Free Thai Movement
The Free Thai Movement (Thai: เสรีไทย [s̪e̞ː˧ ɹiː˧ t̪ʰäi̯˧]; RTGS: Seri Thai) was a Thai underground resistance movement against Imperial Japan during World War II. Seri Thai were an important source of military intelligence for the Allies in the region.
Free Thai Movement
1941–1945
- Free Thai in Thailand
- Free Thai in the United States
- Free Thai in the United Kingdom
- Free Thai in China
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Background[edit]
In the aftermath of the Japanese invasion of Thailand on 7–8 December 1941, the regime of Plaek Phibunsongkhram (Phibun) declared war on the United Kingdom and the United States on 25 January 1942.[1] Seni Pramoj, the Thai ambassador in Washington, refused to deliver the declaration to the United States government.[2]
Accordingly, the United States refrained from declaring war on Thailand.[2] Seni, a conservative aristocrat whose anti-Japanese credentials were well established, organized the Free Thai Movement with American assistance, recruiting Thai students in the United States to work with the United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS).[2] The OSS trained Thai personnel for underground activities, and units were readied to infiltrate Thailand.[2] By the end of the war, more than 50,000 Thais had been trained and armed to resist the Japanese by Free Thai members who had been parachuted into the country.[2]
Heritage[edit]
Sakon Nakhon historical attractions include a cave well camouflaged by lush vegetation called Tham Seree Thai (ถ้ำเสรีไทย "Seri Thai Cave"), that was used for storage of arms and food during World War II.