WAR IN THAILAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 68, 31 December 1940, Page 5

WAR IN THAILAND.

ALLEGED JAPANESE PLAN

COUP D’ETAT ORGANISED LONDON, December 29. Large-scale hostilities have flared up on the. Indo-China frontier, says a message from Bangkok. The Thai High Command declares that the French retreated after two clashes, leaving arms and ammunition. It is reported from Hanoi that French troops drove back Thai forces which crossed the border of southern Cambodia. Fifteen Thailanders were killed. J Authoritative quarters in Hanoi allege that a Japanese plan has been disclosed for a coup d’etat in Thailand, to coincide with increased Japanese, pressure for bases in southern IndoChina. Four Japanese who are going to Bangkok on a goodwill mission have been instructed to organise a, coup d’etat thi’ough the Thai Army, which received pursuit aeroplanes and bombers from Japan early in December.

• The liner Bangkok Ma>ru is reported to be en route for Bangkok with 950 tons of munitions and guns. Another ship is sailing from Japan shortlyi' carrying tanks. The number of Japanese “tourists” in southern Indo-China' is increasing rapidly, and they are seeking to penetrate the French military zones in Cambodia and Laos.