Seri Thai WWII museum

n the sleepy town of Phrae, a museum is dedicated to the courage of local people who devoted themselves during World War II. At the back of the Paradorn Hotel, in the heart of the business district, the small museum tells a big story. The Seri Thai Museum focuses on the covert operations of the Free Thai Movement in the town which was an important base of the movement. The Seri Thai, or Free Thai Movement, was an underground resistance group that took on the Japanese invaders during World War II. They were an important source of military intelligence for the Allies in the region.

Situated in a wooden house, the museum displays the equipment used in operations such as field radios as well as uniforms and camping gear. Recreated pictures depict operations in the deep jungle, such as patrolling on foot to Lampang, weapons training and military intelligence. At the back, replicas of atomic bombs educate the younger generation about the end of the war in Japan. The exhibits in this small museum may not be exciting for everybody, but the story they tell should make the people of Phrae proud of their forebears. Seri Thai Museum is privately financed and operated by Puchong Kanthatham, son of Thong Kanthatham.

Admission is free. The museum is located in the parking area of Paradorn Hotel, 177 Yantra Kitkosol Road, Muang Phrae. Call the hotel on 054-511-177 for more information.

For current visiting hours, please contact the museum.

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Source

• Text: Rolph Bronkhorst
• Photos: TracesOfWar.com