Abstract:
The period of World War II was one of the most important time in Thai history. It had seen Thailand and Japan jointly fought against the Allied. In December 1941, General P. Pibulsongkram, the Premier, allowed Japanese army to en-rout to Burma and India, the British colonies. On January 25, 1942, The Kingdom completely sided with Japan by declaring war against the United States and Britain, regardless of the previous declanation of neutuality. The participation in the War greatly affected the nation economically, politically and culturally. The expression of dissatisfaction to the the situation and the Government policy from certain groups of people was obviously see. Various movement of several groups both within and outside the country had been actively organized to counteract the government decision. The purpose of this study is to investigate such counter-actions with emphasis on their establishment, movement and impact on situation after the War. It was revealed that such countered-activities has been organized prior to the Kingdoms declaration of war. They began when it was clear that General Pibulsongkrams policy was in favor of cooperating with Japan. Concerning and important movement outside the Kingdom, the Thais in the United States set up The Free Thai on December 12, 1941 with M.R. Seni Pramoj. former Thai Ambassador to Washington D.C., as the leader. The activities were fully supported by the US government both in terms of war supplies and training of personnels. On the contrary, there was no such movement in Britain. Since the British government regarded Thailand as her war opponent and the Thai Ambassador to London did not organized and countered reaction, the Thais in Britain were enlisted in the British Army to show that they were with the Allied. The Thai both in the Free Thai group and the British Army received valuable training both on war strategy and warfare so that they could be sent back to the Kingdom and worked cooperatively with the Allied. At the same time, there was a locely organized movement in the country headed by Preedee Panomyong, the Royal Governant (1942 1946) The movement was participated by civil servants, soldiers, polices and ordinary people. This group had consistently attempted to contact the Allied. Several secret missions were sent out to request some support for the establishment of government the exile. Even though the organization of government in exile was not successful, due to lack of support, the Allied finally accepted such anti-Japan movement in the Kingdom and the coordinated movement of both outside and within the country was conceived. Such coordination gave birth to the Seri-Thai movement in the country. Its activity was largely concerned some preparation according to strategy laid down by the Allied. The planned countered reaction was not finally implemented because the Japanese Government surrendered prior to the date of the implementation. The coordinated anti-Japanese movement of the groups within and outside the country following the Allieds war plan, especially the USs tremendeously affected the Kindoms position after the War. The Kingdoms status was exempted from being the war-loser countries such as Japan and the Axis even Thailand had earlier declared war with the Allied. The Kingdom was treated totally different from Japan and the Axis. However, on the other side of the coin, it could be stated that such treatment had clearly originated profound influence of the United State upon the Kingdom of Thailand.