Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East, Volume VIII

741.92/5–947: Telegram

The Minister in Siam (Stanton) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Bangkok, May 9, 1947—10 a.m.
[Received 12:45 p.m.]

365. I. Exchange of notes in lieu of Heads of Agreement effected today by British and Siamese (Department’s airgram No. 29 March 24⁶⁶). Principal modifications as finally agreed upon after protracted negotiations as follows:

(a) Aide-mémoire regarding Siamese currency required by Allied military authorities modified to read: “His Britannic Majesty’s Embassy has the honor to state that requirements of Siamese currency for the purpose in question are expected not to exceed 80 million baht, exclusive of amounts already made available”. This modification meets Siamese desires that amount should be specifically stated and that previous provision indicating additional currency might be required should be dropped (mytel 1107 October 4, ’46⁶⁷).

(b) Exchange of notes between FonMin and British Embassy on its provision re control banks and businesses foreign exchange and commercial and financial transactions until conclusion of matters of military, economic and financial concern to the Allies arising out of settlement of war with Japan. Siamese contended provision no longer applicable.

(c) Siamese also felt memorandum from British Legation concerning Allied claims was out of date in view of the fact that Allied Governments are in fact negotiating with Siamese regarding claims of our respective nationals. However, British requested no change be made this provision in view importance attached by British Government to settlement claims and difficulty inducing British Foreign Office to effect change this late date.

II. Understood before these documents published in Siamese Official Gazette that Prime Minister will make statement regarding reason for exchange of letters when Parliament reopens.

III. Copy of memorandum and exchange of notes will be forwarded to the Department.⁶⁸

Stanton

66. Not printed.
67. Not printed; it stated that Anglo-Siamese negotiations to terminate Siamese obligations under the Heads of Agreement and the Annex had been proceeding in desultory fashion but had reached the stage where the Siamese Foreign Minister had supplied the American Legation with draft texts of communications to be exchanged by the British and Siamese (741.92/10–446).
68. The texts of the exchanges are printed in British Cmd. 8140, Treaty Series No. 10 (1951), pp. 11–16.