It should be called “beneficiary” rather than “coercion”: An analysis of Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram’s decision in the case of the Japanese army’s invasion of Thailand in 1941.
Keywords:
World War II, Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram, Japanese invasion of Thailand, Alexander GeorgeAbstract
This Article aims to study the procedure of decision making of Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram in the case of the Japanese army’s invasion of Thailand in 1941. In this study, the decision-making theory of Alexander George is utilized as a conceptual framework in an attempt to understand Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram’s decision to allow the Japanese armies to use the country as a base for their invasions of the British Colonies, and why he declared war on Britain and the United States. The result shows that Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram, as the final decision maker in this case, had expected that Thailand would gain the most benefit if it entered into an alliance with Japan. However, Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram did not make the decision because of the Japanese army’s coercion but he thoroughly considered the problem and chose the best choice for the country. The basic factors that he based this decision-making on were (1) Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram’s perception of Japan as an ally, which stemmed from their good relationship since the Siamese Revolution until the French-Thai War (2) His personal belief that eventually the Axis would be victorious (3) The strengthening of his confidence by his counselors who were mostly pro-Japanese, especially by his closest counselor, Luang Wichitwathakan.
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