Battle of Banphlao

The Battle of Banphlao or Battle of Ban phrao (ภาษาไทย: สมรภูมิบ้านพร้าว) It occurred in the early morning of January 16, 1941, in the Ban Phrao area of Cambodia (which was then under Thai occupation). This was a significant victory for Thailand in the Indochina dispute. The 3rd Infantry Battalion (led by Khun Nimman Kalayut "ขุนนิมมาณกลยุทธ" or "นิ่ม ชโยดม") ambushed the French foreign troops (led by Major Belloc) inflicting a crushing defeat on them, killed over 300 France soldiers and Many France soldiers were captured while only one Thai died.^[1]

In this battle, Thai soldiers were able to seize French strongholds and their regimental flag, and it was a brilliant strategy and a legendary act of heroism.^[1]

The 3rd Infantry Battalion of Thailand, commanded by Major Khun Nimmanakalyut, led his troops to secure territory east of Cambodia, along border markers 43 to 46, and advanced into French Indochina, "which was formerly Thai territory," starting on December 23, 1940.^[1]

At the Battle of Ban Phrao, approximately 10 kilometers from Thai territory into Cambodia, "which was also formerly Thai territory," Major Khun Nimmanakalyut was ordered to lead his troops to seize the battlefield on January 13, 1941. When he moved his forces to Ban Phrao, he found remnants of an old, well-modified foreign military camp from Indochina. There was no resistance because the enemy had withdrawn, allowing the Thai forces to seize the area before later launching a coordinated attack to destroy the 3rd Infantry Battalion at Ban Phrao. After surveying the terrain, Major Khun Nimmanakalyut, the battalion commander, concluded that seizing Ban Phrao would not be necessary. Because the enemy was aware of our position, and in the evening, after we had seized the area, we were ambushed by an enemy reconnaissance unit. After surveying the terrain in front of our line, we deemed it more suitable and requested permission to move our forces 4 kilometers from our original position to Huai Yang, a dry stream bed. The terrain, with its easily adaptable trenches, provided ample firing range. Foreign troops had also constructed a makeshift road from the north to Ban Phrao. This road proved highly advantageous for our positioning. We deployed our forces in a U-shape, or shark's mouth shape, straddling the road at Huai Yang.^[1]

The foreign troops believed the Thai troops were stationed at Ban Phrao, but in reality, thanks to the ingenious and sophisticated strategic planning of Major Khun Nimmanakalyut, our forces had already established themselves at Huai Yang on January 14, 1941, operating quietly and with excellent discipline, following the battalion commander's orders.^[1]

In the early morning of January 16, a French foreign military force, consisting of 1 regiment and 3 battalions, launched an attack on the 3rd Infantry Battalion under the command of Major Khun Nimmanakalyut at Ban Phrao. They positioned themselves at Huai Yang, believing the Thai troops were stationed at Ban Phrao, unaware that the Thai forces had changed their battle plan. The Thai strategy involved listening for signals of machine gun fire from Lieutenant Yong Na Nakhon, the former governor of Nakhon Phanom, under the orders of Captain Amphon Sueapaitoon.^[1]

At 3:00 AM on January 16, Thai soldiers began hearing the distant sounds of enemy vehicles, indicating enemy movement. At 4:00 AM, a reconnaissance patrol, about 20 meters from the Thai troops, observed for approximately 5 minutes. The Thai forces remained calm and disciplined.^[1]

Even though enemy dogs ran into the Thai lines, sniffing at various Thai soldiers, they did not bark, and the reason for this remained unknown. Why didn't they bark? Then the scouting leader and the enemy dogs returned, believing there were no Thai soldiers at Huai Yang, even though an entire battalion was present.^[1]

An hour later, at approximately 5:00 AM, a tense moment occurred. The 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, of the foreign army—a highly combat-savvy and fearless unit with a stellar reputation in Indochina—moved in formation along the route our forces had strategically positioned, calmly allowing the enemy's vanguard to pass the front lines.^[1]

Once the main force was in the killing zone, the machine gun fire from Lieutenant Yong Na Nakhon erupted, followed by the roar of every gun in our battalion. A fierce bayonet battle ensued.^[1]

By 7:00 AM, agonizing cries and commands echoed across the battlefield. The tactics employed by the Thai 3rd Infantry Battalion, under the command of Major Khun Nimman, were instrumental in this decisive battle. They managed to crush the enemy, killing approximately 400 men and capturing a large number as prisoners.^[1]

The battalion commander of the French foreign troops was killed in battle. Thai soldiers seized the enemy's regimental flag, adorned with the Croix de Guerre medal. The two subsequent battalions of Khmer and Vietnamese soldiers were routed. The French, battle-hardened foreign troops were almost entirely annihilated by the Thai soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Battalion, under the command of Major Khun Nimmanakalyut. One Thai soldier, Private John Priphong, was killed in battle, and two were severely wounded.^[1]

Major Khun Nimmanakalyut, the Thai battalion commander who performed such heroic deeds, resulting in the 3rd Infantry Battalion receiving the Displaying the ceremonial flag medal and the auspicious title of "Tiger Battalion," was originally named "Major Nim Chayodom." He was later granted the title Khun Nimmanakalyut on the occasion of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, Royal Guards. They performed their duties according to the national defense plan along the Thai-Cambodian border, the same area where this unit had performed heroic deeds in the past, from September 1983 to September 1984.^[1]