Thailand, Kingdom. A Second War East Asia Service Medal

Instituted in 1941. In silvered zinc, measuring 38 mm (w) x 55 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, scattered silvering and edge wear, original ribbon suspended from a silvered zinc hanger with pinback, very fine.

Footnote: The Medal was awarded in 1942 to members of the Thai Armed Forces who served in the East Asia theater of operations during the Second World War. Following the Japanese invasion on December 1941, the Thai government surrendered within five hours and allowed the transit movement of Japanese Forces through its sovereign on their way to attack British Malaya and Singapore. An alliance between Thailand and Japan was formally signed on December 21, 1941 while on January 25, 1942, the Thai government declared war on the United States and Great Britain. After the end of the Second World War, the Allies treated Thailand as a defeated power but in contrary to Japan and Germany they did not occupy the country.