Caravan - American Antarai

In May 1976, an incident involving the American container SS Mayaguez prompted the US forces, including 1,000 Marine Corps to use the U-Tapao airbase in Thailand as a base for a rescue mission against the Cambodian Government's (Khemer Rouge) forces. This was done without the permission of the Thai Government which said the act was a violation of Thai Soveignty and sparked fierce protests outside the US Embassy. The US president only issued a very short pology' which acted as the catalyst for Caravan to join the public protest. Caravan wrote political songs against the US and used them in a mass protest in March 1976. The band members all came back to work together amid the heated political atmosphere and protests to drive out the American Army base, during which there were many bombings, shootings, fatalities and much blood-shed. The Antarai American album was ready for release before the mass public protest to demand that the Kukrit Pramoj Government's promise of calling for the withdrawal of all US forces from Thailand by 20th March 1976. Record Label: Strawberry Rain Style: Rock