313. Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Stump) to the Chief of Naval Operations (Burke)1

122209Z. Embassy Bangkok 856 of 23 Sept2 passed CINCPAC by CNO 242053Z. CINCPAC considers highly desirable US encourage Thailand to provide direct armed assistance in Laos should conditions warrant. My draft plan 49A–553 envisages Thai participation [Page 688] probably on magnitude of providing 1 Regimental Combat Team in Laos together with certain air support and permitting of US to utilize bases and staging areas in Thailand. This is considered fair estimate as to degree Thai participation provided US introduces ground forces in Laos, however, it may be questionable that Thais would commit ground forces in Laos proper were US to provide only limited air support. Should US participate in defense of Thailand on scale my 49A–55, it is entirely possible that Thais might commit up to 3 Regimental Combat Teams; however, their major contributions would probably be along lines of holding critical areas such as lines of communication removed from the actual combat area at least until such time as a coordinated counter-offensive could be directed at the Pathet Lao and/or Vietminh aggressor.

I am gratified to see Thai thinking, at least at Sarit level, concerning forward strategy. Likewise their views concerning strategic withdrawal are understandable, however, such could probably be made more palatable if they were prevailed upon along lines that such was in best long term interest of recovering Thailand from enemy. Unfortunately Thai planning capability now sorely lacking in developing unassisted suitable plans for forward strategy. This can of course be remedied by US military “assistance”.

CINCPAC sees no objection to Thai-Lao discussions for reasons advanced under Embassy Bangkok 856, paras (1) and (3) but considers reasoning under (2) as unrealistic.

Defense of Laos as well as defense Cambodia, South Vietnam and Thailand, together with supporting action, will be discussed at November staff planners conference under SEACDT4 and will later be correlated into a combined defensive strategy. However, it will be some months before such planning is finalized on even a planning study basis.

Consider desirable therefore that US not only encourage, but sponsor bilateral Thai-Laos talks substantially as recommended in Embassy Bangkok 856, paras a–f inclusive. Should such course be elected on US part, CINCPAC is prepared to provide interested parties including JUSMAG Thailand with necessary guidance.

  1. Source: JCS Records, CCS 092 Asia (6–25–48) (2). Top Secret.
  2. Document 310.
  3. Not found.
  4. The conference was held at Pearl Harbor; see Document 74.