Why Was Thailand the ONLY Country in Asia to Align with the Axis? - Allies of the Axis #1 

YES! someone who uses a historically accurate map of the time. I find WW1 and WW2 docs with the wrong maps irritating

Thailand basically… - invaded by Japanese - made deal with Japanese - became an ally of Japanese - got lost lands back with Japanese help - treated Thai resistance (Seri-Thai) as rebels - heard that Japan lost - said being forced to become ally - also said that Thai heroes (Seri-Thai the used-to-be rebels) secretly resisted the Axis - paid fine - joined the victory parade as a victor - lost the lands that Japan helped get back and treated it as if this was never happened. - as a fellow victor with France and England, we should break all those unfair, obsolete agreements we signed a hundred years ago :D In short, Thailand fought against and with both sides. Diplomacy at its finest.

Fun fact Thais always called Phibun (pi-boon) as "Chompol Plaek" which literally means "Marshal Strange" While currently the Doctor Strange film is in the cinema, you can easily found meme of Phibun dressed as Doctor Strange in Thai social media

My 86 year old aunt told us how she as an elementary school kid in Northeastern Thai would stop by the Mekong river on her way home from school to watch Japanese troops took their afternoon bath. Compares to what happened throughout the region at that time, Piboon did one thing right. He was able to keep the general Thais from tragic.

This partnership, although superficial, had a profound effect on Thailand's future post war. Japan went back to rebuild it's economy and returned to Thailand in the 60's to employ the country as its manufacturing base for everything from automobiles to household appliances. This has helped Thailand transformed its broken post WWII economy from agricultural-based to manufacturing-based model and bring prosperity to the nation. Japan sees Thailand as a trusworthy partner and the two countries' economies remained intertwined to this day.

as a Thai, I didn't know that Plaek was like this, they didn't teach the bad things he did, in Thai schools that I learn, they only teach us about how he embraced and recommends Thai people to use and make more Thai products to have recognition all over the world!! Thanks for the actual info!!

2:00 Thailand can also be the land of Thai and Thai in this case is Tai ethnic group, so the idea of changing the name from Siam to Thailand is to create some kind of unity in the nation. And as a Thai I can say that it kinda work.

Well I heard that Thailand had actively aided the Japanese in WWII. But wasn't sure just how much. Now that I know that the countries role in this war was exceedingly complicated. And I say in the end Thailand got off lucky as compared to other Axis aligned countries.

There is another fact that Thailand has long been an ally with the Japanese Empire. That is because Thailand and Japan have two kings who have had good relations with each other since before the war. We know that the Japanese during the war worshiped their king very much. which isn’t different from Thailand There was an incident during the Japanese invasion of Thailand to reach some parts of the capital. But he had to turn back when they realized that this was a palace because they understood the feelings of Thai people who respect the king as much as their country. But that was just a small incident in the war that no one talked about. I think this is the reason why Thailand and Japan are still allies until now.

Again very appreciative of the video! I can’t recall many channels or people talking about Thailand and it’s role in the Axis.

He was also the origin of the now famous Pad Thai.

As a Thai person I'm really excited to have people of my nationality be recognised, even if it is part of some of the darkest parts of history. I actually vaguely remember asking my grandfather about WW2 and he told me of the Japanese Railways built through Indochina to supply Japanese troops in Burma.

Really great to hear about smaller country’s involvements in the war! Thanks for a great video

This was a helpful summary of Thailand’s situation in WWII. Thanks for making it available. I don’t remember specific details, but I’m pretty sure I remember hearing about at least one incident where Thai fighter planes engaged US bombers in air-to-air combat.

Outstanding information!! Thank you!

I am basically learning all these in my faculty this semester ( I am studying in Thammasat University). There is a lot of myth during this period. One of my favorite is the myth that Seni Pramoj, who is the ambassador in DC at the time, didn't send the war declaration to the US government. Thus, US never declare war back on Thailand.

6:58-7:08 Translation: "Destroy the UK, the oppressor of Asia. Help the Japanese army attack the British who have long been oppressing us. Japan always wanted to bring us prosperity."

I am from Thailand, and I can say that the lesson about WWII in Thai schools is so brief compared to this VDO.

เรื่องราวนี้ ในประเทศไทยไม่ได้สอนคนไทยแบบนี้เลย มันคือเรื่องจริงที่คนไทยบางคนไม่รู้ ขอบคุณสำหรับเรื่องราวดีๆ และยังมีอีกหลายเรื่อง ที่คนไทยเองไม่ทราบ 😊😊😊

The letter “h” after P and T in Thai (Ph, Th) indicated that they are aspirated consonants like normal English P and T in “Part”, “Time”. While P and T alone in Thai pronounced as unaspirated consonants like English P and T after S in “Spice” and “Style”. So, Phibun is pronounced as “Pi-boon” not “Fi-boon”

Some interesting facts about Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram. Although he had Chinese ancestry, Field Marshal Plaek was very anti-Chinese (one of the reasons he got along well with Japan). He had imposed several Sino-phobic policies. His propaganda even compared the Chinese in Siam to the Jews in Germany. During his second premiership, he was quick to align Thailand with the anti-communist camp and even send troops to Korea for fighting communists in Korean War.

More new learning! I love it!

Very informative. Thanks

Very informative video

The fact that Thailand was more well equipped than the FRENCH in Indochina is kind of sad...

Man this was great! I want to hear more about 1960s and 70s Thailand please

This is all news to me! Thanks for the history lesson.

did not know this history, thankyou for sharing

I was born and raised in Chiang Mai Thailand. When I was a kid (about 35 years ago) I lived in a house that was an old Japanese WW 2 headquarters. I don’t know any of the stories about what happened there during the war but it was a neat old house none the less. Now it has been moved and is protected as a historical sight.

When the narrator says prepare Thai resistance fighters all I can think of is Thai (tie) fighters. Love hearing about these lesser known nations of the wars though, keep ‘em coming.

Great video.

Was in Thailand and read a bit about the country but this I did not know - so thank you very much for informing me on this important history ! Best Wishes !

As a Thai, this is very well analysed.

พวกเราคนไทยขอขอบคุณช่อง The Front เป็นอย่างยิ่งที่ใด้ทำวีดีโอบอกเล่าเรื่องราวของไทยในสมัยสยาม ให้ทั่วโลกใด้รับรู้ ขอขอบพระคุณเป็นอย่างยิ่ง จากประเทศไทย

Very well done. Thank you

Outstanding!

never ever heard this before and i'm 70 years old thanks

The modern relations between the Kingdom of Siam. (The name was changed to Thailand in 1939.) and the Empire of Japan was established in 1887, but the close relations began during the 1930s. After the 1932 Siamese Revolution which transformed Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy, the Siamese government improved the relations with Japan. According to many academic researches, since the absolute government had a close relations with Western Great Powers, Britain and France, so the new post - revolution government improved the relations with Japan with the intention to guarantee the stability and international recognition of the government. In the same way, Japan, saw the opportunity to reduce the role of Britain and France in the region, so the close relations began. During the period, Thailand had cooperated many things with Japan. Thailand began the industrialization with Japan as a model. Many students were awarded the scholarship to study in Japan. And there was also the military cooperation. With the high nationalistic sentiment at the time, and the Fall of France to Nazi Germany in 1940, Thai government sent the troops to the French - occupied Indochina to take the territories which Siam lost to France during the reign of King Rama V (1853 - 1910 reigned 1868 - 1910) back. This led to the Franco - Thai War which was consisted of ground, naval, and aerial warfare. Most of warfare between both sides occurred in the Northeast region of Thailand and in the French - occupied areas in Indochina. One of the most well known events of this war, moreover than the first aerial warfare in Thai history, was the naval battle between Thai and French battleships near Ko Chang (Battle of Ko Chang) in the eastern sea of Thailand. The war ended in May 1941 (began in October 1940) after the negotiation between two sides mediated by the officers from the Empire of Japan was concluded. France had to cede some areas to Thailand. Thailand made those areas to be a provinces of Thailand and ruled them between 1941 - 1946. After the World War II ended, Thailand had to cede those areas back to France. Today, they are parts of Laos and Cambodia. The The Victory Monument in Bangkok was built to dedicate to those who lost their lives in this war. After this war, Japan and Thailand had a closer relations. In 1941, Thailand was invaded by the Japanese troops. Despite a little resistance by the Thai military and police officers and the "Youth Soldiers", especially in the Southern Thailand, to avoid the mass destruction, the Thai government decided to become the ally of the Empire of Japan. The Japanese established the troops in the country, while Thailand could retain the independence and the freedom to control the internal affairs. Japan is the first country which Thailand establishes the ambassadorial level of relations and the diplomatic representative is the ambassador. Before that time, the Siamese representatives in Europe were mostly the legations to many European nations. During this time, the Japanese troops from Thai bases had the critical role to the vicotry of Japan in the invasion of Burma, Malaya, Singapore and Ducth East Indies. Many British, American, and Dutch POWs were captured and forced to work in the construction of the notorious Death Railway in Kanchanaburi Province in the west of Thailand. Even Thailand faced less hardship than many Asian territories which were occupied by the Japanese. There were hardships from the economy and the attacks from the Allied forces to the Japanese bases in the country. After Thailand and Japan became ally before the Pacific theater of the World War II began, Thailand should be one of Axis powers. However, due to the actions of Free Thai Movement, a group of Thai people who disagreed with the government's commitment with the Imperial Japan and cooperated secretly with the Allied powers in many ways such as intelligence during the war, Thailand became a neutral after the war ended and the country, including the government did not faced the punishments from the Allied powers as other Axis nations faced. Thailand just paid some little reparations to Britain and France, sent a rice to Britain to feed the people in British Colonies, and returned the territories it occupied after 1941 Franco - Thai war and 1942 Japanese occupation of Burma/Malaya back to Britain and France. Those territories are parts of Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia in the present. As the legacy of Japanese brutality during the war was less than other Asian countries, and many Thai people have had the positive view to the Japanese since the close relation era in the 1930s, Thailand becomes one of the most pro - Japanese countires in Asia. The positive feeling increased during the 1980s when Japanese companies invested many projects in Thailand, created a thousands of jobs, and made Thailand become the middle income nation in the 1990s. Japan also invested in many infrasturcture project, such as the MRT train. The Japanese cultural products, movies, series, Mangas, Animes and Pop songs are also very popular. Many songs were translated into Thai language. Even there are more competitions from China in investment and from South Korea in entertainment industry in recent years, Japan is still regarded as one of the most favourite countries in the view of many Thai people. Fun Facts: 1. There was a Japanese warrior named Yamada Nagamasa, who was the ruler of Nakhon Sri Thammarat in Southern Siam during the Ayutthaya period. 2. The building of the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo is formerly the house of Pujie, the younger brother of Emperor Puyi, the last emperor of China. Pujie married Hiro Saga, the Japanese noblewoman. 3. There is Thai businessman named Boonpong Sirivejjabhandu who secretly supplied the medicines for the POWs during the World War II. 4. There is a Thai classical novel named "คู่กรรม Khu Gam" or "The Sun Sets At Chao Phraya". It is about the love between Japanese soldier named Kobori and Thai woman named Angsumalin. It has been adapted into movies and TV dramas for many versions. 5. Thailand also has the sister group of AKB48. BNK48 is Thai version and one of many "Sister Groups" of AKB48, the idol girl group originated from Japan. They become popular after the great success of Thai version of "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie" which was released in late 2017. The song became popular, became national phenomenon and also made the Group become national phenomenon. Today, the MV of the song has more than 190 million views. This number is nearly as equal as the MV of original Japanese version and the number is still increasing. Many of their other songs also have more than 10 - 20 million views. After the great success, the Group becomes popular and many members have many works, such as being invited as the guests in many TV shows (They also have their own TV variety shows.), being presenters in many TV advertisements and being actresses in many movies, TV dramas ("ละคร Lakorn" in Thai. Many of the members had some acting careers before becoming the Group's members.) and TV series. After the great success of Thai version of "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie", the group becomes very popular and has the expansion with the debut of the 2nd Generation in 2018 and the 3rd Generation in 2022 and the debut of CGM48 in 2020. CGM48 is the Sister Group of both AKB48 and CGM48 based in Chiang Mai, one of the biggest cities in Northern Thailand. And the group is also the first Sister Group of Oversea Sister Group. There are also a sub - units, Mimigumo, debut in 2019, and Vyra, a T Pop girl group, debut in 2020.

Thank you for the video. I grew up not knowing that Thailand allied with Japan, and was shocked when I became aware of it in my 20s. I'd often wondered why. Now I know. Thanks again.

Thanks for video that is pretty good

Interesting and underrated topic. Good job! only onne thing: "Ph" in Thai language/names is not intonated as an "f". In contradiction it is pronounced as a strongly aspired "P". Definitely looking forward to get more on that topic...

Thailand's way to stay safe in a nutshell: If we can't fight them, join them.

Great episode. I didn't know any of this.

Really Aces Video- Truly enjoyed. Did not realize Thailand declared war on USA!! Axis and Allies makes more sense now!! Thanks!

I hadn't even realized how much I didn't know about Thailand during WW2 and Vichy France's involvement in all of Southeast Asia during the height of colonialism. Excellent video topic.

Phibun was the only leader of the axis powers that remained in power after ww2

Never heard of any of this. Thanks for informing us.

Thank You again.

Thailand is friend of Japan. We love each other

Probably because the only country of SEA not part of a colonial empires. Also Irak tried to expel the British and was crushed by the British in1941. It received help of the Axis.

I have lived in Thailand for more than a dozen years but have never heard any of this history. Thank you so much.

I knew a bit but not as much as you told me. Nice job, thanks.

Thailand reluctantly allied itself with Japan in WW2. Also Japan had many more Asian Allies during the war. You even referred to pictures from the book Japan's Asian Allies 1941-45 by Philip Jowett. It shows all of Japan's Allies from WW2 and there were large numbers of Pro-Japanese forces in WW2 that saw plenty of combat

Severely underrated part Of history you guys should teach at schools And replace the people running the history channel along with epic history TV kings and generals and much more historically accurate RU-vidrs

Oh, that's great! Week ago I was in Chumphon museum and saw the exposition dedicated to the period of the WWII. Some rifles, munitions and photos of Japan military in Bkk. It's not so informative. And before I heard only about clashes of the Thais with Vishi French and effective air strikes. The video reveals the whole story for me. Thank you!

Awesome video! Any books you recommend I read or movies I can watch on this subject? I love Thailand and Thai history

I will explain you about the history about WWII, especially the Japanese troops crosed my hometown to build the railway from Banpong district, Ratchaburi province to Kanchanaburi( Kwai bridge) and end at the Burmese border. Most of Thai people were supported a lot to Japanese troops by giving their soldiers rice, foods , water etc. during their stay in Siam territory. I knew that was terrible for what Japanese army did to others but with Siam, they're our best friend. Why we think that? Because the western countries during the Colonial era like Britain, France took and invaded our territory. The worst case is France, we lost a lot because of them. Japan helped Siam each time we had conflicts with the Britain and France. Those reasons are why 99% of Thai people have a good image for Japan and their people.

all they taught us in school was that Thailand was neutral like Switzerland, only allowing Japan to pass through; boy this brings a whole new perspective now

Good job

nice one

Can't wait for more Thailand history

I never knew this thanks

INTERESTING HISTORY!!

Very interesting.

The name of Thai Prime Minister Is actually read as "Plak Pibunsongkram", And Thai people known him as "Chom Pon Pol." Chom Pon means Field Marshal. But his name was written correctly in the video.

When saying "Ph" or "Th" in Thai romanized spelling, the "H" is silent. Phuket for example is "Poo ket" not "Foo ket" and "Thailand" is not "Thigh Land." So it would be "Pibun" not "Fibun."

I never knew this and it's different than what people are taught here. I did know that due to an Amity Treaty, Americans are the only foreigners allowed to own land and business here due to WW2 but I never knew the details. Now I know. Thank you!

Thanks for sharing my friend ✌️ 😊 🙂 😀 ❤️ 🌷🌷👏👏

ไทยกับญี่ปุ่นมิตรภาพตลอดไป

I am 60 years old German & didn't know these facts at all.

this is great history video for south east asia. We malay dont know about detail of this history.

Some countries had very complicated political situations in WW2 such as Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand. While Sweden managed to stay out of the war through careful diplomacy and Switzerland had prepared themselves and made any invasion a costly and unnecessary action, Thailand was forced to join the war and provide support to the Japanese Army. I was unaware of Phibun's ambitions prior to this video, to think he wanted basically all of SE Asia, that seems awfully ambitious considering the many peoples and diversity of the area and Thailand relatively moderate size in the region.

ไทยเรารักสงบ ถึงยามรบไม่ขาด ฝั่งไหนชนะขาด ก็อยู่ฝั่งนั้น

Thanks for your detailed historical information. Your information are so accurate and informative! Would you like to create more videos about Thailand's history? I think Thailand is very interesting country historically. Such as why Thailand was never been colonised during coloniel era, and 2475 (B.E.) revolution which not long before the world war 2. During the world war 1, with the King's vision, Thailand(Siam) joined the Allies side, and won the war, even though Britain and France used to try to colonised Thailand (Siam). I think it would be interesting if you making more videos about Thailand history! 😄👍

Is that a movie on 3:50 if it was can you guys give the name

It's in Thai culture to take the "middle path". It is a precarious path but it has kept them from becoming heavily involved in any conflict for about 200 years. They just like coups every few years to give the tanks a run out.

You forgot to mention that French Indochina was once part of Siam, and was only surrendered to the French so Siam could stay Independent. Japan, Bhutan, and Siam were the only Asian nation states that kept their sovereignty during the Colonial Period.

A master class in geopolitical maneuvering!

Interesting information and I got to say I didn't know too much about it. What happened to Fabun after ten years?

FunFact : Pleak in Thailand mean Strange. So you can call him General Strange ( but we call him General P ) Yeah He gonna have his own movie name General Strange : In the multiverse of madness Wait? No?

"Why Was Thailand the ONLY Country in Asia to Align with the Axis?" Japan: Am I a joke to you?

So, the 6 AM and 6 PM playing of the national anthem and standing respectfully for it can be traced to a decree by Thailand’s Prime Minister in 1938.

When Seni Pramoj called for volunteers my grandfather was studying to become a professor of geology at the Colorado School of Mines. He joined-up with the Seri Thai and was trained by the OSS. After completing his training the US Navy shipped him to India and then flew him "over the Hump", ie the Himalayas, into Yunnan province (Southern China). From there he trekked south to fight the Japanese. To this day I still have 2 war medals that were given to him by the OSS and the CIA (a friend of the CIA medal). Although not very many Thais know of the true role of the Seri Thai, they were the key reason why Thailand was treated as an occupied nation at the end of the war by the Allies. The British really wanted to classify them as a defeated combatant but the US refused, mainly because of how many Thais fought for the Seri Thai. I couldn't be more proud of my grandfather's role in World War 2. Thank you for shining a light on this hugely important and largely forgotten chapter in Thai history.

It was uneasy relationship during WW2. There was a confrontation between local Thais and IJA soldiers in late '42 that almost sparked the end of that relationship. In Kanchanaburi, A Thai monk provided some food to Allied POWS passing by, enraging Japanese soldiers. An IJA soldier slapped Thai monk face (massive offence in Thai eyes), infuriating locals. IJA soldiers also harassed Thai workers lodging temple where that thai monk stayed. IJA soldiers captured some workers but they fought back and killed some of those soldiers. At the end, both sides dissolved the situation. IJA issued "how to behave in Thailand" guidelines for their ignorant troops while Thai government put that thai monk in brief jail and release him later on. One of my late cousin did wood/timber trading business during the war. He frequent Burma railway area. According to his memo, Allied POWs life condition was so bad, they trade anything still valuable (hid from IJA camp guards) for some food. We, Thailand, was like Italy + a bit of Finland during WW2.

I always use Phibun as one of my commanders in World Conqueror 3. Not because he's good, he just had a low deployment cost

As Thai I will say You did well research. All information is correct but some picture or clip may not related Pibul( spell Bhi-Boon ) is around 40 during WW2 many picture was him age 60 very later year.

3:50 movie name pls

If at that time you were Thai You will be 100% ally with Japan because Japan helps to mediate the war between Thailand and France and allow Thailand to gain territory that France has plundered. Japan sells weapons to Thailand never offend or oppress Take advantage of any trade such as thieves from the UK and France. After the war The United States sided with Thailand because it understood the position here and Thailand was the first nation in the Asia-Pacific region. that develop good relations with each other How long have you known each other? Think about it. The Thai King Rama IV once sent a letter to the President of the United States that he would send elephants to help America fight in the Civil War.

The land Thailand tried to take from French Cambodia was largely land that was taken from them in a conflict recently before this. Also the Thai had little other choice than capitulate since the west offered them little more than speed bump status. Once the Japanese troops were in the country there's not much to do.

According to my mother, this is the reason why her grandparents decided to move to the Philippines where my grandfather was born. He eventually impragnated a Filipina (my grandma) who eventually gave birth to my mom in 1958.

Thai-Japan We are best friends forever, love Japan from Thailand.🇹🇭❤🇯🇵

Not just Thailand, Bose of India and Aung Hcan of Myanmar also co-oped with Japan.

Incredible! I am only 12 years old and I love to research historical events such as ww2, and your channel makes it really interesting!

great video, very in-depth information. Pronunciation of "fiboon" made me laugh though

EXCELLENT HISTORY I LOVE YOUR FILM PLEASE SHOW LANE XANG TO LAOS KINGDOM PLEASE, THANK YOU

ประเทศไทยไม่ต้องการสงคราม และรู้สึกเห็นใจทุกชาติรอบด้านที่เกิดความสูญเสีย หวังว่าในอนาคตอันใกล้ทุกชาติจะหลีกเลี่ยงสงครามจะใกล้จะเกิดขึ้นได้

"Join the Axis but not lose the war"

I really didn't know any of these! It is actually a nice feeling to be surprised by my own ignorance. It keeps me humble...if only authoritarians understood that...

Brilliant !!!!! Thank you so very much

"Japan invades Thailand" Japan: Declare war on America!! Thailand: *How about no....*