Thanathorn clarifies on photo with HK activist, slams attempts to mislead the public

[rooster59]

Thanathorn clarifies on photo with HK activist, slams attempts to mislead the public

By The Nation

 

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit (Left) and Joshua Wong (Right)

 

Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has clarified that his photo with democracy activist Joshua Wong was taken during a seminar he had attended earlier this month, rebutting accusations that he was meddling in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests.

 

 

His clarification comes after the Chinese embassy in Bangkok warned Thai politicians not to support pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong while the Thai Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong accused him of meddling in the protests.

 

In a message on Facebook posted on Friday (October 11), he explained that he had been invited by The Economist to deliver a speech on “Inside the Minds of Asia’s Next Gen Politicians” at the “Open Future Festival” in Hong Kong on October 5. He was part of a panel that included Tim Wilson, member of Australia’s House of Representatives.

 

After the speech, Thanathorn said he had met and talked with Joshua Wong, who had attended the event, and the photo was taken at that time. He said in his post that was the first and last time he had met the activist. “I am not involved with any political parties in Hong Kong and have nothing to do with their politics in future,” he said .

 

He said it was normal to have conversations with some people at a seminar and also take photos with them. He said he had the chance to talk to many people at the event like Shaun L Rein, who wrote “The War for China’s Wallet”.

 

Thanathorn said Shaun represented China Market Research Group and he toed Beijing’s political line but even he agreed that Hong Kong needed to reduce the inequality between the rich and the poor. “Shaun criticised the protests in Hong Kong and debated with Joshua on the issues at that panel,” said Thanathorn.

 

He insisted that it was normal for people to exchange ideas and opinions and it was a good chance to learn from their opinions. Thanathorn also posted his photo with Shaun in his post.

 

Thanathorn said he supports the Basic Law of Hong Kong under the “One country, two systems” principle and supports Hong Kongers’ right to choose their executives as stated in Section 45 of the Basic Law. He added that he supported freedom of speech and its expression in a peaceful manner. Thanathorn said he wished to see the situation in Hong Kong resolved peacefully without violence.

 

He slammed the attempts to use his photo with Joshua and cast aspersions on his motives without any proof by some local mass media and some people.

 

He said Army leaders had been trying to make wrongful use of the photo to create hatred in Thai society.

 

He urged people to receive information from all sides before forming an opinion and reiterated that the Future Forward Party aims to advance democracy in Thailand and promote equality in society to ensure a better future for coming generations.

 

Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong on Friday (October 11) displayed an image of Thanathorn with Joshua Wong at a special seminar held in the Army headquarters and said that Thanathorn had travelled to Hong Kong and taken the photo to encourage the protesters.

 

The Chinese embassy in Bangkok on Thursday posted a message on its website, warning Thai politicians to stay away from the Hong Kong protests. The statement said that some politicians from Thailand had even met with the pro-democracy activists. This act, which boosted the arrogance of the activists, is extremely wrong and irresponsible, the embassy statement said.

 

discreet in word and deed, and work more for the friendship between China and Thailand,” the Chinese Embassy added.

 

Related Stories:

 

Stay clear of Hong Kong, Beijing warns Thai politicians

 

Apirat opposes Section 1 amendment, academics say he exaggerates threat

 

All eyes on Army chief as he prepares speech on South situation

 

Army's sedition charges against opposition, academics 'could aggravate southern conflict'

 

Experts say current Constitution incapable of helping resolve Thailand’s southern unrest

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377341

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-10-13

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[monkfish]

Looks like the Army Chief and Chinese Embassy owe Thanathorn an apology then they should check before making such accusations.

[Cadbury]

19 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Thanathorn clarifies on photo with HK activist, slams attempts to mislead the public

Who would anyone choose to believe.

a. General Apirat Kongsompong 

                    or

b. Leader of the Future Forward Party Leader Thanathorn

 

I know who I would.

[PatOngo]

14 minutes ago, monkfish said:

Looks like the Army Chief and Chinese Embassy owe Thanathorn an apology then they should check before making such accusations.

Get real! These people don't admit they are wrong or EVER apologise! Research FACE!

[holy cow cm]

How on Gods Earth could the Chinese Government and Peace loving Humanitarian Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong be wrong and accuse wrongly. It just is not possible.

[rkidlad]

Here’s a picture of Thing 1 and Thing 2 with a corrupt Chinese general who was jailed for life. How does this whole picture thing work again?

 

[leeneeds]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

He said Army leaders had been trying to make wrongful use of the photo to create hatred in Thai society

They need all the help they can get,

as they sure won't be around next election.

[Eligius]

It is so infuriating and ludicrously unjust beyond words - to see the way one of the most upright and integrity-infused young Thai politicians EVER to grace the political scene in Thailand is constantly being lambasted and maligned - and all because he is attempting to embody and stand up for the most basic of human rights and decency.

 

Of course, it does not matter what Thanathorn says or does: THEY are out to get him, no matter what (he is the biggest threat for decades and decades to the Establishment - even much more so than Thaksin). The Thai Establishment are TERRIFIED of this young man. 

And that is why his character must be besmirched and his people-gifted political power neutralised - and worse ...

 

 

[FarFlungFalang]

1 hour ago, Eligius said:

It is so infuriating and ludicrously unjust beyond words - to see the way one of the most upright and integrity-infused young Thai politicians EVER to grace the political scene in Thailand is constantly being lambasted and maligned - and all because he is attempting to embody and stand up for the most basic of human rights and decency.

 

Of course, it does not matter what Thanathorn says or does: THEY are out to get him, no matter what (he is the biggest threat for decades and decades to the Establishment - even much more so than Thaksin). The Thai Establishment are TERRIFIED of this young man. 

And that is why his character must be besmirched and his people-gifted political power neutralised - and worse ...

 

 

I think he deserves everything they throw at him.I think there is no other Thai politician that comes close to deserving the fear the current administration are showing Thanathorn.So the more things they try to do to stop him the more people will see their fear.

Thanathorn's legacy will rest with how well he can set up his party to make his ideals and policies the main force of the party and not his personality.

[Eligius]

2 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

I think he deserves everything they throw at him.I think there is no other Thai politician that comes close to deserving the fear the current administration are showing Thanathorn.So the more things they try to do to stop him the more people will see their fear.

Thanathorn's legacy will rest with how well he can set up his party to make his ideals and policies the main force of the party and not his personality.

You make a very good and important point, FarFlungFalang.

Yes: when someone is as undoubtedly charismatic as is Thanathorn, there is the very real risk that his party will be seen as a 'one-man band'. That is why the Authorities have already blocked this young man from exercising his democratically bestowed rights as an M.P.

It is therefore very important that other M.P.s in Future Forward (albeit they have nothing like the charisma of Thanathorn) work hard to spread their ideas all around the country and build a national base of support - so that if Thanathorn is excluded for several years from parliamentary politics (which is the Authorities' aim), at least his party will be able to mount a strong and effective Opposition without him.

 

Of course, there is always the possibility that the Future Forward Party itself will be banned/ dissolved (under some rigged pretext). I don't think that will happen, as it would cause too much anger amongst the young Thais (many of whom support Future Forward). 

 

On the other hand - the Powers That Be have consistently shown that they can get away with literally ANYTHING. So ....

 

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Thai Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong accused him of meddling in the protests.

Maybe it's time Thanathorn use on Apirat the very same censorship system employed against Thais to keep them quiet: Defamation and Fake News.

The Fake News Center mission is to fight all kinds of fake news. 

• “People can submit any news they’re suspicious of being unauthenticated, or that could incite fear and confusion to the public, to the website and our officials would verify its authenticity within two hours,”

The fake news against Thanathorn has already been authenticated, so FNC investigation shouldn't take more than minutes.

Furthermore, depending on how Apirat has falsely made his claims, he may have violated the Computer Crime Act.

Of course none of these tools to suppress freedom of speech were intended to apply to the military, but even a test case might prove "interesting."

[Knocker33]

He should have the general on some charge under the computer crimes act or whatever it's called. Or are army excempt 

[DrTuner]

Those two represent hope in Asia. 

[phantomfiddler]

Any aspiring politician should be very careful about any photos taken, I was hoping to be president of America until the "behind the gym" photos ????

[White Christmas13]

1 hour ago, Knocker33 said:

He should have the general on some charge under the computer crimes act or whatever it's called. Or are army excempt 

Yes

[White Christmas13]

Sorry Steven100

[neeray]

9 hours ago, Eligius said:

On the other hand - the Powers That Be have consistently shown that they can get away with literally ANYTHING. So ....

There is an eerie similarity here !

“I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and wouldn't lose any voters .."

[White Christmas13]

5 minutes ago, neeray said:

There is an eerie similarity here !

“I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and wouldn't lose any voters .."

Only if he would quacking

[harada]

As much as I and many others would like to see this guy progress and change Thailand for the better VERY BIG money and big guns will not allow it, about the only thing that is likely to change is that one puppet will be changed for another.

[neeray]

1 hour ago, harada said:

As much as I and many others would like to see this guy progress and change Thailand for the better VERY BIG money and big guns will not allow it, about the only thing that is likely to change is that one puppet will be changed for another.

I respectively disagree with you @harada. We are in the era of social media next time around. When the time is right, the message will spread like pellets from a shotgun (no pun intended). Bad deeds and lies will be caught on camera and exposed. They will go viral.

There's a new force in town and they don't have or need guns, tanks, subs or Stryker vehicles. They have a new honest and competent mentor who has shown that he is prepared to go to the mat for a better Thailand.

I believe this "puppet" has met his match. There will be a change, but it won't just be a puppet exchange.

[Baerboxer]

On 10/13/2019 at 10:22 AM, monkfish said:

Looks like the Army Chief and Chinese Embassy owe Thanathorn an apology then they should check before making such accusations.

 

Sure because you can believe every single word he utters! About everything!.

[Baerboxer]

5 hours ago, neeray said:

I respectively disagree with you @harada. We are in the era of social media next time around. When the time is right, the message will spread like pellets from a shotgun (no pun intended). Bad deeds and lies will be caught on camera and exposed. They will go viral.

There's a new force in town and they don't have or need guns, tanks, subs or Stryker vehicles. They have a new honest and competent mentor who has shown that he is prepared to go to the mat for a better Thailand.

I believe this "puppet" has met his match. There will be a change, but it won't just be a puppet exchange.

 

Wishful thinking. A "new honest and competent mentor" who just happens to be a billionaire from a politically active hiso family. 

 

Great to see such a massive change.