Communist insurgency in Thailand

The communist insurgency in Thailand was a guerrilla war lasting from 1965 until 1983, fought mainly between the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) and the government of Thailand. The war began to wind down in 1980 following the declaration of an amnesty, and in 1983, the CPT abandoned the insurgency entirely, ending the conflict.

Communist insurgency in Thailand
Part of the Cold War

A zinc bowl engraved with Thai message reading "Obliterate all the communists - out of the soil of Thailand" - a propaganda tool against communist insurgency in Thailand, discovered in Wanon Niwat district, Sakon Nakhon province
Date1965–1983
(18 years)
Location
Thailand (primarily northeast Thailand)
Result

Thai government victory

  • Amnesty declared on 23 April 1980 by the Thai government
  • Order 66/2523 signed by Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda
  • Communist insurgency declines and ends in 1983
Belligerents

 Thailand

Republic of China (until July 1967)

  • Republic of China Army 49th Division

 Malaysia
 United States

Supported by:
 Indonesia (from 1968)
Commanders and leaders
  • Phayom Chulanont
  • Udom Srisuwan
  • Damri Ruangsutham (POW)
  • Wirat Anghathawon (POW)
  • Thong Chaemsri (POW)
  • Chit Phumisak
  • Surachai Danwattananusorn (POW)
  • Chin Peng
  • Souphanouvong
  • Pol Pot
Strength
Royal Thai Armed Forces: 127,700
Royal Thai Police: 45,800
1,000–12,000 rebels
5,000–8,000 sympathizers
Casualties and losses
1966:
~90 soldiers and police killed
1967:
33 soldiers and police killed
1969–1971:
1,450+ soldiers, police, and officials killed
100+ wounded
1972:
418 soldiers and police killed
1966:
133 insurgents killed and 49 captured
1967:
93 insurgents killed
unknown captured
1969–1971:
365+ insurgents killed
30+ wounded
49+ captured
1972:
1,172 insurgents killed
1982:
Unknown killed
3,000+ insurgents surrendered
Unknown civilian deaths (3,008 killed by government forces alone in 1971–1973)
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