Pradit Lertslip
Bio
Pradit Lertslip was born on May 25, 1927. After graduating in 1944 from high school in Bangkok, he pursued training at the Non Commissioned Officer school. In July 1952, he arrived in Korea with the Royal Thai Armed Forces as a military police officer. While on patrols, he recalls seeing far too many refugees forced to move from their homes. The majority of his service in Korea took place in the Iron Triangle, including the Battle of Pork Chop HIll. In 2017, he revisited Korea and could not believe how much the country had changed and modernized. Lieutenant Colonel Pradit Lertslip is proud of his service in Korea and sees the war as a catalyst that allowed Korea to become what it is today.
Video Clips
Chocolate for the Children
Pradit Lertslip elaborates on one experience while clearing and checking roads. While on duty with his driver, he describes seeing two children walking on the side of the road. Because he did not speak Korean, he shares he was unable to communicate with them. He recalls asking his driver if he had chocolate or water in the jeep and remembers him indicating he did not have anything. After a quick search of the jeep, he notes he found chocolate in a compartment and gave the children his water and the chocolate. Due to the lack of houses along the roads, he wonders where the children were trying to go.
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Traffic Control
Pradit Lertslip describes his role as a military police officer in Korea. Since he was assigned to the rear position, he states the situation was not too intense. As a military police officer, he explains his primary duty entailed controlling the traffic in the area. He recalls the main problem he faced was during the winter and checking to make sure the trucks were equipped to deal with the conditions.
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Korea Now Versus Then
Pradit Lertslip shares his view on the difference between the Korea he experienced during the war and Korea today. He discusses his impressions of the cultural differences and modernization he saw during a visit back to Korea. For example, he recalls seeing the Korean people during the war gathering wood and washing their clothes in the river but this is no longer necessary.
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