At the time these documents were originally published, the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) was at a high point. After the Thammasat Massacre of October 6, 1976, brutal repression followed pro-democratic student protesters. Seeking refuge but wanting to continue the political struggle, students from the city fled to the countryside to join the outlawed CPT and its armed struggle.

By 1979, the CPT had an army of 12-14 thousand soldiers according to estimates by the Thai government; the guerrillas occupied more than 40 provinces, having influence over a population of more than 3 million. Despite this surge in recruits, it only took a few short years for the communist forces to be completely neutered.