The Anti-Vietnam War Movement in Thailand (1964-1973)

Abstract

During the Vietnam war, there arose social movements throughout the world. The Thai people rose up and toppled their military government, but civilians were able to take control for only three years; October 1973-October 1976. The democratic process was important, even though it only lasted a short while.The Vietnam war had an impact on Thai politics, economy, society, and culture. Vietnamese communism was a threat to Thailand. The national interest centered on this issue of American military bases and facilities being built in Thailand. The American military stationed itself there, and many American soldiers arrived. Collaterally, the Thai military government received aid and support from the US. The Americans constructed the infrastructure from Bangkok to the rural areas to support their military strategies. The special demands of the Vietnam war enriched the Thai economy. American culture thoroughly invaded Thailand. Americanization destroyed Thai culture and tradition. Many nightclubs and bars were opened in places where there had been nothing of that sort before, and the resulting prostitution aroused anti-American sentiment among Thai people.The anti-Vietnam war movement prevailed all over the world, but it was difficult for the Thai to organize a similar movement. Thailand had been under the military dictatorship for a long time. There was no freedom of expression, and Thai intellectuals, including students, could not criticize the establishment.Much anti-war sentiment however existed, stemming from anti-American nationalism. The anti-war movement for the Thai involved writing, talking and discussing. This movement criticized the US for supporting the Thai military government for its own benefit. The Thai military government could not have lasted without American support, and Thai intellectuals and students accused the Americans of propping up that government. The anti-Vietnam war movement was connected to the anti-government movement.My essay will show four major factors which led to the anti-Vietnam war movement in Thailand. First, there was magazine journalism. The role of Seven Inslitutes and Social Science Review were important. They opposed the Vietnam war at the beginning. Second, Thai people living abroad played important roles. Some of them watched the anti-Vietnam war movement, and some joined. They sent information on the war to Thailand, some writing essays opposing the Vietnam war in Thai magazines. Third, the rise of student activism promoted the anti-Vietnam war movement. Students formed small political groups on their campuses, providing books on the Vietnam war, holding discussions and demonstrations against American policy toward Vietnam. Fourth, the counter culture reflected anti-war sentiment. It used art for the improvement of society under the military dictatorship, and this art raised the political and social consciousness of the Thai people. There were poems, novels, non-fiction and plays dealing with the Vietnam war, and they were accepted by people from every walk of life. These four factors shared anti-American nationalist sentiment against the American bases and soldiers in Thailand that supported the Thai military government. It was Thai nationalism, influenced by the anti-Vietnam war movement in the US, that helped the movement in Thailand.