Thailand’s Non-aggression Pacts with Britain, France and Japan(06)

Thailand’s Non-aggression Pacts with Britain, France and Japan(06)

Furthermore, they rejected its demand to put in the pact an article which stipulated an exchange of information and consultation on matters of mutual interest. They were of the opinion that such article would indicate their country’s special friendship with Japan.

They also questioned the same of the Japanese-proposed pact as inappropriate. Colonel Luang  Promyodhi, the Deputy Minister of Defense and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army, suspected that the Japanese might interpret the pact in different manner from its spirit if and when opportunities arose.

Premier Phibunsonggram, however, softened his approach towards the Japanese in the hope of gaining their assistance in case Thailand did claim the ceded territories from France.

Accordingly, he tried to persuade a majority of his Cabinet to accept Japan’s proposals, by reasoning that ”We hall have no objection to the proposals as we have nothing to lose.”

The Cabinet then agreed to all of Japan’s demands, but not without a request that Japan include an article, stipulating that “The contracting parties shall not be involved in each other’s political regimes.” This article was supposed to prevent Japan from interfering in the internal affairs of Thailand.

However, the Thai demand was flatly rejected by the Japanese for three reasons(1) Japan wished to avoid having a treaty containing wording similar to Thailand’s pact with Britain and France, (2) Japan did not have territories adjoining Thailand and (3) the article in question seemed likely to constitute lese-majeste against the Japanese Emperor and it would limit the freedom of the contracting parties.

Japan’s insistence was not opposed by the Thai Cabinet. For their part, the Thais would not agree to an additional demand that Japan sign the treaty one or two days before the signing of the non-aggression pacts with Britain and France.

Direk Jayanama, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and also one of the liberals in the Cabinet, reasoned that it would be a damaging blow to national pride for the Japan’s demand to be accepted by the Thai Government, and insisted that the Japanese treaty be signed on the same day as that of France and Britain.

Premier Phibunsonggram, to ensure the liberals’ loyalty to the regime and also to transfer their personal allegiance from Pridi Banomyong, his political rival, to himself, accepted Direk’s viewpoint and ruled out the Japanese demand.