Prayut urges against politicising Asean chairmanship

[rooster59]

Prayut urges against politicising Asean chairmanship

By The Nation

 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, middle, chairs the opening ceremony of the Thailand Social Expo 2018 at Impact Exhibition Centre Muang Thong Thani on Friday.

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Saturday called on Thais to not use the issue of the Asean chairmanship to cause further rifts in the country, according to Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

 

Sansern quoted Prayut as saying that the Asean chairmanship is a matter for the entire country and all Thais, and does not belong to a specific person.

 

Prayut’s comments came after the English-language newspaper, The Jakarta Post, posted a commentary calling on Indonesia to oppose Thailand taking over the temporary leadership of the Asean bloc unless an election had first been held in the Kingdom.

 

Sansern said it remains unknown who would win the next election and become the prime minister, and so also become the ex-officio chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year.

It will be Thailand’s turn next year to chair the 10-member Asean, succeeding Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in November.

 

“It’s still unknown who will become the next government after the election. So, the prime minister does not want to see anyone use this issue to create rifts in the society,” Sansern said.

 

The spokesman was referring to a July 31 opinion column by the senior managing editor of the Jakarta Post titled, “Don’t let Thai junta chief chair Asean next year”.

 

“[Indonesian] President Joko Widodo needs to use a strategy of silent diplomacy in discussing Thailand’s role with other leaders,” the commentary read. “And he must, of course, act according to the consensual Asean way. Thailand deserves the right to chair Asean, but not under a junta that has continued to cling on to powers it stole from the people four years ago.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30351443

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-04

[baboon]

12 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

"It’s still unknown who will become the next government after the election. So, the prime minister does not want to see anyone use this issue to create rifts in the society,” Sansern said."

 

No it isn't. And no election will be held if there are any unknowns.

[Oziex1]

So he has his snout in another trough and would prefer no discussion on it.

[Samui Bodoh]

"...Sansern quoted Prayut as saying that the Asean chairmanship is a matter for the entire country and all Thais, and does not belong to a specific person..."

 

If the Chairmanship belongs to the country and all Thais, shouldn't the selection of that person be up to all Thais? And, as Prayut appointed himself PM without the consent of all Thais, shouldn't he be disqualified? And, shouldn't Thailand's representative to Chair ASEAN be selected by all Thais in an election? And, shouldn't Thailand pass on Chairing ASEAN until such an election takes place?

 

It seems like a reasonable idea to me...

 

 

[klauskunkel]

11 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Prayut urges against politicising Asean chairmanship

... and while we are at it, let's not politicize this either:

Quote

Prayut govt barely passes four-year performance test: survey

 

[yellowboat]

22 hours ago, rooster59 said:

“It’s still unknown who will become the next government after the election. So, the prime minister does not want to see anyone use this issue to create rifts in the society,” Sansern said.

That is what coups are for

[chama]

22 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Thailand deserves the right to chair Asean, but not under a junta that has continued to cling on to powers it stole from the people four years ago.”

Sounds right to me!