TRANSFER OF ADMIRAL TAHARN AS RESULT OF ARMY-NAVY CLASH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R002700140001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1999
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 21, 1949
• Content Type: REPORT

25X1A9a
CLASSIFICATION
Approved For IR&MLe I$t8 giPP82-00
Y Siam
SUBJECT Transfer of Admiral Taharn as Result of
Army-Navy Clash
PLACE 25X1A6a
ACQUIRED
DATE OF IN
25X1X6
CD NO.
DATE DISTR. '1'
NO. OF PAGES 1
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
1, On 21 larch, Vice Admiral Luang Nfawa Vichitr, accompanied by his entire
family of two Aves and five children, left Bangkok for Sattabipa His reason
for the trip was to forewarn Rear Admiral Taharn Khawhiran not to disregard
the order transferring Taharn from the Marines to the Navy Staff. A refusal
on the part of Taharn would mean a court martial
2. At 21,00 pam. on 23 March, Taharn crossed the Memorial Bridge to Thoriburi to
report to the Navy Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Chalit Nulkamthorn,
3. Phibul is credited with cleverly out-manipulating Vice Admiral Sindhu
Ramonnaivin by winning the Navy commandersa consent to Taharnvs removal.
Phibul further ordered that the transfer be broadcast over the radio, at the
same time secretly hoping that Taharn would disobey the order. To prevent
this eventuality, Admiral Nawa Vichitr was sent as "special envoy" from the
Wavy to Tahaarn to explain the situation
4. During the war years, Phibul, as Supreme Commander of all Armed Forces, once
ordered the retirement of Vice Admiral Luang Nawa Vichitr and Vice Admiral
Luang Sangwprn Tuthakit, who at that time-were organizing the Free Thai
movement. The admirals ignored the order on the grounds that they held their
appointments by Royal Proclamation and Phibul as Supreme Commander had no
jurisdiction over Royal Decree. The admirals further informed Phibul that
if he still wished to effect their retirement he should create himself King
of Siam.
This document is hereby ragrad
CONFIDENTIAL In accords from the
letter of 16 Octobentelligence to the
ctor of Ce
Director
United States.
Archivist
N eview Dato: 2008
CLASSIFICATION
ItlaRB
""V
. .
Approved For Releaa 1999/09/09 : CIA-RDP82-00457R002700140001-0