Opinion: Thailand’s ambiguous stance on Ukraine’s highlights her own insecurities (even among her liberals)

[webfact]

 

By Serichon

 

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 was met with global outrage and disbelief. 77 years after the end of World War II, it is incredible to find Europe, once again, at war.

 

With the global economy already heavily suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic, this war is not only threatening the sovereignty of Ukraine, but the world’s political and economic stability in all continents.

 

Thailand’s (and ASEAN’s) stance on this matter has been ambiguous and half-hearted at best. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ ridiculous two bullet-point statement appealing for peace through dialog clearly illustrates the government’s unwillingness to get involved in the matter.

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38019/opinion-thailands-ambiguous-stance-on-ukraines-highlights-her-own-insecurities-even-among-her-liberals/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-03-01

 

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[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s (and ASEAN’s) stance on this matter has been ambiguous and half-hearted at best. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ ridiculous two bullet-point statement appealing for peace through dialog clearly illustrates the government’s unwillingness to get involved in the matter.

Yet, they still wish to continue with their trading and shipping of exports to Russia as well as keeping the tourism hope alive.  Phuket is full of Russian nationals who own property there, run rentals and sell real-estate.  One has to wonder if they are managing oligarch monies or laundering profits from wherever much like some of the Chinese.

[Henryford]

It just highlights that Thailand's only interest is to maintain it's income from Russia.

[LivinLOS]

4 minutes ago, Henryford said:

It just highlights that Thailand's only interest is to maintain it's income from Russia.

Lets not forget the Elites disdain for democracy, rule by the population and love of authoritarian (thier term 'good people') leadership regimes.. 

This culture simply does not believe in human equality or equal social participation.. So decisions must be viewed through that lens. 

[Iamfalang]

You are either the bully, getting bullied, or hiding until the dust settles.  This is a big boy fight.  Let America and china decide, every other country has no other choice but watch.   Thailand is protecting their interests, and can do so until the bat phone rings from one of the big boys.   

Edited March 1, 2022 by Iamfalang

[Pique Dard]

14 minutes ago, webfact said:

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 was met with global outrage and disbelief

the question is WHY russia "invaded" ukraine? who remembers james baker "U.S. Secretary of State James Baker's famous “not one inch eastward” assurance about NATO expansion". 

this statement was made in 1990 and  now suddenly has become a myth in some media!

the current war  isn't  SPECIFICALLY against ukraine, it is  against the expansion of nato. those are facts, however it doesn't  mean i support the war.

[mtls2005]

Danced through WW2 appeasing everyone so this should be a cake-walk.

 

 

19 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

Lets not forget the Elites disdain for democracy,

Yeah, but have they forgotten how Russia dealt with its Royal Family?

 

 

 

[Hayduke]

48 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s (and ASEAN’s) stance on this matter has been ambiguous and half-hearted at best.

 

Thailand's public stance on the Ukraine conflict is consistent with China's public stance on the Ukraine conflict. Any position not in agreement with China....is clearly out of the question.

 

 

Edited March 1, 2022 by Hayduke

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s (and ASEAN’s) stance on this matter has been ambiguous and half-hearted at best.

What do they expect? Even the briefest of glances over Thailand's history when it comes to taking sides is that they don't. They will be ambiguous and then claim to support (and to always have supported) whichever side wins.

Edited March 1, 2022 by BangkokReady

[Bkk Brian]

25 minutes ago, Pique Dard said:

the question is WHY russia "invaded" ukraine? who remembers james baker "U.S. Secretary of State James Baker's famous “not one inch eastward” assurance about NATO expansion". 

this statement was made in 1990 and  now suddenly has become a myth in some media!

the current war  isn't  SPECIFICALLY against ukraine, it is  against the expansion of nato. those are facts, however it doesn't  mean i support the war.

Russia and Russia alone is responsible for this war and whats looks like crimes against humanity

[BangkokReady]

27 minutes ago, Pique Dard said:

the current war  isn't  SPECIFICALLY against ukraine, it is  against the expansion of nato. those are facts

No. That is your opinion.

 

How about Russia's annexation of The Crimea, or plans for other former Soviet states? Encroaching ok the border of Georgia and so on? How does NATO figure into that?

[spidermike007]

Is it ambiguity, or severe moral degradation? I am not sure this administration even knows what they support anymore, other than the acquisition of more wealth and power, and the protection of their own at all costs. 

Edited March 1, 2022 by spidermike007

[sammieuk1]

To busy salivating at fire power whilst goggling ebay for 2nd hand sub engines is my theory ????

[John Drake]

Not choosing a side means you have chosen Russia. Choosing Russia means you have chosen China. Not choosing a side, then, means you have chosen China.

[petermik]

2 hours ago, Henryford said:

It just highlights that Thailand's only interest is to maintain it's income from Russia.

And the importation of crude oil.....

[Neeranam]

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Yet, they still wish to continue with their trading and shipping of exports to Russia as well as keeping the tourism hope alive.  Phuket is full of Russian nationals who own property there, run rentals and sell real-estate.  One has to wonder if they are managing oligarch monies or laundering profits from wherever much like some of the Chinese.

They should be thrown out the country and their assets seized.  

 

 

[John Drake]

29 minutes ago, Dmitry2222 said:

It is started in the 2014. Do you forget "Nuland cakes"? it was another coup initiated by the US.

Whatever you want to claim there is only one clear message in all this: Ukrainians don't like you and yours and they're willing to kill Russians even if it means taking a bullet themselves.

[Bkk Brian]

4 minutes ago, Dmitry2222 said:

Cakes just for cameras actually it was bloody.

A worthy fight for freedom that lead directly to free elections,

 

103 protesters killed, 184 sustained gunshot wounds and over 750 suffered bodily injuries. 

 

Now they are fighting for freedom from Russia yet again.

[Dmitry2222]

30 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

A worthy fight for freedom that lead directly to free elections,

 

103 protesters killed, 184 sustained gunshot wounds and over 750 suffered bodily injuries. 

 

Now they are fighting for freedom from Russia yet again.

You forget people which were killed in the south and east of the country after the coup.

[Dmitry2222]

40 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Whatever you want to claim there is only one clear message in all this: Ukrainians don't like you and yours and they're willing to kill Russians even if it means taking a bullet themselves.

I understand you because you full of BBC fakes. And i understand that you do not know history of the Russia and Ukraine.

[John Drake]

2 minutes ago, Dmitry2222 said:

I understand you because you full of BBC fakes. And i understand that you do not know history of the Russia and Ukraine.

The history is this: today, people from all over eastern Europe are volunteering to go fight Russians in Ukraine. Why? Because Russians either brutalized them personally or killed, starved, beat, humiliated, or imprisoned their parents, grandparents, or great grandparents. Now they want payback, bub.

[Bkk Brian]

5 minutes ago, Dmitry2222 said:

You forget people which were killed in the south and east of the country after the coup.

Excuse my delay, while you've been busy trying to defend the indefensible, I was just watching Russian forces carrying out war crimes dropping cluster bombs in residential areas of Kharkiv. Of course, you wont see that on R.T or Sputnik.

 

 

ICC prosecutor to proceed with investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine

Russia is using controversial 'cluster munitions' in Ukraine, humanitarian groups say

[rbkk]

Why has no-one tried to stop the advancing Russian 65 km long convoy? When it's an Al Qaeda target "they" have taken action. The convoy is a huge hostile target and on a road in a less populated area. Once it's into a city area they will be much harder to target.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s (and ASEAN’s) stance on this matter has been ambiguous and half-hearted at best. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ ridiculous two bullet-point statement appealing for peace through dialog clearly illustrates the government’s unwillingness to get involved in the matter.

Thailands only concern is trade and tourism..... Prayut probably had to have the Ukraine pointed out to him on a map.

[Mr Meeseeks]

7 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

Danced through WW2 appeasing everyone so this should be a cake-walk.

Under a fascist dictator (Phibun), as a Japanese ally and as part of the glorious Japanese Empire. 

 

Never been colonized though. Proud of that, they are. ????

[Silencer]

There is a rather simple (simpleton?) solution if we agree that 1) Russia has legitimate security interests and 2) Ukraine deserves the right to its own future and has security interests of its own.

1) Allow Ukraine to join EU (for economic future)

2) Allow Ukraine to either join NATO or sign bi-lateral mutual defense agreements.

3) In return, offensive based military systems (missiles, long-range radars, etc) are prohibited to be installed in Ukraine. So, no threat militarily to Russia but it will have guarantees to be protected if invaded.

4) Finally, we have the issue of the Donbas (and Crimea) regions. That will require negotiation. One solution can be semi-autonomous provinces, that are mostly self-governed, but other outcomes are possible.

Both sides give up something but achieve their STATED goals.

 

However, I do not believe Putin wants a reasonable solution....his goals are much bigger. He likes being surrounded by autocratic lackeys on his borders. 

[2umich]

7 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

the question is WHY russia "invaded" ukraine? who remembers james baker "U.S. Secretary of State James Baker's famous “not one inch eastward” assurance about NATO expansion". 

this statement was made in 1990 and  now suddenly has become a myth in some media!

the current war  isn't  SPECIFICALLY against ukraine, it is  against the expansion of nato. those are facts, however it doesn't  mean i support the war.

It is just another russian propaganda narrative. The fact is that russia invaded Ukraine and right now russians in Ukraine killing Ukrainians.  And you support it.

[2umich]

21 hours ago, Dmitry2222 said:

I understand you because you full of BBC fakes. And i understand that you do not know history of the Russia and Ukraine.

Russia is becoming now most hated nation in the world, for the reason.

Edited March 1, 2022 by onthedarkside
foreign language comment removed

[Paul Henry]

Every country has a responsibility to stand up for the rights and freedom of all people. Not just the 1% who control 90% of the money. Which has been amassed at the expence of the hard working majority.

Autocracy is greed and power, not the love of your country and countrymen.

[Pdavies99]

Thailands usual two-faced attitude, I hope many countries will come to remember this in the future.

 

 

THAILAND continuing business as usual with a killer!