis, but sadly they were outnumbered in the end.
@@Jedsa009 Yes I know, theres more Chinese Thais than full blood Thai themselves, I do really despise them and also wasn't King Phra Phutthayodhpha Chulalok also of Mon Ancestry?
I was born and raised in Chiang Mai Thailand. When I was a kid (about 35 years ago) I lived in a house that was an old Japanese WW 2 headquarters. I don’t know any of the stories about what happened there during the war but it was a neat old house none the less. Now it has been moved and is protected as a historical sight.
Never heard of any of this. Thanks for informing us.
Great video.
Interesting and underrated topic. Good job! only onne thing: "Ph" in Thai language/names is not intonated as an "f". In contradiction it is pronounced as a strongly aspired "P". Definitely looking forward to get more on that topic...
I am basically learning all these in my faculty this semester ( I am studying in Thammasat University). There is a lot of myth during this period. One of my favorite is the myth that Seni Pramoj, who is the ambassador in DC at the time, didn't send the war declaration to the US government. Thus, US never declare war back on Thailand.
is this a myth? I was taught this by my history teacher
There is even Nazi friendship medal given to Thailand Pridi Panomyong( Dean of TU and first Prime minister of Thailand) put on displayed in the Thammasat University museum at Tha Prachan campus. There are also many relics and stories put on display during that period. You can go and see it.
Please add recommended texts in English, French, German, or Italian. I cannot read passau Thai but interested in finding good sources for researching this complicated period of Thai history.
Outstanding!
I knew a bit but not as much as you told me. Nice job, thanks.
Incredible! I am only 12 years old and I love to research historical events such as ww2, and your channel makes it really interesting!
You should look into 19thc Europe, it gives some fantastic context to the wars of the 20thc
@@fatalshore5068 Thanks! I will for sure look into it
The letter “h” after P and T in Thai (Ph, Th) indicated that they are aspirated consonants like normal English P and T in “Part”, “Time”.
While P and T alone in Thai pronounced as unaspirated consonants like English P and T after S in “Spice” and “Style”.
So, Phibun is pronounced as “Pi-boon” not “Fi-boon”
Goes to show how much he really knows about Thailand. I taught Thai history for 14 years and most of this nonsense is news to me.
Yeah, note that most multi syllable Thai names are from Sanskrit, and the “F” sound is absent in Sanskrit.
Sorry you phell on your phace when you phailed to research the pronunciation of the phamous man you were reporting on. Ph in Thai words does not make an "f" sound but asperates the p a little.
Thanks for video that is pretty good
Great episode. I didn't know any of this.
6:58-7:08
Translation:
"Destroy the UK, the oppressor of Asia.
Help the Japanese army attack the British who have long been oppressing us. Japan always wanted to bring us prosperity."
It's the truth btw. UK is the root of most of the world's conflict today.
Shame on you, The Japanese were Laughing at you, just like The World Laughs at Thailand today.
I don't know if they are bringing prosperity or not but it truly is disgusting how he ignore colonialism almost entirely
I never knew this thanks
Man this was great! I want to hear more about 1960s and 70s Thailand please
Oh, that's great! Week ago I was in Chumphon museum and saw the exposition dedicated to the period of the WWII. Some rifles, munitions and photos of Japan military in Bkk. It's not so informative. And before I heard only about clashes of the Thais with Vishi French and effective air strikes. The video reveals the whole story for me. Thank you!
I am from Thailand, and I can say that the lesson about WWII in Thai schools is so brief compared to this VDO.
hi im thai to สวัดดี
The story of dictator some book have just 1 paragraph. don't tell source about why they do that, don't tell punishment.
Book in schools never tech student ask question
Thai education system leaves much to be desired, especially in foreign language like English and in the social sciences, including history. It seems someone has been working very hard over many years to frustrate the younger generations from learning what went on in their country. Students learn only names and dates for exams, and nothing more. Short little phrases to be memorized for multiple choice exams, No analysis. No arguments. No skepticism. What is happening to day is this multigenerational effort to starve off critical thinking has comes back to bite us in the butt. Unscrupulous politicians have exploited our young generations for political gains. When the situation requires you to suddenly run a marathon but your leg muscles and lungs can hardly handle a 100 meter run.
@@ThePeteBkk That is an interesting theory.
I simply think that the number of topics is overwhelming for the students so they do not focus in detail.
Yeah, this video is pretty brief too on the fact that most of Thai neighbor are under colonial government by allies countries at the time
Severely underrated part Of history you guys should teach at schools And replace the people running the history channel along with epic history TV kings and generals and much more historically accurate TH-camrs
Thank You again.
Good job
I hadn't even realized how much I didn't know about Thailand during WW2 and Vichy France's involvement in all of Southeast Asia during the height of colonialism. Excellent video topic.
The modern relations between the Kingdom of Siam. (The name was changed to Thailand in 1939.) and the Empire of Japan was established in 1887, but the close relations began during the 1930s. After the 1932 Siamese Revolution which transformed Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy, the Siamese government improved the relations with Japan. According to many academic researches, since the absolute government had a close relations with Western Great Powers, Britain and France, so the new post - revolution government improved the relations with Japan with the intention to guarantee the stability and international recognition of the government. In the same way, Japan, saw the opportunity to reduce the role of Britain and France in the region, so the close relations began. During the period, Thailand had cooperated many things with Japan. Thailand began the industrialization with Japan as a model. Many students were awarded the scholarship to study in Japan. And there was also the military cooperation. With the high nationalistic sentiment at the time, and the Fall of France to Nazi Germany in 1940, Thai government sent the troops to the French - occupied Indochina to take the territories which Siam lost to France during the reign of King Rama V (1853 - 1910 reigned 1868 - 1910) back. This led to the Franco - Thai War which was consisted of ground, naval, and aerial warfare. Most of warfare between both sides occurred in the Northeast region of Thailand and in the French - occupied areas in Indochina. One of the most well known events of this war, moreover than the first aerial warfare in Thai history, was the naval battle between Thai and French battleships near Ko Chang (Battle of Ko Chang) in the eastern sea of Thailand.
The war ended in May 1941 (began in October 1940) after the negotiation between two sides mediated by the officers from the Empire of Japan was concluded. France had to cede some areas to Thailand. Thailand made those areas to be a provinces of Thailand and ruled them between 1941 - 1946. After the World War II ended, Thailand had to cede those areas back to France. Today, they are parts of Laos and Cambodia. The The Victory Monument in Bangkok was built to dedicate to those who lost their lives in this war. After this war, Japan and Thailand had a closer relations.
In 1941, Thailand was invaded by the Japanese troops. Despite a little resistance by the Thai military and police officers and the "Youth Soldiers", especially in the Southern Thailand, to avoid the mass destruction, the Thai government decided to become the ally of the Empire of Japan. The Japanese established the troops in the country, while Thailand could retain the independence and the freedom to control the internal affairs. Japan is the first country which Thailand establishes the ambassadorial level of relations and the diplomatic representative is the ambassador. Before that time, the Siamese representatives in Europe were mostly the legations to many European nations. During this time, the Japanese troops from Thai bases had the critical role to the vicotry of Japan in the invasion of Burma, Malaya, Singapore and Ducth East Indies. Many British, American, and Dutch POWs were captured and forced to work in the construction of the notorious Death Railway in Kanchanaburi Province in the west of Thailand. Even Thailand faced less hardship than many Asian territories which were occupied by the Japanese. There were hardships from the economy and the attacks from the Allied forces to the Japanese bases in the country.
After Thailand and Japan became ally before the Pacific theater of the World War II began, Thailand should be one of Axis powers. However, due to the actions of Free Thai Movement, a group of Thai people who disagreed with the government's commitment with the Imperial Japan and cooperated secretly with the Allied powers in many ways such as intelligence during the war, Thailand became a neutral after the war ended and the country, including the government did not faced the punishments from the Allied powers as other Axis nations faced. Thailand just paid some little reparations to Britain and France, sent a rice to Britain to feed the people in British Colonies, and returned the territories it occupied after 1941 Franco - Thai war and 1942 Japanese occupation of Burma/Malaya back to Britain and France. Those territories are parts of Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia in the present.
As the legacy of Japanese brutality during the war was less than other Asian countries, and many Thai people have had the positive view to the Japanese since the close relation era in the 1930s, Thailand becomes one of the most pro - Japanese countires in Asia. The positive feeling increased during the 1980s when Japanese companies invested many projects in Thailand, created a thousands of jobs, and made Thailand become the middle income nation in the 1990s. Japan also invested in many infrasturcture project, such as the MRT train. The Japanese cultural products, movies, series, Mangas, Animes and Pop songs are also very popular. Many songs were translated into Thai language. Even there are more competitions from China in investment and from South Korea in entertainment industry in recent years, Japan is still regarded as one of the most favourite countries in the view of many Thai people.
Fun Facts:
1. There was a Japanese warrior named Yamada Nagamasa, who was the ruler of Nakhon Sri Thammarat in Southern Siam during the Ayutthaya period.
2. The building of the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo is formerly the house of Pujie, the younger brother of Emperor Puyi, the last emperor of China. Pujie married Hiro Saga, the Japanese noblewoman.
3. There is Thai businessman named Boonpong Sirivejjabhandu who secretly supplied the medicines for the POWs during the World War II.
4. There is a Thai classical novel named "คู่กรรม Khu Gam" or "The Sun Sets At Chao Phraya". It is about the love between Japanese soldier named Kobori and Thai woman named Angsumalin. It has been adapted into movies and TV dramas for many versions.
5. Thailand also has the sister group of AKB48. BNK48 is Thai version and one of many "Sister Groups" of AKB48, the idol girl group originated from Japan. They become popular after the great success of Thai version of "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie" which was released in late 2017. The song became popular, became national phenomenon and also made the Group become national phenomenon. Today, the MV of the song has more than 190 million views. This number is nearly as equal as the MV of original Japanese version and the number is still increasing. Many of their other songs also have more than 10 - 20 million views. After the great success, the Group becomes popular and many members have many works, such as being invited as the guests in many TV shows (They also have their own TV variety shows.), being presenters in many TV advertisements and being actresses in many movies, TV dramas ("ละคร Lakorn" in Thai. Many of the members had some acting careers before becoming the Group's members.) and TV series. After the great success of Thai version of "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie", the group becomes very popular and has the expansion with the debut of the 2nd Generation in 2018 and the 3rd Generation in 2022 and the debut of CGM48 in 2020. CGM48 is the Sister Group of both AKB48 and CGM48 based in Chiang Mai, one of the biggest cities in Northern Thailand. And the group is also the first Sister Group of Oversea Sister Group. There are also a sub - units, Mimigumo, debut in 2019, and Vyra, a T Pop girl group, debut in 2020.
It doesn't matter whether you Thai people like Japan or not. However, denying and defending the 'war crimes' of the 'Japanese Empire' is problematic. And just like you Thais like Japan. There are also countries that have suffered great damage, insults and suffering by Japan. Thais always name the Japanese Empire to make fun of Koreans and celebrate our grandmothers being raped by Japanese. Thais always claim that Koreans are racist and ignore Thailand, but in my opinion, the real racist is Thailand. You are Thai people who ridicule the history of Korea and ignore Koreans.
Now Japanese women can come to Bangkok and Phuket to enjoy watching Thai men dancing onstage.
I would like to add to the #4 mentioned here. The novel was written by a prolific and awards winning author. However, she was ultra right-wing, who write novels promoting traditional role of women and shaming modern women. She was also the one who incited the massacre of Thammasart university student by accusing them of being communists. She was also pro military. I wonder whether this was one of the reason why her novels were often adapted for local TV. Since Thailand TV station had been run by military for a very long time. Thais twitter were having a field day calling out her crime on the day that she died.
Maybe thats why my thai wife surname sounds like japanese, RODSUKO...Hmm..But i asked her dad he say they are all thais no japanese inheritance.. or he was not told by his father my wife's grandfather.. secret maybe
Thank you for the video. I grew up not knowing that Thailand allied with Japan, and was shocked when I became aware of it in my 20s. I'd often wondered why. Now I know. Thanks again.
nice one
Can't wait for more Thailand history
เรื่องราวนี้ ในประเทศไทยไม่ได้สอนคนไทยแบบนี้เลย มันคือเรื่องจริงที่คนไทยบางคนไม่รู้ ขอบคุณสำหรับเรื่องราวดีๆ และยังมีอีกหลายเรื่อง ที่คนไทยเองไม่ทราบ 😊😊😊
Really Aces Video- Truly enjoyed. Did not realize Thailand declared war on USA!! Axis and Allies makes more sense now!! Thanks!
INTERESTING HISTORY!!
As a Thai, this is very well analysed.
never ever heard this before and i'm 70 years old thanks
Never too young and never too old for more knowledge! I'm 20 and I hope that at 70 I'll still be learning just like you, cheers!
@@gtPacheko lol a 20 year old with a anime profile picture
@@unkownperson4204 what about it?
@@edgehoward4290 cringe
@@unkownperson4204 you couldn't even spell unknown correctly, calm down
Thanks for sharing my friend ✌️ 😊 🙂 😀 ❤️ 🌷🌷👏👏
Very interesting.
I love Thailand without question. They were our staunch allies in Vietnam. They are a beautiful people with a beautiful Country. If you don't know these people, you should.
Some countries had very complicated political situations in WW2 such as Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand. While Sweden managed to stay out of the war through careful diplomacy and Switzerland had prepared themselves and made any invasion a costly and unnecessary action, Thailand was forced to join the war and provide support to the Japanese Army. I was unaware of Phibun's ambitions prior to this video, to think he wanted basically all of SE Asia, that seems awfully ambitious considering the many peoples and diversity of the area and Thailand relatively moderate size in the region.
A master class in geopolitical maneuvering!
Awesome video! Any books you recommend I read or movies I can watch on this subject? I love Thailand and Thai history
I will explain you about the history about WWII, especially the Japanese troops crosed my hometown to build the railway from Banpong district, Ratchaburi province to Kanchanaburi( Kwai bridge) and end at the Burmese border. Most of Thai people were supported a lot to Japanese troops by giving their soldiers rice, foods , water etc. during their stay in Siam territory. I knew that was terrible for what Japanese army did to others but with Siam, they're our best friend. Why we think that? Because the western countries during the Colonial era like Britain, France took and invaded our territory. The worst case is France, we lost a lot because of them. Japan helped Siam each time we had conflicts with the Britain and France.
Those reasons are why 99% of Thai people have a good image for Japan and their people.
It’s true. At the end of World War II, American Office of Strategic Service (OSS) officers in Bangkok were dismayed to discover that, contrary to their expectations, the Thai showed little animosity toward the Japanese. The OSS unit reported in August 1945 that ‘there has been very little in the way of hostile reaction’. Japanese accounts confirm this, with a Foreign Ministry study, for example, concluding: ‘The general attitude of Thai officials and citizens toward Japan just after the war's end was relatively sympathetic
พวกเราคนไทยขอขอบคุณช่อง The Front เป็นอย่างยิ่งที่ใด้ทำวีดีโอบอกเล่าเรื่องราวของไทยในสมัยสยาม ให้ทั่วโลกใด้รับรู้ ขอขอบพระคุณเป็นอย่างยิ่ง จากประเทศไทย
คุณเป็นคนไทย
I have lived in Thailand for more than a dozen years but have never heard any of this history. Thank you so much.
this is great history video for south east asia. We malay dont know about detail of this history.
Thailand reluctantly allied itself with Japan in WW2. Also Japan had many more Asian Allies during the war. You even referred to pictures from the book Japan's Asian Allies 1941-45 by Philip Jowett. It shows all of Japan's Allies from WW2 and there were large numbers of Pro-Japanese forces in WW2 that saw plenty of combat
I have that book. Like all Osprey books it's unbelievably informative.
@@johnh.tuomala4379 man I probably have like 40 Osprey books hahahahaha. I absolutely love them. I never seem to have enough
Like Subhas Chandra Bose from India
The fact that Thailand was more well equipped than the FRENCH in Indochina is kind of sad...
Hilarious but not exactly surprising lmao France was a bit of a joke during WWII
@@sto1238 U mean the Vichy? Of course, but not the Free French.
@@darkmoney7762 they are the same
it was away territory for the French, they'd have to transport what they had there. The Thai's could manufacture locally and have better supplies and logistics for parts, equipment etc.
EXCELLENT HISTORY I LOVE YOUR FILM
PLEASE SHOW LANE XANG TO LAOS KINGDOM PLEASE, THANK YOU
Very good sir. History very important to remember. So, that it is not repeated.
But also, to see how evil arises. How evil dictators take over. Worth paying
attention to. Thank you for this video.
It was uneasy relationship during WW2. There was a confrontation between local Thais and IJA soldiers in late '42 that almost sparked the end of that relationship. In Kanchanaburi, A Thai monk provided some food to Allied POWS passing by, enraging Japanese soldiers. An IJA soldier slapped Thai monk face (massive offence in Thai eyes), infuriating locals. IJA soldiers also harassed Thai workers lodging temple where that thai monk stayed. IJA soldiers captured some workers but they fought back and killed some of those soldiers.
At the end, both sides dissolved the situation. IJA issued "how to behave in Thailand" guidelines for their ignorant troops while Thai government put that thai monk in brief jail and release him later on.
One of my late cousin did wood/timber trading business during the war. He frequent Burma railway area. According to his memo, Allied POWs life condition was so bad, they trade anything still valuable (hid from IJA camp guards) for some food.
We, Thailand, was like Italy + a bit of Finland during WW2.
so aside from the Burma Railway, the biggest Japanese war crime in Thailand was slapping a monk. thats it?
@@thelastdefenderofcamelot5623 That is about it LoL. Indirect effect of them stationing over here was that Bangkok was constantly bombed. Also, after losing Burma, they intend to turn Thailand into sort of bigger version of Okinawa battle, using Thais as Cannon-fodders. Lucky for us, they surrendered after two A-bombs!
@@NATNETINARELLI thank for replying.
@@NATNETINARELLI in fact Japan can not do not because Japan and free Thai movement (or include OSS and SEA command in India) had psychology war to each other all of the time.
Once some free Thai movement leader want OSS and SEA command to authorize operation to fight with Japan in late 44 or 45 but that was never approved due to Japan play psychological war to make OSS and SEA scare to open any operation.
PS. Mr.Phibun sometimes he was kinda blind eye to Free Thai movement activity and some what more favor to allied in 1943 when Japan face more lose or stalemate.
It's in Thai culture to take the "middle path". It is a precarious path but it has kept them from becoming heavily involved in any conflict for about 200 years. They just like coups every few years to give the tanks a run out.
this is gold ! thank you for showcasing more on the ww2 era history of thailand.
As a Thai your video is very well-made and deep into the history, all of my knowledge were just about Thais will do whatever to survived from the colonization. Whatever it takes but the main country must survive at all cost.
The name of Thai Prime Minister Is actually read as "Plak Pibunsongkram", And Thai people known him as "Chom Pon Pol." Chom Pon means Field Marshal. But his name was written correctly in the video.
Probably because the only country of SEA not part of a colonial empires. Also Irak tried to expel the British and was crushed by the British in1941. It received help of the Axis.
When Seni Pramoj called for volunteers my grandfather was studying to become a professor of geology at the Colorado School of Mines. He joined-up with the Seri Thai and was trained by the OSS. After completing his training the US Navy shipped him to India and then flew him "over the Hump", ie the Himalayas, into Yunnan province (Southern China). From there he trekked south to fight the Japanese. To this day I still have 2 war medals that were given to him by the OSS and the CIA (a friend of the CIA medal).
Although not very many Thais know of the true role of the Seri Thai, they were the key reason why Thailand was treated as an occupied nation at the end of the war by the Allies. The British really wanted to classify them as a defeated combatant but the US refused, mainly because of how many Thais fought for the Seri Thai. I couldn't be more proud of my grandfather's role in World War 2.
Thank you for shining a light on this hugely important and largely forgotten chapter in Thai history.
What a wonderful story. Your grandfather was a real Thai patriot and hero. For your grandfather I want to say: "Thank you for your service".
I always use Phibun as one of my commanders in World Conqueror 3. Not because he's good, he just had a low deployment cost
16 likes isn't very much, but way more than I was expecting for that game reference 🤣🤣
Have an extra one from me even though I have no idea what you’re talking about
As a Thai a lot of the nationalist, fascist ideologies is still being taught by today Thai's education system. The difference being that the modern Thailand government support monarchist fanatics and the military to suppress freedom of speech and corruption is also rampant.
Thank you Coomer
if the axis won and Plaek wasn't ousted by the corrupt ally government, a union of southern asia would be one of the major powers in the world if it still existed today
Can you give me more information about the part where you said that nationalist and fascist ideologies is still being taught in Thai's education system? From my experiences being a student in Thailand, I didn't see something extreme like that but maybe what you have experienced is different than mine. Also, If we look into what the Ministry of Education had officially made about education content, I don't see anything that extreme. All I can see is that they tell us, Thai people, that we all should get along and love our country. I think this is ok and not extremely or too much nationalist.
Other things I would like to say
1.) About the current gov support monarchist fanatics. Please give me more information about what these people did to be called "monarchist fanatics". Most of the people in Thailand aren't like that. We love democracy and we reasonably love our king and the royal family because of what they did to improve our life. And I strongly don't think that the current gov support the Royal family at all. I believe that they are trying to make people think that they are "protecting our beloved family", while in reality they just leave the problem to grow so that people still choose him in the next erection.
2.) About military suppress freedom of speech. It's not the military but the current gov (and they failed to do it). Please separate Prayut Janoochar and military. They are not the same. Don't think that the people in military really like him. There are lots and lots of complicate things happened. I recommend that you should read/see/view the situation by each person, not group people together in our head but see them as separate character, each person has each interest. I should give more context about this. The current gov did try to control news and information that circulate in social media by creating the law but failed. Thai's court didn't allow that law to pass. And what they are trying to control is not the information/news about Royal family, It's all about the covid situation. The current gov trying to make themselves look good, hide bad things that they did. And as I said before, this gov doesn't care about fake news and ugly disinformation about the Royal family at all. To be fair, Thai's people actually have a lot of freedom of speech.
3.) About corruption. Yes. The current gov is corrupt. I really hate this current gov. I also hate previous govs as well. They all very corrupt. Corruption happen a lot in Thailand history. Even the opposition parties, thay did corruption and still doing corruption. Now I'm at the point where I don't know who should I choose in the next erection. They are all bad.
@@dura3933 didn't expect such a long reply but I'm happy to elaborate my point. But to be clear I have to stated that I love Thailand and I'm not antagonizing Thai people. The reason why I'm criticizing is because I care about my country and I want it to be better.
1) While the education doesn't look outright "extremist" but when you look deeper into it. It clearly has the same propaganda value that Phibun (An outspoken fascist that admire "the austrian painter" ) used during his era with more emphasis on loyalty to the monarch.
2) I'm not saying that all Thais are fanatic. But these "fanatics" will use monarch to takedown any complaint or movement that will take their power away. And also any political party that even "dares" to mention reform also get crushed instantly.
3) Yes, I understand that not all soldier/police are bad, but the military and its top brass is responsible for the gov. The gov wouldn't be here today or enjoy much of their power without the military support. And the Thai's military also has a long history of doing coup and and creating systemic corruption that ridden Thailand for years. Historically all Thai's dictator use their position in the army/police to control the people and parliament.
4)While the regular people do enjoy a fair amount of freedom but to say that Thai's gov,court values freedom of speech is a complete lie. A lot of people are being jailed and exiled for criticizing the current gov,monarch and it have been this way since the creation of Thai's democracy. And while fake news is a problem that the media on both sides employed, The right/monarchist will often get away with just a slap on their wrist while the left get harsh sentence.
5)The last person who tried to make Thai's democracy work got framed as an anti monarch communist and died in exile. While all of us convince ourselves that Thailand have true democracy by forgetting that the only group profitting and gaining power from corrupt gov is... the monarch and oligarch that monopolize much of the country. If things continues to be this way then we might never get an election that isn't rigged or ended in a coup lol.
Yeah.
I AM POOR, BECAUSE I AM THAI.
I never knew this and it's different than what people are taught here. I did know that due to an Amity Treaty, Americans are the only foreigners allowed to own land and business here due to WW2 but I never knew the details. Now I know. Thank you!
As Thai I will say You did well research. All information is correct but some picture or clip may not related Pibul( spell Bhi-Boon ) is around 40 during WW2 many picture was him age 60 very later year.
Phibun was the only leader of the axis powers that remained in power after ww2
What about Emperor Hirohito ????
@@hotmechanic222 Was he ever rly in charge tho....more like his generals
Then he was coup by Field Marshal Sadit Thanarat lol
@@hotmechanic222 you are legally right
Also Finnish leaders. Though it had to be said that Fin and was not an axis country but a cobelligerent as Italy after their occupation by Germany in 1943.
Thailand is friend of Japan. We love each other
Interesting information and I got to say I didn't know too much about it. What happened to Fabun after ten years?
Phibun get coup by the royalist party ,get assasinated attemped several times during That time Pridi()Free Thai leader) and Phibun try to get back into power and cooperated but lost to royalist party framing Pridi for killing king Rama 8th thus both has to escape Pridi went to China and goto France afterward a failed attempted to regain power , Phibun flee to Japan and live there until he die
Wow this is cool .
Thailand's way to stay safe in a nutshell: If we can't fight them, join them.
Communist🤮
@@AK-sq5nc wdym
Not just Thailand, Bose of India and Aung Hcan of Myanmar also co-oped with Japan.
Interesting to be sure.
I really didn't know any of these! It is actually a nice feeling to be surprised by my own ignorance. It keeps me humble...if only authoritarians understood that...
The land Thailand tried to take from French Cambodia was largely land that was taken from them in a conflict recently before this. Also the Thai had little other choice than capitulate since the west offered them little more than speed bump status. Once the Japanese troops were in the country there's not much to do.
thai already taken 40% laos land and 20m laos people,is that not enough?
@@ongtengkee9225 Which war?
@@CautionCU lao siamese war by taksin.They don't call them laotian but Isan.Go figure out what is the reason.
Thailand took over Isan but Isan took over Thai food
@@minimumapature3361 isan people want to return to laos together with their land,period.
all they taught us in school was that Thailand was neutral like Switzerland, only allowing Japan to pass through; boy this brings a whole new perspective now
Do you surprise how he did not bring up the fact that almost every single country around Thailand was under colonial government 100% by Allies countries?
If someone came in to loot your entire neighborhood and kept all your neighbor captive only you managed to fend them off.
What would you do if some thugs in your neighborhood gone mad and go berserk on these looters?
AWESOME😃😃😃
great video, very in-depth information. Pronunciation of "fiboon" made me laugh though
Fun facts
His last name used to be the name of the province.
Phibun Songkhram Province is one of the four provinces that Thailand regained territory from France in 1941 by raising the area of Siem Reap administration as a province. After World War II, Thailand had to return the territory of Phibun Songkhram Province to France.
Could have got into a little more detail of the battle of Ko Chang as Thaialnd is the only other Asian country to get into a naval battle with western powers.
According to my mother, this is the reason why her grandparents decided to move to the Philippines where my grandfather was born. He eventually impragnated a Filipina (my grandma) who eventually gave birth to my mom in 1958.
very interesting. my Thai girlfriends great uncle was killed fighting for the Japanese in the war, so it explained the context. Thank you.
Yes, please also be aware that every country around Thailand are under colonial government completely led by allies countries
ไทยเรารักสงบ ถึงยามรบไม่ขาด ฝั่งไหนชนะขาด ก็อยู่ฝั่งนั้น
555
ขี้ขลาด vs อ่านเกมส์ขาด555
FunFact : Pleak in Thailand mean Strange. So you can call him General Strange ( but we call him General P )
Yeah He gonna have his own movie name General Strange : In the multiverse of madness
Wait? No?
Yes, I have heard this before and could have added some more details. I could have also advised for proper spelling of the Thai names.
เหลี่ยม💎
His name is actually pronounced "Pi-boon" the ph spelling is the old custom of Thai-English transliteration for the bh- or p (IPA symbol p)