Battle of Prachuab Khirikhan

[PeteC]

Folks may find this interesting. I wonder if the airfield mentioned is now HH airport? Pete

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_ ... _Khirikhan

[lomuamart]

I'm not 100% sure, but I reckon the airfield would be at Ao Manao. It's still operational to this day and you have to look left and right as you cross the runway to get to the beach.
Incidentally, it's a nice beach/cove on military land with plenty of good eateries and a 9 hole golf course that you can play for 50-100 Baht.

[Spitfire]

Incidentally, it's a nice beach/cove on military land with plenty of good eateries and a 9 hole golf course that you can play for 50-100 Baht.

Very true, that's always the case, the nicest land/beaches/facilities are always to be found on military land.

When I have been to/on such places I have always been surprised at just how pristine these areas, which can be huge, truely are.

[Norseman]

I'm not 100% sure, but I reckon the airfield would be at Ao Manao.

That is 100% correct Lomu.
This airport is close to Prachuap Khiri Khan and is a military airfield.

[Nereus]

http://photos.huahinafterdark.com/main. ... itemId=219

[STEVE G]

As Norseman says the Battle of Prachup Kiri Khan was at the Ao Minao air base at the same time as the attack on Pearl Harbour.
This web page has a description of the action:
http://www.geocities.com/thailandwwii/prachuap.html

[Rider]

Vivid description.

A shame all 4 pilots couldn't of made it off the runway, it might of turned the tide against the Japanese. But the Thais put up a good fight and held the line well

[charlesh]

Yes if the reports are correct they were a gutsy band. I am surprised there are no statues there commemorating them! And surprise of surprises the political system of the day did a Neville (Chamberlain)!

[Norseman]

I am surprised there are no statues there commemorating them!

I think you have to take a deep dive into history about this, and you will then understand why these brave men never received their rightful awards.
This is a time in life that people here want to forget about.

[BarryJ]

The airfield in question is the Thai air force base in Prachuap Khiri Khan town on the way to Ao Mano beach. There is a memorial there describing the invasion (on the same day as the invasion of Pearl Harbour). Seems the Japanese wanted access to an Air base to help supply their troops on the push down the Peninsula.

My partners mother lived in the town at the time of the attack and my partner recalls her mother telling stories of the battle which took place.

[caller]

Yes if the reports are correct they were a gutsy band. I am surprised there are no statues there commemorating them! And surprise of surprises the political system of the day did a Neville (Chamberlain)!

There are, as BarryJ say's! And a museum and a 1001 different versions of events as to what really happened that morning before the 'armistice' was signed! My wife even took me to a Wat on the other side of Prachuap's bay which apparantly all Thai kids are taught aboout as many Thai's sheltered there to hide from the Japanese - and survived. We spent 20 minutes or so talking to one of the monks, who was pretty knowledgable and dismissed some of the fantasies about what has been claimed to have happened.

Unless someone else has some photo's of the memorials, I'll post mine tomorrow - I've just tried but the file size is too big and they have to be adjusted, but it's nearly 9pm, it's been a long week and I'm savouring the wine.....

[caller]

Okay, no-one else has posted any photo's, so I'll add mine. I'm sure many of you will have visited the memorials and museum, so bear with me.

First, here's what I wrote elsewhere about this place:

This place bowled me over. The entrance to the Royal Thai Airforce base 'Wing 5' is really an extension of one end of the town and a continuation of what I would call its High Street. You just drive past the guard (well, we did) and follow the road through the camp eventually crossing the runway (don't forget the green cross code!).

You then pass a golf course which is open to the public, more info about that here for any golfers out there - http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/go ... 14081.html - before you take a left turn to the historical park. Straight on takes you to Ao Manao bay itself.

I knew very little about the Japanese invasion of Thailand (still don't), which I understand happened on the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbour (I haven't checked, so I could be wrong)? But since visiting here and having read more on the internet and for Ao Manao, the potted histories I have read appear different to what is reported at the Historical Park.

Its a beautiful spot and the memorials are well presented and maintained. Basically, according to whats written on the memorials, on 8 January 1941, 2000 Japanese landed here and there were only 15 armed forces personnel and civilians to confront them. In total 41 were killed. Reinforcements arrived but the next day an 'armistice' was signed. In reality, the Thais didn't have much choice.

xxx was very moved by all of this and we drove to a shrine at the the base of the headland where she prayed. Later in the day we drove back along the sea front (north) to the other headland where the Temple is that many Thai sheltered and hid from the Japanese. Apparantly, this is a well known part of Thai history and there is an innuendo that the then head monk used some 'outer world' power to protect the Thais. This was dismissed by the Monk we spent 20/25 minutes talking to as he explained the history. The Temple isn't as most you would have seen, its just a smattering of small outbuildings that in 1941 would presumably have been more hidden by trees than it is now? The headland rises almost directly above and its not hard to imagine the Japanese planes not being able to spot it.

I recall there being 4 memorials in all. The main green sandstone one, which is quite something, another that commemorates the 41 that died, another for the airmen and one that marks the spot where the armistice was signed. I only have photo's of two that are any good or don't feature folk I know and I don't think its right to post them as a result.

The museum is worth a visit, but I think it only opens at weekends and/or bank holidays? I watched a video/graphic display of what is alleged to have happened before going over to the old accommodation block that is now an extension of the museum, which is a shame, as it would be a great place to be able to stay. In this section there are various audio/visual displays and a curiosity about the Miss Thailand contest having to be cancelled for the duration of the war, with various crowns on display!

In the museum, it states the airforce commander was out fishing before dawn on the morning of the invasion and saw the Japanese fleet approaching, if true, that must have been a wake up call and a half! Squeeky bum time I would have thought! But no mention of Thai planes actually getting airborne, as far as I can recall?

But whatever happened in the past, today, it is just a beautiful place to visit.

Anyway, here's a few photo's, they lose a bit by being reduced in size/quality (and I don't get the 'gaps in the wall' one?):

This represented the 41 - gaps in the wall & number of plaques forming the circle

Another plaque - where the armistice was signed?

The old accommodation, now part of the museum

[Big Boy]

Thanks caller

I've been there a few times now, and have missed that each time. I'll keep an eye open next month.

[PeteC]

Great pics. Looks like pride once again got in the way though when preparing and proofing their English translations. That's a shame for something that historical. Pete

[Procyon]

Thanks for the info and pics, will be sure to make a visit.