Free Thai Movement
Encyclopedia
The Free Thai Movement was a Thai
underground resistance movement
against Imperial Japan during World War II
. Seri Thai were an important source of military intelligence
for the Allies
in the region, and were notable for being the only World War II resistance movement to use fighter aircraft of its own.
(Phibun) declared war
on Britain and the United States
on January 25, 1942. Seni Pramoj
, the Thai ambassador in Washington, refused to deliver the declaration to the United States government. Accordingly, the United States refrained from declaring war on Thailand. Seni, a conservative aristocrat whose anti-Japanese credentials were well established, then organized the Free Thai Movement with American assistance, recruiting Thai students in the United States to work with the United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The OSS trained Thai personnel for underground activities, and units were readied to infiltrate Thailand. By the end of the war, more than 50,000 Thai had been trained and armed to resist the Japanese.
made over to Britain in the Treaty of Yandabo
, was rewarded with the return of the four northernmost Malay states lost in the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
, and with Japanese mediation in the Franco–Thai war that resulted in recover territory lost in the Franco-Siamese War of 1896.
But Japan stationed 150,000 troops on Thai soil, As the war dragged on, the Japanese increasingly dealt with Thailand as a conquered territory rather than as an ally. Though the United States had not officially declared war, On 26 December 1942, US Tenth Air Force bombers based in India launched the first major bombing raid that damaged Bangkok and other targets and caused several thousand casualties. Public opinion and, even more important, the sympathies of the civilian political elite, moved perceptibly against Phibun's alliance with Japan.
. Bombing raids continued, a B-29 raid on Bangkok destroying two key power plants on 14 April 1945.; nevertheless, the Seri Thai network was effective in the rescue of downed allied airmen. The new government was headed by Khuang Aphaiwong, a civilian linked politically with conservatives like Seni. The most influential figure in the regime, however, was Pridi, whose anti-Japanese views were increasingly attractive to the Thai. In the last year of the war, Allied agents were tacitly given free access by Bangkok. As the war came to an end, Thailand repudiated its wartime agreements with Japan.
The civilian leaders, however, were unable to achieve unity. After a falling-out with Pridi, Khuang was replaced as prime minister by the regent's nominee, Seni, who had returned to Thailand from his post as leader of the Free Thai movement in Washington. The scramble for power among factions in late 1945 created political divisions in the ranks of the civilian leaders that destroyed their potential for making a common stand against the resurgent political force of the military in the postwar years.
Postwar accommodations with the Allies also weakened the civilian government. As a result of the contributions made to the Allied war efforts by the Free Thai Movement, the United States, which unlike the other Allies had never officially been at war with Thailand, refrained from dealing with Thailand as an enemy country in postwar peace negotiations. Before signing a peace treaty, however, Britain demanded war reparations in the form of rice for shipment to Malaya, and France refused to permit admission of Thailand to the United Nations (UN) until Indochinese territories annexed during the war were returned. The Soviet Union insisted on the repeal of anticommunist
legislation.
Thai people
The Thai people, or Siamese, are the main ethnic group of Thailand and are part of the larger Tai ethnolinguistic peoples found in Thailand and adjacent countries in Southeast Asia as well as southern China. Their language is the Thai language, which is classified as part of the Kradai family of...
underground resistance movement
Resistance movement
A resistance movement is a group or collection of individual groups, dedicated to opposing an invader in an occupied country or the government of a sovereign state. It may seek to achieve its objects through either the use of nonviolent resistance or the use of armed force...
against Imperial Japan during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Seri Thai were an important source of military intelligence
Military intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
for the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
in the region, and were notable for being the only World War II resistance movement to use fighter aircraft of its own.
Background
In the aftermath of the Japanese invasion of Thailand on December 7/8, 1941, the regime of Plaek PibulsonggramPlaek Pibulsonggram
Field Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
(Phibun) declared war
Declaration of war
A declaration of war is a formal act by which one nation goes to war against another. The declaration is a performative speech act by an authorized party of a national government in order to create a state of war between two or more states.The legality of who is competent to declare war varies...
on Britain and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on January 25, 1942. Seni Pramoj
Seni Pramoj
Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj was three times the prime minister of Thailand and a politician in the Democrat Party. A member of the Thai royal family, he was a descendant of King Rama II.-Biography:...
, the Thai ambassador in Washington, refused to deliver the declaration to the United States government. Accordingly, the United States refrained from declaring war on Thailand. Seni, a conservative aristocrat whose anti-Japanese credentials were well established, then organized the Free Thai Movement with American assistance, recruiting Thai students in the United States to work with the United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The OSS trained Thai personnel for underground activities, and units were readied to infiltrate Thailand. By the end of the war, more than 50,000 Thai had been trained and armed to resist the Japanese.
World War II in Thailand
Phibun's alliance with Japan during the early years of war was initially popular. The Thai army joined Japan's Burma Campaign with an eye to recovering portions of the Shan statesShan States
The Shan States were the princely states that ruled large areas of today's Burma , Yunnan Province in China, Laos and Thailand from the late 13th century until mid-20th century...
made over to Britain in the Treaty of Yandabo
Treaty of Yandabo
The Treaty of Yandabo was the peace treaty that ended the First Anglo-Burmese War. The treaty was signed on 24 February 1826, nearly two years after the war formally broke out on 5 March 1824, by General Sir Archibald Campbell on the British side, and by Governor of Legaing Maha Min Hla Kyaw Htin...
, was rewarded with the return of the four northernmost Malay states lost in the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 or Bangkok Treaty of 1909 was a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Siam signed on March 10, 1909, in Bangkok. Ratifications were exchanged in London on July 9, 1909....
, and with Japanese mediation in the Franco–Thai war that resulted in recover territory lost in the Franco-Siamese War of 1896.
But Japan stationed 150,000 troops on Thai soil, As the war dragged on, the Japanese increasingly dealt with Thailand as a conquered territory rather than as an ally. Though the United States had not officially declared war, On 26 December 1942, US Tenth Air Force bombers based in India launched the first major bombing raid that damaged Bangkok and other targets and caused several thousand casualties. Public opinion and, even more important, the sympathies of the civilian political elite, moved perceptibly against Phibun's alliance with Japan.
Pridi and the Civilian Regime, 1944-47
In June 1944, Phibun was forced from office and replaced by the first predominantly civilian government since the 1932 coupSiamese Revolution of 1932
The Siamese Revolution of 1932 or the Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century...
. Bombing raids continued, a B-29 raid on Bangkok destroying two key power plants on 14 April 1945.; nevertheless, the Seri Thai network was effective in the rescue of downed allied airmen. The new government was headed by Khuang Aphaiwong, a civilian linked politically with conservatives like Seni. The most influential figure in the regime, however, was Pridi, whose anti-Japanese views were increasingly attractive to the Thai. In the last year of the war, Allied agents were tacitly given free access by Bangkok. As the war came to an end, Thailand repudiated its wartime agreements with Japan.
The civilian leaders, however, were unable to achieve unity. After a falling-out with Pridi, Khuang was replaced as prime minister by the regent's nominee, Seni, who had returned to Thailand from his post as leader of the Free Thai movement in Washington. The scramble for power among factions in late 1945 created political divisions in the ranks of the civilian leaders that destroyed their potential for making a common stand against the resurgent political force of the military in the postwar years.
Postwar accommodations with the Allies also weakened the civilian government. As a result of the contributions made to the Allied war efforts by the Free Thai Movement, the United States, which unlike the other Allies had never officially been at war with Thailand, refrained from dealing with Thailand as an enemy country in postwar peace negotiations. Before signing a peace treaty, however, Britain demanded war reparations in the form of rice for shipment to Malaya, and France refused to permit admission of Thailand to the United Nations (UN) until Indochinese territories annexed during the war were returned. The Soviet Union insisted on the repeal of anticommunist
Communist Party of Thailand
The Communist Party of Thailand - CPT was a Marxist-Leninist, Communist political party in Thailand, active from 1942 until the 1990s. Initially known as Communist Party of Siam the party was founded officially on the 1st of December 1942, although communist activism in the country began as early...
legislation.
Heritage
Sakon Nakhon historical attractions include a cave well camouflage by lush vegetable called Tham Seree Thai (ถ้ำเสรีไทย) that the movement used for storage of arms and food during WWII.List of famous Free Thai members
- Queen RamphaiphanniRamphaiphannialign=right|Queen Rambhai Barni of Siam , formerly Her Serene Highness Princess Rambhai Barni Svastivatana , was the wife and Queen Consort of King Prajadhipok of Siam.-Early life:...
, widow of King PrajadhipokPrajadhipokPhra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
and nominal head of the Seri Thai in the United Kingdom - Khuang AbhaiwongseKhuang AbhaiwongseMajor Luang Khuang Abhaiwongse was three times the prime minister of Thailand.Khuang was born in Battambang now belonging to Cambodia as the son of the Siamese governor of the province Battambang, Chao Phraya Abhayabhubet...
, head of the Thai Democrat Party, Prime Minister of ThailandPrime Minister of ThailandThe Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
1944-45, 1946, 1948 - Police General Adul Aduldejajaras, one time Deputy Minister of the Interior
- Luang Bannakornkowit, Cabinet Member
- Tawee BoonyaketTawee BoonyaketTawee Bunyaket was a Thai politician and the prime minister for a short term.After studying at the King's College and the École nationale supérieure d'Agronomie de Grignon , he started to work as a Government Official at the Thai Ministry of Agriculture...
, Prime Minister of ThailandPrime Minister of ThailandThe Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
1945 - Ananda Chintakanond, renowned career diplomat who later worked for ECAFE
- Luang Dithakarnpakdi, renowned career diplomat
- Direk JayanamaDirek JayanamaDirek Jayanama was the founding member of the Thai Revolution that had instilled Democracy for all Thais, together with Field Marshal P Pibulsonggram and Pridi Panomyong....
, one time Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs - Air Marshal Thawee JunlasapThawee JunlasapThawee Junlasap was a Royal Thai Air Force officer, and a member of the Seri Thai.Air Chief Marshal Thawee was widely considered a pillar of Thailand's sporting world. After a successful career in the military which saw him rise to Supreme Command chief of staff in 1961, he turned to politics and...
- Kusa Panyarachun, Thai travel/tourism industry pioneer
- Seni PramojSeni PramojMom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj was three times the prime minister of Thailand and a politician in the Democrat Party. A member of the Thai royal family, he was a descendant of King Rama II.-Biography:...
, Prime Minister of ThailandPrime Minister of ThailandThe Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
1945-46, 1975, 1976 - Pridi PhanomyongPridi PhanomyongPridi Banomyong was a highly revered Thai politician. He was a former Prime Minister and Senior Statesman of Thailand, and was named one of the world's great personalities of the 20th century by UNESCO in 2000.-Family background:...
, Prime Minister of ThailandPrime Minister of ThailandThe Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
1946 - Siddhi SavetsilaSiddhi SavetsilaAir Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila is a retired Thai military officer and a member of the Privy Council of King Bhumibol Adulyadej....
, later Air Chief MarshalAir Chief MarshalAir chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
of the Royal Thai Air Force and a Foreign Minister of Thailand - Captain Luang Suphachalasai, one time Minister of the Interior
- Rear Admiral Sangvara Suwannacheep, one time Deputy Minister of Defence
- Lieutenant General Chit Munsilpa Sinadyodharaksa, Minister of DefenceMinister of Defence (Thailand)This is list of defence ministers of Thailand.- Prakalahom Department :- Saenabodee of Defence :- Minister of Defence :- External links :** - Ministry of Defence...
1945 - Tiang SirikhanthTiang SirikhanthTiang Sirikhanth was a Thai politician and a Seri Thai resistance leader during World War II.-Early life:...
, Assemblyman - Sanguan TularaksaSanguan TularaksaSanguan Tularaksa was a Thai politician and a leading member of the Seri Thai. Sanguan is of Chinese descent, and is of Teochew origins....
, Cabinet Member - Dr. Puey UngpakornPuey UngpakornPuey Ungpakorn, MBE was an extremely successful bureaucrat who played a central role in the shaping of Thailand's economic development and in the strengthening of its system of higher education...
, London-educated economist who headed the Bank of ThailandBank of Thailand- History :The Bank of Thailand was first set up as the Thai National Banking Bureau. The Bank of Thailand Act was promulgated on 28 April 1942 vesting upon the Bank of Thailand the responsibility for all central banking functions...
and later served as rector of Thammasat UniversityThammasat UniversityThammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
Further reading
- Thailand's Secret War: OSS, SOE and the Free Thai Underground During World War II. E. Bruce Reynolds. Cambridge Military Histories series. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521836018. Colonel David SmileyDavid SmileyColonel David de Crespigny Smiley, LVO, OBE, MC & Bar was a British special forces and intelligence officer. He fought in the Second World War in Palestine, Iraq, Persia, Syria, Western Desert and with Special Operations Executive in Albania and Thailand.- Background :Smiley was the 4th and...
is pictured page 377 with his Force 136 team. - The Thai Resistance Movement During The Second World War, John B. Haseman, Northern Illinois Center for Southeast Asian Studies, np, 1978.
- Free Thai, compiled by Wimon Wiriyawit, White Lotus Co., Ltd, Bangkok, 1997.
- Into Siam, Underground Kingdom, Nicol Smith and Blake Clark, Bobbs Merrill Company, New York, 1945.
- Colonel David SmileyDavid SmileyColonel David de Crespigny Smiley, LVO, OBE, MC & Bar was a British special forces and intelligence officer. He fought in the Second World War in Palestine, Iraq, Persia, Syria, Western Desert and with Special Operations Executive in Albania and Thailand.- Background :Smiley was the 4th and...
, "Irregular Regular", Michael Russell - Norwich - 1994 (ISBN 978-0859552028). Translated in French by Thierry Le Breton, Au coeur de l'action clandestine des commandos au MI6, L’Esprit du Livre Editions, France, 2008 (ISBN 978-2915960273). With numerous photographs.
See also
- Lao IssaraLao IssaraThe Lao Issara was an anti-French, non-communist nationalist movement formed in 1945 by Prince Phetsarath. This short-lived movement emerged after the Japanese defeat in World War II and became the government of Laos before the return of the French. It aimed to prevent the French from restoring...
failed Free Lao movement - Jim Thompson World War II activities
External links
- Remarks of the Director of Central Intelligence George J. Tenet Honoring The Free Thai Movement, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, May 8, 2000
- The Free Thai
- Seri Thai Park in Bangkok