Western Imperialism In Thailand

Even though during the reign of King Vajiravudh (1910-1925), the country was the only independent country in the region that did not suffer from the demands for territory or other concessions. However, in reality Siam sovereignty suffered from encroachment, violations and limitations imposed on the country by Western imperialism since the middle of nineteenth century as a result of the Bowring Treaty in 1855. Some of the articles in the treaty allowed foreign countries free trade with only 3 percent export tax and import tariffs together with extraterritoriality right [which meant that foreigners or any subjects of the countries that signed the treaty were under the jurisdiction of their respective consular courts and not the Siamese court]. …show more content…
The achievement of successive victories by Japan in sinking two British Ships: HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales in the Gulf of Thailand which effectively eliminated British naval power from the South China Sea, coupled with attacked of the US Naval based at Pearl Harbour, had tremendous influence in inducing Thai military leader such as Phibun to corroborate with Japan, by signed a mutual defence pact with Japan. The stationing of 150,000 troops on Thai soil, subsequently lead Thailand to declare a state of war against Great Britain and The United States on 25 January 1942. However the Thai ambassador in Washington, Seni Pramoj, refused to deliver the declaration to the United States government and he stated to the U.S. Secretary of State, Cordell Hull that "Thailand 's basic orientation was toward the democratic countries "no matter what may happen," that the Thais would look to the United States for aid at opportune time in the future to emancipate Thailand from Japanese military control, and that they would look for chances to cooperate with the United States". In doing this, the United States viewed Thailand as a puppet of Japan and declined to declare war as stated by the United States Political Adviser to U.S. Lieutenant General Raymond Albert Wheeler attached to Lord Louis Mountbatten in Kandy that “My Government considered that the declaration of war against the US issued by the Phibun Regime in January 1942 was an act taken as a result of the occupation of Siam by Japanese military forces and did not represent the will of the Siamese people. We chose therefore not to recognize the declaration”. With American assistance Seni, organized the Free Thai Movement, recruiting Thai students in the United States to work with the United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The OSS trained