SIAMESE COUP

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25340, 13 November 1947, Page 7

SIAMESE COUP

“ CHANGE WANTED BY PEOPLE” LEADER DEFENDS ACTION (Rec. 8 p.m.) BANGKOK. Nov. 12. The people of Siam had wanted a change of Government and army action was the only course in the circumstances, said Field-Marshal Songgram, defending his coup in an interview with the press. He .added that the new Constitution gave more power to the King, while the previous one tended towards a republic. The coup wait intended to restore economic stability and to root out corruption and smuggling. Reuters correspondent says that the new Constitution provides for a second chamber nominated by the King, the formation of which, together with elections for the Lower House, is expected soon. The deposed Prime Minister (Luang Nawasasat), who is still at large, has declined a portfolio in the new Cabinet. All the former Ministers are reported to be free, but warrants for the arrest of two of them are reported to have been issued. The Acting-Foreign Minister (Mr Bisut Virajatej) announced that instructions had been forwarded to all Siamese diplomats abroad to carry on as usual. Fighting broke out yesterday morning between Siamese regular armed forces and the “People’s Resistance Forces.” reports Reuter’s correspondent in Bangkok in a batch of dispatches received in Singapore after a nine hours’ delay. “Pridi Panomyong. the war-time resistance leader, has taken refuge at the naval cadet school across the river opposite Bangkok, and the Siamese army apparently is not supporting the coup, ‘ says the correspondent. “Lieutenant-General Phin Chunhawan, supreme commander and the Bangkok area military commander, in announcing the fighting to correspondents, did not reveal the location or strength of the forces involved or the outcome. It is understood that orders were flashed to garrisons throughout the country to be ready to inarch within 24 hours. “A military spokesman in Bangkok denied rumours that clashes had occurred in any army stations. The military command public relations officer told correspondents that all military units throughout the country were co-operating with the command. “Flying-boat passengers who arrived in Singapore from Bangkok yesterday forecast that Pridi Panomyong, and «n avowed enemy war-time collaborationist. Phloun, might mobilise resistance forces. They declared that the Siamese navy was not supporting the coup, that most of the air force were undecided, and that the only army units at Bangkok were definitely supporting Field-Marshal Songgram. A public relations officer at Bangkok revealed that Field-Marshal Songgram yesterday received the British, Chinese, and American Ambassadors and claimed that the talks were “cordial.”