 It's time for the Lawn Jean Chronoscope, a television journal of the important issues of the hour brought to you every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, a presentation of the Lawn Jean Wittner Watch Company, maker of Lawn Jean, the world's most honored watch, and Wittner, distinguished companion to the world-honored Lawn Jean. Good evening. This is Frank Knight. May I introduce our co-editors for this edition of the Lawn Jean Chronoscope? Larry Lassur from the CBS television news staff and Francis W. Carpenter of the Associated Press. Our distinguished guest for this evening is Thanat Koeman, Minister of Plenipotentiary of Thailand, and its acting permanent representative to the United Nations. There'll be no news to anyone that the crisis in Indochina is getting warmer. But Secretary of State John Foster-Dulles has said that one of the musts before there can be United action in Southeast Asia is moral sanctions by the United Nations. Well, little Thailand has asked the United Nations to send a peace patrol there to warn against possible invasion of their country. Mr. Koeman, this is the first time that any move has been made in the United Nations regarding the Indochinese war. Now, could you tell us first just why you think your country is in danger? Well, I would be very glad to explain. As you may know, the fighting have been going on for several years in Indochina. But up to very recent time, that is to say up to 1953, did we begin to feel that the danger was very close to us and may affect us? When I said in April 1953, because the Vietnamese at that time came very close to our border. And in December 1953, they took a town in Indochina in Laos more exactly, which is exactly across the border of Thailand. And as you may know, the Vietnamese forces are very strong. They number in three or four divisions supported by other units and they have very new equipment supplied from outside. When the Vietnamese came as close as to our border, of course, we began to feel that they may not stop there and may want to make incursions into our territory. And that is the reason why my government thought a few months ago of bringing this question before the United Nations. In other words, there's no question of there being a civil war within your country, but it actually is the danger of a foreign invasion. Exactly, Mr. Lister. Well, Mr. Coleman, isn't there a danger of infiltration among all the people coming across the border from Laos and Cambodia? What about the communist menace inside Thailand? The danger of infiltration certainly exists because we have in Thailand about 60,000 refugees who came from Vietnam, from Indochina. And of course, the refugees were accepted by my government on humanitarian ground. But we must not forget that they belong to the same race as the Viet Minh. And there may be occasions or there may be people who may feel inclined to be subjected to the propaganda of the Viet Minh. You've received support in the United Nations so far from the United States, Turkey, and Nationalist China, and other countries. Are you satisfied at this date with the support you've received and your appeal for help? We are very much gratified and grateful for all the support that we have received, especially from the government and officials and the people of the United States. And also we have received support from some other countries. This morning, the representatives of New Zealand, Turkey, Brazil, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, of course, have spoken in our favor. Mr. Koman, I have an indelible memory of seeing your Thai troops in action alongside the United States troops in Korea during one of the coldest winters there. But can you tell us something about the Thai army itself? Could it defend Thailand at all? Is it large enough? We don't have a very strong force because our economy would not allow us to support a very strong military force. But I think we have a good-sized force and in Korea our troops have behaved themselves very well. From what I learned from your generals, especially General Van Vliet, he told me personally that he was very satisfied with our troops who combated extremely well. Are your troops still in Korea? They are still there, Mr. Lusser. I think the average American has a high admiration for what your troops did in Korea and the fact that Thailand was the first to come to our assistance in Korea. What support do you get from the average American? Have you heard anything from anybody inside the United States in this Indo-Chinese case? Well, up till now, we have received a general support, especially from the press. I think the press represents the public opinion of the country and the fact that the press is in our favor has supported us. This shows that the public in this country is now favored. Of course, we receive a number of letters from individuals who also give us the sympathetic support. Mr. Khoman, there's a great deal of talk in this country that you may have heard of that we must draw a line somewhere in Asia over which communist imperialism must not pass. Now, do you think that Thailand itself has been given the title of the line over which communist imperialism must not go? I would like to think of a line. If there should be a line, that line should be exactly on the border of the communist state and not on the border of some other state. That is our feeling, because we have seen in the past, in Europe, during the last war, how great the danger was to try to draw up a line. I think if there should be a line, it should be exactly at the border of the communist state and not anywhere else. Incidentally, sir, I know that you have been infiltrated from Laos and Cambodia, which are really on the front line now of the Indo-Chinese war, but one does hear a great deal of talk to the intent that it's too late to save Laos and Cambodia. Do you feel that way? I don't feel that way at all, and I must say that to say that something is late, I believe it's a critics that we give for not doing a thing or for not wanting to do a thing that we should do or that our obligation, whether moral or physical or intellectual, imposes on us. So we wouldn't think that it is too late to do anything. Well, in connection with being too late, also there is sometimes the charge that some people don't have the will to fight. What about the will of the entire people to fight? Mr. Carpenter, I would like to say only that my country has been independent all along. We have never been subjected to foreign domination, and I can assure you that no one in Thailand would like to lose this freedom and independence. The fact that our troops in Korea have fought as well as any other troops of the allied countries which sent their troops in Korea show that our troops can do a good job in defending our country, provided that they have the means and the support from all our friends and allies. Mr. Kohmanar, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles said that one of the musts before there could be United Action in Southeast Asia, and of course he was referring especially to the United States, was that we must not be fighting for colonialism. Now, your little kingdom is certainly a free country. It's never been invaded so far as I know. Now do you feel that the action of Thailand in asking for this peace patrol to be sent there is a symbol of the movement of the free countries of Asia against the new imperialism from the communist states? Well, Mr. Rousseau, to come back to the fact that my country has been independent and free all along, is a guarantee that we would never accept colonialism or imperialism whether in the new or in the old form. And the fact that my country has preserved its independence I think should also be a guarantee that we would never like to be subjected to foreign domination. And the fact that we bring our case before the United Nations is a guarantee that we intend to take every steps, every measure to preserve our freedom and independence and also to help keep peace and security in the region and to help keep freedom and independence for all our neighbors. Mr. Coman, there has been some talk that the communist-led forces in Indochina are receiving active military help and assistance from the Chinese communists. Do you know anything about that, sir? Can you tell us anything about that? Well, we in Thailand, of course, have no direct information but I'm sure that the people who are fighting against the communists in Indochina I'm referring to French, Indochina must have direct information about that and if I remember well, the military command in Indochina has made announcements about supplies being sent from outside to the Viet Minh forces. Well, Mr. Coman, we're talking about your symbolizing the leadership of the free countries of Asia Do you actually expect support from the other free countries of Asia like Burma and India? Well, I think there is a very good reason that the countries which are close to the danger are alive to the danger and I'm quite sure that our neighbors such as Burma should be conscious and alive to the danger and when the time comes I'm sure that they will do everything that is in their command to take up the stand as we have taken. Well, Mr. Coman, may I ask you this question? I know that you received the support verbally of the United States in the United Nations Do you expect the complete support of the United States in holding on to the independence of your country? Well, we are firmly convinced that the United States will lend us not only moral support but material support and support in every other way We have seen that in the United Nations, the United States representative Ambassador Lodge has made a very strong speech in our favor and we can remember also that the Secretary of State, Mr. Dulles, has also made a similar speech. Thank you very much, Mr. Coman. Bad to have you here tonight. The opinions expressed on the Laun Jean Chronoscope were those of the speakers. The editorial board for this edition of the Laun Jean Chronoscope was Larry Lusser and Francis W. Carpenter. Our distinguished guest was Sonnet Coman, Minister of Plenipotentiary of Thailand and its acting permanent representative to the United Nations. The worldwide reputation of Laun Jean watches was not made in a day nor in a decade. It's been building for close to a century. Yes, since 1866, Laun Jean has continually made watches of the highest character only and has acquired along the way the highest skills and the highest honors ever achieved by any watchmaker. Ten World's Fair Grand Prizes, twenty-eight gold medals, highest honors for accuracy in observatory competitions and a position of leadership in sports, aviation and in science. Now in these magnificent Laun Jean watches of today, discriminating men and women may find all the qualities which they seek in a fine watch. Perfect timekeeping, superb appearance, unique prestige and reputation. And may I suggest that if you wish to buy for yourself or as an important gift, just about the finest watch made anywhere in the world, your choice might well be Laun Jean, the world's most honored watch. And yet you may buy and own or proudly give a Laun Jean watch for as little as 7150. And if you pay the price of a Laun Jean, insist on getting a Laun Jean, the world's most honored watch, the world's most honored gift, premier product of the Laun Jean Witner Watch Company. Since 1866, maker of watches of the highest character. This is Frank Knight reminding you that Laun Jean and Witner watches are sold and serviced from coast to coast by more than 4,000 leading jewelers who proudly display this emblem. Agency for Laun Jean Witner Watches.