LETTER TO NAI LEONG FROM RICHARD A. COLEMAN RE: SON PRASIT PROMSUWAN

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005527420
• 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 26, 1967

n/fl fl/il f fl/CP
3, Patpong Road,
Bangkok, Thailand
Ref.No. RiBKK-67-103 July 26,1967
Nai Leong
No. 12 Fettes lst Avenue
Fettes Park
Penang, Malaysia
Dear Mr. Leong .
We are writing this letter to advise you of certain information
concerning your son Prasi_t Promauwan which information has been
obtained from Mr. Pisidhi Indradat, one of the aircraft crew
members taken captive with your son by the Pathet Lao. Mr.
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 Lao and taken to a village
where he met three other crew members: Eugene DeBruin, Y.C.To,
and your son. The following day they were led to a prison where
they found another of their crew.- Prasit Thanee. The five were
detained together in various prison camps from 5 September 1963
until 30 July 1966, 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
into three groups. Your son paired withPrasit Thanee and planned
to follow a nearby river to reach to the Mekong River. Mr.
Indradat walked by himself for 37 days, before being recaptured and
imprisoned until his.release. He stated he never again saw 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 statement concerning your son's
physical condition while they were in common confinement:
) 4; - . 4 1jr /-~4
APPROVED FOR RELEASEL
DATE: 12-Aug-2011
 A/R flu/f fl/C/I
Ref. No. R4BKK-67-103 July 26, 1967
"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, everytime
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 swollen 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 comrad-
ship during the time of our confinement. We tried to make
jokes everyday which diverted our thinking from our plight.
However, frequently each of us would drift into a depressed
state when we thought too much of our loved ones and homeland.
We would usually end up crying to ourselves. No one ever
gave up the idea of escape."
We are sorry that this information is not more encouraging but felt
that it should be provided to you in any case. Should further news
develop we shall advise you as it becomes available.
Very truly yours,
AIR AMERICA, INC.
.n -2,
File
%p( Richard A. Coleman
Personnel Manager
Bangkok...