COLLAPSE OF THAILAND

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21600, 10 December 1941, Page 5

COLLAPSE OF THAILAND

JAPANESE IN THAILAND (United i ress Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 9 Attacks by considerable Japanese forces in southern Tnailand may be expected, it is stated in Singapore. Twenty-five Japanese transports were seen yesterday moving down the Thai coast, escorted by warships. British and Australian bombers are attacking the enemy transports. Enemy troops earlier landed at Singora, on the Thailand coast, 100 miles from Kota Bharu. Japanese aeroplanes bombed Sungei, on the coast of Malaya, and Royal Air Force reports say Japanese troops also landed at Patani, on the Thailand coast, 60 miles from Kota Bharu, from transports and destroyers. While it is too soon to know the enemy’s plans, it is stated officially in Singapore, his primary plan appears to engage considerable forces in an endeavour to gain control of northern Malaya.

This was foreseen and dispositions of forces were made to meet it. Japanese and German reports that the Japanese have made a landing in the south and are attacking the Singapore area are not true. The collapse of resistance in Thailand is confirmed in Singapore today. The Domei news agency states that Japanese troops entered Bangkok last night. Tokio radio states that British troops crossed the border of Burma yesterday morning into Thailand. Japanese forces are meeting the attack “to ensure the independence of the country.”