It has been Remembrance Day this week, which on 11th November at 11 a.m. includes the time set aside for remembering those who died in the First World War and, indeed, all the many other wars in which lives have been lost. Although few people pay much attention to the occasion here, Thailand did play a role in the War. Initially, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) kept Siam neutral, in part because of the good relations with Germany (the liner service was particularly important) and because there was little love for Britain or France and their imperialist ways in Burma, Malaya, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. However, when the Americans finally decided to enter the war, Siam then followed suit. Subsequently, more than 1,000 Thais left for the Western Front, including a small number of nurses and some members of the Air Corps, who may or may not have taken part in the war as pilots in the final weeks (accounts differ). A memorial was erected in Sanam Luang park to commemorate the 19 Thais who were killed in the war. One of the results of participation was greater diplomatic recognition and founding membership of the League of Nations and, indeed, the International Labour Organization. There are some more details here.
Thailand and World War One
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Interesting, BUT – “There are some more details here.” Where? Thanks.