LAOS-THAILAND FLUVIAL BOUNDARY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000300060018-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 14, 2012
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: March 12, 1969
• Content Type: CABLE

ORIGIN/ACTION
? ? - Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/16: CIA-RDP08001297R000300060018-6
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A-129
NO.
LIMI1ED WhICIAL USE
TO Department of State
FOR RM .USE ONLY
'HANDLING IN'01. A TOR
INFO Amembassy VIENTIANE, TOKYO (for Bradley
FROM
SUBJECT:
REF
Amembassy BANGKOK
Laos-Thailand Fluvial Boundary
CA-855, February 10, 1969
Introductory Note:
DATE: March 12, 1969
The recommendations of this comminication were reached as a result of dis-
cussions in Bangkok among the Geographic Specialist for the East Asia area
(Bradley), the USATOPOCOM (formerly ANS) Representative to the RTSD (Borland),
Bangkok's Army Attache, a member of the Regional Development staff (who deals
with Mekong Committee matters), and the reporting officer. Also, this air-
gram has the concurrence of Embassy Vientiane, and should be considered a
joint Vientiane/Bangkok reply to CA-855, February 10, 1969.
Recommendations:
I. The question of the differences in the delineation of the fluvial
boundary between Laos and Thailand should not be raised with either govern-
ment at the present time, although we recognize it may be raised with us
at the technical level at Thai initiative.
2. The appropriate channel for such technical discussions regarding this
matter on the part of the USG should continue to be the USTOPOCOM Repre-
sentative to the RTSD.
3. USATOPOCOM should continue its present course of action, i.e., continue
using the terms of the 1926 treaty in recasting and revising the existing
L708 series to complete the updated series identified as L7017.
Enclosure: Memorandum from AMS LNO 1
to LTG Somboon Vichitranja
Excluded from automatic decontrol
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
4 ? DS-323
POL FJTa :3/10/69
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/16: CIA-RDP08001297R000300060018-6
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/16: CIA-RDP08001297R000300060018-6
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Page 2 of
Bangkok's A- 129
4. Should the RTSD persist in maintaining its present mapping position, and
should RTSD succeed in gaining support at higher RTG echelons so that it, appears
that position ?is likely to become the official policy of the Thai Government,
we should remind the RTSD through USATOPOCOM that this is a matter to be discussed
between the RTG and the RLG. Such discussions could lead to negotiations on a
permanent change in the alignment of the Lao-Thai fluvial boundary; at any rate,
the USG -would necessarily assume the position of "disinterested spectator" pre-
pared, however, to render impartial technical advice to both the RTG and RLG
at their request.
5. Keeping in mind the fact that the construction of the proposed Pa Mong dam
May radically change the thalweg of the Mekong along much of the. Thai-Lao border,
such discussions might better be postponed until negotiations for the establish-
ment of an international authority to administer the Pa Mong, or more appropriately
be made a part of these negotiations.
Predication:
The above recommendations are predicated upon the following Premises and infor-
mation:
a) There are indications that RTSD objections to the recast and revision
of the L708 series may reflect only the feelings of the RTSD Director (LTG Somboon
Vichitranuja who has been Director since May 1965). If suggestions develop that
the RTG sUP'ports this position, our agreed method of proceeding (4 above) will
remind the RTG that this is a bilateral RTG-RLG Problem and thus indicate that
we do not intend taking initiatives which would, in effect, cast the USG in the
role of middleman between the two governments.
b) We believe the Thai-French boundary treaty- of 1926 is controlling and
that the 1931 1:25,000 series of the "Franco-Siamese Permanent High Commission
for the Mekong" is the standard compilation source. The RTG has made no known
official repudiation of the provisions of the 1920 treaty and no categorical
statement which would cast doubt as to its applicability. Neither has the RTG
made any showing that the recommendations of the Franco-Siamese Commission of
Conciliation of 1947 were ever approved by the implied higher- authority. (NOTE:
We have procurred the loan of a complete copy of the Commission's report of
June 27, 1947, a copy of which will be forwarded as soon as reproduction is
completed. We will continue discreet inquiry as to the legal competence, para-
meters and effects of that body.)
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/16: CIA-RDP08001297R000-300060018-6
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Bangkok's A- 129
c) Mr. Borland believes that themapping position of the RTSD is that
of the agency alone and does not yet represent an .offiCial RTG position,
although RTSD may be attempting to obtain support for the position at higher;
echelons of the RTG Under pressure from the RTSD to explain the-diacrepail-
cies between the L708 and recast L7017 series, Borland addressed a memorandum
to the Director in late November 1968. In the operative portion he advised
the.. Director that "Thailand is bound by the same treaty, i.e. the treaty of-1926 that the United States considers authoritative" and that the report of
the Franco-Siamese Commission of Conciliation dated '27 June 1947 ".:.ia':not
officially recognized by national Authorities and cannot be used." A copy of
the memorandum is included as an enclosure to-this airgram. That there has
been no reply and no further .pressure from the RTSD Director for ,over two
months may indicate that he has not yet received support from higher RTG
echelons. Borland will continue to report on the attitudes Of the RTSD and
to consult with the Embassy.
UNGER
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/16: CIA-RDP08001297R000300060018-6
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/16: CIA-RDP08001297R000300060018-6
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ANS LNO I
Pagolof
Enclosure .q")
Bangkok's 129
MEMORANDUM TO: LTG Somboon Vichitranjua 27 November. 1968
Director Royal Thai Survey Department
SUBJECT: Delineation of Thailand Laos Boundary in Mekong River'
on Large Scale Maps
1. In preparing for the recast and revision of the existing L708sseries
to create an updated series now to be identified as series L7017, .a review
of the Thailand Laos boundary delineation was made. This review revealed
that major discrepancies in boundary delineation occurred along certain
sectors of the Thailand Laos boundary which concerned coverage on the
Mekong River.
2. The differences noted occur when comparing the L708 series with the
Mekong 1:25,000 series of maps which Were compiled as a result of the treaty
of 1926. This treaty directed the establishment of the Haute Commission
Permanente Franco-Siamoise de Delimitation du Mekong who directed the Com-
pilation of the Trace de la Ffontiere Franco-Siamoise du Mekong 1:25,000
Scale which were published in 1931, and are recognized by the US Department
of State as the recommended Source authority for the Thailand Laos boundary
delineation,.
3. In a letter to ANS dated August 2, N'o. MD0308/3707 RTSD did not airee
with certain adjustments indicated on L708 series sheets in preparation
for the L7017 series. 'These boundary adjustments were made with direCt
reference to the Mekong 1:25,000 series which the US State Departmenthas
indicated as the authoritative source,
4.. Unfortunately in the preparation 'of the original L708 series sheets
proper boundary reviews apparently Were not performed and some boundafy
delimitations were shown in error. These errors undoubtedly occurred due
to the urgency With which both the U.S. and Thai personnel were faced in
meeting that Mapping requirement. The reasons or responsibility are of no
real importance?now, what is'importantis that the errors now recognized
must be corrected in any future work performed.
5. In addition to correspondence that RTSD has had directly with ANS on
the question' of boundary alignment I have corresponded wfth ANS. on two
occassions, 23 and 30 September, results of which were further discussion
of the Thailand Laos boundary situation with members of the US State Depart?
ment and AMS; however, their decisions did not differ from that originally
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Page 2 of
Enclosure to
Bangkok's A-129
given and portrayed by AMS On the copy provided to RTSD. In addition it
was pointed out that the Royal Thai Government had Accepted the terms of.
the 1926. agreement and considered that it is bound by these terms just as
is the.U.S Government, In my correspondence to ANS I made reference
to a Report of the Franco Siamese Commission of conciliation dated 27 June
1947. This report recommended that the boundary be established in7the
principal navigable channel in all seasons of the Mekong RiVer. This
seemed to be a more equitable delineation of the Thailand boundary by some
members of your staff but unfortunately this report is not officially
recognized by national authorities and cannot be used., :To conclude I feel
that Since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that Thailand is
bound by the same treaty i.e the treaty of 1926 that the United. States
considers authoritative; there is no real recourse by RTSD or ANS thanto
show the boundaries as corrected and indicated on prints of the L708 serieS'.
(Signed) WILFRED W. BORLAND
ANS LNO
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Declassifiedand-Approved For Release 2012/11/16: CIA-RDPO8C01297R006300670-018-6