Thailand - "land Of The Free"

[ProfessorFart]

There is actually no need for a novel of that era as the real history itself reads like a novel. In fact were it set as a novel I don't think anyone would believe it. I actually began making a list of words to describe what had happened like back stabbing, betrayal, murder, intrigue etc and I wound up with 30 other words all along similar lines.

Needless to say this is the real tangled web of Thai Poilitical History which shaped modern Thailand. If anyone thought Thaksin is a hard leader they should thank their lucky stars that they weren't around during the time of Phibul and Sarit.

I also tried to present an answer as to who were the true figureheads of this era but that is thin ice and I didn't want to take that path!

Even today there is great debate as to the rights and wrongs of this period especially when it comes to Pridi and other issues.

I agree with G burns here but I like to think that bar stools and Thai history can mix quite well!

[Boon Mee]

If anyone thought Thaksin is a hard leader they should thank their lucky stars that they weren't around during the time of Phibul and Sarit.

... the true figureheads of this era but that is thin ice and I didn't want to take that path!

Thin ice indeed. Be extremely careful with this subject!

[ProfessorFart]

I think both myself and Meom did skate around the obvious with some skill!

[meadish_sweetball]

Anyone can become a rapid skater with a good afterburner.

[meom]

Anyone can become a rapid skater with a good afterburner.

Fully agree with Professor's comment that Thai political history reads like a novel.

Explaining who were the real figureheads is sort of a balancing act same as one finds in a chinese circus.

If you like history it's quite interesting though and makes one wonder how deep present day politics is influenced by the legacy of the past.

[Nordlys]

Seems I have read before that areas of Bangkok were bombed by the Japanese.  Perhaps that was the resistance movement discussed above.

My wife's older siblings tell stories of live during WWII in Bangkok. At the time they lived in the King Pet (sp?) area and a Japanese garrison was close by. They recall the commanding officer (Major I think) liked to visit their family to be around the children as he missed his own family.  Got them extra rice rations I was told.

Basically peaceful during that time under whatever government arrangements that existed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Thai Movie 'Jan Dara' has scenes with the Japanese Bombing Bangkok.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It was actually the Japanese garrison in Bangkok that was bombed by US B29s flown from India.... is the information I have. I heard it was located at where Bangkok Noi railway station in Thonburi is today (next to Siriraj hospital).

[ThaiPauly]

ROTFLMAO

Means what Jai Dee.

I have seen it before but dont understand it

Thanks

TP

[kayo]

I've read that under the peace treaty, Thailand had to pay Britian reparations in the form of a large amount of rice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I cant find any mention of the reparation to Britain that you spoke of......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Try Google. A quick look found Pridi and the Civilian Regime, 1944-47.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You mean, they didn't pay in chickens???

[kayo]

A further point of interest:

Thailand not only has never been colonised or truly taken over by any other power, but it is additionally the ONLY nation in the world to never have been so.

In about five years, many travels, and many conversations, I have never come across any other nations that have never been colonised.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just off the top of my head, what about:-

Russia, Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden. Also, Thailand never came into existance until circa 1200AD. If you take the same time period, you can include England.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Russia, large parts of it have at various times been occupied/controlled by the japanese, the chinese the mongols, and various tribes of what are now all the -istan nations to the ssouth, afghan-, karzhik-, etc...

Switzerland, try the prussians,

Icelands, ,why would anybody bother,

Sweden, has already been mentioned by another poster...

Try it again Sam.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I've read that under the peace treaty, Thailand had to pay Britian reparations in the form of a large amount of rice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I cant find any mention of the reparation to Britain that you spoke of......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Try Google. A quick look found Pridi and the Civilian Regime, 1944-47.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You mean, they didn't pay in chickens???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chickens were too expensive in the mid 1940's

[Mr Red]

Seems I have read before that areas of Bangkok were bombed by the Japanese.  Perhaps that was the resistance movement discussed above.

My wife's older siblings tell stories of live during WWII in Bangkok. At the time they lived in the King Pet (sp?) area and a Japanese garrison was close by. They recall the commanding officer (Major I think) liked to visit their family to be around the children as he missed his own family.  Got them extra rice rations I was told.

Basically peaceful during that time under whatever government arrangements that existed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Thai Movie 'Jan Dara' has scenes with the Japanese Bombing Bangkok.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am told that the bombing I refer to occurred in the 1941-42 timeframe, not the 1944-45 timeframe when B-29s would be operating from India. i think there was an initial attack on Thailand that was quickly dispensed with through capitulation of the Thai leaders of the time (no fault of theirs, but sign of the times).

It was actually the Japanese garrison in Bangkok that was bombed by US B29s flown from India.... is the information I have. I heard it was located at where Bangkok Noi railway station in Thonburi is today (next to Siriraj hospital).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Mr Red]

Seems what I typed in the above reply did not make it for some reason:

I am told the bombing I refer to occurred in 1941 or so, not in the 1944 or so timeframe for B-29s from India would be. I frankly think there were some bombs dropped on BKK by the Japanese at the start to bring the population into control.

[bino]

ROTFLMAO

Means what Jai Dee.

I have seen it before but dont understand it

Thanks

TP

ROTFLMAO = Rolling On The Floor Laughing My A$$ Off

Another version I saw in someones post was ROTFLMMFAO - I'm sure that you can guess what the added MF is.

[Nordlys]

I am told the bombing I refer to occurred in 1941 or so, not in the 1944 or so timeframe for B-29s from India would be.  I frankly think there were some bombs dropped on BKK by the Japanese at the start to bring the population into control.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Really?

But I would imagine it would only make it more difficult for the Japanese to control the population as by 1941 Thailand was already Japan's ally. Maybe a sabotage of some sort against the resistance movement? Do you know of any link with that info that you can direct me to?

[Mr Red]

I am told the bombing I refer to occurred in 1941 or so, not in the 1944 or so timeframe for B-29s from India would be.  I frankly think there were some bombs dropped on BKK by the Japanese at the start to bring the population into control.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Really?

But I would imagine it would only make it more difficult for the Japanese to control the population as by 1941 Thailand was already Japan's ally. Maybe a sabotage of some sort against the resistance movement? Do you know of any link with that info that you can direct me to?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can't find a direct link -- will keep looking. The link below contains some discussion of Thai Air Force in the WWII timeframe with one of the few references I have seen to the Japanese actually invading Thailand at several points on the eastern coast. There is reference to air battles during the short resistance, so perhaps that is what my wife's family refers to. Also much discussion of the air attacks on BKK in 1943-45. Royal Thai Air Force in WWII

[Nordlys]

Can't find a direct link -- will keep looking. The link below contains some discussion of Thai Air Force in the WWII timeframe with one of the few references I have seen to the Japanese actually invading Thailand at several points on the eastern coast. There is reference to air battles during the short resistance, so perhaps that is what my wife's family refers to. Also much discussion of the air attacks on BKK in 1943-45.  Royal Thai Air Force in WWII

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the link. Interesting site it is.

I've done some research myself too and found that there were some skirmishes when the Japaense troops landed on Prachuab Khirikhan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Bang Phlu (spelling? in Samut Prakarn?), etc., but no reference whatsoever of Bangkok air raid by the Japanese. It appears by Dec. 9th, 1941 Japaense army aircrafts have already landed on Don Muang and heading toward central Bangkok, and as your link says the pact of alliance was signed by Dec. 21 so I am assuming there was no strategic need for air raid on Bangkok?

King Phet where your wife's family said there was a Japanese garrison, is that Khin Phet the small soi on Banthat Thong Rd near Khin Phet slum? Do you know exactly where the Japaense garrison there was located? My wife also grew up oh soi Khin Phet btw. But her family moved to Khin Phet from China town after the war.

[Stig]

King Ramkamheng was the one who pushed the Khmer back and helped to extend the Siam Empire out from Sukhothai, he also was responsible for the Thai language.....King Naresuan was Siam born but was captured and lived with the Burmese for many years before returning and leading forces against the Burmese. The word Thai is believed and probably does come from the Yunnan Tai tribes that established the Sukhothai empire (circa 1200 AD)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What's Ramkamhaeng got to do with the 'Siam empire'? The southern provinces, including what was to be Ayutthaya, broke away at the start of the reign of his son and successor, Loetai.

Was Naresuan captured? I've just heard that he was sent to the Burmese court as a hostage when the Burmese installed his father, Maha Dhammaraja, as vassal king of Ayutthaya.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am quoting from a few of my sources on Thai history....so I can only qoute what I read....I did however cross reference the information rather than take information from just one source. But obviously there will be times when I cant verify information or answer particular questions. BTW I dont use the internet to find information as I have found that there are too many variations on the net.

According to my sources Naresuren was captured during an attack on Siam and was held captive for a number of years....on escaping he urged the withholding of the tribute to Burma and Burma then rose against him with a large army. It is rumoured that Naresuren and the Burmese crown prince actually fought against each other on elephant backs and Naresuren prevailed.

Hello everyone, I am very new to this forum. It is very interesting to know how people act towards Thailand and how much interest the pay. If you want to know how Naresuan went to Burma, you should watch a Thai movie called " Pra Supankalaya", Naresuan's big sister. She was sent to Burma as a Royal hostage to marry the King of Burma when Ayuttaya fell apart. So they both were Royal hostages to Burma. Naresuan and Supankalaya were not happy but they had no choice. However, they were trying to win Ayuttaya back during their stay by using talents of their owns amidst the enamies.