SALVAGING CHARIOTS

Most people are only aware of Thailand's involvement in the Second World War through watching the 1957 movie The Bridge On The River Kwai.  However, the war history here is much more extensive than just that (and my visit to Kanchanaburi and the "River Kwai" in January made me realize once again that Hollywood distorts even movies based on factual incidents).  In recent months, I've read a bit about the many naval battles fought in the Gulf Of Thailand.

Today's Phuket Gazette included an interesting article about artifacts from the War being recovered closer to home:

PHUKET CITY: Chalong-based marine engineer Capt Chris Parton yesterday asked Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura for permission to salvage two World War II Chariots – sometimes know as “human torpedoes” – from the sea floor off Koh Dok Mai.

The Chariots – torpedoes powered by batteries and converted to carry scuba divers – were used 62 years ago by Britain’s Royal Navy to attack the Italian cargo ships Sumatra and Volpi, which were anchored in the Phuket Roads.

The divers attached explosives with timers to the ships before sneaking away to the submarine HMS Trenchant. After the charges went off the Sumatra sank and the Volpi was so badly crippled that it was abandoned.

After the raid, the Chariots were dumped on the seabed, where they are believed to have remained ever since.

Gov Udomsak told Capt Parton that before trying to raise the Chariots he must produce documentation proving that he has the permission of the British Government, in particular the Ministry of Defence, to salvage the vessels. Only then would he consider the petition further.

“If there are no problems, I will assign a team to work alongside [Capt Parton],” he added.

There's so much history in this region that I have yet to learn.  I found a very short outline of Phuket history online but it certainly didn't mention anything about the island's role during World War II...