Military Youth Monument
The Military Youth Monument can be found 2Km east of Chumphon Town on Road 4001.
On the 2 December 1941, the Japanese military issued the order "Climb Mount Niitaka", which set in motion the war in the Pacific. The main invasion fleet for Operation "E", the invasion of Malaya and Thailand, sailed from Sanya, Hainan Island, China on 4 December 1941.
At noon on 6 December 1941, one of three RAAF No 1 Squadron Lockheed Hudsons on a reconnaissance flight over the South China Sea, located three Japanese ships steaming west, and about 15 minutes later, sighted the Imperial Japanese Navy Southern Expeditionary Fleet convoy, consisting of a battleship, five cruisers, seven destroyers and 22 transports.
At 0905 hours on 7th December 1941 (local time) the Japanese invasion fleet had positioned themselves in the Gulf of Thailand and on the night of 7th dispersed landing crafts ready to land in 5 locations in Thailand and one location in Malaya.
At 23:00 hours on 7 December 1941, the Japanese presented the Thai government with an ultimatum to allow the Japanese military to enter Thailand. The Thais were given two hours to respond.
The Japanese 1st Infantry Battalion of the 143rd Infantry Regiment (part of the Imperial Japanese Amy 55th Division) landed at Pak Nam Chumphon on the morning of 8 December 1941 from two troop ships.
The Japanese managed to form a perimeter around their landing areas, but were pinned down by determined resistance by the 52nd Military Youth Unit from Sriyaphai Secondary School, regular army 38th Infantry Battalion and Provincial Police of Chumphon. Fighting ended in the afternoon when the Thais received orders to cease fire upon news that Prime Minister Phibun Songkhram acceded to Japanese demands for passage through the country for Japanese forces.
Captain Thawin Niyomsen (commanding the 52nd Yuwachon Thahan Unit, posthumously promoted to Lt. Col.) lost his life during the skirmish, along with some provincial policemen and a few civilians.
History
On the 23 September 1936, the Thai Government commenced military training for its youths under the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense. It was named the Military Youth Department in 1937.
At noon on 6 December 1941, one of three RAAF No 1 Squadron Lockheed Hudsons on a reconnaissance flight over the South China Sea, located three Japanese ships steaming west, and about 15 minutes later, sighted the Imperial Japanese Navy Southern Expeditionary Fleet convoy, consisting of a battleship, five cruisers, seven destroyers and 22 transports.
At 0905 hours on 7th December 1941 (local time) the Japanese invasion fleet had positioned themselves in the Gulf of Thailand and on the night of 7th dispersed landing crafts ready to land in 5 locations in Thailand and one location in Malaya.
At 23:00 hours on 7 December 1941, the Japanese presented the Thai government with an ultimatum to allow the Japanese military to enter Thailand. The Thais were given two hours to respond.
Captain Thawin Niyomsen (commanding the 52nd Yuwachon Thahan Unit, posthumously promoted to Lt. Col.) lost his life during the skirmish, along with some provincial policemen and a few civilians.
The monument was built to honor their courage and sacrifice, and to serve as a reminder of the importance of patriotism and national defense. It features a bronze statue of a young soldier holding a rifle, standing defiantly in front of a charging Japanese soldier.
The base of the statue is inscribed with the names of the young soldiers who died in the battle. The surrounding area is landscaped with gardens and walkways, creating a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere.
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