Prayut hails EU visit a success after talks on big business deals

By THE NATION

 

 

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha returned home from his trip to Europe yesterday after French President Emmanuel Macron called for Thailand to return to democracy.
 

Prayut hailed his meetings with Macron and UK Prime Minister Theresa May a success after discussing business deals.

 

The junta chief had been barred from visiting the European Union after he staged a military coup to topple an elected civilian government in 2014.

 

The EU softened its stance in December last year to resume political engagement with Thailand at all levels. The Foreign Affairs Council of the EU said it would gradually resume political engagement since Prayut had promised that an election would be held in November this year. 

 

However, the election has been delayed, with no firm date yet established. 

 

 

A meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and representatives of political parties on Sunday discussed the possibility of holding the next election between late February and early May of next year. 

 

In his meeting with Prayut in Paris, Macron called for a “return to democracy” in Thailand, according to the website of weekly news magazine L’Express in Paris. 

 

Macron “expressed the willingness of France to accompany Thailand, a long-time friend and important partner of France in Southeast Asia, on the road back to democracy, as well as its attention to the situation of fundamental rights in this country,” the website said, quoting the Elysee Palace statement.

 

Prayut said Thailand was following its road map to democracy and would see an election in February next year.

 

He invited Macron to pay an official visit to Thailand and join the Asean summit next year when Thailand would hold the chairmanship of the group. 

 

The EU is a dialogue partner of Asean and Thailand is currently the coordinator between the two blocks.

 

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of an agreement between THAI airways and Airbus Commercial Aircraft to launch an aircraft maintenance centre at U-Tapao International Airport, and also the purchase of the THEOS II Satellite by Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency from Airbus Defence and Space SAS.

 

 

A group of Thai dissidents and activists held a protest in Paris against Prayut’s trip. It led by well-known exiled critics of the junta government including Jaran Ditapichai, Junya Yimprasert and Saran Chuichai, who is better known as Aum Neko.

 

The group of about a dozen people gathered in front of the Paris hotel where Prayut and the Thai delegation were staying and held banners reading, “We feel shame for the visit of dictator to France” and “Return democracy to Thai people, we want to vote”.Junya told The Nation that she believed the protest would be a reminder to the junta that it was not easy to lie to the people about politics.

 

If Prayut visited Europe again, he could face a more serious and organised protest, she added.

 

Junya and Aum Neko also expressed their disappointment at the French government for welcoming an authoritarian leader, effectively putting economic benefits over democracy and human rights.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30348688

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-27

But of course

1 hour ago, webfact said:

In his meeting with Prayut in Paris, Macron called for a “return to democracy” in Thailand

surprised the junta dim wit didnt say: 'thailand has a democracy now'

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut hails EU visit a success after talks on big business deals

More like Prayut hails himself a success with attempts to convince the French follow his dreams.

I suspect in truth the French had him eating out their hand and will simply use him up to their advantage.

Didn't do so well in the UK where he was lectured about democracy, human rights and holding free and fair elections. That part of his trip might be best described as a masterpiece of failure.

The UK is a wake up to him whereas the French are economic prostitutes; just like the rest of their mates in the EU.

Edited June 27, 20188 yr by Cadbury

Louis Vuitton Patek Phillipe Rolex business deals already done by the look of it.  

He is back home now, and May and Macron have forgotten about him and his Junta.  

2 hours ago, YetAnother said:

surprised the junta dim wit didnt say: 'thailand has a democracy now'

Of course it has. The Thai style Democrat (with dictatorial inclinations) made coups d' etat legal now. Isn't that vox populi?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Macron “expressed the willingness of France to accompany Thailand, a long-time friend

As opposed to short-time?

Dream away

PM secures key cooperation with France at meeting with French President

 

 

BANGKOK, 27th June 2018 (NNT) – France has agreed to collaborate with Thailand in the realms of aviation and trade in the Southeast Asian region, while also expressing interest in investing in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has visited French President Emmanuel Macron at the French Presidential Palace, expressing his admiration of the European Union for serving as an example of regional cooperation and thanking France for pushing the EU to end resolutions barring Thailand from high level political interactions with member states. The PM also voiced appreciation of French private sector members interested in investing in Thailand’s EEC, which is currently auctioning rail connection projects to Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang and U-Tapao airports. 

Gen Prayut deemed his visit a success after meeting with the French president, saying the leaders had agreed to step up cooperation and serve as one another’s base for regional trade expansion. 

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a joint investment agreement between Thai Airways Plc and Airbus Commercial Aircraft as well as a sales deal for the THEOS 2 satellite between Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) and Airbus Defence & Space SAS. 

The meeting concluded Gen Prayut’s official visit to the United Kingdom and France.

 

-- nnt 2018-06-27

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut said Thailand was following its road map to democracy and would see an election in February next year.

And after Prayut's return from France:

The election is likely to take place some time between February 24 and May 5 next year - Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on June 25th

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30348602

I'm sure President Macron will appreciate being "played."

If they ever made a movie about Howdee Doodee, Pan-O could get the starring role.  He has the exact same stupid grin. 

 

Same old same old b*ls**t..........liar liar pants on fire

Great holiday for the planeload of hangers-on that went with him. All those deals he supposed to of signed were already done before he got there. I heard a rumor that when he signed a  document he actually forgot who he was given the short memories most Thais have and he signed the document Josef Stalin which I might add was quickly corrected by one of 500 hangers- on that went with him. See now eachThai can feel proud and know they really got value for that junket. I doubt 70% of the Thai population even knew he went on that junket to Europe

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Junya and Aum Neko also expressed their disappointment at the French government for welcoming an authoritarian leader, effectively putting economic benefits over democracy and human rights.

Authoritarians are easy marks.  They do not have an excuse that all deals have to bear scrutiny.  The good general craves acceptance and therefor is vulnerable.  Of course France would take advantage of that.  Sadly, in SE Asia, Prayut is the norm, not the exception.  It does not make it any easier to watch the unelected imbecile strut his stuff. 

Probably wrote his proclamation of success before leaving Thailand to start his EU excursion. 

Probably wrote his proclamation of success before leaving Thailand to start his EU excursion. 

Don’t see much success in attracting investments. I see more of lots of talks and only 1 contract signing of a old deal.  Nothing else not even MOUs. More of a buying spree for the satellite and rail projects. Investors unlikely to be interested when there are so much political uncertainty.