Taiwan Today

Minister of National Defense Chiang Ching-kuo went to Thailand for a six-day visit in mid-May. His host was Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn, who is no stranger to Taiwan. The Defense Minister presented a letter from his father, President Chiang Kai-shek, to King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the summer palace 75 miles southwest of Bangkok. Queen Sirikit can be seen behind her husband, just to his left. Prime Minister Thanom is at Minister Chiang's right. At far right is Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs James Shen. Minister Chiang, who made a visit to South Korea earlier this year, pointed out that free Asian unity has been made manifest in the Thai and Korean assistance to the embattled people of South Vietnam. He joined with Prime Minister Thanom and other top Thai officials in discussing the defense situation in East Asia. He also had many contacts with overseas Chinese leaders, who are important ill the continuing economic development of Thailand The elder son of President Chiang recalled that King Chulalongkorn gave encouragement to Dr. Sun Yat-sen in the establishment of the Republic of China. Dr. Sun visited Thailand on two occasions.

 

Minister Chiang, who is a four-star general, reviewed an honor guard (bottom right), stood at attention with Prime Minister Thanom for playing of the national anthems (bottom left) and held an airport press conference after his May 12 arrival in Bangkok (top). Hundreds of oveseas Chinese from all over Thailand were on hand to greet him. The free Chinese leader praised Thailand for building a modern country while opposing Red aggression.

 

Chinese decorations were presented to 22 Thai officials (top) for their contributions to Sino-Thai friendship. Minister Chiang then raised his glass in a toast to King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the Thai nation. Toasts also were exchanged at Prime Minister Thanom's formal dinner honoring Minister Chiang at Government House the evening of May 12 (bottom). Thailand's cabinet ministers turned out en masse.

 

Accompanied by Prime Minister Thanom in the uniform of a field marshal, Minister Chiang went to the Victory Monument to place a wreath in honor of Thailand's war dead. Of the Thai defense posture, the civilian head of the Republic of China's armed forces said: "The situation in Asia has been changing through the last decade and Thailand has kept pace by building up its strength. Your country has courageously accepted heavy international responsibilities. More than 10,000 of Thailand's brave sons are fighting heroically" in South Vietnam.

 

King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit received Minister Chiang and members of his party in audience at the seacoast summer palace (top). The Thai royal couple were visitors to Taiwan in June of 1963. The Defense Minister called on Prince Dhaninivat Sonakul, president of the Thai Privy Council, and presented gifts (bottom, left). Briefing the visitor on Thailand's military situation was Deputy Prime Ministerr and General Prapas Charusathien (bottom, right). The Thai armed forces leader told of the extent of Communist threats in the northeastern part of Thailand. The Defense Minister responded that Thailand and the Republic of China are defending a common united front against Communist aggression and enslavement. He said the two nations are comrades-in-arms in defense of peace.

 

Prime Minister Thanom and Defense Ministet Chiang's party exchanged toasts in front of a portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej franked by Chinese and Thai flags (top). The Defense Minister received from Prime Minister Thanom the Royal Order of Maha Vajira Mongkut (Grand Jeweled Crown), left.

 

(Top) Overseas Chinese present a colorful entertainment in Minister Chiang's honor; center, the visitor shakes hands with overseas Chinese leaders at a Bangkok reception; bottom, Minister Chiang Ching-kuo and his party take time out trom discussions and ceremony to visit some of Bangkok's oustanding Buddhist temples and the royal palace. The Thai overseas Chinese population is the largest in Southeast Asia at 4 million. The relationship between Chinese and Thais has been one of friendship throughout a lengthy history.

 

At his last press conference in Bangkok (top), Minister Chiang said his visit had been brief but that he had gained much. "The friendship I have found here is deep and heartwarming," he said. "This wonderful experience will live forever in my heart as well as in my mind." Upon his return to Taipei (bottom), he told members of the press that the anti-Communist position of Thailand is firm and that Sino-Thai ties had been drawn tighter. Final victory is certain, he said.