When the Japanese juggernaut reached the coast of Siam on its way to occupy the Kra Isthmus and then proceed to join up with forces already landed (or in the process of) on Malayan beaches, the Thai position was clearly understandable and even commendable, with troops fighting for national sovereignty against this aggresor, but also against Commonwealth forces trying to implement Operation Matador to deny "The Ledge", to the Sons of the Rising Sun. However, as hours went by, the Thai stance became clearer, but its motives grew murkier; what made the Siamese side with the Japanese? The result of a decade or so of diplomatic work? Exhilaration in view of the seemingly unstoppable triumph of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere? Mere survival instinct by the ruling class? In the years to come, nests of strong resistance within the armed forces and other institutions, fueled by the SOE and the OSS, were to prove that helping Nippon was not exactly a national sentiment. By the way, here's an interesting link on the military side of the subject: http://web.archive.org/web/20091027105111/http://geocities.com/thailandwwii/prakan.html
Spooky - today I received a copy of Malaya 1941: The Fall of a Fighting Empire by Sir Andrew Gilchrist who was a junior diplomat in the British Embassy in Bangkok at the time. It might have something to say, so I will try to have a look later.
Hi Warlord, I have often thought about Thailand's position in 1941, bit 'rock and a hard place' I suppose. As you say there was some tremendously pro-Allied support in the country, especially in regard to helping out the POW's etc. Need to read more on the subject.
http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675046489_Borneo-Oil-Fields_children-cheer_building-of-United-States-consulate_Japanese-flag Thailand December 1941.
