Lanna-ww2

Japan in Northwest Thailand during World War II

INTRODUCTION

Subject:

The Japanese presence, especially that of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA), in the northwestern Thailand provinces of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, during World War II. That area is shown with important locations noted:

General map

Objectives:	1.	Review some of the more accessible sources on the subject, which are, at this late date, almost all secondary; those sources include Thai, Japanese, and English language texts plus aerial photos, from both the period and subsequent retrospectives.
	2.	Visit identifiable locations, record GPS info, take photographs, search out local information, particularly Thais (such few as have survived into old age and can be found) who can act as primary sources.
	3.	Note conflicts amongst sources and attempt to resolve.
	4.	Present results incrementally as obtained, in one language (at least initially), ie, English, and organized by geographical location, in this case, keyed to the current Thai highway road numbering system and stationing (see Table of Contents below).
	5.	As noted elsewhere, over time the range of topics is expanding.
Caveats:	As noted elsewhere on this website, There is no final word on this subject. Much information is incomplete; many secondary sources remain untapped because of language barriers; conflicts remain unresolved; additional conflicts may have been unintentionally introduced both within the sources here explored and with other sources not reviewed. In some cases, subjects that do not appear directly related have also been explored to clarify information bearing on events in WW2. This is intended to be a working document, relying on the flexibility allowed by an Internet presentation; it is not intended to be static with facts committed irretrievably to hardcopy. Readers are encouraged to bring problems and new information to the attention of the author at hak@Lanna-ww2.com.

GENERAL TABLE OF CONTENTS Notes Numbers refer to Thai Highway Routes Unnumbered roads are prefixed with a T Numbers prefixed with B refer to (Burma) Myanmar Highway Routes

	Introduction with graphical map index

	Area general history

	Chiang Mai City

	Chiang Mai Province

	Mae Hong Son Province

	Other locations

	Route Choices through Thailand for Invasion of India

	*Primary Withdrawal* Route to Chiang Mai:**

		Burma connection: Toungoo - Kemapyu - Border Point 13 - Huai Ton Non - Khun Yuam

		Khun Yuam: Junction offering alternative trails to Chiang Mai:

			Northern Route: Mae Hong Son - Pang Mapha - Pai - Mae Malai - Chiang Mai

			Central Routes: Mae Na Chon - San Pa Tong - Chiang Mai

			Alternate Central Routes

			Original Central Route: The Old Elephant Trail

			Southern Route: Mae Sariang - Hot - San Pa Tong - Chiang Mai


		Other routes / points


	Appendices: Map Information, Summaries from Sources, Miscellany

Revision List
Rev	Date	Description
0	2010 Jun 11	First published on Internet
1	2012 Apr 30	Masthead photo changed. Content changed: a table of contents listing all subjects was replaced by a listing only of major subject categories with links to separate webpages providing subcategory breakouts. Single page table of contents relocated to "Annotated Table of Contents"
2	2012 Jun 10	Contents revised to be more "general".
3	2022 May 24	Page restored with minor changes.