Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Southeast Asia, Volume XXII

502. Telegram From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State¹

Bangkok, July 12, 1956—11 a.m.

97. Following is summary memorandum conversation Vice President² being sent Department airmail:³

“After usual amenities Prime Minister brought up subject recent press articles falsely describing situation Thailand. Referred specifically Alden articles⁴ and Time Magazine article July 9.⁵ Emphasized all inaccurate and unjust both Thailand and Ambassador Bishop. Foreign Minister expressed agreement Prime Minister’s remarks.

Prime Minister stated Thailand steadfastly standing with US not going left and not going neutralist.

Vice President asked whether problem subversion and Communist agents serious. Prime Minister replied situation well in hand.

Vice President inquired re Laos. Prime Minister said situation not good but Thailand has some influence there and now attempting dissuade Lao go Peiping.

Vice President asked economic situation. Prime Minister replied internal economy strong and at moment no problems re exports rice, tin, rubber. Emphasized some uneasiness and uncertainty whether US will continue purchase rubber, tin. With regard rice, urged US should not appropriate normal Thai markets. Deputy Prime Minister emphasized US cooperate Thailand in these matters because rice, rubber, tin source Thailand livelihood.

Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister particularly emphasized need more economic aid and speed up delivery already promised military and economic aid. Deputy Prime Minister pointed out only one useable airport in Thailand today. Prime Minister mentioned his request for ‘housing for poor’, and Deputy Prime Minister in response to later question by Vice President as to what US should do stated emphatically US should ‘do, don’t just talk’, adding US should cut red tape and get things done to make Thailand ‘showcase of Asia.’ Deputy Prime Minister added appears neutralist and pro-Communist countries receive more aid from US than allies and anti-Communist countries.

Vice President said he would report to President and would look into question slow deliveries US aid.”

Interview entirely friendly and frank, closing on most harmonious and agreeable terms. Believe visit highly successful from all angles.

Bishop

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.1100–NI/7–256. Confidential; Niact.
2. Vice President Nixon made a 2-hour refueling stop at Bangkok on the evening of July 8. The stop was part of a brief tour of Asian countries which included stops at Saigon, Taipei, Karachi, and Ankara. Additional information on the Nixon trip is ibid., 033.1100–NI.
3. Despatch 137 from Bangkok, August 31, not printed. (Ibid., 033.1100–NI/8–3156)
4. From May 18 through 21, the New York Times published a series of four articles on Thailand by Robert Alden. The May 21 article described what Alden saw as widespread corruption in the government of Prime Minister Pibulsonggram and the close identification of the United States with the Thai Government. The Thai Government took particular exception to the May 21 article and broadcast a denunciation of the series and the New York Times for printing it.
5. The Time article of July 9 described what its correspondent saw as a “drift to the left” in Thailand, and castigated Ambassador Bishop for lacking the diplomatic skill to cope with the situation.