Japanese Invasion of Thailand

Japanese invasion of Thailand
Part of the Pacific War, World War II
Map of the Japanese invasion of Thailand. December 8, 1941
Date 8 December 1941 Location Thailand Result Ceasefire Thai alliance with Japan Thailand declares war on the Allied Powers
Belligerents
Thailand	Empire of Japan
Commanders and leaders
Plaek Pibulsonggram Pravat Chumsai	Shōjirō Iida Tomoyuki Yamashita Nobutake Kondo
Strength
Royal Thai Armed Forces	15th army 25th army 2nd fleet navy

Ceasefire

The Japanese invasion of Thailand occurred on 8 December 1941. It was fought between Thailand and the Empire of Japan. Despite fierce fighting in southern Thailand, the resistance lasted only a matter of hours before ending in a ceasefire.

The origin of Japanese invasion of Thailand can be traced to the principle of hakkō ichiu as espouced by Tanaka Chigaku in the mid- to late-1800s. Tanaka interpreted the principle as meaning that imperial rule had been divinely ordained to expand until it united the entire world. While Tanaka saw this outcome as resulting from the emperor's moral leadership, Japanese nationalists used it in terms of freeing Asia from colonizing powers and establishing Japan as the leading influence in East Asia. The concept became expressed in the New Order in East Asia (東亜新秩序, Tōa Shin Chitsujo^?).

In 1940, the concept was expanded by Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe, who sought to create the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, including Japan, Manchukuo, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. This would, according to imperial propaganda, establish a new international order seeking "co-prosperity" for Asian countries which would share prosperity and peace, free from Western colonialism and domination under the umbrella of a benevolent Japan.

Taiwan Army Unit 82 (Strike South planning) was formed in 1939 or 1940 to bring this about. In its final planning stages, the unit was commanded by Colonel Yoshihide Hayashi.

As part of conquering Southeast Asia, the Japanese military planned to invade Malaya and Burma. In order to do this, they needed to make use of Thai ports, railways, and airfields. They did not want conflict with the Thai military, as this would delay the invasion and significantly reduce the element of surprise. The Japanese plan was seen by the Nazi government of Germany as helpful in diverting Britain's military forces, and thus assisting Germany in its own conflict.

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