VINTAGE WW2 KINGDOM OF THAILAND EAST ASIA COMBAT SERVICE MEDAL 1941-1945

39mm wide circular silvered zinc medal on lotus leaf suspension; the face with an elephant in an elaborate battle scene; the reverse inscribed ‘We fight for Thailand’s honour’; on original ribbon and spear suspension with pin for wear to the reverse.

The Medal was issued in 1942 and awarded to Thai military who served in the East Asia theatre during World War II. Soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor at the end of 1941, Japan demanded transit for her troops across Thailand to attack British Malaya. Japanese forces landed and engaged the Thais who rapidly determined that they could not mount effective resistance. They therefore consented and entered into loose alliance with Japan. At the end of the war, the Allies treated Thailand as a defeated power but did not deem it necessary to occupy the country.