11An Undeclared War Between Thailand and French Indo-China

When a balance of power was believed to be attained, the Thai Premier, who was backed by an effective propaganda campaign at home, employed force as an instrument of irredentist policy.

On November 18, 1940, an undeclared war between Thailand and French Indo-China broke out. The tide of war went against the French who tried but failed to reinforce their troops from other French territories.

Before Japan intervened diplomatically on January 20, 1941, the Thai Supreme Command claimed that they had occupied all the territories of Luang Prabang which Thailand claimed and an area in Cambodia extending 40 kilometers from the frontier.

Thai press reported alleged that all Laos and Cambodia would have been taken but for Japanese mediation which served to check Thai ambitions.