ROAD CONDITIONS IN NORTHEASTERN THAILAND

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A003500860005-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 10, 2001
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: February 12, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2002/01/03 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA003500860005-4
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
CONFIDENTIAL/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
25X1A
COUNTRY Thailand REPORT NO.
SUBJECT Road ConditiDns in Northeastern DATE DISTR. 12 February 1954
Thailand
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
PLACE ACQUIRED REFERENCES
25X1X
25X1A
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OP CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. the road from Nongkhai (N 17-52) E 102-42) to Udon (N 17-20, E 102-45) is
the best in the area. In the past four or five months considerable main-
tenance and repair has been done on this road. Several pieces of heavy
earth-moving machinery and three big road-rollers are in continuous use.
It is being widened in: several places, but until it is tarred, a large
force of men will have to work continually to keep it repaired.
2. he road from Udon to Sakon Nakhon (N 17-12, E 104-02) is poor, although
maintenance work is done on it fairly regularly.
3. The road from Sakon Nakhon to Nakon Phanom (N 17-12, E 104-47) is about
as good as the road from Nongkhai to Udon. Traffic is light on this
stretch and there is less need for intensive repair and maintenance.
4. The road from Nakon Phanom to That Phanom (N 16-57, E 104-42) is poor,
but passable in a Jeep.
5. The road from Udon to Korat (Nakon Ratchasima Changwat) (N 15-00, E 102-10)
is narrow but comfortable for a Jeep. It is possible to average 35 miles
an hour, although the pounding would probably break the springs of a less
hardy vehicle. Since the railroad runs from Korat to Udon, there is less
road traffic, especially busses and trucks.
6. From Korat to Lopburi (N 14-48, E 100-37) the road is very poor and little
or no maintenance work is being done. An average of 20 miles an hour is
possible on this section, but only at the cost of punishing the Vehicle and
passengers.
7. From Lopburi to Bangkok for about 30 miles the road'is tarred and in excellent
condition. From the end of the tarred section to a point about ten miles out
of Bangkok, the road is dirt and in fair condition and repair. Macadamizing
CONFIDENTIAL/CONTROL U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
 Approved For Release 2002/01/03 : CIA-RDP80-00810A003500860005- 25X1A
CONFIDENTIAL/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
is being done on parts of this stretch, but it is only partially completed.
The route has been considerably improved in the past two years, especially
the bridges.
8. A recent trip by jeep was made in two days from Nongkhai to Bangkok, the
first day from Nongkhai to Korat and the second day from Korat to Bangkok.
The driving time for each day was ten hours.
Gasoline is available in every town of any size; this elminates the necessity
of carrying extra gasoline.
10. Although the route is called a military road and is supposedly being main-
tained for possible use by army equipment and vehicles, it would become
practically impassable after a week of use by military trucks, since the base
is mostly gravel and crushed stone.
CONFIDENTIAL/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2002/01/03 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA003500860005-4