THAILAND MOVE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28657, 6 August 1958, Page 13

THAILAND MOVE

Emergency Declared (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11.40 p.m.) BANGKOK, August 5. The Thai Government had. declared a state of emergency along' its border with Cambodia and there was speculation in Bangkok today that the Communists might be getting ready for a new offensive against Free Asia, the United Press International reported. The Premier and the Interior Minister, signed the emergency declaration. The Interior Minister said Thailand acted to protect the border against increasing Communist activity and forays by border bandits. The decision, first disclosed by the Cambodian Ambassador, Mr Ty Kim Sour yesterday, came less than two weeks after Cambodia decided to recognise Communist China. It also followed the secret Peking talks between Mr Khrushchev and Communist Chinese leaders. The news agency said that these developments set off speculation ln . Bangkok that the Communists might be planning a new campaign of subversion against Southeast Asia. The Government announcement noted that the state of emergency affected seven provinces. Restrictions in the border area would include banning of publications “detrimental to the situation.” A Cambodian delegation was due m Bangkok on August 15 to discuss common border problems.