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

Not something that I am aware of in Singapore. During the Vietnam war, Singapore was more concerned about the influx of refugees from the seas than overland. So there was no need to send people to Thailand.

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…