740.0011 P.W./831: Telegram
The Minister in Thailand (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:33 p.m.]
557. The Minister for Foreign Affairs summoned me and other diplomatic representatives in succession this afternoon. His remarks to me were the same as made to the British Minister. The gist follows:
2. He informed me with I believe sincere grief that his Government had yielded to overwhelming Japanese force and at D’Annunzio [sic] today had signed an agreement permitting passage of Japanese troops through Thailand by way of Bangkok in order to attack Burma and Malaya. In return Japan guaranteed the sovereignty, independence and honor of the country and gave an assurance that the country would not be disarmed. The Japanese offered to include restoration of all lost territory but the Thai Government refused [Page 379] because it wished the world to know that it only yielded to force and not for gain. I inquired how this arrangement affected the status of the American Legation and American citizens and the Foreign Minister replied that these points were not discussed and that since Thailand remained independent he believed that American status was not involved. He volunteered that in reply to a question from the British Minister he had assured the latter that if British forces as well entered this country to oppose Japan they would not be opposed.
(The Prime Minister confirmed this over the telephone to the British Minister.)
3. Events leading up to this agreement were as follows: At 11 o’clock night of December 763 the Japanese Ambassador and staff called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs [Prime Minister] but the latter was absent near the frontier at Aranya. The Japanese were finally received by the Foreign Minister and the latter was told that Japan was fighting for its life with Great Britain and the United States and intended to make widespread attacks on their territory at 1 o’clock in the morning of December 8, part of these attacks would be made through Thailand and Japan demanded that passage of troops be allowed. Japan offered this country certain choices: (1) to join Japan in the war against the United States and Great Britain in return for which Japan would not only guarantee the sovereignty, independence and honor of the country but would restore all territories lost prosecutors [previously?] to foreign powers; (2) Thailand could join the three power pact and permit passage of troops in which modified proposal there would be no promise of restoration of territory. The Thais refused to join the pact and the final agreement has been described. The Thai representatives said that in the absence of the Prime Minister who is Commander-in-Chief no reply could be given and no orders could be given and no orders could be issued to the Thai troops; they asked therefore that the forcible attempt to enter Thailand at 1 o’clock should be at least deferred. The Japanese replied that no change would be made in the planned attack.
Fighting occurred during the night and this morning at Singora, Patani and Prachuab on the southern coast and at Watana and Aranya on the Eastern frontier. The Thais lost possibly a battalion of troops at Patani.
The Foreign Minister was deeply moved; he recalled the efforts made by his [country?] to [obtain?] arms [for just such a contingency?] and he expressed gratitude for the friendliness shown by the United States. He said that the hearts of the Thai were with the [Page 380] United States and Great Britain and I could not but admit the sincerity of this country’s effort to resist Japan and the overwhelming force to which it finally yielded.
It is the intention of the British Minister and myself to continue our duties normally as far as we can. It is almost impossible for our nationals under existing circumstance to leave and they have been offered quarters in the Legation if they wish them.
The Legation telegraphed American citizens in northern Thailand advising them to consider leaving for Burma. The city seems as peaceful as usual.
- The attack on Pearl Harbor began December 8, 1:20 a.m., Bangkok time.↩