Office of the Historian

303. Special Memorandum Prepared by the Board of National Estimates, Central Intelligence Agency1

22–65
Washington, September 10, 1965.

SUBJECT

  • The Threat of Communist Subversion in Thailand

SUMMARY

Thailandʼs chief vulnerability to Communist subversion lies in the northeast region, which borders on Laos. The Chinese have recently increased [Page 650] their efforts to encourage dissidence among poorly integrated minorities in this region, and the level of dissident activity, although still very low, has risen somewhat. Bangkok is responding with more vigorous security measures and efforts to remove economic grievances. The chances are good that the government will be able to stay abreast of the likely increase in Communist subversion. The outlook in Thailand would alter greatly, however, if the Communists achieved definitive victory in Laos or South Vietnam.

[Here follows the body of the memorandum.]

For the Board of National Estimates:
Sherman Kent
Chairman
  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Thailand, Vol. III, Memos, 4/65–12/65. Secret.↩