of our officers feel that the government’s current policy is too
lenient, too soft on communism. This has raised the possibility of a
coup.”
“Toss out the old guard so that we can do things right,” Magruder said.
“We have been responding to the threat in strength,” Duong continued. “A
number of army units have already been transferred to the border, and
others are scheduled for movement within the next few days. Air groups
have been repositioned north to both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.”
“What about the possibility that the rebels are being supplied from
Burma?” Marusko asked. “I’m still worried about those MiGs.”
“There is some evidence that the rebels are being supplied across the
border,” Duong said. “But there is no proof.”
“Those MiGs look like pretty good proof to me,” Marusko said. “Your
average jungle-fighting guerrilla doesn’t normally pack MiG-21s as part
of his personal armament!”
“Burmese support is a possibility, yes,” Duong admitted.
“Actually,” Kriangsak said, “we haven’t yet been able to confirm that
they have MiGs. Rangoon has denied the incident.”
“But there seems to be no other reasonable explanation.” Duong
shrugged.
“I suppose the MiGs could have been Chinese aircraft, though what reason
the PRC would have had to cross several hundred kilometers of Burmese
territory to attack one of our planes …” He waved one hand helplessly
in the air. “It makes no sense.”
“Burma is still the most likely enemy,” Colonel Kriangsak added. “They
have been Thailand’s traditional enemies for centuries, and there is
little doubt that it is they who are supplying the rebels in the
northern provinces.”
“We also have to know whether our air operations can continue over your
territory,” Magruder said. He paused to take a sip of tea from the cup
at his elbow. “We grounded all ops yesterday except for routine CAPS. I
don’t want my command to blunder into a combat situation before we know
what the score is.”
“We will be strengthening our own air patrols along the border, of
course,” Duong said. “I should think there would be no problem for you
to continue your flights as well. My government is especially anxious
to make use of your Hawkeye early-warning aircraft.”
Magruder nodded. “No problem there. Also, we will be in a position to
pass on satellite reconnaissance photos of the border. That might help
make the situation up there clearer. And something more.” He handed
another set of papers across the table to the general. “My staff and I
have been discussing the possibility of loaning you a TARPS aircraft and
crew for a few days.”
“Excuse me,” Duong said. “TARPS?”
“Stands for Tactical Aerial Reconnaissance Pod System,” Marusko
explained. “It’s a strap-on pod carrying special cameras and infrared
imaging scanners. We sling it from the belly of a Tomcat, and it gets
us close-up pictures … better and faster than we can usually manage
from a satellite.”
“We thought that might be useful for locating guerrilla trails and
camps,” Magruder added.
Duong examined the written proposal for a series of TARPS flights over
northern Thailand, then passed it over to Kriangsak. “That could be of
enormous benefit,” he said. “Your orders, however, are to avoid combat.
If those MiGs reappear …”
Magruder grinned. “If that happens, General, maybe you’ll have your
confirmation of Burmese involvement.”
“That might not be wise, General,” Kriangsak said softly. “With all due
respect to our American friends, the risk of an incident involving them
is great. Next time the Burmese intruders could well try to down an
American plane instead of one of ours. That could precipitate an
unfortunate incident.”
Duong’s pudgy fingers drummed on the tabletop for a moment. “Point
taken, Colonel.”
“There is a further difficulty,” Kriangsak continued. “So far as the
dissident officers are concerned, too much reliance on American help
might be as bad as inaction against the communists. We must be seen to
be handling this ourselves, without farang involvement.”
Magruder smiled. “I think we can manage to stay inconspicuous, Colonel.
Here’s what we can do …”
They continued to work out the details of the joint That-American
operation.
Thailand had been winning her long fight against Communism, but for many