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Posted
31 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

This role in Thailand's north gives him valuable insights

I need to see his post history here.

 

You're not an expert unless your at least an "Advanced Member".    

 

Soon AI is going to take over most of these jobs.  

 

I absolutely understand that these roles were very important decades ago.   Now?  I'm not sure.   

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Posted

was just reading about the foreign service layoffs.    few thousand.   Ah, 2000/18000 or something.   Reddit is full of people complaining.   

 

oh yea, my point.

 

I think the ambassador's salary is at least $250,000.  Plus I'm sure they get a free mansion, free car, maids paid for by the US taxpayer, and who knows what else.

 

good gig if you can get it.

 

To do what, nobody knows.  

 

 

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Posted
6 hours ago, Quentin Zen said:

was just reading about the foreign service layoffs.    few thousand.   Ah, 2000/18000 or something.   Reddit is full of people complaining.   

 

oh yea, my point.

 

I think the ambassador's salary is at least $250,000.  Plus I'm sure they get a free mansion, free car, maids paid for by the US taxpayer, and who knows what else.

 

good gig if you can get it.

 

To do what, nobody knows.  

 

 

Maybe 1/2 that.  They do get often free housing or housing allowance and free drinks from Russian and Cuban spys.

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Posted
7 minutes ago, TexasCowboy said:

Maybe 1/2 that.  They do get often free housing or housing allowance and free drinks from Russian and Cuban spys.

They earn their money - can you imagine having to account for the erratic and inexplicable actions of this US Government to serious politicians in foreign countries? 

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Posted

Honey Pot is in my file over 100 times.   my bad, I have my weaknesses.

 

Epstein Island was too far....Pattaya VIP room was much more convenient.  

 

Smile, tea, coffee, smile, nod, shake hands, smile, pictures, more pictures, more pictures, gather some "information" from AI, etc.....

 

In 2025, I bet YT has just as much information as an ambassador.   Hey, drugs coming from the Golden Triangle!!!!  

 

These jobs are likely perks and bonuses from past "achievements".    1% odds anyone in America right now is chatting about US foreign policy in Thailand.  It's all super easy until something bad happens, then you gotta be the fall guy.  I'll be the fall guy for a million USD.

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Posted
23 hours ago, Jingthing said:

He sounds very well qualified and competent.

How very unusual for a Trump regime appointee!

 

Yes, very unusual. Unfortunately for Malaysia they seem to get a more typical MAGA style moron.

 

Trump picks former Sydney councillor and self-described ‘alpha male’ Nick Adams as US ambassador for Malaysia

 

"In 2023 posts on X, Adams listed interests including the restaurant chain Hooters, rare steaks, “extremely” heavy weights and the Bible, and described himself as “pursued by copious amounts of women”, “wildly successful” and “extremely charismatic”."

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Posted
6 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

"In 2023 posts on X, Adams listed interests including the restaurant chain Hooters, rare steaks, “extremely” heavy weights and the Bible, and described himself as “pursued by copious amounts of women”, “wildly successful” and “extremely charismatic”."

So you hate men in other words

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Posted

This seems to be the best US ambassador since Kristie Kenney. Now, if only somebody would do something about making the consular section more friendly and available for in person things like passport renewals.

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Posted
1 hour ago, jerrymahoney said:

 

The US has already written off Malaysia, which says it stands with China. What did they expect? Thailand is almost in that same category. They just haven't publicly stated it, which is why they got someone decent. 

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Posted

I was in CNX when he was the Consul General.  I would have thought the CNX Consul General Lisa Buenzas (who just completed her 3 year tour) would have been a strong candidate as well. Ms Buenzas is half Thai and is fluent.  

Posted
On 7/11/2025 at 4:09 PM, snoop1130 said:

Thaiger-News-Featired-Image-2025-07-11T093808.833.jpg

Photo of Sean Kotaro O’Neill courtesy of US State Department

 

In a strategic move, Washington has appointed Sean Kotaro O’Neill as the next US ambassador to Thailand, pending Senate approval. This decision aims to bolster American ties in Southeast Asia amidst rising geopolitical tensions.

 

O'Neill, a seasoned Foreign Service officer and former Wall Street lawyer, was nominated to succeed Robert F Godec, ending prolonged speculation. The White House made the announcement on 9th July, with the nomination now awaiting Senate confirmation.

 

O’Neill is well-acquainted with Asia. He currently holds a senior position in the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, showcasing his extensive experience across the region. His career began post-9/11 in the Foreign Service, where he accumulated over two decades of experience with assignments in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, and notably as the US Consul General in Chiang Mai. This role in Thailand's north gives him valuable insights into the country he may soon serve.

 

In the US, O'Neill has held significant positions as a legislative fellow and a Foreign Policy Adviser, further cementing his diplomatic and national security credentials. Born in New York, O’Neill’s introduction to diplomacy is distinct. Before his public service career, he was a capital markets attorney in New York and Tokyo. O’Neill is a Tulane University graduate and holds a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. Impressively, his linguistic skills include several Asian languages, notably Thai, which will certainly serve him well.

 

The White House has also nominated ambassadors for Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Sri Lanka, indicating a broader strategic focus.

 

While Senate approval could take time, O’Neill is expected to gain strong bipartisan support due to his regional expertise and comprehensive background in national security. His appointment comes at a crucial time of strategic rivalry in Southeast Asia, where his experience and understanding of regional dynamics are anticipated to be invaluable.

 

Should O’Neill be confirmed, he will play a key role during a period marked by increased geopolitical shifts, solidifying US-Thailand relations. The move reflects a broader American strategy to strengthen alliances in the Indo-Pacific, a region of growing importance.

 

With the spotlight now on diplomatic engagements, O'Neill's confirmation could heighten the focus on US strategies in the region, marking a new chapter in Thailand-US relations. His background and abilities position him well to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead, potentially reinforcing the US presence in Southeast Asia with renewed vigour and expertise.

 

image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-11

 

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An excitingly exception in the list of US envoys 

Posted
1 hour ago, angryguy said:

So you hate men in other words

Not at all, it's the idiots I have an issue with.

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Posted
On 7/11/2025 at 4:19 PM, Jingthing said:

He sounds very well qualified and competent.

How very unusual for a Trump regime appointee!

 

Does Trump know why he nominated O’Neill? Or did someone pass him a note to do so? 

Trump has acknowledged that he has been unaware of major administrative decisions made on his behalf. 

Posted
On 7/12/2025 at 1:08 PM, spidermike007 said:

This is an absolutely stunning development, for the Trump Administration to choose somebody with experience and talent is almost unheard of. It's almost beyond belief. I wonder how this happened? It seems like some kind of fluke. 

Indeed someone picked on merit. Corpse Biden would definitely picked an incompetent DEI ambassador. 

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Posted
On 7/12/2025 at 4:31 PM, jerrymahoney said:

The bulk of US ambassadorships can be ‘bought’. The going rate is USD2 million. The rest of them are awarded to political allies of the current administration This has been going on for decades with past administrations too. The new Thailand ambassador is the exception rather than the norm. 

Posted
19 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

The bulk of US ambassadorships can be ‘bought’. The going rate is USD2 million. The rest of them are awarded to political allies of the current administration This has been going on for decades with past administrations too. The new Thailand ambassador is the exception rather than the norm. 

Yes.  The nominee for Greece is Kimberly Guilfoyle.  Yes the former Fox News on air person who dated Jr and once was married to Gavin Newsom.  Zero diplomatic experience.  Her confirmation could be difficult. 

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Posted
47 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

The new Thailand ambassador is the exception rather than the norm. 

Do you know why this as happened if the rest of your post is correct?

Posted
On 7/12/2025 at 4:32 PM, John Drake said:

This seems to be the best US ambassador since Kristie Kenney. Now, if only somebody would do something about making the consular section more friendly and available for in person things like passport renewals.

American Citizen Services is terrific. First all, nowhere do I see a photo of Trump! Appointments, fast & friendly services, reasonable prices.

Posted
Just now, unblocktheplanet said:

American Citizen Services is terrific. First all, nowhere do I see a photo of Trump! Appointments, fast & friendly services, reasonable prices.

 

I don't want to mail in my passport renewal. I want to go in person to the embassy, like I did last time. There was a time, btw, when you could drop in on the embassy without an appointment and if you forgot something you could leave and come back and fix it in the same day. I want that sort of service back.

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Posted
1 hour ago, ThailandYoda said:

Indeed someone picked on merit. Corpse Biden would definitely picked an incompetent DEI ambassador. 

You can try to apply a highly partisan argument to a simple fact that I stated, but the bottom line is that you cannot make an argument that Trump has picked higher quality appointees than Biden. I was no fan of Joe Biden even though I'm a Centrist Democrat and that's a lot more than the vast majority of Republicans would be willing to say about Trump. 

 

 

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Posted
On 7/12/2025 at 1:08 PM, spidermike007 said:

This is an absolutely stunning development, for the Trump Administration to choose somebody with experience and talent is almost unheard of. It's almost beyond belief. I wonder how this happened? It seems like some kind of fluke. 

There’s an actual online dictionary crediting me for my phrase (The) Big Sulk (La Grande Bouderie): ‘A phrase originated by Julie Burchill used to describe those who refused to accept the result of the 2016 UK Brexit referendum and who have refused to engage with its outcome in any constructive way.’

Now it could be used for those who refuse to accept the result of the presidential election. TRUMP WON. LOL

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Posted
43 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

There’s an actual online dictionary crediting me for my phrase

If so where is the link and how could we prove it is regarding you?

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