Peace is possible in S.E.A.—Thai exile

Press, 20 July 1977, Page 6

Peace is possible in S.E.A.—Thai exile

i If all the South-East Asian nations acted according to ; their stated policies, there ! would be a real possibility for : co-operation and peace in ' that troubled region, said an exiled Thai economist (Dr ' Puey Ungphakorn) in Christchurch last evening. At present, he said, there was a confrontation between the three communist nations of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and the five members of the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations. The communist nations were experiencing the problems of postwar rehabilitation and could benefit from a neighbourly helping hand. Dr Puey was speaking to the Institute of International Affairs and was introduced as being here to provide an alternative source of information about Thailand and the region, to that provided by the different regimes. Dr Puey was Governor of the Bank of Thailand for 12 years, rector of the Thammasat University in Bangkok, and chairman of the Thai Economic Advisory Council, before he was exiled in the coup last year. He now lives in Britain. The confrontation between the two blocs in South-East Asia was contrary to the principle of freedom and development, he said. “The will for co-operative action is already there. Each nation has only to act according to its stated policy, and forget the past, for there to be a real possibility for cooperation. “A.S.E.A.N. leaders should be big enough to overcome their pride, and form another

organisation with eight members, for peace, co-operation, and development in SouthEast Asia,” he said. The five members of A.S.E.A.N. are Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. After nine years of virtual inactivity, A.S.E.A.N. had become vigorous, and its future had to be watched closely, said Dr Puey. It was an economic pact rather than a defence one, and its deterioration into a defence pact had to be prevented.

He was disturbed about a recent statement by the Prime Minister of Malaysia (Datuk Hussein bin Onn) that should anything happen in Thailand, Malaysia would go to its aid. This was a military agreement and could jeopardise A.S.E.A.N.

The situation in Thailand was touch-and-go between the communist guerrillas and

the ruling military government. The number of deaths had increased sharply this year, and there was a danger of civil war. However, foreign powers should not interfere, said Dr Puey. The Thais should be left to sort out their own problems with their existing weaponry. If another power intervened, the deaths and suffering would be immeasurably more, perhaps on the scale of Vietnam, than if the Thais were left to themselves. “Thus if there is a war, it will be terminated quickly.” i The role of the Thai monarchy in the present troubles was obscure, he said. “But the role should be to unite the country and achieve national conciliation, rather than taking one side. The monarchy is very’ important, as the people still rever the king — it would be a pity to lose it,” said Dr Puey.