Thai history dared to declare war with the United States of America and England to receive Khmer provinces

 

...Thailand is a close ally of the United States U.S. Treaty Ally since (1954) and is also a strategic friend of Japan. China is expanding military and economic influence in Southeast Asia by using military exercises with neighboring countries as a display of power. Therefore, the air exercise between Thailand – China means that Thailand is bending the central role (balancing role) between the United States-Japan-China. Thailand strives to create intimacy with China to gain advantage in negotiations or movements against the Khmer over shared border affairs, including the regional economy. History shows that Thailand used opportunities for large great powers (Japan–France–America) to receive benefits over Cambodia in the past. ⚫ In (1794), Siam took Serey Sophoan and Battambang provinces directly, placing them as a country under the Thai empire. At that time, Cambodia, under the leadership of King Ang Chan, received support from Siam, thus being forced to compromise. ⚫ In (1863), Cambodia entered into a French colony. France attempted to claim the territory held by Thailand. Until (1904–1907) under the agreement between Japan–Siam. Thailand handed Battambang, Serey Sophoan, and Samlout back to Cambodia (1907) to receive global safety within the country. During the era when France and the British Empire had power, Thailand also maintained good relations with England and even sent its sons to study in England. ⚫ On December 8 (1941), the Japanese army crossed the border into Thailand from Malaysia and landed on the beaches. Thai soldiers fought until 7:30 AM before the government ordered a ceasefire. Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram (Phibun) saw that he had to rely on Japan to regain lost territories from French Indochina. Thailand used Japan as a tool to regain some Khmer provinces from Cambodia. Thailand signed an alliance treaty with Japan, allowing Thailand to receive benefits in this cooperation, having cut Khmer land (Battambang, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Koh Kong). ⚫ Thailand declared war on the British Empire and the United States of America on January 25 (1942). England responded by declaring war on Thailand in return. But the United States ignored that declaration. The tradition of Thailand’s declaration of war ceremony at that time, where the government would follow international law, required sending a message to its ambassador to submit to the leaders of the British Empire and the United States. It is an interesting story, and it is universally known that in January (1942), Thailand followed international law to notify the Swiss Consul who represented the United States in Bangkok. The Thai Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Seni Pramot, did not deliver the declaration of war message. This message was received in Washington, while Seni rejected opposing the Thai government; for this reason, he did not accept that declaration message further. Therefore, the United States was never in a state of war with Thailand. ⚫ Many politicians and citizens sought out H.E. Pridi Banomyong, the Regional Administrator and representative of the King, to create a response movement. He was able to use this role to organize the Seri Thai Movement without raising suspicion from Japan. In the United States, Ambassador Seni publicly announced on the radio that he would work to restore Thailand's independence. He appealed to Thai students in the United States and England to join the Free Thai. ⚫ OSS and SOE attempted to send forces to meet the Free Thai forces. Entering Thailand via flights operating from (China) and by ship. It was only in (1943) that successful contact was made with Free Thai inside Thailand. In Bangkok, the secret OSS was able to operate successfully, even located near the Japanese military post. At the end of World War II, the Free Thai had a force of approximately 60,000 ready to enter the fight. ⚫ H.E. Pridi Banomyong