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Thailand’s Volunteer Hill Tribe Militia (1970-1983): An Under-Recognized, Anti-Communist Force

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Thailand’s Volunteer Hill Tribe Militia (1970-1983): An Under-Recognized, Anti-Communist Force

By: Baird, Ian G.

Thailand's Volunteer Hill Tribe Militia (VHTM) was first established in 1970 with the support of Thai Paratroopers (thahan phon rom), during a period of increased armed conflict between the Thai military and the People’s Liberation Army of the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT). Crucially, unlike other paramilitary units in Thailand, those who joined the VHTM were upland ethnic minorities, including Hmong, Lua (Thin), Iu-Mien (Yao), Kmhmu, Lue and Thai Muang peoples who were not recognized as citizens of Thailand, even though almost all were born and raised in Thailand. They wanted to show their loyalty to Thailand. Eventually a total of six VHTM Companies were established in the northern Thai provinces of Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, and Phetchabun, where they operated near CPT mountainous strongholds. These Companies played varied roles, depending on the particular circumstances of the places where they operated. The upland ethnic minorities who joined the VHTM were similar to the upland minorities who joined the CPT, in that they too wanted to be recognized as equals and citizens of Thailand. However, the two groups pursued very different strategies for gaining national recognition.After the decline of the CPT in the early 1980s, in 1983 the VHTM Companies were unceremoniously dissolved, and unfortunately, despite having served as veterans, they have not received the recognition that they believe that they deserve.

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