Office of the Historian

375. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, October 15, 1973.1 2

Washington, October 15, 1973

MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
URGENT INFORMATION

October 15, 1973

MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT
FROM: HENRY A. KISSINGER
SUBJECT: Thai Change of Government Portends No Likely Adverse Effects on U.S. Interests

The Government of Prime Minister Thanom resigned early this morning Washington time, and the King has appointed the widely-respected Rector of Thammasat University to form a new government. The change likely portends no significantly adverse effects for U.S. interests in Thailand.

The Thanom Cabinet stepped down following a night of widespread student-instigated violence in Bangkok, probably the most severe in the past two decades in Thailand. Most importantly, some 100 persons — largely students but also some police — were killed in the course of police attempts to bring the riots under control. In Thai political practice, the deaths represent unforgivable incompetence on the part of the government, and almost requires its resignation. The original causes of the student discontent, which has been manifest sporadically on a small scale since last spring, involve their protests of continued military government; only in the past week has the government handling of the latest round brought large numbers of usually apolitical technical and normal school students to the ranks of the university students. Before resigning, the Thanom Government promised to promulgate a new constitution next October.

The King has appointed widely-respected Judge Sanya Thammasak to form what will be at least an interim government. Sanya is presently Rector of one of Bangkok’s two leading universities, a member of the Kings Privy Council, and a Vice President of the World Buddhist Federation (which adds considerably to his stature in Buddhist Thailand). He is also a former presiding judge of the Thai Supreme Court. Sanyo is basically well-disposed toward the U.S. Despite his credentials, [Page 2] however, Sanya must of course secure the support of the Army, which remains the source of real power — and which continues to be controlled by Thanom and the top leadership of the recent government.

Some violence continues. However, it does not appear that there is any well-organized conspiracy. There is no evidence that the Thai Communist Party is responsible for the current situation, although at least some of its elements probably have tried to join the ranks of the rioters.

Embassy Bangkok has reported that they are aware of no harm to U.S. citizens or property.

Implications for U.S. Interests

  • — No change in basic Thai foreign policy, either as regards its normalization or relations with the PRC or as to its support of our effort in Indochina, seems in prospect.
  • — We should have a respite, for at least the next month, from pressures for further reduction of our forces in Thailand. The Thai crisis centers very largely on domestic issues; the students have given very secondary attention to our military presence in Thailand. In addition, the new government will be preoccupied with organizing itself for at least the next several weeks.

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 566, Country Files, Far East, Thailand, Volume 11, October 1973–. Secret. Urgent; Sent for information. Scowcroft initialed the memorandum on behalf of Kissinger. Near the top of the first page, Nixon wrote, “K—Maybe not so bad as we first thought.”↩
  2. Kissinger informed Nixon of the change of government in Thailand and its likely effect on U.S. interests.↩