Siam

[dazdaz]

Several questions for those really knowledgable about Thailand.  When did Siam become Thailand and what position/stance did Thailand take in WW2?    Any links you can refer me to?

Thanks

[Rinrada]

Siam became Thailand in 1939,,,but I will tell you about ww2 after we get other replies...interesting...good one ::

[Brian]

Thailand was a military governed country at the outbreak of WW2. Although this government was sympathetic to Japan, many in Thailand were more inclined towards the Western side and so little support was given to Japan throughout the war. Nevertheless a short campaign to recover some areas of Cambodia and Laos, taken away during French rule in the area, was mounted and Japanese mediation resulted in Thailand temporarily recovering these areas.

Later on, Thailand entered the war on the Japanese side in Malaya and Burma.

[Brian]

I just found an interesting link here http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~dpohara/thai.htm

Brian

[chaladmak]

my wife was outraged when I told her this fact - she said "we never belonged to any country"

[paehk]

my wife was outraged when I told her this fact - she said "we never belonged to any country"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sorry this is off topic, but WOW - 64 posts in one day, that's gotta be a record or at least close to Ravisher.

[chaladmak]

oh, there are some records on this forum too?

and who is Ravisher ? he writes a lot or what?

sorry if anything wrong - I didn't mean to annoy anyone...

[Tarragona]

The name change has taken place twice. First, on June 24 1939 under the Pibulsongkram government. The name reverted back to Siam in 1945. Finally, another Pibulsongkram government brought back the name Thailand in 1949.

There isn't a simple answer to the question on Thailand's stance in WW2 since you not only have the official Thai government position but also the Seri Thai resistance movement which was led by a number of very prominent Thais who were in government both before and after this period.

Not very useful but this brief article gives an idea of the divisions within the Thai ruling elite:My Webpage