The Japanese army and Thailand's southern railways during the Greater East Asia War, 1941-1945

Authors

Puengthip Kiattisahakul

Publication Date

2004-01-01

Abstract

As part of their attempt to establish a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, Japanese military leaders took control of Thailand's southern railways to provided direct links to frontline battlefields in Burma and Malaya. They ran special troops from Bangkok to Malaya, and built two new railway tracks extending into Burma. These tracks were used for transporting rice to its troops in Malaya, and to transport troops and war equipment to Burma. Thailand suffered adverse effects. The Railway Department had to carry an enormous amount of loss as costs incurred by the Japanese army were left unpaid. The life and security of the local population were threatened by the Japanese abuse of power, the rising cost of living, and problems connected with prostitution.

DOI

10.58837/CHULA.ARV.17.1.4

First Page

59

Last Page

92

Recommended Citation

Kiattisahakul, Puengthip (2004) "The Japanese army and Thailand's southern railways during the Greater East Asia War, 1941-1945," Asian Review: Vol. 17: No. 1, Article 5.
DOI: 10.58837/CHULA.ARV.17.1.4
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/arv/vol17/iss1/5