For many, Thailand’s UN vote on Russia still a puzzle

[webfact]

 

Thailand’s abstention on a UN vote last week to condemn Russia for its annexation of eastern regions of Ukraine is still a puzzle and has prompted criticisms from leading foreign policy experts who question the reason behind the decision.

 

But the move was also praised by many social media users who believe Thailand has taken a right stand “in not choosing sides”, echoing a split in opinions toward the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the Thai society.

 

This is not the first time that Thailand abstains in a vote related to the war in Ukraine. In April this year, Thailand also abstained from a vote to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council. It was among 58 nations that did so.

 

Thailand back then said it abstained because of the overriding importance it attaches to a “transparent, impartial and inclusive approach in the multilateral regime.”

 

In explaining Thailand’s stand on the latest vote, Suriya Chindawongse, Thailand’s Permanent Representative to UN, said in a statement that Thailand chose to abstain because the vote “takes place during an extremely volatile and emotionally charged atmosphere and situation, and thus marginalizes the chance for crisis diplomacy to bring about a peaceful and practical negotiated resolution to the conflict that may push the world towards the brink of nuclear war and global economic collapse.”

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/for-many-thailands-un-vote-on-russia-still-a-puzzle/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-10-17

 

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[Enoon]

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[TheFishman1]

What is there not to understand Thailand will vote the way China will vote TIT

[2baht]

Fence sitters!

[2baht]

2 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

What is there not to understand Thailand will vote the way China will vote TIT

Justified no doubt, as the Emperor (for life) Xi has just been reinstated for another ten years! ????????

[cheapcanuck]

Thailand is wacked.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

But the move was also praised by many social media users who believe Thailand has taken a right stand “in not choosing sides”

Include me in that. Wise to not get involved in European conflicts.

[ausbeat999]

Wen you know the truth with what is actually going on , Thailand has done the right thing 100%

[stevenrossvanduyn]

5 minutes ago, ausbeat999 said:

Wen you know the truth with what is actually going on , Thailand has done the right thing 100%

The truth is Russia is bombing innocent civilians, hospitals, schools and no Thailand likes to sit on the fence when it comes to foreign affairs.

[IAMHERE]

The world is changing, fast. Globalization is coming to an end; the way of the world post WW2 is ending. Thailand doesn't realize it IS choosing a side, even as they abstain they are thumbing the eye of the Western powers.

Soon enough trading via cargo container ships is going to be a lot more dangerous for those that don't have a real navy to protect ocean going vessels.

[RichardColeman]

Jeez, the world must be full of thick politicians or ignorant ones that cannot see what every single foreigner living here can see - It's about tourism and money - not about having good moral standards or supporting Russia ! If Russia has been say Peru invading Brazil, they would be condemning it to the roof tops

[thaibeachlovers]

5 minutes ago, IAMHERE said:

The world is changing, fast. Globalization is coming to an end; the way of the world post WW2 is ending. Thailand doesn't realize it IS choosing a side, even as they abstain they are thumbing the eye of the Western powers.

Soon enough trading via cargo container ships is going to be a lot more dangerous for those that don't have a real navy to protect ocean going vessels.

I can agree that the world is changing, but IMO the winner won't be the greedy, decadent, soft, bogged down in stupidities west.

If, as you believe, Thailand is choosing a side, IMO they are choosing the winning side.

[thaibeachlovers]

35 minutes ago, 2baht said:

"echoing a split in opinions toward the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the Thai society."

 

Not all share your opinion!..........and.......this is not about Switzerland!

 

 

Of course not all share my opinion, just as not all share yours.

[2baht]

Just now, thaibeachlovers said:

Of course not all share my opinion, just as not all share yours.

Yes, opinions are like belly buttons, everyones got one! ????

[OneMoreFarang]

No nation has friends only interests.

Charles de Gaulle

 

[Purdey]

Let's not forget, Thailand was not the only country that abstained. Why  should it take sides when it comes to a vote. 

 You will remember that  the Europeans didn't take sides when France annexed parts of Thailand. I used to know a very old Thai royal who informed me his father could never forgive France, in fact he kept a lifelong hatred against that country, for annexing its land in what is now Cambodia and Laos in the forties and vetoed Thailand becoming a member of the United Nations in order to shut Thailand up and keep those annexed territories. In 1941, France ceded some land back to Thailand but Thailand was forced in 1946 to cede land to France  in Laos and Cambodia (which were part of Thailand's territory). Thailand owes the west very little. 

 

 

[phukettrader]

Absolutely the correct decision as there needs to be clear heads and attempts at diplomacy to de-escalate this US proxy war. However, I suspect that Thailand did not abstain for this reason but rather to not p**s off either side as they want the tourist $$$

[CygnusX1]

7 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

There 

is a related question: Why does the USA "support" Ukraine with weapons from the USA for billions of dollars?

 

Do they do it because they love those freedom loving people? Or could it be possible that payments of billions to the American industrial military complex is the main reason?

But then, it sounds so much better on the news when politicians talk about helping people than sending millions to their buddies in the industrial military complex.

Yes, they DO do it because they love those freedom loving people. The cynical explanation isn’t always the right one.

 

If anything, a more powerful Russia incorporating Ukraine would give the US Govt more reasons to increase spending on its “military industrial complex”.

[wombat]

7 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Let's not forget, Thailand was not the only country that abstained. Why  should it take sides when it comes to a vote. 

 You will remember that  the Europeans didn't take sides when France annexed parts of Thailand. I used to know a very old Thai royal who informed me his father could never forgive France, in fact he kept a lifelong hatred against that country, for annexing its land in what is now Cambodia and Laos in the forties and vetoed Thailand becoming a member of the United Nations in order to shut Thailand up and keep those annexed territories. In 1941, France ceded some land back to Thailand but Thailand was forced in 1946 to cede land to France  in Laos and Cambodia (which were part of Thailand's territory). Thailand owes the west very little. 

 

 

Interesting piece of history....ty.

[ChrisKC]

I think Thailand is voting on the principle of neutrality rather than the facts and circumstances of the case, that would enable me to vote in favour of the motion with a clear conscience. 

 

[nobodysfriend]

They do not want to lose the russian tourist's money .

[ThailandRyan]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand chose to abstain because the vote “takes place during an extremely volatile and emotionally charged atmosphere and situation, and thus marginalizes the chance for crisis diplomacy to bring about a peaceful and practical negotiated resolution to the conflict that may push the world towards the brink of nuclear war and global economic collapse.”

Does Thailand really bueve Putin wants diplomacy? He wants the reunification of the USSR and Ukraine is the first step. He is already annexing land....

[ThailandRyan]

30 minutes ago, phukettrader said:

Absolutely the correct decision as there needs to be clear heads and attempts at diplomacy to de-escalate this US proxy war. However, I suspect that Thailand did not abstain for this reason but rather to not p**s off either side as they want the tourist $$$

US Proxy war...really? So Putin just rolls on I  takes the Ukraine...what next  Poland, Tajikistan.......any bordering countries it wants?

[pomchop]

4 minutes ago, nobodysfriend said:

They do not want to lose the russian tourist's money .

The way thousands of russians are fleeing the "draft" to russia military maybe thailand would get more russian "tourists" by welcoming this group....also i suspect it may well have a lot more to do with buying russian oil and gas than with tourists....Thailand has it's own dictator wannabe coup crew as well as Burma next door so it appears that the thai powers that be are fond of fellow dictators so they will support them regardless of invasions, killing off dissidents, etc.

[d4dang]

31 minutes ago, wombat said:

Interesting piece of history....ty.

I have heard similar stories from older Cambodians, Laotians and Vietnamese regarding the French. In Burma stories were about the British leaving after WWII. SE Asia owes the West very little.

[Bangkok Barry]

1 hour ago, ausbeat999 said:

Wen you know the truth with what is actually going on , Thailand has done the right thing 100%

Please enlighten us. What is actually going on? Most of us see one country trying to take over another and killing and bombing innocent citizens going about their life. You, it seems, have a better insight. Or think you do.

[Henryford]

Not a puzzle at all. A big brown envelope changed hands.

[Bangkok Barry]

No-one actually cares what Thailand thinks. It makes no difference to anyone, anywhere.

[edogthong]

41 minutes ago, CygnusX1 said:

If anything, a more powerful Russia incorporating Ukraine would give the US Govt more reasons to increase spending on its “military industrial complex”.

That argument makes absolutely no sense. So the US (who always acts on the interests of the military industrial complex) decides to engage in a proxy war with Russia so that they won't have to increase spending to fuel the military industrial complex? 

 

Give me a break! If you're naive enough to believe that the reason for the US starting this proxy war has anything to do with the freedom of Ukraine, you've already lost all credibility. 

[d4dang]

12 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Does Thailand really bueve Putin wants diplomacy? He wants the reunification of the USSR and Ukraine is the first step. He is already annexing land....

The Junta members must have missed some history lectures on Stalin and his Ukraine policies/diplomacy but then again