Whether viewed as a revolution, or as strengthening of the powers of Marshal Sarit, the event should be welcome to the free world, because it will usher in a period when the government of the country is going to take a strong stand against the Communists. In the last few years Communists have made great gains in Thailand right under the auspices of the Soviet Embassy. The recent exposure of complicity in subversive activities by one of the embassy staff members and by a Tass News Agency reporter was the main reason for bringing about the change. The Thai government and military leaders were dismayed to learn that the Communists almost had the run of their country.
One of the first actions of Marshal Sarit was to round up the Communists and leftists. Typical among these was one Unborn Polakul, president of the Thai Press Association who early this year led a newsmen group on a visit to Soviet Russia. Another newsman arrested was a Chinese named Li Kiyong, editor of the Chong Nguan Pao. From the above-mentioned and other newspaper men detained, the Thai authorities found how the Communists are strongly entrenched in the country's press and press agencies. What the Communists have done in Thailand is only a replica of what they are doing in all the countries they want to get their grip on, namely, by heavily infiltrating the media of mass communication - press, radio, etc.
The next important step Marshal Sarit will take is to revise the constitution to make it difficult for Communists and their sympathizers to operate as political parties. Much of his future success will probably depend on how well he can carry out this part of his own program. For in Thailand and in many newly established governments in Asia and Africa, the Communists and their sympathizers have abused the political powers granted to the people to form political parties to overthrow the very government which grants them freedom of association. General de Gaulle of France has recently shown the world a formula to write the constitution for guarding the government against the Communist pestilence. Very likely Thailand under Sarit will follow a similar line of action in its attempt to attain modern statehood.