UK, France should press Thai PM on rights, to end military rule - group

[webfact]

UK, France should press Thai PM on rights, to end military rule - group

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha gestures during a news conference after a weekly cabinet meeting at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, January 9, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/Files

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Britain and France should highlight deteriorating human rights in Thailand when its prime minister visits this month and they should make clear there will be no "business as usual" until he holds a fair election, a rights group said on Monday.

 

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army chief who ousted an elected government in a 2014 coup, has promised to restore democracy but has pushed back the date for a vote several times, while refusing to tolerate dissent.

 

British Prime Minister Theresa May and President Emmanuel Macron of France should "strongly express their deep concerns about the deteriorating state of human rights", Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

 

"They should make clear to General Prayuth that there will be no return to business as usual until Thailand holds free and fair elections, establishes a democratic civilian government, and improves respect for human rights," he said.

 

A general election is now due in February, the government says.

 

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd defended Thailand's record, saying authorities were very respectful of rights.

 

"Right now, Thailand respects human rights no less than any other country," Sansern told Reuters.

 

Thailand's Western allies criticised Prayuth's 2014 coup, which followed a decade of political turmoil that has brought two coups and bloody street protests.

 

The military banned political gatherings and protests after it took power and has taken tough action against dissent.

 

The European Union put relations on hold after the coup but in December resumed political contact "at all levels".

 

The EU is Thailand's third-biggest trading partner after China and Japan. Thailand is the EU's third-largest trading partner in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

Prayuth will meet May in London on June 20, before he heads to France for a trip that includes a stop at Airbus in the city of Toulouse.

 

Prayuth and Macron are due to preside over the signing of an agreement between Thai Airways and Airbus to open an aircraft maintenance and repair hub at the civil-military U-Tapao Airport, southeast of Bangkok, Prayuth's office said.

 

Thailand will also finalise the purchase of a $215 million observation satellite from Airbus, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak told Reuters.

 

The satellite will have multiple uses, the government has said, including for agriculture and national security.

 

(Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-06-18

[nikmar]

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd defended Thailand's record, saying authorities were very respectful of rights.

 

"Right now, Thailand respects human rights no less than any other country," Sansern told Reuters.

 

Bare faced lie!!!!

[DM07]

"Right now, Thailand respects human rights no less than any other country," Sansern told Reuters.

 

Please, Khun Sansern, khrup...tell us, what you think, human rights are?!

Because if they are the same human rights that I know, you damn well do a lot of things - "protecting them" is not one of them!

[z42]

And this is the shit show that is current practice for international diplomacy.

Nobody will even touch upon the appalling human rights situation in Thailand. All govts worldwide truly care about is economic benefits.

 

I can only hope Prayuth gets a hot reception by activists on the ground as anything more simply won't happen.

[sammieuk1]

Is PM the right title for an unelected junta general might also be a question.

[hansnl]

34 minutes ago, nikmar said:

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd defended Thailand's record, saying authorities were very respectful of rights.

 

"Right now, Thailand respects human rights no less than any other country," Sansern told Reuters.

 

Bare faced lie!!!!

Maybe he should comment about the hugely undemocratic European Union?

[hansnl]

30 minutes ago, z42 said:

And this is the shit show that is current practice for international diplomacy.

Nobody will even touch upon the appalling human rights situation in Thailand. All govts worldwide truly care about is economic benefits.

 

I can only hope Prayuth gets a hot reception by activists on the ground as anything more simply won't happen.

The appalling human rights situation in Thailand?

Really?

[nikmar]

2 minutes ago, hansnl said:

Maybe he should comment about the hugely undemocratic European Union?

maybe he should, but what has that to do with the human rights situation in Thailand.

[Eligius]

"Right now, Thailand respects human rights no less than any other country," Sansern told Reuters."

 

Well, even by Thai standards, this lie is ASTONISHING in its magnitude and idiocy.

 

Just to take one point: so Thailand allows groups of five people to criticise the junta in public, without any negative repercussions, does it?

 

And let us not even go anywhere near a certain wonderful Law (which I will not name - my enforced silence alone speaks volumes) which blocks ALL criticism of a certain kind  ...

 

 

 

Edited June 18, 2018 by Eligius

[Aussie999]

52 minutes ago, DM07 said:

"Right now, Thailand respects human rights no less than any other country," Sansern told Reuters.

 

Please, Khun Sansern, khrup...tell us, what you think, human rights are?!

Because if they are the same human rights that I know, you damn well do a lot of things - "protecting them" is not one of them!

It is the "human" right of this "PM" to dictate his will to all.

[webfact]

France, UK leaders urged to upbraid Prayut on trip

By POLITICAL DESK 
THE NATION

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

Junta’s human rights record and election delays to draw flak in Europe.

 

WHILE Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is hoping to use his trip to the United Kingdom and France starting tomorrow to seal economic deals and garner international recognition of his regime, he might also have to endure a lecture from leaders about human rights and democracy, thanks to the efforts of campaigners and exiled Thai dissidents. 

 

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the leaders of two European countries to press the Thai junta chief for a rapid transition to democratic civilian rule.

 

General Prayut, who also heads the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), is scheduled to meet with UK Prime Minister Theresa May in London tomorrow and French President Emmanuel in Paris Macron next Monday. 

 

“Prime Minister May and President Macron should strongly express their deep concerns about the deteriorating state of human rights under military rule in Thailand,” said Brad Adams, Asia director of HRW. 

 

“They should make clear to General Prayut that there will be no return to business as usual until Thailand holds free and fair elections, establishes a democratic civilian government and improves respect for human rights.”

 

The UK and France are among major trade allies of Thailand to repeatedly state that bilateral relations will only be normalised when democracy is fully restored through free and fair elections.

 

“Prime Minister May and President Macron should recognise that the UK and France stand to benefit far more from a partnership with a country that respects human rights and rule of law, HRW said yesterday. 

 

“Business deals should not come at the expense of serious discussions on human rights and the junta’s tightening grip on power,” Adams said. “The UK and French governments need to press the junta to end repression so that Thailand can move towards democratic civilian rule.”

 

In addition to government leaders and senior officials, Prayut is also scheduled to meet with businesspeople, including company executives.

 

It was reported that the junta leader might encounter anti-junta protesters living in the UK and France. Among them are those living in exile because of political repression at home.

 

The Facebook page “Kon Thai UK” has pinned a post calling on Thai nationals in Europe to join a demonstration against the Thai junta tomorrow and Thursday, when Prayut is in London. They planned to hold up placards in front of a hotel where the Thai PM is scheduled to give a speech on “Transforming Thailand”. 

 

The activities are said to be led by Giles Ungpakorn, a Thai academic living in self-exile in the UK after being charged under the lese majeste law in Thailand years ago.

 

Spectre of Yingluck 

 

Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whose government was toppled by Prayut in 2014, has been repeatedly sighted in London but it remains unclear whether the Thai junta chief will raise the issue of her residence in discussions with his British counterpart. 

 

Prayut’s European trip became possible due to Brexit and the European Union’s softened stand for political engagement at all levels with the Thai military government. 

 

Those travelling with Prayut include Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, PM’s Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakul, Finance Minister Sonthirat Sonthijirawongse and Industry Minister Utama Sawanayon.

 

According to government spokesman Weerachon Sukondhapatipak, the group will arrive in London early tomorrow and will first meet with executives of major Thai companies operating in the UK. Prayut is to meet with UK Prime Minister Theresa May in the afternoon. 

 

On Friday, Prayut is scheduled to meet with Guillaume Faury, chairman of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, at the company’s office in France’s Toulouse.

 

The PM is to meet with Thai businesspeople, state officials and the Thai expat community on Saturday. His meeting with executives of French large companies interested in investing in Thailand is scheduled for Monday.

 

Prayut is scheduled to meet with French leader Macron at the presidential palace in Paris next Monday. They are to witness the signing of a joint venture company principles agreement between Airbus and Thai Airways, as well as the purchase of a Theos II satellite between Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency and Airbus Defence & Space SAS.

 

The PM and his team are scheduled to arrive back in Thailand next Tuesday.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30348060

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-19

[The Old Bull]

Western countries are tripping over themselves to deal with the Saudie's. Compared  to them Thailand looks good so obviously they care only about the money. Whores the lot of them.

[smedly]

what bothers me is the fact that Thai companies and individuals can buy up whatever they want in the west and yet this protectionist country basically denies access, it has a profound effect on monetary policy, the same goes on in China but could be coming to an end, the inflated baht is kept there for a reason and it is sinister

[Samui Bodoh]

If the EU, the UK and/or France can wipe that... loathsome, putrid smirk off his face, even for a few minutes, I will be eternally grateful. It is the facial expression which most closely resembles the idea of semi-moist vomit drying on a dirty sidewalk.

 

It is the least tolerable aspect of the entire regime.

 

 

Edited June 18, 2018 by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The PM is to meet with Thai businesspeople, state officials and the Thai expat community on Saturday. His meeting with executives of French large companies interested in investing in Thailand is scheduled for Monday.

he will wear his fake smile, make empty promises , make a few business deals that will not be contingent on improvements in the noted items hereinabove and return here and announce huge success 

[baboon]

No wonder he is in such a bad temper all the time. He obviously needs to come out of the closest and ditch politics for interior design or interpretive dance...

Edited June 19, 2018 by baboon

[BobbyL]

Prayuth will urge all parties concerned to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. 

[tracker1]

He is so full of himself he won't take anything in from either the French or the English or anyone else to that matter ! el supremo

[Lupatria]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

A general election is now due in February, the government says.

They forgot to tell the folks they expect a February in every year in their planned reign of 20 years.

[Anak Nakal]

If EU have principle, then speak.

If no principle, then quiet.

I hope principle.

[VocalNeal]

..and Thailand should lecture UK, France on their immigration policies/Brexit/whatever. 

 

What Thailand does is Thailand's business as is what the UK does is UK's business.  NGO's have to spout off every now and again to justify their salaries. Nothing more. Of course they could always get a real job? But that would be terribly inconvenient.

[brewsterbudgen]

Maybe he should comment about the hugely undemocratic European Union?

Perhaps you're unaware, but the European parliament is democratically elected.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[BritManToo]

28 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

What Thailand does is Thailand's business as is what the UK does is UK's business.

What the UK does is Brussels business, as far as I can see.

[Eric Loh]

So refreshing to know that there are Thais abroad who will organize themselves to protest in UK and maybe France and the NCPO can't do anything about them. I hope that they have numbers and the foreign media pick up on that and give them wide publicity and highlight the junta's suppression of human rights and denying election.

[HHTel]

Quote

I am a soldier, not a politician, and that the military government would remain only as a caretaker regime until new elections, which would be announced when the situation was normalised.

8 years later this guy was overthrown and sent into exile.

Who?  Idi Amin Dada!

[hansnl]

5 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

If the EU, the UK and/or France can wipe that... loathsome, putrid smirk off his face, even for a few minutes, I will be eternally grateful. It is the facial expression which most closely resembles the idea of semi-moist vomit drying on a dirty sidewalk.

 

It is the least tolerable aspect of the entire regime.

 

 

Oh dear.

[BobbyL]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

So refreshing to know that there are Thais abroad who will organize themselves to protest in UK and maybe France and the NCPO can't do anything about them. I hope that they have numbers and the foreign media pick up on that and give them wide publicity and highlight the junta's suppression of human rights and denying election.

I imagine they will release some beautifully staged scenes with some Thais waving flags and cheering as Prayuth waltzes around London and Paris. 

[marko kok prong]

This trip is just a ruse,Big joke will be among the party,and will seize the woman who upset the Pm online .No doubt he will bust a few call centre's too.

[Bangkok Barry]

If the UK and France are serious about making a stand over human rights and democracy, here are a couple of suggestions:

Ban all citizens from those countries from visiting Thailand.

Ban all imports of Thai goods, which far outweigh trade in Thailand's direction.

 

Will they take action, any at all, instead of saying "It would be really nice if Thailand could...." No, I don't think so.

[Srikcir]

4 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Ban all citizens from those countries from visiting Thailand.

Likely unconstitutional.

But can ban all Thais from visiting the EU, except those entering with a non-Thai passport and those seeking asylum.

That would affect the pillars of Thai society.

Will Thailand date to retaliate by banning all EU country citizens from visiting Thailand?