Thailand and the Vietnam War

[theblether]

It looks like we have tacit approval to run history topics in this forum. Many members of Thaivisa will have first visited Thailand as part of the war effort for the Vietnam War. If you would like to share your experiences here there are many members that are interested.

This topic is about people's personal experiences, not about governmental decisions and the wisdom of the War.

Most people who fought in that War are now kicking on to be 70 years of age, I and many others want to hear their stories about how they came to be in Thailand and how what they remember of Thailand in the 60's and 70's.

Over to you gents.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

OK, good topic.

Here's a photo I took of Camp Friendship at Korat before the <deleted>' USAF moved in and occupied all that vacant land between CF and the runway. The entire US military airpower at Korat then was two Army L-20 Beavers, then the F-105s moved in and things got noisy and real busy.

Mac

[theblether]

How long were you stationed in Thailand Mac? When did you get here?

[Thanyaburi Mac]

That gig, Feb '64-Feb '65.

Mac

[Nowhereman60]

I was stated in Sattahip area during 1974 and visited Pattaya Beach. Walked along a long beach front, white sands, blue water and a few bars/restaurant near the boardwalk and no sex tourist in sight.

[theblether]

Early days Mac, I was watching a doco the other day about the beginning of the War, and how it kind of slow burned for a while.

Nowhereman, do you have any photos of that time?

[IMA_FARANG]

Got to admit I never went to Thailand until later after the Vietnam war was over.

However, my first tour in Vietnam I was in a U.S. Army communications site at a place called Vung Tau in Vietnam.

We had a Troposcatter Rradio shot to a place called Green Hill near Sattahip in Thailand.

I didn't work in the tropo van, but with the local microwave link to Saigon.

But I do know there were U.S. Army communicators stationed in Thailand near Sattahip in 1966, and probably sooner than that (1963 I'll guess).

By the way, I met some Thai Army soldiers later who were stationed in Vietnam in the late 1960's.

P.S. I am nearly 67 now (referring to your comment about age of those who were in Vietnam or Thailand).

First went to Vietnam in July 1966, not yet 20 years old then.

[DogNo1]

theblether: Thanks for the link. I first came to Thailand on a thirty-day leave in 1967 after extending in Vietnam following a year of service with the 25th Inf. Division at Cu Chi. I clearly remember that Pat Pong was just a couple of bars along a street and they were deserted most of the time. How times have changed! The number of businesses along Phetburi Road was very small. The only English book store in town was in the arcade of the Erawan Hotel. It's still there by the way. In language school I had studied Thai before I studied Vietnamese so I was very happy to finally be able to use the language. For those TVers who remember 1967, bargaining for a decent taxi fare was really a struggle, wasn't it. You had to find out what the customary fare was to where you wanted to go and even then you could get overcharged.

I look forward to a lot of great conversations on this blog!

[theblether]

Here's an interesting documentary about the Vietnam War.....it deals with the early days quite well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj1X2WpiiOE

[lopburi3]

As I recall Patpong was about three bars and upstairs late nightclub in those days - Max's Place, Gaslight and Thai style dark bar starting with "R" (there were others in other areas with same name). Not exactly wild as the other buildings were airline offices for the most part. Recall Red Door as one of the original restaurants. Gaysorn was another popular area.

[theblether]

Here's a find for you gents......

[theblether]

A silent clip that has had some effect upon those that remember that time......

[theblether]

A particularly fascinating video.

[DogNo1]

Great posts! Thanks guys.

[zydeco]

Please keep the words and images coming. I'm really enjoying this thread.

[theblether]

Thanyaburi Mac arrived here in 1964, here's rare footage of a boat cruise through BKK at that time.....

[SinglePot]

me too.

But I feel like a voyeur.

[theblether]

His Majesty in the same year, 1964....

[theblether]

me too.

But I feel like a voyeur.

It's an education, and we're lucky to have men among us who can add to that education.

[theblether]

While life went along at a regular pace in BKK, army counter insurgency training was taking place at the same time.......

[SinglePot]

me too.

But I feel like a voyeur.

It's an education, and we're lucky to have men among us who can add to that education.

I agree TB. Not wishing to sound critical in any way shape or form.

My knowledge of the Vietnam war comes from Hollywood movies and a few books I have read.

Respect.

[theblether]

Nakhon Phanom Air Base,

[theblether]

Korat Air Base, 1965-1970

[theblether]

I'm going to drag this one in as it's SE Asia at that time, Cambodia and Angkor Wat 1964.

[theblether]

The Beginning, Vietnam War Documentary.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTVEKb8fYpE

[theblether]

A rare personal story......

[theblether]

A rare promotional film.....The F4 Phantom ll

[theblether]

Just a little before the time, but worth a look, Thailand 1960.....

[theblether]

Okay, I'm going to throw in some more general interest videos at the moment then leave it for today. There's already hours of footage to catch up on. I'm hoping to give a flavour of the country and the circumstances of the day, and maybe some of the gentlemen that were there at the time can help us with their memories.

Bob Hope in Thailand 1965

Miss Thailand 1964

[theblether]

Girls of Thailand 1968 ( The original bar girls? where are they now? ).

Memories of Ubon 1965-66