VOLUNTEERS REGISTERING.




Initials GM/V/AS/PC



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Background: NEARLY 5,000 VOLUNTEERS REGISTERED IN BANGKOK ON TUESDAY FOR SERVICE WITH AN ARMY COMBAT BATTALION THAT THAILAND IS SENDING TO VIETNAM. AMONG THE VOLUNTEERS WERE 20 BUDDHIST MONKS.

REGISTRATION FOR THE 1,000 MAN UNIT BEGAN ON MONDAY AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 15 FEBRUARY. THE BATTALION IS EXPECTED TO LEAVE FOR VIETNAM LATER NEXT MONTH OR IN MARCH AFTER SPECIAL GUERILLA TRAINING.

THE UNIT WILL BE THAILAND'S FIRST COMBAT FORCE IN VIETNAM, ALTHOUGH MORE THAN 300 MEN WERE SENT THERE LAST YEAR AS SUPPORT TROOPS, ALONG WITH TWO TRANSPORT PLANES, A TANK LANDING SHIP AND A COASTAL PATROL VESSEL.