What happens
This episode of The Pacific Story, first broadcast on January 13, 1946, traces Thailand's path during the Second World War. It follows Premier Luang Pibul Songgram, who leans toward Japan and the Axis, pressing territorial claims against French Indochina and Burma. As Japanese forces move through Thailand, an underground resistance movement forms, led by Pridi Banomyong. The narrative covers Thailand's declaration of war on the United States and Britain, the government's collapse and the country's occupation, and the conflict that follows. The story describes the country's postwar negotiations with the British in Singapore, which lead to a treaty of amity and trade.
Thailand (Siam), with scenes in Bangkok, Tokyo, Washington, D.C., and Singapore, during the Second World War and its aftermath, 1937 to 1946
Characters: Luang Pibul Songgram, Pridi Banomyong, King Ananda Mahidol, Luang Wichitr Wathakan, Mom Rajawong Seni Pramoj, General Tojo
Listen for: The announcement on August 17, 1945 that Thailand's declaration of war on the United States and Britain is null and void, and the underground resistance movement's growing role against Japanese occupation
Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.