LAOS, CAMBODIA, VIETNAM, THAILAND ZONE OF CONFLICT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00825R000100320001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 5, 2005
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 14, 1961
• Content Type: IM

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63
Copy No
GEOGRAPHIC
INTELLIGENCE
MEMORANDUM
CIA/RR GM 61-2
14 March 1961
LAOS, CAMBODIA, VIETNAM, THAILAND
ZONE OF CONFLICT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND REPORTS
WARNING
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within
the meaning of the espionage laws, Title 18, USC, Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or
revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
SECRET
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-RDP84:00825R000100320001 0
NORTH
VIETNAM
GULF
OF
TON KIN
NAINN N
SOUTH
VIETNAM
INDOCHINA AND NORTHEAST
THAILAND
SELECTED TRANSPORTATION
ROUTES
ROAD INFORMATION
ro,... (mi. between towns
r RrIB=Year anN.
LAW. Motion,. yew around
with continuing maintenance
LsV,,t,ainzrilboear,roam (Ira
ITSCESN'V.glIbrFtronns
AIRFIELDS
Pierced ....a surface
('1 .r(cTilg7rVocrelateritei
quo= length in hundreds
RAILROAD INFORMATION
i?Oistence (miles, between towns
110'
i?Short Nns per das
RAGROAD
ROAD
TRACK OR TRAG
ROUTE DESIGNATION
--- INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY
? NATIONAL CAPITAL
CANAL
NAVI.BILITY OP MEKONG RIVER
MICoastal...
Launches
7;00 "sue=only'g'iwa'r
Amen native craft Onai
TINA1LAND
2.38 3.61
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ILES OE
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mon
G NoLo
4. es d SesiiebiS
oa
CHARACTERISTICS AND CAPACITIES OF MEKONG FERRIES.
Mekong River, from Sadec north to Kratie, could accommodate up to 25,000 short tons daily
if adequate shipping were available. Navigation between Kratie and Pakse is interrupted by
Khone Falls and therefore is not feasible. From Pakse to Savannakhet, Khemmarat Rapids limit
navigation to the highwater period, July through November. Cargo, however, can be transloaded
to trucks below Khone Falls and moved northward along Route No. 13, paralleling the Mekong.
Fong Khai-Tha Deus (Vientiane) Ferry: TWO double-ended 100-ton steel ferry barges, 20 by 79
feet, with 109-inch draft; towed by 3 tugs; turnabout time 1 hour. Estimated capability 646
short tons per day; 2 mobile 5-ton cranes and 1 fork lift available on Hong Khai side.
hitalicclahan-SinakhetFe: Two new-tYpe OCR B; estimated capability 578 short tons per day.
1,12piall.j1kaLFEEE: Two 20-ton powered barges; estimated capability 288 short tons
per day.
. detailed route information on Laos and North Vietnam; see CIA/PR GM 59-2, 1.,2,2;
For more
for similar information on South Vietnam, see CIA/RR GM 60-2, South Vietnam.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CAPABILITIES OF SELECTED PORTS
2.2.1.B2a: River port for general cargo and PDL. Capacity 9,300 short tons per day; 8,000 linear
feet of berthing; can handle three 500-foot cargo vessels of 29-foot draft. POL tanker berths
with depths of 14 to 37 feet alongside at Nha Be, 10 miles south. Available cranage: 20 cargo
cranes of 1.5-ton capacity; 9 shipyard cranes of 5- to 15-ton capacity.
Da New Seaport for general cargo and POL. Capacity 2,700 short tons per day; 23,000 linear
feet of berthing in inner harbor; limiting depth 15 feet in approach channel to inner harbor;
outer harbor capable of anchoring largest vessel afloat. Available cranage: 5 automotive
cranes of 2.5- to 10-ton capacity.
Bangkok: River port for general cargo and FOL. Capacity 10,200 short tons per day; 83,000
linear feet of berthing; can handle vessels with drafts up to 25 feet. Available cranage:
24 cargo cranes of 2- to 20-ton capacity. Bar at mouth of Chao Phraya River restricts entry
to vessels drawing 25 feet or less.
htphav River port for general cargo. Capacity 3,300 short tons per day; berthage availa-
ble for 1 Standard and 6 small ocean-type cargo vessels, 1 coastal-type cargo vessel, and 2
lighters.
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SE(
SE
:RET
LAOS
ApprovPd
Map Area
Province No. (Sq. Mi.) Population
Attopeu 12 5,100 54,000
Champassak 11 5,100 200,000
Houa Phan 4 6,300 115,000
Keanmouane 8 10,200 155,000
Luang Prabemg 3 14,000 260,000
Namtha 2 5,000 80,000
Phong Saly 1 6,100 65,000
Saravane 10 8,300 160,000
Savannakhet 9 8,400 280,000
Sayaboury 6 7,100 128,000
Vientiane 7 8,000 225,000
Xieng Khouang 5 7,500 117,000
CAMBODIA
Battambang 1 7,162 463,000
Kampot 12 2,189 286,000
Kendal 10 1,446 1,078,000
Koh Kong 16 5,787 40,000
Kompong Cham 7 3,665 657,000
Kompong Chhnang 14 2,066 217,000
Kompong Speu 13 2,626 261,000
Kompong Thom 3 10,328 261,000
Kratie 6 4,106 111,000
Prey Veng 9 1,834 408,000
Purest 15 3,568 146,000
Ratanakiri 5 9,886 29,000
Siem Reap 2 6,158 235,000
Stung Treng 4 3,833 25,000
Svay Rieng 8 1,110 244,000
Takeo 11 1,332 384,000
SOUTH VIETNAM
An Giang 30 3,832 801,477
An Xuyen 37 4,952 276,650
Ba Xuyen 34 5,571 638,913
Bien Hoa 25 1,401 278,390
Binh Dinh 6 9,678 801,743
Binh Duong 22 1,672 293,693
Binh Long 20 2,334 64,931
Binh Tinian 16 4,404 246,320
Binh Toy 17 4,030 314.,083
Con Son (Island) 38 64 4,918
Darlac 9 12,808 140,751
Dinh Tuong 27 2,220 656,003
Gia Dinh 24 705 625,957
Ithanh Hoa 10 5,536 264,157
Kien Giang 36 6,828 435,117
Kien Hoa 32 2,155 540,652
Kien Phong 29 2,614 268,723
Kien Thong 28 2,297 54,333
Kontum 4 11,230 76,067
Lam Dong 15 4,726 59,538
Long An 23 2,331 483,036
Long Khanh 18 2,971 73,973
Ninh Thuan 11 3,498 131,410
Phong Dinh 35 2,500 493,277
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vnomie (Continued)
INDOCHINA
Administrative Divisions,
Military Regions,
and
Population Density
Province boundary
?Z4-07,1ZZ,r,,,
P=Tilitiory-region
* riononel capitol
Persons p.r square mil.
29E07 3-61
Map Area
Province No. (Sq. Mi.) Population
Phuoc Long 14 4,763 39,668
Mune Thank 19 2,947 65,362
Prune Toy 26 2,783 122,130
Phu Yen 8 7,169 5+1,347
Pleiku 7 8,865 120,878
Quang Due 13 5,743 23,678
Quang Ngai ; It:3052 941,630
9
664,821
Quang Nam
Quang Tri 1 4,741 269,347
Tay Sink 21 4,064 283,350
Thua mien 2 4,876 422,493
Tuyen Due 12 4,773 56,107
Vinh Binh 33 2,879 524,861
Viol long 31 1,900 532,705
?
NORTH VIETNAM
Bac Giang 13 1,966 523,352
Bac Kan 4 1,916 85,964
Bac Rink 12 374 520,787
Cao Bang 2 2,532 274,069
Ha Dong 17 598 882,537
Ha Giang 1 2,977 199,229
Ha Nam 19 433 480,039
Ha Tick 26 2,378 689,349
Hai Duong 15 831 894,208
Hai Sink 14 1,143 144,724
Hoa Binh 18 1,494 236,041
Hung Yen 16 299 605,539
Kien An 21 284 442,875
Lang Son 6 2,434 262,956
Lao Kay 7 2,161 102,497
Nam Dinh 23 621 1,027,358
Nghe An 25 6,554 1,221,842
Sink Binh 22 644 459,875
Phu Ito 9 1,468 505,672
Quang Binh 27 3,207 342,569
Son Tel [phone],563
Thai Binh 20 573 1,164,763
Thai Nguyen 5 1,284 290,255
Thank Hoa 24 4,122 1,598,261
Tuyen Quang 3 2,434 154,206
Vinh Phuc Yen 11 763 593,183
Yen Bay 8 3,729 146,924
Autonomous Region
or Special Zone
Hong Quang 29 1,210 171,428
Thai-Men 28 11,722 437,552
Viet Bac.
Vinh Link 30 284 65,514
. Viet Bac Autonomous Region is comprised of
the provinces of Bac Kan (4), Cao Bang (2), Ha
Giang (1), Lang Son (6), Thai Nguyen (5), and
Tuyen Quang (3).
100

Oymux,
aac
f
4509
110
?.99
4
INDOCHINA AND NORTHEAST THAILAND
ETHNIC GROUPS
Density of popuMtMn (people per sq. km)
ItI loose! 2nni 1-In
l4n1
CHINESE-TIBETAN FAMILY
TIBETO-BURMAN GROUP
THAI
Mountain Thai
0-Bonn
0
awk-X04
0
s
OAARMAH6
eacerik(Ca
.8enewm
PO4um
(1. Wm tt,
omeorr(Semos)
Xampl 3 A 34 E B
eay-Xme
oinyiloo v
onmexam.,.
om-Cpumaxopam
MIAO-YAO GROUP
"T"'"EsEGRiiiimonifillif
6. Lahu
7. Akha
8. Nang
10. Thal
,
it. Lao
12. White, Black, and Red Thal
13 Lu, Phouthal, Thai Nem,
and Thai Phong
14. Tho
15. Sang and Nhang
16. Shen
17. Chinese
18. Mian (Mel)
19. Tao (Man)
20. Vietnamese
21. Muong
-KHMER FAMILY
MON Ell 22 Khmer
Mountain Khmer
Man
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31. SB
32. Phuteng (Kha)
33. Khmu
111.11111111110 36. Mon
MALAY 0- POLYNESIAN FAMILY
olgumgp 39. Malay
11110011111 40. Cham
Mountain Chem
40' Ragi'r
nlintilir 42 Jars
43. Rhade
44. Mdhur
45 81ao
Ethnic composition in areas with mixed population
V.!?!-?t,'" Approximately equal
nationality composition
Predominance of another
It nationality
29839 3-61
tET
105
Small proportion of a nationality
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SECRET
The current critical situations in Laos and South Vietnam emphasize the prim-
itive character of the environment of Southeast Asia and the strong influence
exerted by certain physical and cultural elements. In the underdeveloped areas
that have emerged as independent states since the breakup of French Indochina and
in the contiguous Khorat Plateau of Thailand, terrain and climate pose formidable
Obstacles to economic and military activity, and cultural complexity exerts a
divisive influence that would materially hamper the development of national
solidarities..
Terrain
The terrain of the area from the western limits of the Ehorat Plateau to the
coast of the South China Sea forms a pattern of alternating highlands and low-
lands, oriented approximately north-south. In general, movement in the lowlands
is relatively easy, at least during the dry season, but is extremely difficult
in the mountainous areas at all times.
The western border of the Khorat Plateau is formed by a series of steep moun-
tain escarpments, which traditionally has formed an effective barrier between the
plateau and the more economically advanced central lowland of Thailand. As a
consequence, the people of the plateau have been oriented eastward toward the
Mekong River. The surface of the plateau itself is level to undulating and slopes
gently to the south and east, toward the Mekong. Because nearly all of the pla-
teau has local relief amounting to less than 100 feet and slopes of less than 2
percent, the terrain in itself is generally favorable for cross-country mechanized
travel. Movement, however, is likely to be limited by seasonal floods, deciduous
forests of the Region, and the ubiquitous rice-paddy dikes, which may be as much
as 4 feet in height.
The Mekong Valley, which borders the Ehorat Plateau on the north and east,
enters the Region from China and extends southward to the South China Sea. North
of Vientiane, the stream trough is narrow and, in many places, gorgelike; but to
the south the valley becomes much less restricted. Downstream from Vientiane to
the Cambodian border the main plains areas are those surrounding Vientiane and
Savannakhet. The former is some 70 by 30 miles in extent and the latter, 100 by
80 miles. Farther south, at Bassac, the valley opens into the vide Cambodian
plain, which merges with the vast Mekong Delta area. Traditionally, the Mekong
Valley has been a main artery for north-south trade moving on the river and along
Route 13, which parallels the river. The Koone Falls and the Khemmarat Rapids,
however, make through commerical navigation from the lower reaches of the river
to Vientiane impractical; and deterioration of stretches of Route 13 restrict
truck movement, particularly during the rainy season. Locally, the Mekong River
remains a very important nedium for movement, Whether it be north-south along
the river or east-west between Laos and the Khorat Plateau.
Rising from the eastern margin of the Mekong Valley is the great highland
complex that extends like a "backbone" from the Chinese border throughout the
length of Indochina to the margins of the Mekong Delta. This backbone --
comprised of great mountain ranges, large and almost impenetrable limestone
areas, and barren plateaus -- is a definite barrier to movement of all types and
both economically and culturally has remained very primitive. The few east-west
routes that traverse the highland complex follow river valleys -- as in the case
of Route 7, which follows the Song Ca to the Plaine des Jarres -- or cross the
mountains through passes such as the Mu Gia. The only long north-south road
within the highlands is South Vietnamese Route 14 from Olson Thanh to Kontum, which
follows the relatively level surface of the chain Of plateaus between the two
settlements.
East of the highlands and bordering the South China Sea is the coastal lowland,
which extends the length of Indochina. This lowland has been the traditional north-
south route in Vietnam, and it still offers the best longitudinal lines of commu-
nication between North and Sout1rVietnam. Although the coastal plain is generally
level, outliers of the adjoining highlands encroach upon it in places, forming
bottlenecks or natural lines of defense.
* Throughout this memorandum, the term "Region" has been used in a loose sense
to denote those countries that comprised former French Indochina plus the Riorat
Plateau of northeast Thailand, which has been included principally for logistic
reasons. For more detailed geographic information on the individual countries,
see CIA/RR GM 60-4, South Vietnam, 12 October 1960; CIA/RR GM 59-2, Laos, 23
September 1959; and CIA/RR GR 59-2, Northeast Thailand, January 1959.
Approved For Release 2005/08/10 : CIA-RDP84-00825R000100320001-0
Climate
The tropical monsoonal climate, common to the Region, is one of the most re-
strictive of the physical elements. Characterized by a summer rainy season and a
winter dry season, the climate has a strong regulatory effect on the everyday life
of the peasant as well as on military activities.
During the summer rainy season, from about ace until September, torrential
rains swell the rivers and cause flooding over vast land areas. To the peasant
this is the rice growing season, but to those involved in activities dependent on
mechanized transportation it is a season of frustration. Even main roads may be
blocked by washouts, landslides, and missing bridges; and secondary roads fre-
quently become stream beds. Air traffic may be greatly curtailed or completely
grounded by the storms and poor visibility. Away from the primary roads, logis-
tics may be dependent entirely upon transport by coolies or oxcarts.
With the cessation of the rains in September or October, the rivers shrink
and floods recede, the days become clear and relatively cool, and travel con-
ditions are at an optimum. In mountain valleys, however, morning fogs may still
restrict air travel.
In March and April, daily temperatures become excessively high, the ground
parches, and the atmosphere becomes hazy from the combination of dust and smoke
from the fires associated with the "slash and burn" agriculture of the peasants.
The haze may be dense enough to prevent air reconnaissance and supply drops.
1LeaLe
The population of the Region is characterized by ethnographic and related
linguistic complexity (see Map 29839). This complexity is reflected in the
cultural disparities among the different groups -- disparities which are evi-
denced by minor external manifestations such as recognizable differences in
traditional tribal clothing, and serve as deterrents to the achievement of
-national solidarity.
The sophisticated nationals -- the Thai, Laotians, Cambodians (Ehmers), and
Vietnamese -- who control the political and economic reins of their respective
countries live in the densely settled lowland areas (see Map 29837, which shows
population density by province). The many primitive tribal peoples of the
Region are sparsely distributed in the adjoining highlands, where there is a
recognized altitudinal stratification of the different tribal groups. National
boundaries do not effectively separate ethnic groups in the Region, and cultur-
al affinities are likely to outweigh the relatively poorly developed national
loyalties.
In all of the countries, the sophisticated lowland people have regarded the
Upland tribal people with disdain, calling them by such derogatory terms as She
("Slave" in Laotian) or Mei ("Savage" in Vietnamese). Government officials and
members of the upper classes have expected humility and servility from them but
have largely ignored the social and economic needs of the tribal people. This
attitude of superiority, in turn, has engendered among them a feeling of resent-
ment and often antipathy toward the national governments and makes them particu-
larly susceptible to antigovernment propaganda.
Buddhism is the dominant religion of the Region, but it is a Buddhism per-
meated with Animism. The vast majority of the people are spirit worshippers and
are steeped in superstition, even to the official level, where at its worst the
superstition has been reflected in decrees affecting the economies of the coun-
tries. In a lesser vein it has, for example, attributed immortality to the
living rebel leader, Kong Le. In Vietnam the majority of the Buddhists are
eclectic in their belief, following the Confucian ethic in their daily lives.
Roman Catholicism, with some 1-1/2 million adherents in Vietnam, is the largest
non-Buddhist denomination in the Region.
Economy
Agriculture is the dominant economic activity throughout the Region and rice
Is the predominant crop. In the lowlands the peasant engages in the cultivation
of irrigated rice, relying upon both the precipitation and floods of the rainy
season for growing his crop. In the highlands the far more prindtive and precar-
ious "slash and burn" agriculture prevails, and the peasant depends solely upon
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29840 3.61
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precipitation for growing his dry rice. The lowlands generally produce a surplus
of rice for export. -- the Mekong delta region is normally one of the great sur-
plus "rice bowls" of Asia -- but, in the highlands, crop failure and near star-
vation diets are not unknown. Consequently, the lowlands are better able to
support large guerrilla bands, such as the Communist Viet Cong in the Mekong
Delta.
The case of the chronically poverty-stricken Khorat Plateau is unique. Here,
the combination of infertile lateritic soils, an erratic rainfall that is often
too little and too late, and primitive agricultural methods, combined with a
corollary lack of capital to improve techniques, has resulted in frequent crop
failures and misery. The leftist tendencies attributed to the Region may be
traced in part to the restricting influences of the environment itself.
The main mineral resources and modern industrial manufacturing facilities of
the Region are currently found in North Vietnam (see Map 29840). The resources
of the anthracite coalfields developed by the French at Quang Yen, for example,
dwarf those of the South Vietnam deposit at Hong Son. Similarly, the capacity
of the textile plant at Nam Dinh is much larger than the combined capacities of
the two recently completed textile plants in South Vietnam, which have a total
of some 40,000 spindles. The French-developed Haiphong Cement Plant is still
the largest in Southeast Asia. Laos and Cambodia are notably lacking in both
known mineral resources and manufacturing facilities; although, under a Chinese
Communist financial grant, modern factories for the commercial production of
cotton textiles, paper, plywood, and cement are being constructed in Cambodia.
Transportation
In most of the area transportation facilities are inadequate for normal
traffic even during the dry season (see Map 29838). Their inadequacy is ac-
centuated in the rainy season when traffic is greatly curtailed, even on the
main highways. In Laos, which has no rail system, the situation is particularly
acute as is indicated by the seasonal closing by government decree of sections
of the main north-south Route 13. Continuous, heavy military traffic would
rapidly break down most roadbeds in the Region.
Rivers are important arteries of travel throughout the Region. Generally,
their range of navigability and consequently their usefulness is increased by
high water during the rainy season.
Air transport also is extremely important to the Region, particularly for
supplying remote areas. During the rainy season, however, flying conditions
as well as deterioration of landing fields can greatly curtail their utility.
Future Difficulties
Either a negotiated political settlement of the Laotian crisis or an exten-
sion of the fighting would be confronted by the inherent complexities of the
primitive environment. Any political division would almost certainly be trans-
gressed by ethnic affinities. "Escalation" of the fighting, with the use of
larger conventional forces, would involve difficult supply problems, which would
become acute during the rainy season. If the current fighting continues into
the rainy season, guerilla-warfare tactics will almost necessarily predominate.
Both sides will have logistical problems because severe weather will limit both
airdrops and motorized vehicular traffic. In such circumstances, "coolie" and
animal transport will be indispensable.
* The lowland Red River delta area of North Vietnam is a notable exception.
Historically the crops have failed to meet the needs of the dense population,
which has had to import rice.
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