Abstract:
The objective of this thesis is to study the relations between Thailand and Japan in the War of Greater East Asia 1941-1945 A.D., with special emphasis on military co-operation. The aims of study also include political, economic and cultural relationship as well. It also wants to investigate main factors behind policy making of Field Marshall Pibulsonggram government in abandoning the nations neutrality to join the Japanese in the War of Greater East Asia. The result of the study is that Pibulsonggram government abandoned the policy of neutrality to join the Japanese in anticipation of the victor of the Axis namely, Germany, Italy and Japan. Consequently, Thailand could gain benefit in recovering the territories that were lost to France and England during the reign of King Rama V. The success in reannexing the territories would be a good support to the nation building programme of Field Marshall Pibulsonggram government. When the Japanese Army entered Thailand in December 1941, the government agreed to lot Japanese Army move through the country. Later on, Thailand and Japan signed the Pact of Alliance between Thailand and Japan on December 21, 1941, and when Thailand declared war against the Allied on January 25, 1942, Thai and Japanese Armies fought shoulder to shoulder in Burma, and in Shan State. Consequently, the Japanese occupied all of Burma and Thailand gained the territory of Shan State. Through political co-operation with Japan the former four Malayan States were recognized by Japan as under Thai sovereignty. Thailand and Japan also joined in economic and cultural co-operations. At the same time Japanese army presence in Thailand had caused many problem to the country. Conflicts within Thai Government whose majority were members of the People Party became prominent. The conflicts were followed by political fractions which can be traced until the present times. Concerning economic problems, Japanese army presence in Thailand caused inflation and high cost of living. Wide spread of hoarding and corruptions were commonly practiced. On cultural aspects, Field Marshall Pibulsonggrams programme of Nationalism was partly carried on through cultural revolution. The programme has been initiated and carried on before the presence of Japanese army in Thailand with the Japanese stationed in the country the cultural revolution process was intensified to counteract the influences of Japanese culture. Culture changes as occurred were partly encouraged by the Japanese presence and partly by Field Marshall Pibulsonggrams own concept of cultural revolution. When the Japanese surrendered unconditionally to the Allies in August 1945, the Allies nullified the Declaration of War against them as the result of the Free Thai Movement fighting Japanese since the beginning of the war by co-operating with the allies and supporting Thai Army in underground insurgency weakening the Japanese forces and taking action against disarming the Thai Army on the last days of the war. Besides the Free Thai Movement took part in lessening the burden which would be posed on Thailand by the Allies.