kratingdang

To the Moog, I didn't say or even imply that all thais were uneducated, I simply asked if it was common that the single biggest historical event in the 20th century was not realised by thais in general.

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Umm , that was the break-up of the Beatles, right ?

To get serious, the invasion by the Japanese, and the death of a couple of hundred thousand Asians (as well as the farang prisoners-of-war) does seem to come as NEWS to many Thais. Wonder why their schoold don't teach this ?

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Thailand at the time was allied with the Japanese, now I don't know this for sure buut sinec they were allied and the government at the time was military dictatorship Thais view this time as an embarrassment and there for don't want to teach it to their kids. I have no proof of this is just a suggestion that I have read else where, so truth or not I do not know.

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U also don't know much about Thai history. I don't view WWII as d emberrass moment

Okay, no need to be an ass! Read the highlights. Also, you have just what what said only a longer verison. Thailand was allied with Japanese, I said that, so what are you trying to prove to me? Almost everthing you posted I know. I have read several books an Thai history and want to study it further and as I am working on a history masters I would like to teach here in the states. My father-in-law (Thai) had told me that Thais don't like to be reminded of the Dictatorship, because they feel it shouldn't have happened, they were suppose to be free, which is why he told me it is so important that Thais today vote and be apart of the government. I said I wasn't sure if Thais viewed their alliance with Japan as a sore point, because it was my wife who said that in school this was never covered or was covered so little that she didn't remember it, so maybe, this she said to me, the Thai government doesn't want to the kids to think that it valued it's relations with Japan because they turned out to be the losers in the war and it would be better for relations with western nations to not remind them of this alliance, for the good of Thailand, but this is also a guess. So, don't peach to me boyo, I said I wasn't sure.

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Only things I like to talk about WWII is about the colonizer who are under estimate Thailand got a hard ass kick from Asia. then America lost in Vietnam war. These bastard need to get the lesson that the smaller guys can kick their ass badly. And I love to talk about WWII because of this

Bye bye yank and frog eater

And for those who say my grammar is crap and coppy from other source .....i just found article and decide to post here ,so what is your better idea? or source

After watching 'saving private ryan' with my girlfriend we were talking about history and it turns out she has never heard of the second world war, Adolf Hitler or the Vietnam war, and was astonished when I told her the Vietnamese won. Is this normal or have I found the most uneducated girl in thailand??

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I also don't know that much about the European and American history ,I think d history class in Thai school when I studied not explain much about european and American history. More on Thai and other Asian countries.I also want to learn about Napoleon.

Any way at least that girl should know Vietnam lose.

I think this is d personal problem ,but some American or Chinese are also poor in geography and history. I have heard from some one who also think that Asian is d country "Asian country"

Thanks guys I will be in BKK next month ,but d afterdrunk food in BKK would be PadThai Mee ,or porridge ,but I prefer some things oily. So I go for burger and kebab always.

I am Thai and in d relationship with the foreigner as well ,I think d parent prefer d same country because they feel more comfortable to have some one with the same culture and language around. But if u prove u can accept Thai culture and language in d level that they respect they will be more appreciate on u.

Many Thai stereotype on Chinese that Chinese are lound and poor hygine ,U have to show them that it not true

I live in Bangkok bfore ,but I haven't s een any Kebab shop

Happy ney yr

Sawasdee PeeMai Krap

Chub mue perb ชุบมือเปิบ

Chuy ogart ฉวยโอกาส

To the Moog, I didn't say or even imply that all thais were uneducated, I simply asked if it was common that the single biggest historical event in the 20th century was not realised by thais in general.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Umm , that was the break-up of the Beatles, right ?

To get serious, the invasion by the Japanese, and the death of a couple of hundred thousand Asians (as well as the farang prisoners-of-war) does seem to come as NEWS to many Thais. Wonder why their schoold don't teach this ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thailand at the time was allied with the Japanese, now I don't know this for sure buut sinec they were allied and the government at the time was military dictatorship Thais view this time as an embarrassment and there for don't want to teach it to their kids. I have no proof of this is just a suggestion that I have read else where, so truth or not I do not know.

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^

U also don't know much about Thai history. I don't view WWII as d emberrass moment

Thailand was a relatively quiet nation during World War 2, in comparisson with what was happening around them in other countries. But still, Thailand bears a unique history during and after the war. Basically, Thailand managed to survive handsomely and took opportunity to make the best out of every situation.

Prior to the war in the Pacific, Thailand and Japan had close relations. In 1939, Thailand invaded French Indochina to gain back territories in Laos and Cambodia, which was taken by the French in 1893-1901. Japan aided Thailand both with supplying weapons and even pilots to bomb French positions in Cambodia. After the war, Japan mediated the conflict and the French conceded some territory back to Thailand.

During this time, as Japanese were fighting Chinese, Thailand knew that the war would come to Thailand, and that Japan would invade. Soon, Japan invaded French Indochina, and Thais were convinced that they were next.

One day after Pearl Harbor, Japan requested that they are allowed to pass through Thailand to attack Malaysia and Burma, but not stay in Thailand. They would respect Thai sovereignity and not occupy. Thailand denied at first (because the prime minister was not available to make the decision). So Japan invaded and Thai forces fought as best as they could for the next day. Afterwards, the prime minister returned and ordered Thai troops to stop fighting, because to fight the Japanese would be hopeless and that Thailand will be crushed very easily. Half the Cabinet were against surrendering to Japan, and prepared a Thai resistance movement called "Seri Thai".

Afterwards, Thailand became the only Japanese ally in Asia. Thai troops supported Japanese invasion of Burma. Some territory Thailand lost to British and French colonists were return to Thai administration. Thailand was the only fully independent nation during Japanese "occupation". The country had full control over economy, army and population. Thai government declared war on United States and England, and Thailand was officially part of the Axis alliance.

However, despite apparent "support" for Japanese, the entire Thai population hated the Japanese troops. The Thai government did what was best for Thailand and Thai people, and tried it's best to help the Japanese as little as possible. The Free Thai Movement (Seri Thai) was organized directly after Japanese invasion, with the help of Thais in the West. America didn't accept Thai declaration of war, since it was illegal (not all signatures in the Cabinet was signed) and against the will of the Thai people, and supported Thai resistance. The Free Thai Movement became the largest resistance movement in World War 2 in terms of membership. Much of it was based on utter pride and nationalism, since Thais are strong and proud of their nation. During the next year of the war, Thai resistance movement worked against Japanese army. Thai agents rescued Allied pilots shot down over Thailand and had close connections with Allied forces.

After the war when Japan surrendered, Thailand faced serious problems from the Allies, since it could be said that Thailand was also the enemy. England was determined to occupy Thailand with Allied troops for example, since it took the declaration of war seriously. But political and skillful diplomacy (same way as how Thailand remained independent from Western colonists) by the Free Thai Movement in saying that Thailand was on the Allied side, assured Thailand that it was free from trouble.

Basically, it didn't matter who won WW2, Thailand would've, more or less, been on the victorious side.

Sound nice ,next yr I am going to hunt d job down there.