792.00/7–251: Telegram
The Chargé in Thailand (Turner) to the Secretary of State
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17. I called on PriMin this p. m. and delivered messages from Dept and Ambassador Stanton in accordance Deptel 2156, June 30. PriMin expressed appreciation and requested his thanks be conveyed.
PriMin informed me as fol in response to my inquiries: There will be no change of Cabinet. During his detention Navy insurgents attempted to persuade him to change Cabinet and, when he refused, to reorganize Cabinet, to which he did not agree. There will be no change of policy by the govt especially with respect to foreign policy. The revolt is now completely quelled and all parts of the country including Sattaheep and the lower peninsula (which specifically inquired about) are quiet. The surrender of Sattaheep has been arranged and will be accepted shortly. (Note: On my return from PriMin’s offices I found soldiers erecting new machine gun emplacements on corner of road towards Paknam and there are now rumors of trouble from the direction of Paknam and Sattaheep. These may simply be preparations to take surrender of Naval forces.)
I informed PriMin that we were much concerned about public reports that MAAG equipment had played part in revolt, and that we had prepared press release to be issued by Gen Cole1 re this matter. [Page 1617] (Text will be transmitted separately). PriMin expressed hearty approval and stated that Publicity Dept wld issue similar statement which govt wld prepare. PriMin said that reorganization of the Navy command was under way and that Admiral Pholasin Thawanat, now Deputy Chief of Joint Staff, Defense Dept, wld be appointed CINC Navy. PriMin declared that Admiral Sindhu former CINC Navy, had foreknowledge of plot and had alerted all Navy vessels in river.
Rptd info Saigon 3.
- Brig. Gen. John T. Cole, U.S.A., Chief, Military Assistance Advisory Group to Thailand.↩