20 July 1950

Troops deployed in Korea, UN accepts offer of Thai forces to help in Korean peninsula

The government announced that it would send troops to join the United Nations forces fighting in Korea. The decision to offer 4,000 troops to the UN effort in Korea was made by the Defence Board after a three-hour meeting held late in the evening. Conflict between North and South Korea broke out in June following attempts by the two Korean powers to reunify the country under their opposing governments. North Korea was aided by Chinese forces while the south was backed by the US and other allied forces under the UN, including Thailand./p>

The UN accepted and the US agreed on August 16, asking that Thai troops join them on the front as soon as possible. Farewell ceremonies, including a parade down Ratchadamnoen Avenue by the first 1,200 soldiers to be dispatched, were held on October 20. Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Phin Choonhavan reviewed the troops and gave a speech reminding everyone that communist aggression must be stopped.

The troops arrived in Korea on November 7 and were later joined by two Royal Navy corvettes. The mission marked the first time Thai soldiers had gone overseas since World War I, when troops had been sent to France.

20 July 1950

Troops deployed in Korea, UN accepts offer of Thai forces to help in Korean peninsula

The government announced that it would send troops to join the United Nations forces fighting in Korea. The decision to offer 4,000 troops to the UN effort in Korea was made by the Defence Board after a three-hour meeting held late in the evening. Conflict between North and South Korea broke out in June following attempts by the two Korean powers to reunify the country under their opposing governments. North Korea was aided by Chinese forces while the south was backed by the US and other allied forces under the UN, including Thailand./p>

The UN accepted and the US agreed on August 16, asking that Thai troops join them on the front as soon as possible. Farewell ceremonies, including a parade down Ratchadamnoen Avenue by the first 1,200 soldiers to be dispatched, were held on October 20. Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Phin Choonhavan reviewed the troops and gave a speech reminding everyone that communist aggression must be stopped.

The troops arrived in Korea on November 7 and were later joined by two Royal Navy corvettes. The mission marked the first time Thai soldiers had gone overseas since World War I, when troops had been sent to France.