on 22 July 1917, despite the misgivings of some members of the Royal government, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary....
Thailand sent a small expeditionary force consisting of 1,284 volunteers under the command of Major General Phya Pijaijarnrit (later promoted to Lieutenant General and known as Phya Devahastin) to serve with the British and French forces on the Western Front. Included was a contingent of the Army Air Corps.
The Thais arrived in 1918 and the air personnel began training at the French Army Flying Schools at Avord and Istres. Over 95 men qualified as pilots and some were sent to Bomber School at Le Crotoy, Reconnaissance School at Chapelle-la-Reine, Gunnery School at Biscarosse, and to Fighter Conversion Courses at Piox. According to some sources, Thai pilots made their first sorties in the final weeks of the war, although others claim the Thais finished their training too late to take part.
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