Prawit adviser dismisses Jakarta Post criticism

By The Nation

 

 

Despite being criticised as a coup leader, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should have no trouble helming Thailand into next year when it takes its turn chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a security adviser to a deputy premier said on Sunday.

 

“Asean consists of member states with diverse backgrounds and regimes,” said Panitan Wattanayagorn, security adviser to Deputy PM and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and also a university lecturer in international relations. 

 

“We also adhere to a principle of not interfering in other members’ domestic affairs. We listen to international concerns and offer explanations. Still, the political regimes in Asean countries should not be a problem under the Asean charter,” he said.

 

Panitan also said an opinion column published in the Jakarta Post earlier this month, questioning non-democratic Thailand’s suitability to chair Asean was in line with “information from a certain group”. He did not elaborate.

 

A source at the Foreign Ministry said the ministry planned to write a letter to the Jakarta Post’s editor about the critical commentary.

 

Thailand is set to assume the chair at about the same time as its first general election since the 2014 Prayut-led coup overthrew an elected government.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30352038

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-13

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

“Asean consists of member states with diverse backgrounds and regimes,” said Panitan Wattanayagorn, security adviser

security adviser spin doctor

 

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand is set to assume the chair at about the same time as its first general election since the 2014 Prayut-led coup overthrew an elected government.

Hmmm! Given the string of delays thus far, that statement might be a little premature and inaccurate.

53 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

security adviser spin doctor

 

How so ?

- Vietnam democratic ?

- Cambodia democratic ?

- Laos democratic ?

- Brunei also not democratic

 

Its not as if all Asean members are clean.. 

Edited August 13, 20187 yr by robblok

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“We also adhere to a principle of not interfering in other members’ domestic affairs

So there will be no problem dealing with like-minded anti-democratic dictators, one party states or deniers of human rights. We will not complain, whatever you do. Trust me.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Panitan also said an opinion column published in the Jakarta Post earlier this month, questioning non-democratic Thailand’s suitability to chair Asean was in line with “information from a certain group”. He did not elaborate.

A university lecturer who speaks in riddles.  Bet the kids love him.

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

A source at the Foreign Ministry said the ministry planned to write a letter to the Jakarta Post’s editor about the critical commentary. 

Hope the Post prints it.  No doubt it will resolve misunderstandings, adjust attitudes and explain unique situations that only happen in Thailand . 

Just the other day they said it was not from Indonesian media it was the nasty red shirts trying to stir up trouble?  any excuse  rather than face facts!

This is not a dead friend then?

4 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

This is not a dead friend then?

Talking from beyond the grave - making them a dead cert.

 

These guys are hilarious.  

Thanks to them denying the article,  I found and read it,  and in the same paper,  another one which says the PM should not get to chair ASEAN next year. 555.

18 hours ago, webfact said:

We also adhere to a principle of not interfering in other members’ domestic affairs. We listen to international concerns and offer explanations.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, security adviser to Deputy PM and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan

Please explain your own principles that lead you to work for such an interesting human specimen, k. Panitan.

18 hours ago, robblok said:

How so ?

- Vietnam democratic ?

- Cambodia democratic ?

- Laos democratic ?

- Brunei also not democratic

 

Its not as if all Asean members are clean.. 

Thailand, since WW2, has had peace.  Three of the four countries mentioned were embroiled in monumental devastation for more than a decade.  They are just starting to come out of it.  Why can't Thailand be held to same standard as Malaysia, who was brutalized during the WW2, where Thailand was not?  You are right about Brunei though.   No argument there. 

Just now, yellowboat said:

Thailand, since WW2, has had peace.  Three of the four countries mentioned were embroiled in monumental devastation for more than a decade.  They are just starting to come out of it.  Why can't Thailand be held to same standard as Malaysia, who was brutalized during the WW2, where Thailand was not?  You are right about Brunei though.   No argument there. 

I am not making an argument about that Thailand should chair or not chair. I am saying the guys remarks are 100% spot on and no lies in there at all. 

 

Asean consists of member states with diverse backgrounds and regimes,” said Panitan Wattanayagorn, security adviser

 

I have no opinion about them chairing or not chairing, they cannot ban them from it as its their right the only time it happened was by self imposed ban. Other states don't have the power about this. 

19 hours ago, bluesofa said:

security adviser spin doctor

 

Is that the same adviser who coached him in the watch case?

21 minutes ago, robblok said:

I am not making an argument about that Thailand should chair or not chair. I am saying the guys remarks are 100% spot on and no lies in there at all. 

 

Asean consists of member states with diverse backgrounds and regimes,” said Panitan Wattanayagorn, security adviser

 

I have no opinion about them chairing or not chairing, they cannot ban them from it as its their right the only time it happened was by self imposed ban. Other states don't have the power about this. 

I have to agree with you that the chair rotation is enshrined in the ASEAN charter annually based on alphabetical order. The charter do not have the legal mechanism to deny the appointment. The ASEAN spirit is also defined in their policy of non interference in domestic politics. Grudgingly, I got to say that the chair will go according to the charter and to Thailand. It is only for a year with the main responsibility of facilitating the annual summit. 

So the Pm is getting ready to take the Asean chair as chairman 2 Questions 1 / If he is getting ready to take the head chair for Asean does this mean he already knows the outcome of the election? 2/ How will he deal with the other countries heads when they put forward their points of view considering he runs a government where only his point of view is considered

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should have no trouble helming Thailand into next year. . . 

 

Helming? I thought the writer of this article had invented a new word - until I Googled it. The Nation had better start praying the PM doesn't do the same!

 

Urban Dictionary: Helming

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Helming

Helming - (verb) The act of working the top of one's head into a vagina. . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 hours ago, bluesofa said:

security adviser spin doctor

 

Factory line worker 

22 hours ago, webfact said:

A source at the Foreign Ministry said the ministry planned to write a letter to the Jakarta Post’s editor about the critical commentary.

Oh, yes. And? 

The subject of Thai elections & regimes came up over a beer last night with two of us combining over 60 years working on the KINGDOM.

Maybe a sad indictment on the country but Thailand seems to do better under military rule.

Whenever an elected Government gets a shot here it becomes "pocket lining time"

Before you get all defensive about "democracy" have a good look back at leaders here in power for over 3 years in the last 60

1 hour ago, natway09 said:

The subject of Thai elections & regimes came up over a beer last night with two of us combining over 60 years working on the KINGDOM.

Maybe a sad indictment on the country but Thailand seems to do better under military rule.

Whenever an elected Government gets a shot here it becomes "pocket lining time"

Before you get all defensive about "democracy" have a good look back at leaders here in power for over 3 years in the last 60

Oh yee of little faith.  Many have eloquently stated that participatory government has never really gotten a chance in the kingdom.  A meddling military and the elite have seen to that.  Imperfect as it is it what the people want.  Even the military reflects that as they fear to say anything to the contrary.  Nobody should condemn Thailand to autocracy when there are such good working examples here in Asia.  Taiwan has 100% home grown participatory rule, and the Malaysians have pulled themselves out of the muck by casting a ballot.   While the other countries continue to show the best in freedoms, it is not fair to the humble Thai to deny him a better chance in life.  Even China now offers more pursuit of happiness than Thailand.   Its not fair.  Its not good.  Its not what Thais want. 

Gee, a representative of the junta telling us that they should be accepted as legitimate leaders internationally. After all lots of others are not so good either and knowing that many "wrongs" will make a "right" we should be accepted. Makes sense...right?