Vietnam War?

Question

I understand that duing Vietnam War, Malaysia and Singaporearmed force actually stationed troops to Thailand near the boarder as forward observer, and to response as initial contact. Because Thailand has once allowed the Japanese to pass by them to attack Malaysia and Singapore.

But I could not find any concrete information on this topics, as it was highly sensitives, and secretive. i always wonder if it is true.

However, I happened to meet 3 Vetrens (in different time and place). They were nice people, but could not be adjusted to normal civilian lives easily anymore.

I sometime thing this may be true, but the information will never reach the membe of public.

Anyone who have any information, please share.

Answer 1

I'm wondering if you aren't actually hearing about fighting that the Malaysians were doing in the far north of their country (on the border with Thailand) against armed members of the Malaysian Communist Party. The communists used the border with Thailand to 'slip away' from the Malaysian forces when things got 'too hot' for them, although it must be said that the Thais weren't helping them, it was just a very difficult area for either the regular Malaysian or Thai troops to operate in. Although the worst of the fighting was over by the early 60's, a peace treaty and handing in of weapons only occured in 1989, signed by the communists, the Thais and the Malaysians. I hadn't heard that the Singaporeans were involved, but it must be said that the Singapore military has always known how to operate discreetly.

Answer 2

I believe the information you heard has something to do with situations happening in Southeast Asia AFTER the war ended.

Contrary to popular belief, there was a communist domino effect of sorts that happened after the fall of South Vietnam. With the support of the Soviet Union, Vietnam became an aggressor nation after the second Indochinese War (better known as the Vietnam War to us) ended. Vietnam invaded and occupied Cambodia in late 1978, while already having strong control over Laos by that time. All that in mind, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia all had good reason to be concerned. Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia cause the Khmer Rouge to retreat towards the Thai boarder, which caused even more concern for countries in that region.

Thailand would certainly have troops stationed at their boarders to deter a possible invasion by Vietnamese forces. Singapore and Malaysia would have less concern, because Vietnam didn’t (and still doesn’t) have a navy equipped well enough to conduct a sea invasion of either country. Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are allies to each other as well as to the U.S., which could give reason to deploy troops in support of Thailand’s forces. Whether troops from Singapore or Malaysia were actually sent is a mystery to me as well.

Hope this helps…

Answer 3

I don't this is true because the United States had large numbers of servicemen staioned in Thailand during the Vietnam War so I wouldn't think those nations had to fear the Vietnamese marching down the Malay archipelago. Anyhows, Vietnam was a civil war and there never was any threat of Vietnam taking over SE Asia. It was a lie perpetrated by the United States. Check out a film called "Why We Fight". It won a 2005 Sundance Award. I t came out last year to DVD. I think it will provide much insight into American foreign policy post-WWII.