503. Telegram From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State1
283. I have just received the following personal and confidential letter from the Prime Minister:
“My Dear Mr. Ambassador:
“I have received Your Excellency’s letter of June 25, 1956,2 in which you were good enough to convey to me a message from The Honorable John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State.
“I now wish to send a message in reply and I would ask you to be so good as to convey it to His Excellency the Secretary of State.
“In the first place, I wish to thank His Excellency for letting us know the policy of the United States.
“As regards the policy of the Thai Government, I can state that it has always adhered to the principles of the United Nations Charter and, since SEATO has been established, to those of SEATO as well. The Thai Government has, moreover, acted accordingly in fact: it has participated in the United Nations action in Korea; it has not recognized Red China and it has had no trade relations with Red China. In all international conferences, Thailand has coordinated every step with the United States with the common object of upholding the United Nations and of preventing Communist expansion, which is a danger to the free world and to Thailand itself as well, for we have a free democratic system of government and we mean to safeguard the prestige of our name Thai—the Free. This principle of policy has [Page 897] been maintained by the present Government even up to now because we consider it the only way to safeguard the independence of the Thai nation, and now that we have received aid and assistance from the United States, we have all the greater security and confidence.
“It is, however, a matter of regret that news should have been spread by the action of the Government opposition so that there are friendly countries which misunderstand that the Thai Government has changed its foreign policy, which is not true. Nevertheless, it is regrettable that the Government should be under pressure, as a small country in Asia, from the situation which appears outside Thailand. The whole of this part of the world has started a policy of neutrality and has given general publicity to it, which has further strengthened Communist propaganda. Furthermore, NATO powers evidently entered into commercial relations with the Communists, even if the exceptions clause has been used. At the same time, the market for Thai trade has been narrowed down. Public opinion, therefore, arose to the effect that Thailand should also follow a similar course. It was natural that the Thai people, seeing world trade starting to be resumed, should have had that idea, and it is also possible that the Chinese in Thailand, whose numbers are not inconsiderable, should have supported it. In view of such strong public opinion, the Government had to show some accommodation by considering the question of trade with Red China and lifting some items of the embargo list, putting the matter in another way, namely, that Thailand will carry on its trade according to the world system as generally practised, that is, there will be no barter. Add to this the fact that the Thai Government has no diplomatic relations with Red China, no bank and no diplomatic representatives, and so the practice in the matter of trade with China will remain the same as before. It is, however, possible that some non-strategic goods may be sent indirectly, through British colonies, to Red China, but the utmost care will be taken to prevent repercussions which would weaken the power of resistance to Communism or increase the means of expansion of the Chinese Communists. Thus it is, in fact, evident up to now that the status of Thailand continues to be the same as before, with adherence to the United Nations and joining with SEATO and the United States: nothing is changed.
“With regard to the Laos question, we have made considerable progress in our contact and consultations. We have, however, to see the attitude of SEATO too, because the work has to be coordinated. The Defence Chief of Staff has already gone to a meeting. This is another step taken. To strengthen Laos, however, also depends on the situation in Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma and Malaya and, furthermore, the position of Thailand itself still requires much strengthening of the national reconstruction with its own resources in addition to the assistance received from the United States, the United Nations and friendly countries. In any case, the present Government reaffirms that it will maintain its relations with the United Nations and the United States as heretofore and is confident that if the Communists could thrust its way into this area, it will never be because Thailand will have led them in, for we want to preserve our Nation, Religion, King and Constitution for ever.
[Page 898]“Once again I wish to thank The Secretary of State for his message and to extend to His Excellency all my personal good wishes.
“May I also thank you for your courtesy in transmitting this message.
“Sincerely yours, Field Marshal P. Pibulsonggram”.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 493.929/7–3056. Confidential; Priority.↩
- Not printed. (Ibid., Bangkok Embassy Files: Lot 67 F 117, 350 Asia) It conveyed the message contained in Document 501.↩