Thailand in the Vietnam War

Thailand in the Vietnam War
Part of the Vietnam War
Queen's Cobras M79 grenadier in Phuoc Tho in 1967
TypeWar
Location
ObjectiveTo support South Vietnam against Communist attacks
Date1967 – 1972
Casualties351 killed
1,358 injured

The Kingdom of Thailand, under the administration of military dictator Field Marshal 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]

  1. ^ Albert Lau (2012). Southeast Asia and the Cold War. Routledge. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-415-68450-7.
  2. ^ Ruth, Richard A (7 November 2017). "Why Thailand Takes Pride in the Vietnam War" (Editorial). New York Times. Retrieved 8 November 2017.