3 May 1966

Thai forces head to Vietnam

Thailand officially joined the Vietnam conflict by sending air and naval transport units to assist the South Vietnamese government in its fight against communist North Vietnam.

With its decision to commit troops, Thailand became the fifth outside nation participating in the war, joining the United States, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The government explained its decision in a special broadcast on Radio Thailand.

‘The government saw that the situation in the Republic of Vietnam would have repercussions in this region, particularly Thailand,’ said the announcement. ‘If the free countries are unable to stop the communist aggression there, the consequences will become more serious.’

The government initially sent two air-transport contingents and a coastal shipping patrol unit consisting of 180 men. The 27-man Victory Squadron 11 of the Royal Thai Air Force became the first Thai troops to touch down on Vietnamese soil when they arrived in Saigon on July 23. By 1969, when Thailand decided to withdraw, at least 12,000 Thai soldiers had served in Vietnam.

3 May 1966

Thai forces head to Vietnam

Thailand officially joined the Vietnam conflict by sending air and naval transport units to assist the South Vietnamese government in its fight against communist North Vietnam.

With its decision to commit troops, Thailand became the fifth outside nation participating in the war, joining the United States, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The government explained its decision in a special broadcast on Radio Thailand.

‘The government saw that the situation in the Republic of Vietnam would have repercussions in this region, particularly Thailand,’ said the announcement. ‘If the free countries are unable to stop the communist aggression there, the consequences will become more serious.’

The government initially sent two air-transport contingents and a coastal shipping patrol unit consisting of 180 men. The 27-man Victory Squadron 11 of the Royal Thai Air Force became the first Thai troops to touch down on Vietnamese soil when they arrived in Saigon on July 23. By 1969, when Thailand decided to withdraw, at least 12,000 Thai soldiers had served in Vietnam.