Engineers Back From Thailand

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30497, 20 July 1964, Page 3

Engineers Back From Thailand

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 19. The Charge d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington (Mr Rabin Kesonsukhon) made a special trip to Auckland at the week-end to welcome back 32 New Zealand Army engineers who have been working in the north-east of Thailand.

The men are the No. 2 Plant Troop of the No. 2 Construction Squadron, from Papakura, Linton, and Christchurch camps. They have been driving bull-dozers on the combined British-Australian-New Zea-

land construction of an airport at Übon.

Mr Rabin said the Government and people of Thailand were grateful for New Zealand efforts to develop their country. The engineers’ present task had helped the Thai Government’s policy of developing the north-eastern area of the State. In jungle dress, the engineers passed through the Customs on Saturday clutching transistors, fishing rods, teddy bears and a cane chair. The leader of the group was Lieutenant R. T. Bennett. Colonel P. G. H. Hamilton, commandant of Waiouru camp, said that the engineers’ industry and ability on the job had enhanced the prestige of the corps in the eyes of Commonwealth and S.E.A.T.O. friends. Their military conduct had been exemplary.