Fighting Breaks Out In Bangkok Area

Northern Advocate, 12 November 1947, Page 5

Fighting Breaks Out In Bangkok Area

SINGAPORE, Tue. (11 a.m.)—Fighting broke out yesterday morning between Siamese regular armed forces and the “People’s Resistance Forces,” reports Reuters Bangkok correspondent in a batch of dispatches received at Singapore after nine hours’ delay.. Pridi Panomyoung, wartime' resistance leader, has taken refuge at the naval cadet school across the 'fiver Opposite Bangkok, and the Siamese Navy is apparently not supporting the coup.

Lieutenant-General Phin Chunhawan, deputy- supreme commander and Bangkok area military commander, announcing the fighting to the Press, did not reveal the location and strength of the forces involved, or the outcome. It is understood that orders were flashed to garrisons throughout the country to be ready to march within 24 hours. RUMOURS DENIED A military spokesman at Bangkok, denied rumours that clashes occurred in any army stations. A military command public relations officer told the Press that all military’ units throughout the country were cooperating with the command. Flyingboat passengers who arrived at Singapore from Bangkok yesterday forecast that Pridi Panomyoung, avowed enemy of the wartime collaborationist Phibun, might mobilise 1 resistance forces. I They declared that the navy was not I supporting the coup, most of the air I force was undecided, and only army j units at Bangkok were definitely supporting Phibun. * j ambassadors received i The public relations officer at BangI kok 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 Nawasuwat), after interviewing the military command on Monday, was allowed to proceed to his home town with his family, and is at present free. All his Ministers are reported free, except two for whom warrants for arrest are reported to have been issued.