r/todayilearned • u/RaccoonDoor • 3d ago

TIL Thailand declared war on the United States in 1942. However, the Thai ambassador to the United States refused to deliver the war declaration. As a result, the US simply ignored Thailand's declaration of war.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand_in_World_War_II#Contrast_of_Thai_and_Japanese_policy
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u/ActafianSeriactas 3d ago

His younger brother played the Prime Minister of a fictional Southeast Asian country in “The Ugly American” starring Marlon Brando, before he actually became the real Prime Minister of Thailand. Both brothers also represented separate parties at this time.

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u/yoloswagrofl 3d ago

Does everyone get to be Prime Minister in Thailand?

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u/Faiakishi 2d ago

Mom said it's my turn on the Prime Minister of Thailand.

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u/not-skaven-yes-yes 2d ago

Mom said we only have to switch when I die 😡

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u/TexasPeteEnthusiast 2d ago

Crusader Kings Intensifies

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u/MaximumGorilla 2d ago

Moooom! Set a timer!!

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u/BadmiralHarryKim 2d ago

We have the Prime Minister of Thailand at home.

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u/zwandee 2d ago

Interestingly "It's my turn" (in Yoruba) was the unofficial election slogan of the current Nigerian president.

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u/Semido 2d ago

Depends who your parents are

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u/ThePlanck 3d ago

His younger brother played the Prime Minister of a fictional Southeast Asian country in “The Ugly American” starring Marlon Brando, before he actually became the real Prime Minister of Thailand.

The Volodymyr Zelenskyy at home

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u/y0av_ 2d ago

There is no way is name is spelled like that

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u/_Trikku 2d ago

It’s spelled exactly like that in English, the Ukrainian language uses a Cyrillic Script though so his name is actually spelt Володимир Зеленський.

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u/EldritchPenguin123 3d ago

How do you know this stuff? Can read your source. I want to hiperfixate on this fascinating history for a few hours

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u/ActafianSeriactas 3d ago

Being from Thailand and having a Master’s in Intl History helps haha

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u/EldritchPenguin123 3d ago

Could you recommend any books on the topic?

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u/ActafianSeriactas 3d ago

The younger brother Kukrit Pramoj is an accomplished author so we tend to learn about him a bit anyway.

If you want some academic books on Thai history, a good beginner would be Thongchai Winichakul’s “Siam Mapped”, then you can carry on from there.

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u/pmp22 3d ago

I just want so say: Thailand and it's people is amazing and a true gift to the world. Thanks for exististing.

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u/Consistent_Drink2171 2d ago

Thailand is mid. Any of its neighbors are superior.

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u/pmp22 2d ago

How so?

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u/bagofpork 59m ago

Thailand is mid

No cap on god lowkey frfr?

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u/thehottip 2d ago

Yeah laos is way superior? Wtf

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u/Consistent_Drink2171 2d ago

As a tourist destination, yes. Laos has more authentic culture compared to commercialized Thailand. I guess Thailand is better for sex tourism, but Laos is a better choice if you want to get away from 7-11 and McDonalds.

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u/thehottip 2d ago

Yeah man I don’t care for this gate keeping. Yeah Thailand is more developed but you’re making it sound it likes some capitalist hellscape

Get real

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u/buzziebee 2d ago

They sound like this guy I met over there who said Burma is much more authentic due to the civil war going on...

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u/Zabick 2d ago

Didn't you know that impoverishment, disease, and strife are the true marks of cultural authenticity?

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u/Responsible-Can-8361 2d ago

Come to Singapore for the real capitalist hellscape

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u/Consistent_Drink2171 2d ago

some capitalist hellscape

The military and economic elite hold people in poverty to keep export prices low. Democracy is a sham. Slavery exists in multiple industries. If you buy seafood in Thailand, it was probably caught by a slave.

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u/thehottip 2d ago

Get over yourself, my parents are Thai I don’t need a lesson on any of that. You know exactly what I meant in my last post

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u/mashtato 2d ago

All of this is on Wikipedia.

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u/GreasyPeter 2d ago

Friendly reminder that the President of Ukraine is a man who has previously played the President of Ukraine in a TV show. Difference here being Zelensky is currently on-track to become one of the most celebrated leaders in Ukrainian history.

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u/cannotfoolowls 2d ago

Difference here being Zelensky is currently on-track to become one of the most celebrated leaders in Ukrainian history.

I mean, he doesn't have much competition in recent history.

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u/ColonelJohnMcClane 2d ago

Three decades and then a bunch of Russians or a specific Georgia  lol

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u/Pays4Porn 2d ago

He's named after Volodymyr of Keiv.

Aka "Vladimir The Great"

Aka Prince of Novgorod

Aka Grand Prince of Kiev

Aka Saint Vladimir.

That dude is pretty great, not recent tho.

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u/GozerDGozerian 2d ago

Both brothers also represented separate parties at this time.

Well that must’ve made for some awkward thanksgiving dinners! /s

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u/imathrowyaaway 2d ago

“Mom said it’s my turn to be prime minister!” :<