Tales of Ramasun: US Spies in Thailand During the Vietnam War

During the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War, there existed a secret facility in Thailand where brave American spies gathered intelligence on the enemy. Welcome to the Tales of Ramasun, a notorious chapter in the history of espionage. In this article, we delve into the world of US spies stationed at the Ramasun Station and bring to light the untold stories of their covert operations.

Unveiling Ramasun Station

Ramasun Station, located near the city of Udon Thani in northeastern Thailand, served as a vital hub for American intelligence operatives during the Vietnam War. Established in the early 1960s, this secretive facility provided a strategic vantage point for monitoring and gathering data on North Vietnamese activities. From intercepting communications to conducting aerial surveillance missions, the spies deployed here played a crucial role in supporting US military efforts.

Tales of Ramasun (US Spies in Thailand During the Vietnam War Book 1)

by M.H. Burton(Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	506 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	229 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

The Covert Operations

Behind the fortified walls and barbed wire fences of Ramasun Station, a web of clandestine operations unfolded. Deep-cover agents infiltrated enemy lines, extracting valuable information about troop movements, supply routes, and potential targets. These courageous individuals risked their lives daily, facing harsh conditions and the constant threat of discovery. Their stories reveal the dedication and sacrifice of those who served.

Spies of Ramasun

One iconic figure from Ramasun Station was Agent X, a master of disguise who seamlessly blended into Thai society for years. His ability to immerse himself in the local culture and language allowed him to gather vital intel without raising suspicion. Another notable spy was Agent Y, a former military officer with exceptional tactical skills. Deployed on dangerous missions deep inside enemy territory, Agent Y carried out reconnaissance and sabotage operations.

Challenges and Adversities

The life of a spy is filled with risks and challenges, and the operatives at Ramasun Station were no exception. They had to contend with the ever-present danger of exposure and subsequent repercussions. Constantly navigating a complex web of deception, these unsung heroes faced the psychological toll of their double lives. Yet, driven by a sense of duty and patriotism, they persevered, determined to protect their fellow soldiers and ensure the success of American operations.

Legacy and Impact

The contributions made by the spies of Ramasun Station were immeasurable. Their intelligence gathering led to critical breakthroughs in crippling the North Vietnamese supply lines and disrupting their operations. By providing real-time information to military commanders, these spies played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the war. The legacy of their bravery and professionalism lives on, reminding us of the hidden heroes who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

The Shadow of Secrecy

Decades after the Vietnam War, the tales of Ramasun remain shrouded in secrecy. The details of these covert operations are known to only a few. However, historians and researchers continue to piece together fragments of information to shed light on this enigmatic chapter. The testament of the spies who survived embraces the spirit of perseverance and showcases the human side of espionage.

The stories of the US spies at Ramasun Station provide a gripping glimpse into a world of secrecy, sacrifice, and bravery. They remind us of the extraordinary lengths people will go to protect their country and fellow soldiers. Through their daring exploits and unwavering commitment, the spies of Ramasun left an indelible mark on the Vietnam War. Their legacy serves as a testament to the power of human resilience in the face of unimaginable odds.

Tales of Ramasun (US Spies in Thailand During the Vietnam War Book 1)

by M.H. Burton(Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	506 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	229 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

"Tales of Ramasun" is a different kind of Vietnam War story. The kind of war story you may not have heard before, the story of the secret war, the war behind the curtain, the war whose soldiers were sworn to silence. Now is the time for it to come out, before all of the old spooks and spies who participated in it are gone. It is not a 'blood and guts' war story. There were no Rambos at Ramasun. It is a story of brains not brawn. Smart young men...linguists who rode their typewriters into battle, radio men who fought wearing headsets, not steel pots, intelligence anaylsts who teased the secrets our enemies did not wish us to know out of mountains of raw data. Young GIs, most of them dragged unwillingly from civilian jobs, college campuses, or fresh from high school, to fight a strange "Top Secret" shadow war in Thailand, a country most had barely heard of and which was infinitely more remote and exotic then than it is now.

Talk about culture shock! The Thailand of the 1960's was tourist destination to no more than a handful or well-heeled world travelers and a somewhat larger number of hippie wanderers in search of cheap dope and cheap sex. Few of either ever made it beyond Bangkok. Ramasun was definitely not Bangkok. It was 300 miles northeast of Bangkok but it could just has well have been 3,000, in Isaan (ee-sahn),the poorest, most backward, most remote part of the country...a place no guidebooks mentioned, a place the Thai government in Bangkok did it's best to ignore...near the tiny village of Non Sung. Home of the 7th Radio Research Field Station. "Radio Research"? A vague euphemism, a 'cover story' for spying, espionage, and electronic eavesdropping. On who?, you might ask. On everybody. Our enemies the North Vietnamese, the Soviets, the Red Chinese. Some puzzling neutrals, Prince Sihanouk's Cambodia and Burma. Our allies, Thailand and Laos. We spied on them all at Ramasun, the air waves were full of their radio communications and we had everything we needed to do the job. Translator/Interpreters, 'lingies' in Ramasun jargon...Thai, Lao, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Burmese, Chinese, Russian...Radio operators, 'ditty boppers' at Ramasun, and 'TA's', traffic analysts to keep track of who was sending what to who....not to mention all the techies needed to keep out state of the art equipment running.

So now you have the clinical description of Ramasun. The sort of thing you would put in a military unit history. But what of the people behind those cold facts? They were a wild, wacky, rambunctious crew. Never was a military unit short of the M*A*S*H 4077th less military than the 7th. It was not a 'by the book' operation and any officer or NCO who tried to make it one was in for trouble. The 'chain of command' was largely irrelevant to the mixture or Army, Airforce, Marine, and even a few civilians, who staffed Ramasun and whose respect for authority was limited to those who could demonstrate that they knew their specific trade regardless or rank. Clueless Colonels were ignored while Spec 5's who knew their stuff were listened to. All 'lifers' started with two strikes against them. By regular Army or Air Force standards the 7th was a nightmare. Sloppy on the parade ground, hopeless in drills, bad in attitude, but when it came to the mission you couldn't beat the 7th. It got the job done. It may not have looked good while was doing it, but it always got the job done.

A surprising number of men, and even a few women, served at Ramasun during its 10 years of operation between 1966 and 1976. I was one of them from 1968 to 1971. The nine stories in this book are based on my own experiences and on tales told to me by others. I cannot say that they are all strictly true. Fact or fiction I have tried to capture the essence of Ramasun the way it really was, with all the warts on. By the way, Ramasun is the Thai thunder god. It was officially a Thai Base (another 'cover story')