Popular misconceptions to the contrary, Thailand is still very much opposed to the Japanese, according to Boonyong Nikrodhanda G.S.D., one of the four Thai students in the University.
When the Siamese surrendered in December, all the Thailanders in this country formed a Free Thai Society to help win back freedom for their native land. This organization is very active, especially in propaganda work, making six broadcasts from Washington every week.
Not only do the Siamese in this country hate the Nipponese, Nikrodhauanda said in a speech to the Cambridge Kiwanis Club at a Luncheon Wednesday, but also all his compatriots are opposed to their conquerors. He declared that he was extremely eager to dispel the false idea that Thailanders are helping the Japanese.
Thai Forced to Fight
Referring to the recent defeat of Stamese troops by the Chinese he stated that his countrymen had been forced to fight by their Japanese masters, and that they had probably lost the battle on purpose to hurt the Nipponese cause.
Nikrohananda refuted the idea that Thailand had been playing ball with the Japanese before the war. The Indo-Chinese territory that his country claimed after the fall of France would have bolstered Thai defenses, he claimed. Any concessions that were given to the Japanese in that period were extorted at the point of the award.
Thailand has a longer record of friendship for the United States than any other Far Eastern nation, he pointed out. A treaty was made with Siam in 1888, antedating the American treaty with China by 10 years and that with Japan by 20 years.
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