THAILAND: WEAPONS SEIZED FROM STUDENTS ARE DISPLAYED AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS ADVISER COMMENTS ON GOVERNMENT EXILE AS NEW CABINET IS SWORN IN. PRIME MINISTER THANIN DECLARES WAR ON VICE AND CORRUPTION.

Record ID: 334038

  • Title: THAILAND: WEAPONS SEIZED FROM STUDENTS ARE DISPLAYED AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS ADVISER COMMENTS ON GOVERNMENT EXILE AS NEW CABINET IS SWORN IN. PRIME MINISTER THANIN DECLARES WAR ON VICE AND CORRUPTION.
  • Date: 25th October 1976
  • Summary: 1. GV Exhibition with police watching in Bangkok, Thailand 0.03 2. MV Crowds PAN TO captured arms exhibits 0.14 3. MV Weapons on wall 0.22 4. MV People looking at captured ammunition and posters (3 shots) 0.32 5. MV TO CU Poster of Chairman Mao Tse-tung and Ho Chi Minh (2 shots) 0.37 6. MV People looking at captured books ZOOM IN TO CU book cover of Chairman Mao 0.58 7. GV Police news conference 1.02 8. CU Thanat Khoman, Military Administration Reform Council Adviser, speaking 1.26 9. GV PAN Chitrada palace 1.33 10. GV Prime Minister Thanin swearing in new cabinet 1.38 11. MV PAN Cabinet taking oath 2.06 12. CU Thanin on television addressing nation 2.29 KHOMAN: "A shadow government, or government-in-exile especially in Laos, I don't see any point, andy usefulness, but of course they can proclaim themselves a government-in-exile but from the practical point of view I don't think there'll be any ethics, or, I don't see usefulness in doing so." Among those purged from the Civil Service were the Under Secretary of State Mr. Anand Pianyarachun, a former Ambassador to Washington and the United Nations. He played a major part in negotiating the American military withdrawal from Thailand. Also relieved of their posts were the Director General of the political Department of the Foreign Ministry, Dr. Kosol Sindhavanoon, and his former deputy, Mr. Chaval Chavanit. Initials BB/2239 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 9th November 1976 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Country: Thailand
  • Reuters ID: LVA1ZCCT4CZCFEZO08KX2ESFU508
  • Story Text: Thailand's military-backed Government has announced a purge of top civil servants, including the man who helped negotiate the United States military withdrawal from the country. Spokesmen for the military leaders who took over in a coup on October the sixth gave no reason for the sackings.

    SYNOPSIS: Meanwhile, weapons captured only hours before the military coup, in fighting at Thammasat University have gone on show in Bangkok. They are of various types and originate from several countries. Over 3,000 students were reported held by the authorities after the successful coup. Last week, an official spokesman of the ruling Military Administration Reform Council said arrests of Communist suspects had continued in Bangkok and the rest of the country. He said that of those arrested, 2,647 were still under detention.

    The authorities also said that at least 200 leftist Thai students had crossed into communist Laos and taken part in demonstrations against the military takeover. There have also been reports of clashes with Thai communist insurgents and Laotian troops near the Thai-Laotian border. At a news conference, the Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Administration, Mr. Thanat Khoman, was asked about the possibility of a Government-in-exile.

    On Friday (22 October)a new government was sworn in at the Chitrada Palace of King Bhumibol Aduljadej, led by the new 49-year-old Prime Minister, Mr. Thanin Kraivichien. The new constitution, earlier approved by the King, gives the Government sweeping powers to issue andy orders for preventive and suppression purposes in a wide range of areas. The military body will remain as advisers to the Prime Minister. An appointed Legislative Assembly of between 300 and 400 people will have a life of four years, preparing for an elected Assembly.

    In a broadcast to the nation, Mr. Thanin explained the new moves, saying a Senate would also be appointed in four years time -- both 1984. He also announced a campaign against vice and corruption and promised action against beggars and drug traffickers.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register