History
After World War II ended in 1945, Vietnam announced that it would fight France for the liberation of Vietnam. The French colonies had to fight for 8 years until France accepted defeat and signed the Geneva Convention 1954 in Geneva. As a result, Vietnam was divided into two parts the North Vietnam and South Vietnam with the 17th parallel as the boundary between the two Vietnams. Under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh, who sought to reunite Vietnam, the North supported the Viet Cong as it harassed and infiltrated South Vietnam. The US government sent troops to assist the South Vietnamese military in alliance with Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand with Spain sending a medical unit. At the beginning of the Vietnam war the Thai government approved the principle of sending military assistance to the Government of the Republic of Vietnam. A task force was set up, called the Royal Thai Volunteer Regiment, whose mission was to fight and carry out civic action programs to assist South Vietnam. Combat operations in Vietnam had the nickname "Cobra". Preparations went forward for rotating volunteer regiments, under a Royal Thai Army Expeditionary Division.
On 9 June 1971, the Royal Thai Army issued an order setting up at Lat Ya, Muang district, Kanchanaburi province a new division composed of the volunteers who fought in Vietnam called the 9th Infantry Division, the reason being the twenty-four anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol on 21 June 1974, the army has established the 9th Infantry Division also known as "Fort Kanchanaburi" or "Fort Surasi" in nowaday.
Vietnam War (1967-1972)
- see Thailand in the Vietnam War
The Kingdom of Thailand, under the administration of military dictator Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn took an active role in the Vietnam War. Thailand was the third-largest provider of ground forces to South Vietnam, following the Americans and South Koreans.[1]
Due to its proximity to Thailand, Vietnam's conflicts were closely monitored by Bangkok. Thai involvement did not become official until the total involvement of the United States in support of South Vietnam in 1963. The Thai government then allowed the United States Air Force in Thailand to use its air and naval bases. At the height of the war, almost 50,000 American military personnel were stationed in Thailand, mainly airmen.[2]
In October 1967 the Royal Thai Volunteer Regiment (Queen's Cobras) was sent to Camp Bearcat at Bien Hoa, to fight alongside the Americans, Australians, New Zealanders and South Vietnamese. In 1968 the Cobras were replaced by the Royal Thai Army Expeditionary Division ("Black Panthers").[3] About 40,000 Thai military would serve in South Vietnam, with 351 killed in action and 1,358 wounded.[2][4][5] The last Thai ground forces were withdrawn from South Vietnam on 5 February 1972.[1]
East Timor (1999–2002)
After the East Timor crisis, Thailand, with 28 other nations, provided troops for the International Force for East Timor or INTERFET. Thailand also provided the force commander, Lieutenant General Winai Phattiyakul.[6] The force was based in Dili and lasted from 25 October 1999 to 20 May 2002.
Iraq War (2003–2004)
After the successful US invasion of Iraq, Thailand contributed 423 non-combat troops in August 2003 to nation building and medical assistance in post-Saddam Iraq.[7] Troops of the Royal Thai Army were attacked in the 2003 Karbala bombings, which killed two soldiers and wounded five others.[8] However, the Thai mission in Iraq was considered an overall success, and Thailand withdrew its forces in August 2004. The mission is considered the main reason the United States decided to designate Thailand as a major non-NATO ally in 2003.[9]
Royal Thai Army
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal with Palm
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