792.00/12–1151
The Chargé in Thailand (Turner) to the Secretary of State
No. 391
Ref: Deptel 1205, December 3, 1951; Embtel 1274, December 7, 19511
Subject: Representations to the Prime Minister
The following is the message which I delivered to the Prime Minister on the evening of December 6, 1951 in response to the Department’s instruction above mentioned:2
“After the incident of June 29, 1951 and now again following the recent political changes in Thailand, the United States Government has received many inquiries from banking institutions including the World Bank of Reconstruction and Development and the Chase Bank, from private industry, and from United States agencies engaged in military and economic aid in Thailand. These inquiries refer to the desirability of continuing various ventures and programs conducted or planned in Thailand, and seek to ascertain whether stability of the Government and the internal political situation justify the continuation of such programs and ventures in Thailand.
“It is unfortunate from the point of view of the United States Government that such questions should be raised at this time, particularly in view of the current world issues with the Communist powers.
“Internal political crises in Thailand, brought about by military interference in political affairs in Thailand, have twice within the past five months created situations which give an impression of instability in the Government and political immaturity on the part of certain military men, and cause grave concern to all friends of Thailand.”
As mentioned in my telegram 1274 of December 7, 1951, in order to prevent misunderstanding of this message, I left with the Prime Minister a copy written on plain paper with no indication of origin. This was done because the Prime Minister has a sketchy command of English and often fails to comprehend what is said to him verbally. There is reason to believe that this message has been circulated among governmental [Page 1644] leaders. At a dinner party a few evenings later Air Marshal Fuen Ronapakat-Ritthakani, who has been newly appointed Minister of Communications, approached a member of my staff and after mentioning this statement in terms of concern, proceeded to deliver a homily on the necessity for the change of Government in order to combat subversive Communistic elements. What the effect of this statement will be is, of course, impossible to judge. However, I have no doubt that it will be carefully considered.