Thailand’s Political Statuses through the Paticipation in the Korean war

Abstract

This study aims to illustrate that it was the sending of military forces to the Korean War that caused considerable impact on the political statuses of Thailand, domestic and abroad, during the period. It provided an opportunity for the Thai government under Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram to exhibit and regain military power after the losses in World War II. Consequently, the conservative leaning Ministry of Foreign Affair joined hand with the army under Field Marshal Plaek. This led to an eventual decrease in the previous governing power of The People’s Party (Khana Ratsadon) existing before 1950, severing the party’s power from the Thai state’s political scene. Moreover, Thailand was the first Asian country to take part in the Korean War. The Thai state claimed its status as “the very first one” in assuming the leading role within Southeast Asia, leading to the establishment of Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) in Bangkok in 1951.