Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-07
Strategic ThoiIund

Until recently, Thailand formerly
known as Siam seldom featured in
the news. Today it is in the lime
light, especially since its insistent
demands upon French Indo-C China
for the return of territories taken
from it during the heyday of Frances
imperial expansion, half a century
ago. And this is not the only reason
why Thailand should draw our
attention. Both on its own account
and because of its strategic situation,
this relatively small yet efficiently
organized country may play an i'm
portant part in the Far Eastern crisis
now shaping before our eyes.
Thailand shares with Japan the
distinction of having successfully
transformed itself from an Oriental
hermit land into a genuine nation
state on the Western model The
story of this evolution is a fasci-
mating one. Thailand, like Japan.
deliberately undertook to moderniZe
itself along Western lines, without
thereby losing its national and
cultural identity. Nearly century
ago, a wise young king, named
Monghut, perceived the peril of
European imperialism. Accordingly,
at that early date, he resolved that
Thailand should stand erect as an
independent, progressive nation in
world destined to be dominated in
creasingly by Western civilization.
He, therefore, strove to adapt Wes
ternism to his country's needs. For
Americans it is especially interesting
to note that he turned to American
missionaries as diSinterested coun-
sellers whom he could trust. Recog-
nizing that America had no imperial
istic intentions in that part of the
world, Monghut and his successors
consistently sought and welcomed
American advice and help. For
many years, the key position in the
whole Westernizing program, that of
chief foreign adviser, has been held
by a series of American incumbentS.
The impress of American ideas and
methods upon Thailand is far deeper
than we generally imagine.
In the 1905, when Western i'm
perialism in the Far East reached its
peak, 1t was touchand-go whether
Thailand would survive Britain.
expanding from India, conquered
Burma, Thailand's neighbOr on the
west. Even more aggressive, France
reached out from Indo-China to the
eastward, exacted several border
provinces, and coveted the whole
country. Probably only Franco
British jealousies permitted Thailand
to live on as buffer state" Yet
survive it did, becoming ever more
stable and prosperous, until 1t won
the respect Of its imperial neighbors
and finally took its place in the world
as full-fedged nation.
OF late years, Japan has courted
Thailand's favor, fostering trade
relations and seeking to penetrate 1t
with its propaganda. If Thailand
could be brought within Japan's
orbit, the road would be open both
for an attack on nearby Singapore
and an advance, via Burma, upon
india itself. Yet it is doubtful
whether Thailand, after having
defended itself so skillfully against
Western imperialism, would VOL
unfairly surrender itself to the new
imperialism of Japan. Though it has
never forgotten French aggression
and now takes advantage of Frances
weakness to regain its lost provinces,
Thailand has no such grievance
against Britain, with whom relations
have long been friendly. Indeed, the
recent conclusion of non-aggression
pact with Britain indicates a desire
to seek, in Britain, diplomatic
counterweight against the growing
pressure from Japan to bring
Thailand in line with Nippon's
ambitious policies throughout the
Far East.
Thailand's army is not large, but
It is well equipped, including
competent air force. Back of 1t
stands rich country, solvent
treasury, and a patriotic people OF
some 100000. In pinch, it might
give good account of itself, II
adequate help were on the way.