The Impact of the Thai-Japanese Military Alliance During the Malaya and Burma Campaign in World War II (1941-1945)

Abstract

This research paper examines the impact of the Thai-Japanese military alliance during the Malaya and Burma Campaign in World War II. On December 8, 1941, Japan launched an attack on Thailand, and despite Thailand's attempts to resist, they eventually agreed to allow Japanese troops to march through their territory to launch an attack on British Malaya and Burma. On December 21, 1941, Thailand and Japan signed a military alliance agreement, which resulted in Thailand gaining control of six territories, including parts of British Burma and Malaya (which had to be returned to the British after the war ended).
This alliance had a significant negative impact on Thailand. As a result of the agreement, Thailand's properties were seized by the United States and Britain, and their assets were attacked by Allied aircraft. Many Thai lives were lost, and a shortage of goods and inflation occurred, with the currency depreciating by over three times its original value. Japan also forced Thailand to devalue the baht and provided loans to fund the war effort. Additionally, Thailand had to move its capital city to Phetchabun province, resulting in the loss of over 4,000 lives due to the forced labor used to build the infrastructure necessary for the move.