Why the West is watching us

[webfact]

Why the West is watching us

By The Nation

 

 

It’s not clear why a dozen foreign diplomats turned out to see Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit being booked for sedition, but there are safe guesses

 

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai seems to be jumping the gun with his accusation that a group of Bangkok-based diplomats violated diplomatic protocol when they visited the Prathumwan police station to observe charges being filed against Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Jungrungruengkit.

 

“The acts of the group were considered diplomatically inappropriate and not in line with the United Nations’ diplomatic principles,” Don said. “The only reason they should get involved in the Thai justice system is because their citizens are accused of committing offences in Thailand and are charged. In that case, they have the absolute right to get involved.”

 

Thanathorn was on April 6 officially charged with sedition and other alleged offences dating to 2015. Asked why so much time was permitted to elapse, the police vaguely blamed the transfers in and out of office of the chief investigator. For the authorities to have waited until after last month’s election raises suspicions, especially given the solid support Thanathorn’s party enjoyed among voters.

 

What critics are suggesting – that Thanathorn is being bullied because of his stated intention to shrink the military’s role in politics – warrants consideration. And in doing so it should be remembered that any “anti-military” sentiment he has espoused has not been of a personal nature but rather broadly applied to the size and modern relevance of the armed forces. Thanathorn would prefer a leaner military institution, particularly in the upper brass and bureaucracy. Indeed, civilians, not soldiers, make up a substantial proportion of the staff in the defence ministries of most nations.

 

As for the large turnout of embassy representatives to witness Thanathorn’s booking, the reasons are for now a matter for mere speculation. It could be that they were drawn by the seeming absurdity of charging him with sedition. Perhaps it was the belief that the authorities’ handling of Thanathorn in the wake of such a crucial election will indicate where Thailand is headed next. The country’s further democratisation is important to Western countries, and their links to us are not without conditions attached. 

 

As well, it is the foreign diplomats’ duty to observe and report on rights abuses, and there is suspicion that Thanathorn is being unfairly treated. If he is in fact being bullied, it represents an attack on his freedom of expression, a universal value that major Western powers insist must be respected if diplomatic relations are to be maintained at all. 

 

When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks to convince the international community that the government has an issue under control and is proceeding legally, it typically invites diplomats for discussion or issues a written communique. This is what happened last week too. Pol General Srivara Rangsibhramanakul said the diplomats, having seen Thanathorn routinely booked, were invited to a briefing afterwards. The explanations put forward were not disclosed.

 

All we can gather from the presence of the 12 foreign officials is that the world is watching Thailand. It seems it would be in our own best interests to be as open with the world as possible. Don, the foreign minister, is duty-bound to project an image of normalcy for Thailand. It is not normal, though, particularly after five years of military rule. That’s why the world is watching.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30367513

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-11

[bluesofa]

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

Don, the foreign minister, is duty-bound to project an image of normalcy for Thailand. It is not normal, though, particularly after five years of military rule. That’s why the world is watching.

A spot-on conclusion about the lack of normalcy.

 

[observer90210]

Staging the Police Station display, plainly contributed to give the current powers in Thailand, a stick to hit on the west, for interference.

 

Why did each nation rather not individually summon the Thai Ambassador in their country, and then publicly protest  ? The matter could have also been raised in any UN assembly.

 

The street show and group photo,  will end up manipulated and the envoys would look like a bunch of bully nations,  wanting to show their might and brawn.  (to another bunch of rogues in power, obviously).  There were surely smarter ways to make the point.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 10, 2019 by observer90210

[Lungstib]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

As well, it is the foreign diplomats’ duty to observe and report on rights abuses,

What passes for normalcy here is seen by most European countries as extreme military authoritarianism with massive abuse of human rights, freedom of speech and freedom to assemble. My problem with the above statement is not that they observed this one situation but that they haven't done so on the numerous other occasions when rights and freedoms have been trampled on, which has recently been an almost daily occurrence. 

[soalbundy]

so by their definition a coup is not sedition?

[Eric Loh]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

That’s why the world is watching.

 

That will prevent Thanathorn been whisked away in the middle of the night and end up in the Mekong River in a drum. A modus operandi of deep state. 

[grumpy 4680]

     My guess would be that the West is not doing more, because it does not want to pressurise the Junta into moving even more further to the East, If that ever happens, God help Thaland. 

[PREM-R]

6 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

That will prevent Thanathorn been whisked away in the middle of the night and end up in the Mekong River in a drum. A modus operandi of deep state. 

Headline

Thanathorn found in Mekong River in a drum..... Government spokesman claims it to be the result of a 'business dispute' and not politically related.....in other news........

[sammieuk1]

Think they were there to confirm they were not tabloid readers but are now as you cant make this story up????

[bluesofa]

11 minutes ago, PREM-R said:

Headline

Thanathorn found in Mekong River in a drum..... Government spokesman claims it to be the result of a 'business dispute' and not politically related.....in other news........

Be careful now, you may well be hailed as the next great fortune teller. Prayut will be after your blood advice.

[PREM-R]

5 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Be careful now, you may well be hailed as the next great fortune teller. Prayut will be after your blood advice.

He'll get no advice from me.....I don't talk to Schmucks or Mashuganas

[Odysseus123]

Eh?

 

Well they ain't watching me.

 

The place is one vast lunatic asylum....very similar to Cambodia and Myanmar.

 

Laos stays quiet..the ultimate tinpot country.

[maxcorrigan]

8 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Be careful now, you may well be hailed as the next great fortune teller. Prayut will be after your blood advice.

Does'nt need to, simply has a quick word with his frog!

[bluesofa]

4 minutes ago, maxcorrigan said:

Does'nt need to, simply has a quick word with his frog!

That's good. Looks like our poster won't end up croaking after all.

[usviphotography]

5 hours ago, observer90210 said:

 

Why did each nation rather not individually summon the Thai Ambassador in their country, and then publicly protest  ? The matter could have also been raised in any UN assembly.

 

The street show and group photo,  will end up manipulated and the envoys would look like a bunch of bully nations,  wanting to show their might and brawn.  (to another bunch of rogues in power, obviously).  There were surely smarter ways to make the point.

 

Have you not been following Western Foreign Policy over the past 20 years? They are bullies, and they are none to bright either. A thuggish display with no discernible purpose other than to encourage Thailand further in to China's orbit is exactly what one would expect from them.   

[Odysseus123]

8 minutes ago, usviphotography said:

Have you not been following Western Foreign Policy over the past 20 years? They are bullies, and they are none to bright either. A thuggish display with no discernible purpose other than to encourage Thailand further in to China's orbit is exactly what one would expect from them.   

Are you are okay?I suggest a quick word with your sponsors..."Huggies"

 

 

[neeray]

54 minutes ago, PREM-R said:

Headline

Thanathorn found in Mekong River in a drum..... Government spokesman claims it to be the result of a 'business dispute' and not politically related.....in other news........

Please don't be planting ideas in the minds of the junta.

[newatthis]

5 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Staging the Police Station display, plainly contributed to give the current powers in Thailand, a stick to hit on the west, for interference.

 

Why did each nation rather not individually summon the Thai Ambassador in their country, and then publicly protest  ? The matter could have also been raised in any UN assembly.

 

The street show and group photo,  will end up manipulated and the envoys would look like a bunch of bully nations,  wanting to show their might and brawn.  (to another bunch of rogues in power, obviously).  There were surely smarter ways to make the point.

 

 

 

 

Because sometimes words are not enough....there has to be boots on the ground. Why do you think Russia put troops in Venezuela? The message was clear then, wasn't it?

"Dear Mr Thai Ambassador. We're not happy with the way your bosses handling the political situation in Thailand. This meeting is to let you know that we've got our eyes on you."    is a load of piss poor codswallop.

[JustAnotherHun]

These outrageous farang diplomats have to be expelled. Don' know nothing about Thainess, don't know nothing about Thais style democrazy.

Edited April 11, 2019 by JustAnotherHun

[observer90210]

45 minutes ago, newatthis said:

Because sometimes words are not enough....there has to be boots on the ground. Why do you think Russia put troops in Venezuela? The message was clear then, wasn't it?

"Dear Mr Thai Ambassador. We're not happy with the way your bosses handling the political situation in Thailand. This meeting is to let you know that we've got our eyes on you."    is a load of piss poor codswallop.

you maybe right. but sometimes that's how also how wars were declared in the past.

(ouch, ouch...I really won't have any more friends left her with all the turmoil ????)

Edited April 11, 2019 by observer90210

[newatthis]

2 hours ago, observer90210 said:

you maybe right. but sometimes that's how also how wars were declared in the past.

(ouch, ouch...I really won't have any more friends left her with all the turmoil ????)

If we lose friends over expressing our honest opinions [ without insulting the person ], then they were not really our friends in the first place

PS   Sometimes, because of humanity, wars are necessary.

[observer90210]

5 hours ago, usviphotography said:

Have you not been following Western Foreign Policy over the past 20 years? They are bullies, and they are none to bright either. A thuggish display with no discernible purpose other than to encourage Thailand further in to China's orbit is exactly what one would expect from them.   

Not sure what you mean. Seems that you are taking things out of context. whatever....happy songkran and happy new year when it comes to you ????

[Whip]

Well said

[Narratio]

8 hours ago, PREM-R said:

Headline

Thanathorn found in Mekong River in a drum..... Government spokesman claims it to be the result of a 'business dispute' and not politically related.....in other news........

Headline

Thanthorn's death while in a drum on the Mekong River deemed an accident. The drum was loaned to him by a close friend who has since died.

[bkkell]

14 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Staging the Police Station display, plainly contributed to give the current powers in Thailand, a stick to hit on the west, for interference.

 

Why did each nation rather not individually summon the Thai Ambassador in their country, and then publicly protest  ? The matter could have also been raised in any UN assembly.

 

The street show and group photo,  will end up manipulated and the envoys would look like a bunch of bully nations,  wanting to show their might and brawn.  (to another bunch of rogues in power, obviously).  There were surely smarter ways to make the point.

 

 

 

 

Yes. It looks like bullying. Not that the dioplmats concerns are not warranted, they are. But as usual Western nation's, my America especially, love to pick and choose when they want care about democracy and civil rights. Bomb the hell out of middle eastern countries and then thumb your nose at Thailand. 

[chainarong]

Quite correct the world is watching, I wonder why?

[Odysseus123]

53 minutes ago, bkkell said:

Yes. It looks like bullying. Not that the dioplmats concerns are not warranted, they are. But as usual Western nation's, my America especially, love to pick and choose when they want care about democracy and civil rights. Bomb the hell out of middle eastern countries and then thumb your nose at Thailand. 

"thumb your nose at Thailand"

 

Oh the evil monsters!How dare they give the bird to the centre of the known universe?

[ocddave]

I think its pretty obvious that that the West would prefer to not deal with Prayut (...and probably not the Thaksin crew either), the FFP would be an ideal candidate for future Western cooperation, which is why they have their eyes on how the Junta treats them. The Future Forward Party is the biggest threat to the Junta, they never expected them to do as well as they did, now they are on a mission to eliminate them. Thanathorn's life and livelihood are under attack by an illegal coup d'etat government with unlimited powers, the West is just making sure the Junta knows they are watching.