07With the French Defeat in Europe, the Whole Situation in Indo-China Was Transformed

French Indo-China

With the French defeat in Europe in June 1940, the whole situation in Indo-China was transformed. The makers of foreign policy in Bangkok sought to revise Franco-Thai relations.

They declared themselves dissatisfied with what the had gained from the Franco-Thai Non-Aggression Pact. The agreement, together with its confidential correspondence, promised too little for growing Thai irredentist aspirations.

The Thais used the presence of Japanese troops in the north of Indo-China as an opportunity to revive their irredentist policy.

In effect, the Thais had designed on all of Cambodia and Laos including those parts which the French had acquired between 1867 and 1907.

Their interest in absorbing Cambodia and Laos was motivated by a fear of a revival of conflict with Vietnam and a desire to deny control of Laos and Cambodia to either Vietnam or Japan.

This view was reflected the Long-standing Thai strategic interest in Indo-China, sustained by prior dealings with Vietnam and later France.