Free Thai Movement

The Seri Thai movement ( Thai: ขบวนการ เสรีไทย, RTGS: Khabuan Kan Seri Thai, translated as " Free Thai " or " Free Thailand ", English Free Thai Movement) was a national resistance movement against the de facto occupation of Thailand by Japanese forces during the Second world War and the collaboration of the Thai government with them. She was active from 1943.

Structure

The movement was made up of civilian and military functionaries. And was followed by the liberal politician and former Kronregenten Pridi Phanomyong. Outside of Thailand the movement had also sections in the United States and Europe, especially in England, where mainly Thai students supported the goals of the resistance. The American wing of the organization stood in front of the then ambassador in Washington and later Prime Minister Seni Pramoj. She had about 90 members and worked closely with the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Office of Strategic Services (OSS ) together. Few of them were smuggled into Thailand. The English group had 54 members, of which 37 joined the British Army. A few among them have been trained as a paratrooper and then dropped in Thailand.

Resistance

The Seri Thai movement refused entry into the war on the part of the Japanese and Thailand instead wanted to cooperate with the Allies. Pridi, King Ananda Mahidol of the minor represented as one of three regency councils, refused to sign the declaration of war on the USA. And Ambassador Seni refused to deliver them to the U.S. government, as it was not covered by the true will of the Thai people in his opinion and he held it without Pridis signature invalid.

Until mid-1944 succeeded the Seri Thai movement to occupy important positions in politics, military and economy with their own people. Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram, who worked on the outside with the Japanese tolerated the movement and did not deliver them to the Japanese. The Thai intelligence chief Adun Adundecharat, who belonged to the Seri Thai network, actively cooperated with the Allies, in particular with the American secret service OSS. In Thailand captured OSS agents Adun not delivered to the Japanese, but rather took them into custody and even protected them like that.

End of the occupation and government takeover

In July 1944, the Seri Thai Prime Minister Phibunsongkhram forces were able to push to resign and be replaced by the parties related to them Khuang Aphaiwong. Under him the de facto occupation of Thailand could be terminated by Japan. After the surrender of Japan, was founded on September 1, 1945 Seri Thai member Thawi Bunyaket transitional prime minister. Shortly thereafter took over the returned from Washington Seni Pramoj governance.