The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-14
THAI MINISTER
 HOPES TO FREE
 HIS HOMELAND
Pramoj Is Youngest and
 Newest One=Man In= t SurrectiOn
By JOHN K. REICHMANN United Press Staff COrrespondent)

United Press Staff Correspondent
 Washin ton, Jan. IA - (UP) = Thailand Minister Rajawongse Pra- moi is the latest, youngest and slightest addition to the diplomatic corps "one-man insurrectionists, but he makes up in his enthusiasm for democracy what he lack in size or years.
 He issued his manifesto against the surrender of his country to the Japanese invader before the ruins of Pearl Harbor had cooled. As soon as his government had capitulated he announced he could no longer take orders from Bangkok. His staff cheered him to the man--and he slept better that night.
 Now his legation, its doorway sur- mounted by the figure of Garuda- half man, half bird and an omen of good fortune-hums with activity as ne prepares for history paper des- tined to prove to the world that Thailand is @ nation of free people, lmbued with democracy and hating the Japanese.
 Popgun War on Japs
 But Pramojs two boys, Seri, nick named Toi, g, ard Usni, nicknamed Tui, 2, express the real sentiment of she legation.
 Across the deep rugs, behind the rich oriental hangings and heavy silken drapes, they carry on bitter but ever winning popgun battle against the Japanese. Toi wants to be bombardier; Tui can't decide to join the army or the navy.
 Pramoj joined the diplomatic corps here in 1940, at the age of 34. At home he had been a judge of the court of appeals, taught law at the university, criticized the opinions of the supreme court nj his law review and generally earned the name of radical young liberal.
 He and his wife had bought lot tery tickets regularly in the hope of a windfall that would permit them to visit the United States. Then he was named minister, his first diplo- matic post.
 World events left his quiet lega- tion, just across the street from the French embassy, untouched for time. Then the war on Indo- China and Japan's mediation" of that conflict. Thailand fell in official grace and was called "puppet" of Japan.
 IndO- China Unwanted
 we did not want that territory" Prar1oj says, vehemently. It is called the equivalent of Great Lani," but the Thai people, who use monosyllables, refer to it as the Black Land", which sounds almost the same.
 "The Thai people hate the Japan csc. They have been against the Japanese since early in the 17th century. Most of the government is not pro-Japan, or pro-anybody.
 If the government capitulaetd, it was done by two or three ambi- tiouB men, men who think Japan will make Thailand a great nation. They are just personally ambitious.
 Tn my own family, I was brought up to hate the Japanese. My mother frightened me with tales of them.
 When the invader took over our land, could not accept orders im- posed. Ali f have to live for is the restoration of my country. do not know yet what attitude the state de- partment will take toward the lega- ton.
 Fears Opium Menace
 T have spent my life in the public service of Thailand. All that is gone for nothing if my country is rot free. I know what the Japs will do to my people. They will kill the country. They will give us opium and destroy us. You watch Within little time they will be selling cig- arettes there that have opium in them. They wont let us speak the Thai language. Wait and see.
 Tt is our fault that our people are small? Is it our fault that we had nothing with which to resist? But if our people have the spirit, they will be free again."
 Educated in England at Trent col lege and later at Worcester college, a member of Grey's inn, Pramoj gave up scholarship he won in law school to return to his native land when he was 24. He is a great grandson of Rama II, a monarch of 1'hailand.
 But don't refer to me as a prince" he says. Tn Thailand the son of monarch is royal prince, the grandson is a prince, and the great-grandson a princeliEg. The next son becomes commoner. That shows even our monarchy is demo- cratic. It rules only by the com- mon consent of the people"