THE THAI AUTONOMOUS AREA IN COMMUNIST CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91T01172R000200290057-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 17, 2004
• Sequence Number: 57
• Publication Date: April 29, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

o For Re,se 200
I To: TS S C
73.2
C I CE-._OF_ CURS
1g
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
$/07/28 W"ifl T01172R0QA200290057-8
OCI No.3685
Copy No,
29 April 1953
The Thai Nationality Autonomous Area, established by the
Peiping regime in February 1953, is located in the southern part
of Yunnan Province near the Burma-Indochina border (see map),
with the capital at Cheli. The area includes the counties of
Cheli, Fohai, Nanchiao and Chenyueh and parts of the counties of
Ningchiang, Liushun, Ssumao and Chiangcheng, an estimated 7,720
square miles. The Communist press gives the population as
200,000, composed of numerous ethnic groups with a Thai majority.
This Thai Autonomous Area is one of more than 150 such
governments for China's 40 million minority peoples. Following
the Soviet model, these regimes permit the local peoples con-
siderable participation in governmental affairs at a low level,
while all major policies are formulated in Peiping and all im-
portant posts in the government are occupied by Peiping's
appointees.
The Chinese Communists are known to be in complete control
of other 'autonomous' governments in China, and probably have
such control, or are working rapidly toward it, in this newest
one. Although two persons familiar with the area believe that
these primitive and isolated tribal peoples continue to exercise
Approved For Release 2005/07/28 f&1 T01 172R000200290057-8
 Approved For Re Ise 2005/07/28 Wp T01172RO 00290057-8
25X1
an informal autonomy, it is doubtful that they can resist
Peiping?s sophisticated and ruthless techniques of control.
25X1
There has been considerable speculation in recent weeks
as to the role of the Thai Autonomous Government in the Commu-
nist program in Southeast Asia. This speculation emphasizes the
racial identity and cultural affinity of the Thai peoples in
Yunnan, Laos, Vietnam, the Shan states of Burma, and northern
Thailand. The Thai people in the 5th Century had a kingdom
with its capital 300 miles north of the new regime in Yunnan.
Some observers have expressed fear of a Chinese Communist
invasion of Thailand and/or Indochina from the Thai Autonomous
Area. Aside from the unlikelihood of new military ventures
while the Korea truce talks are in progress, it is doubtful
that the Thai Autonomous Area will play a significant role in
Peiping's military plans. The terrain of this region is ex-
tremely unfavorable for major military operations.
2
Approved For Release 2005/07/28f&1 T01 172R000200290057-8
 S 28088200290057-8
Approved For Reiwse 200 /07/28
The Thai Autonomous Area may be expected to serve as a
base for Communist infiltration of surrounding areas, for the
training and dispatching of agents, and for the dissemination
of radio and leaflet propaganda. The Chinese Communists have
been conducting such activity at several points along their
western and southern borders.
The Thai prime minister has stated that Peiping's move was
directed against Thailand and his government is apparently
seriously concerned over the attractions that new regimes may
hold for dissident Thai nationals.
The area may serve as a sanctuary for political refugees
from Thailand and other neighboring countries. A few such
refugees from Thailand, including two persons previously in-
volved in separatist movements in northeastern Thailand and in
plans to unite all Thai peoples in Southeast Asia, are reported
to be in China now.
Reports of the visits of specific dissident leaders to
the Thai Autonomous Area have not been confirmed. The rumor
that one of them will be chosen as head of the Thai Autonomous
Government is believed to be without foundation, as the Commu-
nist world has preferred that leaders of puppet governments
be natives of the area rather than foreign nationals.
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/07/28f&1 T01 172R000200290057-8
 Approved For Rele se 2005/07/28 &W"ifi T01172ROQ9200290057-8
25X1
Several observers have linked the Thai Autonomous Government
to current Viet Minh operations in Laos. The TAG's value to the
Viet Minh will probably be political rather than military. Viet
Minh propaganda, pointing to the Thai Autonomous Area as an
25X1
example of Communist benevolence to minority peoples, is ex-
pected to appear during the next few months.
A popular conjecture is that the Communist world intends
in the near future to proclaim a new state based on the Thai
peoples in Laos, Vietnam, the Shan states of Burma, and north-
eastern Thailand or even the entire area of Thailand. The press
has incorrectly reported a Communist announcement of such an
intention. A Greater Thai State of this type appears to be a
long-range possibility. Such a development would logically be
preceded, however, by a long period of infiltration and propa-
ganda, along the above lines, to enable the Communist world
to judge the feasibility of such a project.
Approved For Release 2005/07/285 UW?l T01 172R000200290057-8