LETTER TO MRS. SUVANA KETSOMKIAT PROMSUWAN FROM RICHARD A. COLEMAN RE: PRASIT PROMSUWAN

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005527419
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 21, 2011
• Case Number: F-2010-01070
• Publication Date: July 11, 1967

AIR ANEJIcA, INO.
? Mrs. Swans. Ketsomkiat Promsuwan
471/2 Rajvithi Road
Bangkok, Thailand
Dear Mrs. Promsuman:
APPROVED FOR RELEASEL
DATE: 12-Aug-2011
We are writing this Setter to advise you of certain information coneerning
your husband Praeit Promsuwan which inforration has been obtained from Mr.
Pisidhi Indradat, one of the aircraft crew members taken captive with your
husband by the Pathet Lao. NY. Indradat made his way to freedom early
this year when the prison in which he was detained was overrun by friendly
forces.
According to Mr. Indradat, on the day of the accident, shortly after parachuting
from the aircraft which had been crippled by gunfire, he was captured by the
Pathet Lee and taken to a village where he met three other crew members: Eugene
DeBruin, Y. C. To:, and your husband. The following day they were led to a,Prieon
where they found another of their crew Prasit Thaw*. The five were detained
together in various prison camps from 5 September 1963 until 30 July 19664
having all escaped once on 3 June 1964 only to be recaptured on 6 June 1964,
On 30 July 1966 the five made a second escape in which they split intoAb.pee
sr:ea& /Our husband paired with Prasit Thane, and planned to followl7yer
td`jffillfekong River. Hr. Indradat walked by himself for 37 days before being
recaptured and imprisoned until his release. He stated he never again swot:
or heard anything of his fellow crew members after their escape 30 July 1966.
We did not make this information immediately known in order not to jeopardize
any of the other crew members who may not have been recaptured and also in the
hope of obtaining more encouraging news prior to release of the above.
Mr. Indradat made the following statemeat concerning your husband's physical
condition while they were in common confinement:
"Mr. Promsuwan mainly was troubled with dysentery. Near the end of our
confinements, prior to the 30 July 1966 escape, he experienced dysentery
so acute that he sometimes had bowel movements 15 times in one night.
During this time he passed nothing but blood and mucus. He was in Such
.pain, every-time he experienced a bowel movement, he thought he was going
to die. After this he lost a lot of weight and became extremely skinny.
He also lost two of his front teeth and his gums became very awollen. and
Caused him much pain."
Additionally concerning the general mental attitude of the group Mr. Indradat stated:
"In my opinion we all maintained very good .spirits and comradship daring:
time of our confinement. We tried to make jokes everyday which diverted o
thinking from our plight. However, frequently each of us would drift into
)..e: depressed state when we thoaght too much of our loved ones and homeland.
ids would usually end up crying to ourselves. No one ever gave up the iciea.
CL escape."
(to be continued) .
We are sorry that this information is not more encouraging but felt that it
should be provided to you in any ease. Should further news develop we shall
advise you as it became available.
Very truly yours,
Richard A. Coleman
Personnel Manager