Who Were Thailand's Black Panthers in the Vietnam War?
Yes. Thailand sent the Royal Thai Army Volunteer Force, nicknamed the Black Panthers, to fight in the Vietnam War. The first 5,700 Thai soldiers arrived in South Vietnam in July 1968. They served alongside American and South Vietnamese forces until Thailand withdrew its troops by February 1972.
Quick Facts
- Thailand sent a full infantry division to South Vietnam nicknamed the Black Panthers.
- The unit's official name was the Royal Thai Army Volunteer Force.
- The first 5,700 Thai soldiers arrived at Bearcat Base in July 1968.
- The division replaced an earlier Thai unit called the Queen's Cobras.
- Thailand withdrew all of its troops from Vietnam by February 1972.
Countries Involved
Historical Context
During the Vietnam War, the United States asked its allies to send troops to help South Vietnam. Thailand was a close US ally and agreed to help. Thailand first sent a smaller unit called the Queen's Cobras. In 1968, Thailand sent a much larger force, a full division of soldiers nicknamed the Black Panthers.
What Happened?
The Royal Thai Army Volunteer Force, nicknamed the Black Panthers, was a Thai infantry division that served in the Vietnam War. The first 5,700 soldiers arrived at Bearcat Base in South Vietnam in July 1968. A second group of about 5,700 men followed in early 1969, bringing the total to more than 11,000 troops. The division included infantry, artillery, engineers, and medical units. It operated under the control of the American II Field Force, Vietnam. Thai troops rotated in and out, with new soldiers replacing those who went home. In 1970, Thailand announced it would pull its forces out as the war wound down. The last Thai soldiers left Vietnam by February 1972.
Why Did It Matter?
Thailand was one of the few countries to send combat troops to fight alongside the United States in Vietnam. The Black Panthers showed how the war drew in many nations, not just the US and Vietnam. Their service strengthened the bond between Thailand and the United States. After returning home, the division became Thailand's 9th Infantry Division.
Forces and Units Involved
Frequently Asked Questions
1Who were the Black Panthers in the Vietnam War?
2Was the Black Panthers a political group?
3When did the Thai Black Panthers arrive in Vietnam?
4How many Thai soldiers served in Vietnam?
5What did the Thai troops do in Vietnam?
6Who commanded the Thai Black Panthers in Vietnam?
7What was the Thai unit's real name?
8When did Thailand withdraw its troops from Vietnam?
9What happened to the unit after the war?
10Did the Thai Black Panthers win any awards?
Historical Sources
- 1.Wikipedia: Royal Thai Army Expeditionary Division — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Thai_Army_Expeditionary_Division
- 2.Larsen, Stanley (1975). Vietnam Studies: Allied Participation in Vietnam (PDF) — https://web.archive.org/web/20150920093223/http://www.history.army.mil/html/books/090/90-5-1/CMH_Pub_90-5-1.pdf
- 3.Tucker, Spencer C. (2011). The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War, p. 1110 — https://books.google.com/books?id=qh5lffww-KsC&pg=PA1110
Thailand sent a division of soldiers nicknamed the Black Panthers to fight in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972.
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