Biden’s APEC no-show seen as a blow to Thai government’s credibility

[webfact]

(FILE) US President Joe Biden disembarks from Air Force One upon arrival at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland, Ohio, July 6, 2022, as he travels to speak about the economy. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

 

By Thai PBS World’s Regional Desk

US President Joe Biden’s decision to skip the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand in November is a reflection of the Thai government’s weak international image and the fallout of a democracy deficit, many political observers believe. 

 

“The decision comes as a bolt from the blue, destroying the dream of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who had hoped to exploit the presence of world leaders at the APEC Summit for political gains,” says Prof Ukrist Pathmanand from Chulalongkorn University’s Institute of Asian Studies.

 

Biden reportedly informed the Thai embassy in Washington that Vice President Kamala Harris would represent the US at the summit on November 18-19 in Bangkok.

 

Biden’s absence could be viewed as pressure on Thailand over the state of domestic democracy, according to a senior official at the Foreign Ministry who spoke on condition of anonymity.

 

The US administration has made clear that it wants to see Thailand make progress in democracy development to become a role model in the region, but the hearing in the Constitutional Court regarding Prayut’s tenure as prime minister under the new charter was not what Washington would have liked to see, he said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bidens-apec-no-show-seen-as-a-blow-to-thai-governments-credibility/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-30

 

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[spidermike007]

A blow to what credibility? I think they are living in a constant state of self created delusion. Thailand and this administration have very, very little credibility on the world stage. Only a small percent of the locals are buying into the army nonsense. 

[ikke1959]

Democracy and Thailand are  2 things that doesnt go together

[blazes]

The absence of a nincompoop like Biden from this or any other conference worldwide is a matter for celebration.  If he attended the meeting he would probably assume that Prayut was a Christian with a name like that.

 

But fear not, he is sending the brilliant VICE president to do the heavy lifting, the woman who just this week referred to the Republic of NORTH Korea as having been in an alliance with the US since 1953.   She uttered these breathtaking words at the DMZ, which, one would think, might have helped her to distinguish between North and South.

[Screaming]

What is worse, President Biden or VP Harris? I guess it is a toss up. On one hand you have an old man that cannot remember what day is to a woman that speaks word salads and cackles. Best to leave them both home in the basement.

[Gknrd]

I doubt the US could care less about Thailand and increasingly SE Asia. It's over plain and simple. 

 

[Pedrogaz]

Ask yourself, would you fly over here from the US to meet with Prawit?

[John Drake]

I think it is important that the US president come here.  Xi is going to be here, so once again the US is abandoning the field to the Chinese. Chinese prestige up even more in Thailand. US prestige down. That reflects on those of us living here, too.

[Bim Smith]

As soon as any democracy doesn't go the militarys way they step in. The new constitution has seen an end to any form of it. It's Myanmar light. 

[JonnyF]

No biggie. He wouldn't have added much.

 

At least the taxi drivers will be spared the "I used to drive a TukTuk" line from the man who never let's the truth get in the way of an endearing story.

 

 

[earlinclaifornia]

24 minutes ago, John Drake said:

I think it is important that the US president come here.  Xi is going to be here, so once again the US is abandoning the field to the Chinese. Chinese prestige up even more in Thailand. US prestige down. That reflects on those of us living here, too.

Don't let any facts get in your way. Chinese people living here routinely tell me how the government there is cruel to its citizens. Look at the dollars strength too. Do you know of anyone wanting Chinese yuan. Right, thought so. Explain why Biden should visit Thailand? Explain what Thai's are seeing as China's prestige? LOL! Xi declared himself  their leader for life! What ever gave you credibility to don him as anything valuable? Biden is a leader not some fake like trump. Americans expect to see trump jailed.

[RichardColeman]

Listen, since Biden is now asking where dead people are live on stage, what on earth makes them think he knows where Thailand actually is

[Isaan sailor]

Excellent opportunity for VP Harris to appear on the world stage.  Although I don’t agree with her politics—I hope she can positively contribute, command respect and represent our best interests here.

[earlinclaifornia]

33 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Listen, since Biden is now asking where dead people are live on stage, what on earth makes them think he knows where Thailand actually is

So the clown made a mistake Compare that to trump who is the worst person on earth and we don't take him serious as everything that works for him is lies only. . I like Joe and support him and don't listen to Fox anyways who has zero respect towards Biden. I recall you are a Brit who has little knowledge of American politics but knows how to rag anyways. Seems that your new PM is already screwing up GB. Peace

[sscc]

1 hour ago, Pedrogaz said:

Ask yourself, would you fly over here from the US to meet with Prawit?

 

Indonesia expected Joe Biden,  Putin and Xi  to attend G-20 Indonesia in Bali on Nov 15-16, 2022.  Indonesia President Widodo had already invited Zelensky,  no word yet whether Zelensky is to show up or not. 

 

Then Xi will come  to Bangkok for APEC Thailand on Nov 18-19.

Joe Biden then fly back to Washington DC  for a wedding. 

Russia is NOT APEC member.   No Putin here. 

 

Indeed Harris is to fly a long way to here. 

Thai people may like to see Harris more than Biden 

 

[Photoguy21]

Could be his plane arrived and he is still trying to find the exit door.

[Willy Wombat]

52 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Excellent opportunity for VP Harris to appear on the world stage.  Although I don’t agree with her politics—I hope she can positively contribute, command respect and represent our best interests here.

[Cake Monster]

It was my understanding that President Biden would not be attending APEC due to a Funeral of a close Family member that he wished to understandably attend.

 

[CharlieH]

Reported post and response removed.

 

Lets leave "Trump" out of it please !

[Jaybott]

Correlation:  Biden seen as a blow to the US  Government’s credibility.

[zzaa09]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

A blow to what credibility? I think they are living in a constant state of self created delusion. Thailand and this administration have very, very little credibility on the world stage. Only a small percent of the locals are buying into the army nonsense. 

A small percentage might be exaggerated, yet diplomatic of ya. 

The only percentage that are on board are the traditional circles of The Club. 

 

 

[Srikcir]

"a bolt from the blue" ?

No. Just a consistent foreign policy.

 

Biden didn't invite Thailand to his Summit for Democracy last year. Nothing has changed in Thailand (in fact worsened with Prayut resisting new elections after 8 years as PM) that would show any improvement towards democracy.

Or towards improved human rights, especially with regards to refugee asylum.

[Dart12]

I don't think his handlers let him out to do anything anymore.  

Like him or not like him and the party...
He's not coherent in the head anymore.

[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, earlinclaifornia said:

So the clown made a mistake Compare that to trump who is the worst person on earth and we don't take him serious as everything that works for him is lies only. . I like Joe and support him and don't listen to Fox anyways who has zero respect towards Biden. I recall you are a Brit who has little knowledge of American politics but knows how to rag anyways. Seems that your new PM is already screwing up GB. Peace

Oh heavens mate - how can you be so blind about this guy - IT'S ON VIDEO !! Asks where dead people are, falls up the plane stairs - three times (due to wind !), fell off his bike, took instructions from the Easter Bunny, shook hands with the invisible man, lost on stage in Europe, lost on stage in USA, said America could be summed up in one word that had about 26 syllables, Gets direction from his wife, directed where to go by security at the whitehouse when he walked to far, Weirdly touches children's hair, ignored by Obama at parties, mumbles...............

 

Look I am no big fan of Trump - if he has done wrong then he should get rightly deserved stuff.

 

BUT, how can anyone, even you, ignore Biden is a dementia suffering puppet suffering from elder abuse. He should be in a care home for is own sake - if anyone in a care home acted like Biden they would be rightly concerned. If he dies all this nonsense in public, what dies he do on holiday behind closed doors - and might remind you America is in the toilet and he's had like over 200 days holiday in 2 years !

 

The leader of the free world is a total joke - China and Russia are doing what they do now due to Biden's perceived weakness. At least Trump was strong an outspoken. I really did not like Obama but at least he had some energy.

 

It's not about politics , it's about an elderly man being abused

 

[chalawaan]

3 hours ago, John Drake said:

I think it is important that the US president come here.  Xi is going to be here, so once again the US is abandoning the field to the Chinese. Chinese prestige up even more in Thailand. US prestige down. That reflects on those of us living here, too.

China as we know it won't exist a decade from now. Xi will certainly be dead, or out of power. 

It certainly will not be a concern to the west, either way. Unlikely they will invade Taiwan before then, but that depends just how the CCP reforms/unravels.

The so called "China Century" ended with Covid. 

The European hot war, aka WW3 will be over, and we'll be rebuilding Europe and a  defeated Russia. 

Nukes will likely be outlawed internationally after that too. 

Thailand will either be a military royalist state or a democratic republic. 

[spidermike007]

4 hours ago, blazes said:

The absence of a nincompoop like Biden from this or any other conference worldwide is a matter for celebration.  If he attended the meeting he would probably assume that Prayut was a Christian with a name like that.

 

But fear not, he is sending the brilliant VICE president to do the heavy lifting, the woman who just this week referred to the Republic of NORTH Korea as having been in an alliance with the US since 1953.   She uttered these breathtaking words at the DMZ, which, one would think, might have helped her to distinguish between North and South.

Some will accuse me of being obsessed. But his predecessor was an embarrassment and an eyesore everywhere he went. Not exactly a diplomat. Biden by comparison is elegant, graceful and very experienced. He will be missed. By Thailand. 

[CANSIAM]

4 hours ago, Gknrd said:

I doubt the US could care less about Thailand and increasingly SE Asia. It's over plain and simple. 

 

Wonder if the F-35 stealthy fighter jet thing is still on the tables............

[wwest5829]

4 hours ago, blazes said:

The absence of a nincompoop like Biden from this or any other conference worldwide is a matter for celebration.  If he attended the meeting he would probably assume that Prayut was a Christian with a name like that.

 

But fear not, he is sending the brilliant VICE president to do the heavy lifting, the woman who just this week referred to the Republic of NORTH Korea as having been in an alliance with the US since 1953.   She uttered these breathtaking words at the DMZ, which, one would think, might have helped her to distinguish between North and South.

Entitled to your opinion and ... Dismissed ...

[wwest5829]

4 hours ago, blazes said:

The absence of a nincompoop like Biden from this or any other conference worldwide is a matter for celebration.  If he attended the meeting he would probably assume that Prayut was a Christian with a name like that.

 

But fear not, he is sending the brilliant VICE president to do the heavy lifting, the woman who just this week referred to the Republic of NORTH Korea as having been in an alliance with the US since 1953.   She uttered these breathtaking words at the DMZ, which, one would think, might have helped her to distinguish between North and South.

Entitled to your opinion and ... Dismissed ...

[wwest5829]

I am increasingly missing the old reaction buttons like sad and confused.