the zoo. The convoy plunged into the cool semidarkness of an
underground garage. That naval officers in dress whites and army
officers in ribbon-heavy khakis led them through fluorescent-lit,
air-conditioned passageways that seemed light years removed from the
steamy, crowded streets outside.
In a comfortable conference room, a navy captain bowed formally to the
Americans, his hands pressed together as though in prayer in the
salutation known as a wai. “Sirs, may I present Major General Duong
Rangsit of the Royal That senior staff,” he said formally as the door at
the far end of the room opened and a squat, ponderously overweight That
officer walked in.
“Savahtdi!” the general said warmly. He gave a perfunctory wai, then
extended his hand to Magruder for a cordial Western handshake. “I have
been instructed personally by His Majesty the King to welcome you to our
City of Angels!”
“The pleasure is mine, General Duong.”
A second officer, a lean, dark-eyed man, followed the general into the
room. “This is my chief aide, Colonel Kriangsak Vajiravudh,” Duong
said. “He has been assigned as liaison officer between your command and
mine while you are in our country.”
A half hour of pleasantries followed, and a discussion of subjects
ranging from the raid at Wonsan to a recent coup attempt in the
Philippines.
As tea was served by white-jacketed attendants, Magruder leaned back in
his chair.
“I suppose we should touch on the main reason we’re here,” he said,
gesturing. An aide handed him a copy of CBG-14’s orders which he slid
across the table to Duong. “As you can read there, we have been
directed to assist your government in every way possible short of
actually participating in combat. It is the belief of the Joint Chiefs
that combat operations which resulted in Americans flying missions
against That nationals would not be productive for either government.”
Duong gave a wry smile as he flipped through the pages. “I tend to
agree, Admiral. Especially given the curiously anti-American flavor of
the demonstrators lately.” He shook his head sadly. “I’ve not seen
anything like this in Thailand before. I wonder sometimes if the rumors
of foreign leadership among the insurrectionists are not true. Most
Thais like Americans!”
“This is a somewhat awkward situation, actually,” Magruder said. “On
the one hand, we’re supposed to demonstrate our support for your
government. On the other, we’re to keep a low profile and try not to
get shot at. Sometimes our orders can be a little … contradictory.”
Duong laughed. “The very essence of bureaucracy! In any case, there
should be no problem. Our people will take heart with the knowledge
that one of America’s supercarriers is anchored at Sattahip. Our
aviators will be inspired flying alongside yours. But we certainly do
not envision a combat role for your people.”
“So what is the military situation?” Magruder asked. “Our sources
haven’t been very informative on that point.”
Duong gave a massive shrug. “The That CIA believes the insurrection in
the northern districts is simply a renewal of the old communist
guerrilla offensive. The Communist Party of Thailand was never able to
secure a strong power base among the people they pretended to represent.
We’ve had very little trouble out of them since we beat them in the
Chong Cham Mountains in 1982.
“This … this new movement appears to have begun about six months ago.
If it is the old CPT, then it has been reborn, with new leaders, new
sources of supplies and arms, everything. They are elusive, well-armed,
and well-supplied. Their leadership and discipline appears to be quite
good. On an individual level, their soldiers are not as good as ours,
not as well-trained.”
“Have there been many major engagements? How bad is it up there now?”
Duong pursed his lips, then made a so-so gesture with his hand.
“Militarily, the insurrection is not a serious problem, though obviously
we are concerned. So far, most of what we have seen are skirmishes and
raids, coupled with attempts to extort rice and other supplies from the
local villages. The greater danger is less direct.” He exchanged
glances with Colonel Kriangsak.
“I would have to agree,” Kriangsak said in a low, cultured voice. “Some