Prayut government’s undiplomatic meeting on Myanmar shows Thailand in a bad light

[webfact]

 

The informal meeting arranged by Thailand’s caretaker government on the Myanmar crisis has only provided a comfort zone for the junta across the border, but dealt a blow to Thailand’s international reputation and deepened divisions within ASEAN, according to experts.

 

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai invited ministers and senior officials from ASEAN and its dialogue partners to the discussions on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar on June 19 in Pattaya, turning a deaf ear to criticism and condemnation domestically and internationally for the reckless initiative of a caretaker government.

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha defended the initiative, arguing that his government needed to protect Thailand’s national interests in Myanmar as well as border trade and security.

 

Thailand has suffered the most from the situation in the neighboring country, as it shares more than 3,000 kilometers of land and maritime boundary. Border trade with Myanmar is worth billions of baht annually and Myanmar is a major source of gas supply for Thailand, he argued.

 

“We don’t take any sides, but we need to talk to seek solutions to the problems, that’s it. The other things are Myanmar’s internal affairs, and we don’t get involved,” Prayut said.

 

By Thai PBS World’s Regional Desk

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prayut-governments-undiplomatic-meeting-on-myanmar-shows-thailand-in-a-bad-light/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-06-21

 

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[John Drake]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

“We don’t take any sides, but we need to talk to seek solutions to the problems, that’s it. The other things are Myanmar’s internal affairs, and we don’t get involved,” Prayut said.

Sounds like Russia/Ukraine. Morally questionable or something else?

Edited June 21, 2023 by John Drake

[Mavideol]

33 minutes ago, webfact said:

but dealt a blow to Thailand’s international reputation and deepened divisions within ASEAN, according to experts.

the little "left over" credit they may had have with the international community it's wiped out.... thank you uncle Prayut but since you are on your way out you shouldn't get involved on any type of dealings anymore, pack and back to the barracks ASAP

Edited June 21, 2023 by Mavideol

[h90]

Not a fan of Prayut and I don't think a caretaker government on the way out should do it. But else it is more than reasonable to have good relations with the neighbors.....During any other time than the last days of caretaker I would have applaud it.

International reputation: Myanmar is good friend with China and Russia...just the two biggest countries on the planet.

[pegman]

The country's respective jantas have had family like relations for a long time. In fact a few years ago supreme puppet master Prem even adopted the Burmese leader.

[hotchilli]

53 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha defended the initiative, arguing that his government needed to protect Thailand’s national interests in Myanmar as well as border trade and security.

Nice try.. 

[hotchilli]

20 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

pack and back to the barracks ASAP

He resides at the barracks, no need to pack...

Just take a taxi

[Burma Bill]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

dealt a blow to Thailand’s international reputation and deepened divisions within ASEAN,

Yes indeed. For reference from Cambodian media :

 

 

Critics of Thailand’s initiative say it risks legitimising Myanmar’s military government and is inappropriate because it is outside the official ASEAN peace initiative, known as the “five-point consensus”......................................... Others questioned why Thailand called the talks now, when it is expected to have a new government in August after the pro-military coalition was soundly beaten....................................................... Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn was to attend the meeting, his government said in a statement on Friday............................................. Other ASEAN members have declined Thailand’s invitation, including this year’s chair, Indonesia, as well Singapore, whose foreign minister.................... said on Friday “it would be premature to re-engage with the junta at a summit level or even at a foreign minister level”...............................................Vietnam’s government said its foreign minister would not attend “due to a prior engagement”.

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501310388/key-asean-members-skip-thai-hosted-myanmar-talks-amid-criticism-only-cambodia-to-attend/

 

Amid a presumed snub by some Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states which did not participate at a meeting in Thailand, Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday raised concern over the worsening situation in the Myanmar conflict.

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501310751/out-of-hand-pm-voices-concern-over-worsening-situation-in-myanmar/

 

 

Edited June 21, 2023 by Burma Bill

[Srikcir]

38 minutes ago, h90 said:

Not a fan of Prayut and I don't think a caretaker government on the way out should do it. But else it is more than reasonable to have good relations with the neighbors.....During any other time than the last days of caretaker I would have applaud it.

International reputation: Myanmar is good friend with China and Russia...just the two biggest countries on the planet.

With a new government due no later than July 2023, the Prayut regime endangered national security GOING FORWARD by engaging with Myanmar on any strategic front. Especially with an openly fascist military regime fighting an open rebellion. Prayut in effect disrespects the elected incoming demoractically elected regime. 

Prayut should be censured but who's left to do so (other than a supreme commander of the RTM?).

[BritScot]

Making sure the road is open for him/them should he/they have to leave Thailand quick with their loot!!@!!. Just a though actually was my first thought.

[geisha]

2 hours ago, h90 said:

Not a fan of Prayut and I don't think a caretaker government on the way out should do it. But else it is more than reasonable to have good relations with the neighbors.....During any other time than the last days of caretaker I would have applaud it.

International reputation: Myanmar is good friend with China and Russia...just the two biggest countries on the planet.

Wow, just wow ! *more than reasonable* to do trade with a murderous regime and it’s crazy dictator ?
Your image here has never been good and is getting worse fast . Go there, or North Korea , I’m sure you’d love it. 

[h90]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

With a new government due no later than July 2023, the Prayut regime endangered national security GOING FORWARD by engaging with Myanmar on any strategic front. Especially with an openly fascist military regime fighting an open rebellion. Prayut in effect disrespects the elected incoming demoractically elected regime. 

Prayut should be censured but who's left to do so (other than a supreme commander of the RTM?).

Well to his excuse, we don't know when there is a new government, it can be month. But there is no urgent need...that all can wait for the new government. It is overstepping his authority as caretaker.

[h90]

6 minutes ago, geisha said:

Wow, just wow ! *more than reasonable* to do trade with a murderous regime and it’s crazy dictator ?
Your image here has never been good and is getting worse fast . Go there, or North Korea , I’m sure you’d love it. 

The conflict between the two militaries is since decades. If you do not trade, it won't hurt the military there, it will hurt the normal people and more important it will hurt the Thai economy. We have no problems trading with other murderouse regimes....Saudi Arabia (and thru all the Yemen war), China, Ukraine and Russia...but at Myanmar we don't do it?

And Myanmar isn't isolated at all.

And what do you think, at the last coup in Thailand, would you think the Thai people would have loved if the world stopped trading, so they get complete poor?

[h90]

14 minutes ago, BritScot said:

Making sure the road is open for him/them should he/they have to leave Thailand quick with their loot!!@!!. Just a though actually was my first thought.

There might be soon an empty property in Dubai available.

[ikke1959]

As Myanmar commented on the election results, it is a move of the current caretaker Government to show that they agree with Myanmar... Just politics, but they forgot the world and the other ASEAN countries were looking too at this meeting, and now the new Government has an extra problem to deal with. But a military based Government  will of course the junta of Myanmar, they are brothers in arms

[anchadian]

U.S. to slap new sanctions on Myanmar state-owned banks - sources

Reuters

 

BANGKOK, June 21 (Reuters) - The United States plans to levy new restrictions this week to cut off finances to Myanmar's military junta, according to sources with knowledge of the matter and Thai news outlets.

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-slap-new-sanctions-myanmar-state-owned-banks-sources-2023-06-21/

Edited June 21, 2023 by anchadian

[h90]

16 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

As Myanmar commented on the election results, it is a move of the current caretaker Government to show that they agree with Myanmar... Just politics, but they forgot the world and the other ASEAN countries were looking too at this meeting, and now the new Government has an extra problem to deal with. But a military based Government  will of course the junta of Myanmar, they are brothers in arms

I don't see how that is a problem for the new government....

[zzaa09]

International reputation? 

International: defined as a couple of Anglophone world views of everything. 

 

Don't be fooled as to what is placed or indoctrinated to be international or global. 

[MrMojoRisin]

Silly caretaker’s not taking enough care.

[crazykopite]

I would have thought that meetings such as this should be postponed until the new government is in place as a temporary government I would of thought important issue like this would of been put on the back burner to allow the new PM of the MFP to make the decisions. Hopefully MFP will take up office in Government sooner rather than later !!!!  

[John Drake]

The Myanmar military is someone to compromise and talk with, yes?

 

Quote

Nearly 100 people, most of them women, were arrested in Myanmar for wearing, holding, selling or buying flowers on Monday, the 78th birthday of detained civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 

  https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/nearly-100-arrested-in-myanmar-for-wearing-flowers-on-daw-aung-san-suu-kyis-birthday.html

 

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

He resides at the barracks, no need to pack...

Just take a taxi

I hear he prefers a GRAB 

Edited June 21, 2023 by brianthainess

[brianthainess]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

but dealt a blow to Thailand’s international reputation

It has one but not the reputation it wants.

[connda]

According to whom?  The East or the West?

[Mavideol]

1 hour ago, anchadian said:

U.S. to slap new sanctions on Myanmar state-owned banks - sources

Reuters

 

BANGKOK, June 21 (Reuters) - The United States plans to levy new restrictions this week to cut off finances to Myanmar's military junta, according to sources with knowledge of the matter and Thai news outlets.

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-slap-new-sanctions-myanmar-state-owned-banks-sources-2023-06-21/

are there, in Myanmar, ANY Non state owned bank, there have been meetings in Singapore about tighten any type of help to Myanmar, so far, unfortunately, without success as China, Russia, Serbia and Thailand keep helping the dictator

[bamnutsak]

D'oh.

 

FM Don is way, way past his shelf-life.

 

Just go away. Now. And stop meddling in foreign policy when you're weeks from the retirement home.

 

 

 

 

[zzaa09]

4 hours ago, Srikcir said:

With a new government due no later than July 2023, the Prayut regime endangered national security GOING FORWARD by engaging with Myanmar on any strategic front. Especially with an openly fascist military regime fighting an open rebellion. Prayut in effect disrespects the elected incoming demoractically elected regime. 

Prayut should be censured but who's left to do so (other than a supreme commander of the RTM?).

In a perfect world and settings, they would all be hung for their dastardly acts. 

[ikke1959]

3 hours ago, h90 said:

I don't see how that is a problem for the new government....

They have to solve the bad impression these cronies did to the country as an extra..

[Enoon]

"The Pattaya meeting apparently has created a schism in the regional grouping, with Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia staying away. ASEAN members in mainland Southeast Asia showed solidarity with Thailand, sending their ministers or officials at a high level to the meeting. Vietnam got its ambassador to Thailand, Phan Chi Thanh, to take part"

 

I'm pretty sure a fair bit of Malaysia (including the capital) is "mainland".

 

Enough to rubbish the "mainland Southeast Asia showed solidarity with Thailand" nonsense.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2023 by Enoon

[Enoon]

13 hours ago, Srikcir said:

With a new government due no later than July 2023, the Prayut regime endangered national security GOING FORWARD by engaging with Myanmar on any strategic front. Especially with an openly fascist military regime fighting an open rebellion. Prayut in effect disrespects the elected incoming demoractically elected regime. 

Prayut should be censured but who's left to do so (other than a supreme commander of the RTM?).

 

Scorched Earth Policy.

 

There will be more of that sort of thing.