Archive Report
Archive Report
Thailand and the Domino Theory
Podt-Vietnam Teassessment of U.S. Relations
Thailand has become a central piece in the domino game. In the lastfew months, neighboring Cambodia, South Vietnam and Laos have fallen to theCommunists. The governments in these countries, as well as their patronin North Vietnam, are not likely to forget that Thailand sent troops to fight with the Americans in Vietnam and allowed its territory to be used asa base for the massive U.S. bombing of Indochina. Thailand is threatenednot only by victorious neighbors but by Communist-led insurgents in the country, a shaky coalition government faced with military and student discontent, and serious economic problems.
According to the domino theory, these conditions make Thailand a primecandidate for a Communist takeover. The theory, first enunciated by President ...