"What Else?"

Though many of Siam's merriest cocktails are quaffed in the rambling palace of big, fun-making Prince Svasti, His Highness can be serious--as befits the father-in-law of the King. In grim earnest last week Prince Svasti discussed the situation facing Siam since diminutive King Prajadhipok staved off a revolution by abdicating as an "absolute sovereign," and, as "constitutional monarch," submitted to de facto rule of Siam by a group of Army officers.

Mournfully over a long drink Prince Svasti said: "The King agreed to the present temporary constitution, which makes him a puppet, solely to prevent bloodshed. We are a buffer state between French Indo-China and British Burma. Civil war in Siam would mean that both the French and English would intervene, ostensibly to protect their nationals. That would be the end of Siam!"

"But has not civil war been averted, Your Highness?" Prince Svasti was asked. Darkly he replied, "The King will not accept any constitution based on group dictatorship. . . ."

Next day up spoke steely-eyed Lyang Pradin, 32-year-old leader of Siam's Group Dictatorship: "Despite reports that King Prajadhipok will refuse to accept the Constitution we feel certain that His Majesty will agree. What else can he do? ... During a ten year transition period we plan, by education and improvement of the position of the masses, to prepare the people for self-government. If England and France leave us alone we will build a new and beautiful country."

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