LUKE-WARM AID

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22484, 13 November 1947, Page 5

LUKE-WARM AID

REVOLTJN SIAM FIGHTING BEGINS FEW ARMY DEFECTIONS SINGAPORE, Nov. 11. Fighting broke out yesterday morning between the Siamese regular armed forces and the ‘‘peoples resistance forces,” reports Reuter’s correspondent in Bangkok, in a batch of dispatches received in Singapore after a nine hours’ delay. Pridi Panomyoung, the wartime resistance leader, has taken refuge at the naval cadet school across the river opposite Bangkok and the Siamese Army is apparently not supporting the coup. Lieutenant-General Phin Chunhawan, supereme'commander and the Bangkok area military commander, announcing the fighting to the press, did not reveal the location and strength of the forces Involved or the outcome. Garrisons Ready to March

It is understood that orders have been flashed to garrisons throughout the country to be ready to march within 24 hours.

A military spokesman in Bangkok denied rumours that clashes had occurred in Army stations. A public relations officer told the press that all military units throughout the country were co-operating with the Military Command. Flying-boat passengers who arrived at Singapore from Bangkok yesterday fotecast that Pridi Panomyoung, the avowed enemy of the wartime collab® orationist Phioun, might mobilise the resistance forces- They declared that the Navy was not supporting the coup, most Air Force units were undecided, and only Army units at Bangkok were definitely supporting Phibun. "Cordial” Talks With Ambassadors

A public relations officer at Bangkok revealed that Phibun yesterday received the British, Chinese and American Ambassadors and claimed that the talks were "cordial.”

The acting-Foreign Minister Bisut Virajatej, announced that instructions had been forwarded to all Siamese diplomats abroad to carry on as usual. The deposed Premier, Thamrong Nawasat, after interviewing the Military command yesterday was allowed to go to his home town with his famly arid is at present free.