Japanese conquest of Burma main attack westward from Rahaeng in Thailand across the Kawkareik Pass. The 16th Indian Infantry Brigade of the 17th Indian Division guarding this approach retreated hastily westward. The Japanese division advanced to Moulmein at the mouth of the Salween River which was garrisoned by the 2nd Burma Infantry Brigade. The position was almost impossible to defend, and had the River Salween, almost wide, behind it. The 2nd Burma Brigade was squeezed into a progressively tighter perimeter, and eventually retreated over the river by ferry on 31 January after abandoning a large amount of supplies and equipment. Part of the force
River systems of Thailand flow into the Mekong. The Mekong is the only river system in Thailand which drains into the South China Sea. The Chao Phraya River system is the main river system of Thailand, as its basin defines much of the region of central Thailand. The Chao Phraya River begins at the confluence of the Ping and Nan Rivers at Nakhon Sawan (also called Pak Nam Pho) in Nakhon Sawan Province. It then flows from north to south for from the central plains through Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand. In Chai Nat, the river splits into the main river course and