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AKK 184/
13 JU
по 1877)
;.) Please enter 11) Dm. Ree (nava. 3)
Mr. Hayward, FED Mr. Northover, MAED I) Mr. Ling, HKG) BAI
:)
3:20
British Embassy
BANGKOK
Madorent
FAS 184/
8 June 1979
The MacLaren of MacLaren
SEAD
FCO
Dear Ronald,
THAILAND: AIR SERVICES
INDE
14
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in Turn
1. I had a discussion on air services matters the other day with Surapong Posayanond, Second Secretary in the Economic Department of the MFA. We have already reported by telegram on what he had to say about Thailand's attitude to the ICAP proposals.
Several other points came up in or conversation which seem worth reporting.
USA
2. Surapong was attending a meeting later this week in Pattaya with American officials to discuss the opening of Thai International's US routes. These talks have already been reported briefly in the local press, I attach a copy of one report. Surapong told me that the extra points THAI would be asking for were Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, St Louis, Fort Worth and Pago-Pago. They wan- ted to write a large number of points into the agreement although they had no intention of serving that many in the near future.
China
3. Surapong said that Thailand was very concerned not to damage her aviation relations with Taiwan which was a very lucrative route. They, therefore, did not want to be the first ASEAN country to begin air services to China. He thought that the Philippines were near to concluding an agreement with the Chinese. This opinion no doubt reflects how Thai International see the situation but it is quite possible that pressure from the Chinese might lead to a political decision to go ahead with an air ser- vices agreement despite any consequences which this might have for Thai relations with Taiwan.
UK
4.
1
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Surapong said that Thai International would be taking delivery of their first 747 in October. When I asked what route they would be using it on, he said they would be sending it straight to London but I think he was joking.
Yours ever,
Auber
Cc:
A N George
T H Stables Esq, CAIR 1, DOT.
Chancery, Washington
Chancery, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore
BCARFE, Hong Kong
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