Thailand avoided being colonized by Britain and France, so during the colonial period in Southeast Asia, Thailand ceded 350,000 square kilometers of territory to maintain its independence. This came at a great cost, but it managed to preserve its independence. During World War II, Thailand was not invaded by Japan because Thailand chose to side with Japan. Thailand helped Japan conquer half of Indochina.

Japanese troops advanced from Myanmar all the way to Yunnan Province, where Thailand played an indispensable role. However, unexpectedly, as Japan was about to lose the war, Thailand immediately changed sides, turning its attention toward Japan. Through various extraordinary maneuvers, Thailand ironically became a victim of the war, which is the problem of Thailand. By forming an alliance with the United States, Thailand managed to escape being held accountable, which can be considered a small miracle after the war.

Looking at today's Thailand and Cambodia, due to disputes over border territories, they have engaged in intense battles. Thailand does not feel any pain in ceding 350,000 square kilometers to Britain and France, but it refuses to give even one square kilometer to Cambodia. This is a typical case of internal conflict between neighbors. Thailand began to rise from the time of King Taksin, but it was betrayed. Before his death, King Taksin declared that Thailand would last ten generations. Now, it is the tenth generation of kings, and a new era has begun.

However, the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is a significant breakthrough. Regardless of anything, these two countries are neighboring countries on the Indochinese Peninsula. Historically, they have fought hundreds of major wars back and forth, so this war is not a big surprise. Thailand, having gone through ten generations of kings, is now at a crossroads.

Thailand's political capability is remarkable, which is inseparable from Thailand's decisive sacrifice of interests and various acts of lowering itself to do things. Today, Thailand still maintains friendly relations with the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, which allows it to continue the royal system. Moreover, the Thai king has real power, unlike many countries' constitutional monarchies, where the monarchy is merely a symbol of the state.

King Vajiralongkorn is a true king with full authority. Therefore, regardless of everything, the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia will certainly change the situation in Southeast Asia to some extent. Thailand has ceded so much land just to maintain the status quo, but now, due to the land issue in the war, it is unknown whether it will stop?

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838581490304064/

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