August 16, 1945: Thai Peace Day
Pridi Banomyong declares a cancellation of the Phibun government's previous declaration on war against Great Britain and the United States, and marked the day of the end of World War II as "Thai Peace Day".
Japanese forces invaded Thailand on the morning of December 8, 1941 and the Phibun government declared war on Great Britain and the United States on January 25, 1942.
But the Free Thai Movement launched an underground resistance against the Japanese troops. M.R. Seni Pramoj, then Thai ambassador to Washington D.C led the movement in the United States.
The Japanese surrendered on August 15, 1945 and the Free Thai Movement led by Pridi declared the cancellation on the next day August 16.
Pridi's declaration on the "Thai Peace Day" stated that the Phibun government's declaration had not been done by spirit of Thai people, and the Free Thai Movement was established since December 8, to show the resistance of Thai people against the Japanese troops. The Thai Peace Day Declaration made Thailand to not facing fates as a loser of the war aftermath.