Thai Authorities warn of more buried WWII bombs

[Benmart]

Plenty of historical experts on this forum. I prefer to focus on the human aspect and the tragic loss of life.

[harryfrompattaya]

Plenty of historical experts on this forum. I prefer to focus on the human aspect and the tragic loss

Why is their cover up Why are people afraid of the truth

Many Farangs after living here begin to denied the truth

We all known what happen.

Next the Japanese did not bomb Pearl Harbor.

Only America did wrong during the World War 2 because they did give up after Pearl Harbor. How dare them fighting the Japanese and Germans .

[bigbamboo]

Thailand was playing the watching and waiting game. There's always a lot to be gained in wartime by sitting on the fence but leaning towards the side that's winning. Just as the Swiss saw an opportunity as unofficial bankers to Nazi Germany the Thai leadership was hoping to cash in territorially by backing the Japanese.

[PETERTHEEATER]

So much misinformation here, but for Kerryd in Post #15 and a couple of others.

Both the USAAF and RAF bombed Bangkok, Chiangmai, Lampang and other targets in which the Japanese were active including industrial areas, railway yards, bridges, etc., during the period 1944-45 using mainly B-24 Liberators.

The way to identify an American aerial bomb is by the suspension lugs on the top of the bomb - if they are 14" apart then it is American and could have been released by either USAAF or American Liberators. These horseshoe shaped lugs are welded to the bomb casing (obviously before the explosive filling) and were attached to the bomb-release unit in the aircraft.

The Japanese and British used single suspension lugs howver the use of American aircraft by the British meant they used American bombs.

There will no doubt be other finds of wartime ordnance and forewarned is forearmed (no pun intended) so if it's suspicious report it immediately.

Bob A - former EOD/IED Operator and relaxed in Lampang

But many bomb types were shared between the RAF and USAAF and had a single suspension lug and twin suspension lugs welded to the case diametrically opposite each other.

Peter H, RAF Armourer and ex Bomb Disposal.

[allan michaud]

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Why do people assume these are Japanese bombs, the Allies bombed Bangkok on a number of occasions during WW2. It would be funny if the Thai news sources gave the reasons as to why that might have been the case though.

They must be British or American bombs as the Thai's never fought the Japanese, they allowed them to invade.

[mrtoad]

Why do people assume these are Japanese bombs, the Allies bombed Bangkok on a number of occasions during WW2. It would be funny if the Thai news sources gave the reasons as to why that might have been the case though.

They must be British or American bombs as the Thai's never fought the Japanese, they allowed them to invade.

That might well be the case

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[jim cortesos]

so where have these bombs come from ???????

Same place as the AK 47, M16 , Grenade launchers and grenades, Thailand has not changed or learnt from its past, possibly stolen from the Japs.

Interesting how we're still using the term 'Japs' around this neck of the woods. Next thing you know they'll be worshipping the swastika at sporting events, on trendy clothing and fried chicken outlets.

[jim cortesos]

Easy to use Japs instead of Japanese whom invaded most of Asia during WW2 almost India as well.

Japs not politically correct. Liken to using Frogs for French ..Fritz for German..Ivan for Russian .Yet your a good man Gunga Din.

[zydeco]

They might have thought they found themselves another Portuguese cannon.

[Basil B]

so where have these bombs come from ???????

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Bangkok_in_World_War_II

Although the bombing campaign against Thailand had started before Thailand officially declared war against the UK and USA (Yes - Thailand was NOT neutral during the war.) The first bombing raid took place on 7 Jan 1942, while Thailand didn't deliver it's Declaration or War to the UK and USA until 25 Jan 1942.

The UK accepted the declaration of war and responded in kind. However the USA decided the declaration had been made "under duress" and was therefore not valid. It was because of that decision by the US that Thailand was not treated as an "enemy country" after the war.)

"the Thai government declared war on Britain and the United States on January 25, 1942."

The bombing campaign against Thailand apparently was still ongoing as late as 29 July 1945, 2 weeks before "V-J Day" (Victory - Japan). " According to a report of December 1945, the Allies dropped 18,583 bombs on Thailand, resulting in the death of 8,711 people and the destruction of 9,616 buildings, 617 trucks, 73 locomotives and 173 other vehicles. A further 1,194 buildings were damaged. The prime target of the campaign was Bangkok, the Thai capital. Rural areas were almost entirely unaffected.^"

Despite not being treated as an "enemy country" Thailand still had to make concessions, mainly as a result of the UK's acceptance of Thailand's Declaration of War. Reparations included returning 4 Malay and some northern Shan provinces, shipping 1.5 million tons of free rice to (British controlled) Malaysia and (oddly) agreeing to not build a canal across the Kra peninsula.

Thailand's entry into the UN was also delayed by France's insistence on the return of "it's" Indochina territories that Thailand had conquered early in 1941.

Fact was even though at the time Thailand had not declared war the Japanese were conducting military operations in Thailand.

[Dogmatix]

"Aerial bombs are about 30 centimetres wide and one metre long. They have an oval shape," an expert said yesterday.

I am glad they have clarified that point. They should also have mentioned that going at them with blow torches or pneumatic drills could be deleterious to the health.

[Publicus]

Get your facts right Noitum, Thailand never officially declared war on the US as the Thai Ambassador at the time failed to deliver the declaration.

Totally and absolutely irrelevant. The delivery of the declaration is a nice friendly act (?) but completely unnecessary diplomatically.

Thailand declared war on the US and western allies. There is a nice story about the Thai ambassador speaking to the US Secretary of State saying that they both knew what he had in his pocket, but he didn't want to present it. Lovely story, but that's all it is. Both men have denied it happened.

Thailand officially declared war. I have a copy of that declaration, and its delivery is irrelevant.

Your having a copy of the Thai Declaration hardly makes it valid or applicable, as I'm confident you'd know, but I just wanted to state the point for the record..

It's irrelevant and most importantly immaterial what you say about the January 25, 1941 Declaration of War by Thailand against the United States.

The fact is, the sovereign government of the United States, the target of the Thai declaration, does not recognize it, never recognized it.

If the sovereign government of the United States says a state of war didn't exist between Thailand (Siam) and the U.S. then who is to question that? Who can deny the official position, statements or policy of the sovereign government of the United States or any sovereign government that might make such a statement of its official policy.

Where is the U.S. formal Declaration of War against Thailand in WW2? Do you have that? No, you don't. You don't have it because it doesn't exist. The United States never proposed, considered or voted on a declaration of war against Thailand (Siam).

With due respect, who besides you and perhaps one law professor says the United States voted a formal state of war against Thailand in WW2? Thailand's declaration, of which you have a copy, may matter technically in Thailand, but no where else from the time or to the present.

Edited April 4, 2014 by Publicus

[Tokay]

After all this time, WWII bombs are just now known to be dangerous in Thailand.

Are these people literally severely mentally retarded, or what?