Unsurprisingly, and not for the first time, the United States has been accused of meddling in another country’s political affairs, surprisingly, this time it’s Thailand’s turn. The US has a long history of interfering in foreign affairs, as Cuba, China, Russia, Iran, Vietnam, and most South American nations can testify. It appears to be endemic in US politics.

 

US Ambassador Robert F Godec was on the defensive at a press conference yesterday when questioned about American interference and meddling claims in Thai politics.

 

The US Ambassador stressed that his home country had no intention of interfering in internal Thai political matters. Godec quashed rumours suggesting the US government took sides in the recent Thai General Election, stating that their sole interest lies in fostering democratic processes.

The 67 year old said…

“Confronting the relentless and malicious conspiracy theories, I wish to put it on record that we dismiss all fabricated allegations about the United States meddling in the Thai election.

 

“Our stance is never to favour any corner or party. Our only interest and support are for the democratic process. It is solely up to the Thai populace to select their government.”

 

by Bob Scott 

Top Picture of Robert F Godec and Tanee Sangrat courtesy of US Ambassador's Twitter account.

#news

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/us-ambassador-denies-interfering-in-thai-politics-amid-election-rumours

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-28

 

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yes sure USA will favor a party that is pro China and anti USA equally than a pro USA anti China party.....

Of course they try to influence elections. Everyone does that...nothing wrong with it.

If the Wiki Leaks diplomatic cables related to Thailand illustrated anything it was more about observation, analysis of intel and events which would inform positions and responses.

 

I don't remember reading any cables about meddling in anything? I did not read all the cables.

 

https://search.wikileaks.org/plusd/?qproject[]=ps&qproject[]=cc&qproject[]=fp&qproject[]=ee&qproject[]=cg&q=Thailand#result

Wished they had tried make friends with the 2 winning parties.

Would been a welcomed change from previous years where they mostly picked friend without support in the majority of the population.

(Exept upper class and military)

 

South America is indeed a case in point where the USA got rid of elected governments to install "their" boy. Thailand was a potential domino in Southeast Asia so their "influence" is heavily felt here, and possibly why they have not flatly condemned military coups in the past. I guess they like Pita.

 

 

“He may be a son of a b1tch but he’s our son of a b1tch.” 

Cordell Hull referring to Somoza

 

While we have a history of invovlement throughout our history, I haven't seen any evidence of it in the 14 years I have been in Thailand.  Lots of assistance offered in hopes of winning of the government but not disruption of the political process.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The 67 year old said…

What is the point, written between two paragraph?

????

As an American somewhat knowledgeable about US history, I acknowledge the wrongheaded active political interference in other countries, the same as I would condemn other countries actively trying to throw US elections (yes, tip of the hat to recent US elections). That said, I also support US national assistance through cooperative programs. Do tell, did the USA providing the COVID vaccines influence Thai citizens view of the U.S.? I certainly hope so as, in my view as a citizen, this was the best of American ideals at work. Was it done primarily for interfering in Thai internal affairs? I think not, so if you see accusations, put on your thinking cap. Is it possible? Yes, and history bears this out but … Is the specific allegation valid … hmm. I have no involvement in Thai political affairs but I do hope to see a Thai citizen directed democratic government serving the people.

Edited June 28, 20233 yr by wwest5829

I'm just tired of supposed "leaders" posing with stupid synchronized hand gestures in press photos:

This is cute for kindergarten age, it looks just silly when adults do it.

What does it even mean? Show me the money?

The "American Interference" disinformation campaign is being propagated by the usual suspects, and is compounded by the fact that Pita, in addition to being young, vibrant, progressive, smart, hopeful, confident and anti-establishment, took advanced degrees at KSG/Harvard and Sloan/MIT. Hence he gets tarred with being a lackey of the Americans.

 

Sore losers gonna whine, and try to undermine the new government any way they can. That's what this is about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 28, 20233 yr by bamnutsak

4 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

What does it even mean?

Heart. Love.

 

 

Nobody in their right mind believes a thing the US says anymore, so this won't be believed either.

The politics in Thailand have never, not once, bothered or affected me. I support the Thai people... not their government.

with these sort of people a public denial is an admission of guilt.  They could have remained silent, it would have been less suspicious

Undercover Secret Service agents on the left and right???

 

1 minute ago, Gumballl said:

The politics in Thailand have never, not once, bothered or affected me. I support the Thai people... not their government.

I could say the same for most if not all countries

12 minutes ago, sidneybear said:

Nobody in their right mind believes a thing the US says anymore, so this won't be believed either.

nobody in their right mind should believe anything any government says, better to believe the opposite of what they tell you

2 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

I could say the same for most if not all countries

I guess it is our way of saying "Mai pen rai" (sorry if my transliteration is incorrect)... but I'm trying to convey is... whatever. I am happy as the next person, minding my own thoughts and on goings.

11 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

The "American Interference" disinformation campaign is being propagated by the usual suspects,

When you lose an election, you have to blame someone or something. Still Thailand and the US have not really been friends or allies since 1997's economic crisis fall out, 25 years ago. Yes Obama did make an effort but ...   BTW, this article is written by Mr Bob Scott (if that is is real name); a well known "White Monkey". 
 

 

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

nobody in their right mind should believe anything any government says, better to believe the opposite of what they tell you

I believe Kim Jong Un

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

South America is indeed a case in point where the USA got rid of elected governments to install "their" boy. Thailand was a potential domino in Southeast Asia so their "influence" is heavily felt here, and possibly why they have not flatly condemned military coups in the past. I guess they like Pita.

 

 

“He may be a son of a b1tch but he’s our son of a b1tch.” 

Cordell Hull referring to Somoza

 

Not only South America....Iran...comes into my mind, when the elected government got to friendly with the Soviets

1 minute ago, Gumballl said:

I guess it is our way of saying "Mai pen rai" (sorry if my transliteration is incorrect)... but I'm trying to convey is... whatever. I am happy as the next person, minding my own thoughts and on goings.

"Mai son jai" is another phrase that springs to mind

36 minutes ago, sidneybear said:

Nobody in their right mind believes a thing the US says anymore, so this won't be believed either.

And nobody believes anything a Thai politician says either.

48 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Undercover Secret Service agents on the left and right???

 

No doubt; but which countries secret service ?

38 minutes ago, IAMHERE said:

No doubt; but which countries secret service ?

One Thai and one USA - or even one UK and one China (both spying)????? 

Edited June 28, 20233 yr by Burma Bill
additional information

Although I'm a Brit, I think like the Ambassador said, the US is more interested in seeing the democratic process followed in a country than taking sides with any party. I think you'll find that all the countries the US has interfered in have at the time been undemocratic, totalitarian states. 

1 minute ago, jesimps said:

I think you'll find that all the countries the US has interfered in have at the time been undemocratic, totalitarian states. 

Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh on line 2 for you.

 

But yeah, I agree with your premise. Thailand and the U.S.A. have a pretty lengthy diplomatic history dating to what, early 1800's. And it's been mostly beneficial to both countries, with a few speed bumps.

"I wish to put it on record that we dismiss all fabricated allegations"

 

We dismiss the fabricated ones. The others let's not talk about ????

I don’t think the United States is particularly interested in who runs Thailand.  Of course it’s preferred to have a democratic form of government. 

Can someone explain how the US interfered in Thailand's political affairs during this election, or during this century?

 

Please, no examples dating back to the cold war, Vietnam war, World War II, British and French colonialism, etc.  Give examples from the 21st century.