Office of the Historian

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

Bangkok, November 24, 1959—6 p.m.

1372. Bangkok World November 22 reported interview with Phra Tiranasan, Chairman Thai Red Cross Committee in charge repatriation Vietnamese refugees in accordance Rangoon agreement, in which he stated “more than 40,000” refugees registered for repatriation DRV by November 17, and that total registering before November 20 deadline would be 90 percent. On November 23, Bangkok Post reported it told by “officials” that over 45,000 have registered out of more than 48,000 total refugees.

Interior Under Secretary Luang Chart Trakarnkoson confirmed 45,000 figure to Embassy officer and said final accounting would even raise it slightly. Added first shipment refugees to Haiphong will leave January 5, 1960 with 1,000 aboard.

Embassy finds size registration figure almost incredible (Luang Chart also expressed surprise) unless refugees under heavy pressure from Thai and not given alternative of remaining in Thailand. However, GVN ARMATT told AARMA that refugees had been under heavy propaganda barrage from Hanoi to encourage registration, and said he not surprised at response. He noted refugees still consider Ho Chi Minh father of Vietnamese independence, and they highly susceptible Hanoi line, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] report Thai may have exerted pressure for registration. If true this must have been with at least implicit agreement DRV, since agreement clearly specifies no pressure.

Embassy still unwilling believe entire operation will go through without Communist-created difficulties; does not appear propaganda gains for Hanoi of refugees choosing DRV outweigh advantages DRV having potential fifth column Thailand or problems caring for some 45,000 persons, some of whom may be expected cause trouble when faced with comparison life in DRV compared to relative freedom and prosperity enjoyed in Thailand.

Johnson
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 292.51G22/11–2459. Confidential. Repeated to Saigon, CINCPAC for POLAND, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Kuala Lumpur, Rangoon, Tokyo, and Seoul.↩