A Special Relationship: The United States and Military Government in Thailand, 1947-1958. This absorbing book provides the most comprehensive analysis of the critical founding period of the Thai-American alliance, 1947 to 1958. It reveals surprising new information on joint covert operations in Indochina, American support for suppression of government opponents, and CIA involvement in Thai domestic politics.  The author also analyses American policy towards SEAsia during this time, in relation to the outbreak of the Korean War, Eisenhower's Vietnam policy in 1954 and covert military operations in Indochina.