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CONFIDENT IAL
BRITISH EMBASSY,
BANGKOK.
29 April, 1968.
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A brief line to record that the Governor of Hong Kong passed through Bangkok on his way to London on 24 April. He was good enough to give a press conference on his arrival at the airport, where he dealt to everybody's satisfaction with questions relating to rice, the security situation in Hong Kong, the drug problem, and Hong Kong's economic position.
2.
I subsequently took him to call on the Minister of Finance, who was at the time acting as Minister for Economic Affairs. There was a very friendly discussion of the same topics, and Dr. Sern gave satisfactory assurances regarding the supply to Hong Kong of Thai rice. I enclose a press cutting which records what the Ministry of Economic Affairs subsequently put out on the subject. You will see that one of the points made on the Thai side was the need for Hong Kong, wherever possible, to regulate its purchases and try to keep them on a fairly steady level. Sir David Trench explained that whereas this was clearly desirable, it was easier said than done because the trade was of course in private hands. He explained however that Mr. Luddington would be visiting Bangkok shortly, and he asked me to convey a request to Mr. Luddington (which I am telegraphing separately) to deal with this point in the talks Mr. Luddington will be having with the Thais here on 2 May.
3. I subsequently took the Governor to call on Prince Wan, the Acting Prime Minister. The latter was most friendly but the reverse of voluble. Sir David made a graceful and helpful reference to the value placed by Hong Kong on supplies of Thai rice. He also expressed willingness to give assistance in police training matters, should the Thai police wish to send any of their people to Hong Kong for this purpose. Prince Wan was gratified by this offer but made no specific response to it.
4.
Before leaving for London Sir David met at my house Prince Ajavadis Diakul, a prominent Thai banker, with his wife H.R.H. Princess Siriratana; and Mom Luang Birabhongse Kasensri, the Thai Foreign Minister's private Secretary.
T.A.K. Elliott, Esq.,
office of the Political Adviser,
HONG KONG,
CONFIDENTIAL
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