Siam Becoming Centre Of U.N. Activity

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVXI, Issue 22925, 19 April 1949, Page 6

Siam Becoming Centre Of U.N. Activity

(From a Reuter Correspondent in Bangkok.)

Bangkok is fast becoming the seat of United Nations activities in the Orient. As oasis of comparative peace in South East Asia, Siam has become the home of United Nations missions engaged in planning economic and social uplift for Asian nations. United Nations missions already established in Bangkok are the E.C.A.F.E., (Economic Commission for Asia and the tar East) and the F.A.O. (Food and Agricultural Organisation), two other United Nations missions the U.N.1.C.E.F., (United Nations. International Children’s Emergency Fund) and the W.H.0., (World Health Organisation), are expected to establish their regional offices here shortly.

In addition, high-ranking officials of the United Nations visit Bangkok almost every week. The latest arrivals are Sir John Sargeant and Dr. Petro T. Grath, education experts, and Dr. Frank C. Laubach, adult education campaigner, who are here on behalf of U.N.E.S.C.O. These and other United Nations officials come here not so much because of Siam’s importance ns the hub of South East Asia, but because internal conditions in countries such as Burma, Indo China, Indonesia and China make it difficult for them to do any useful work there.

It is estimated that there are about 60 United Nations' officials excluding locallv engaged staff stationed in Bangkok at present. Accommodation and other facilities are arranged by the Siamese Government. The advent of United Nations missions has created a great demand for competent secretaries typists and interpreters. The E.S.C.A.F.E. and F.A.O. have already engaged dozens of men and women workers, and are still advertising in the local press for more clerical and secretarial personnel.