US ambassador-nominee pledges to help Thais pressure Myanmar junta

[webfact]

 

US ambassador-nominee to Thailand Robert F. Godec during testimony at Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

 

The Biden administration’s nominee for US ambassador to Thailand said on Wednesday that he would press Bangkok to reduce its dependence on oil and gas from neighbouring Myanmar, where the ruling military junta is committing “horrifying atrocities.”

 

Radio Free Asia reported that Robert F. Godec made the pledge in response to a question from a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who cited a statement from Human Rights Watch claiming Thailand receives 80 percent of oil and gas exported by Myanmar’s government.

 

“We are seeking ways with the Thais to increase the pressure on the Burmese regime. All options are on the table, that includes further action in the oil and gas sector,” Godec told the Senate panel in Washington DC questioning him and three other nominees for ambassador posts in the Asia-Pacific region as well as a nominee to serve as the US representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/us-ambassador-nominee-pledges-to-help-thais-pressure-myanmar-junta/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-15

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

[John Drake]

Fat chance.

[Mr Meeseeks]

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Biden administration’s nominee for US ambassador to Thailand said on Wednesday that he would press Bangkok to reduce its dependence on oil and gas from neighbouring Myanmar, where the ruling military junta is committing “horrifying atrocities.”

Meanwhile, in the real world, PTTEP, the exploration and production arm of the Thai national oil company, recently took over complete control of the Yadana gas field, the biggest asset in Burma. 

[John Drake]

Just now, Mr Meeseeks said:

Meanwhile, in the real world, PTTEP, the exploration and production arm of the Thai national oil company, recently took over complete control of the Yadana gas field, the biggest asset in Burma. 

I can't believe this guy's first act, even before he is confirmed, is to create friction, especially over the question of gas and oil. Should shut his yap. If he or the US were to start running arms to anti-government guerrillas in Myanmar, that would be something I could support. But stupidly getting on the wrong side of the country you've just been sent to is idiotic. No matter which side they are politically, just about every Thai is going to favor access to Myanmar oil and gas.

[khunjeff]

3 hours ago, John Drake said:

I can't believe this guy's first act, even before he is confirmed, is to create friction, especially over the question of gas and oil. Should shut his yap.

You can be sure that anything he said in his hearing came from briefing books written for him by the State Department and represents official policy - a career professional would never "wing it" or inject his own opinions.

 

It's also the case that whenever a Senator in a confirmation hearing tells an ambassadorial nominees that a particular issue is important to him personally - even if that issue is only tangentially connected to the country in question - the correct reply is always "Senator, I can assure you that that will be my top priority." Once the nominee has been confirmed, he or she is free to never think about or mention the issue again. 

[RichardColeman]

Helping one junta pressurise another junta ? 

[IAMHERE]

I thought nominees didn't have to tell the truth in senate confirmation hearings. Supreme court judge nominees didn't and there's no blowback from that.

[CALSinCM]

Oh goody.  Let's stoke a war between Thailand and Myanmar.  
Are the Thai brass stupid enough to fall for that - or - what's the payoff?  

[JingerBen]

1 hour ago, CALSinCM said:

Oh goody.  Let's stoke a war between Thailand and Myanmar.  
Are the Thai brass stupid enough to fall for that - or - what's the payoff?  

The "payoff" is likely to be multi-level and multi-faceted.

[unblocktheplanet]

Ah, the USA is gonna fluff the pillows & turn down the sheets. Dictators love each other!

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

The Biden administration’s nominee for US ambassador to Thailand said on Wednesday that he would press Bangkok to reduce its dependence on oil and gas from neighbouring Myanmar, where the ruling military junta is committing “horrifying atrocities.”

Best of luck with that.

[John Drake]

This guy has already got himself into trouble in his previous two postings by interfering in the politics of the countries.

[DJ54]

Looks like he’s been a bit pushy with some of his ideas….some don’t sound like they’ll be favored

[Iamfalang]

On 7/15/2022 at 12:33 PM, webfact said:

We are seeking ways with the Thais to increase the pressure on the Burmese regime.

Probably send them a postcard with an upside down smiley face.    That will teach them!!!

 

This is politics.    blah, blah, blah, do nothing, blah, blah, blah