811.20 (D)Regulations/4367: Telegram
The Chargé in Thailand (Chapman) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 3—9:54 p.m.]
442. During the course of the conversation today the Foreign Minister76 expressed his satisfaction over word received from the Thai Minister in Washington of the sympathetic attitude of the American authorities in regard to the granting of export licenses for American goods needed in Thailand. The Foreign Minister said that his Government desired preference to be given to such needs in the following sequence: (1) armaments; (2) requirements of government ministries and departments; (3) civilian requirements. Referring to the Government’s recent unequivocal public statements that Thailand would resist aggression, the Foreign Minister remarked that in order to resist armaments were needed. He said smilingly that, while the impression might have existed in Washington in the past that there was no use furnishing armaments to Thailand because they might be turned to the benefit of the Japanese, he hoped that impression no longer prevailed.
Referring to Minister Peck’s77 impending arrival, the Foreign Minister said that arrangements for the presentation of his credentials would be made as soon as possible after he reaches Bangkok.
While some misgivings were occasioned by the designation in August of Colonel Prayoon and Luang Vichitr to act for the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Legation’s telegram No. 427, August 20, 5 p.m.78), the subsequent elevation of Nai Direck Jaiyanama to the post of Foreign Minister and other recent Cabinet changes have been taken by experienced observers here to indicate a strengthening of the position of those elements in the Thai Government which have all along been pro-democratic and anti-Axis in sympathy and reflects a realistic appreciation on the part of both government officials and the public of the Japanese menace to Thailand following the occupation of southern Indochina.