VI. OTHER MAJOR ASPECTS
 1. The Thai Government appears to be reconsidering
 its opposition to sending Thai combat troops
 to South Vietnam. Several Bangkok newspapers recently
 ran stories pegged to "highly placed reliable
 sources" that the government is considering deploying
 a 700-man combat team to South Vietnam. The newspaper
 accounts said the government now recognizes
 that Thai forces engaged in combat in South Vietnam
 would be contributing directly to Thailand's security.
 2. In an apparently related development, Deputy
 Prime Minister Praphat told the Thai press on 29 December
 that Thailand was not "presently" in a position
 to assist other countries, but then went on to give
 a lengthy rationale for such a move "if necessary
 and if we are able."
 3. Although small Thai Navy and Air Force, contingents
 are currently serving in South Vietnam, the
 Thanom-Praphat government has been reluctant to commit
 combat troops to the war effort. It has argued
 that its troops are needed at home to fight the Communist
 insurgents in the northeast. It is probable
 that the Thais, who have in the past urged a vigorous
 prosecution of the war effort, believe that they can
 no longer defer sending at least a token force to
 South Vietnam. The recent leaks to the press suggest
 that the government is paving the way for such
 a deployment by testing Thai public opinion.
 Cambodia - Viet Cong
 4. A captured Viet Cong document dealing with
 activities in Cambodia has recently become available.
 The document was issued by the Kien Tuong party committee
 and, according to a preliminary MACV report,
 spells out certain precautions the Communists must
 take while located on Cambodian territory.
 5. The Viet Cong are cautioned to move in small
 numbers, to maintain strict discipline to hide weapons
 and sampans, and to forego "unauthorized" actions
 2 January 1967
 VI-1
 
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 LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON LIBRARY