Prime Minister Worries About Thailand Image

[jdinasia]

Sleeping at Government House...

is wrong

Why? It's ok to sleep inside Parliament....

LOL

apparaently Screwing at Government House is oK though (See the Thai Rath of 3 days ago ... Red shirt Mob at Gov't house was the lead story ... Center left story was the pink USED condom found there

[Plus]

I agree that the cooking show issue was minor

Don't forget that he also presented forged evidence in his defence.

Who knows how the ruling would have turned out if he didn't try to fool the court and got caught. One thing is sure - he wasn't going to be shown any leniency for that.

[ovenman]

I don't see any damage made with cooking on tv and buying land. They just make the law to aim at someone they don't like.

Sleeping at Government House...

is wrong

Why? It's ok to sleep inside Parliament....

This pictured dereliction of duty is exactly why moonlighting at another job is frowned upon, if not outright prohibited, by many organization/companies.

[bungy007]

Asean members know very well what the deal is, who reds are and what they rally for, and it ain't democracy.

So yes, it is a worrying image if so many people keep trying to bring a convicted criminal back to power, a man Asean members don't want in their own countries.

Yes, this is the big thing. Toxin has been branded as undesireable by so many and whole countries to boot. Toxin needs to be dealt with severly for Thailand to begin to hold its head up with some pride again. Do it now and take the moral high ground

[bungy007]

I don't see any damage made with cooking on tv and buying land. They just make the law to aim at someone they don't like.

Sleeping at Government House...

is wrong

Why? It's ok to sleep inside Parliament....

This pictured dereliction of duty is exactly why moonlighting at another job is frowned upon, if not outright prohibited, by many organization/companies.

This was arguably his greatest moment - his biggest contribution to the country next to leaving it for the US

[bungy007]

UDD core leader Veera Musikapong announced late Thursday that the United Front 'Red Shirts' will intensify their protest to oust the Democrat-led government as their four-point list of demands has been ignored by the government. He said there was no point in staying put protesting in front of Government House to press for their demands.

Hmm, Veera Musikapong, Vera Lynn, some similarity, and not just in the name. "We'll protest again, don't know where, don't know when..."

Reminds me of the Pink Floyd song:

"Does anybody here remember Veera Musikapong? Remember how he said that they would meet again some sunny day? Veera, Veera, what has become of you?"

I do remember Veera Duckworth - I believe she likes to bang out a ballad or two. She's not too shy at issuing her demands either as old Jack will testify

[hammered]

I agree that the cooking show issue was minor

Don't forget that he also presented forged evidence in his defence.

Who knows how the ruling would have turned out if he didn't try to fool the court and got caught. One thing is sure - he wasn't going to be shown any leniency for that.

Careful Plus cant have the facts getting in the way of a myth. He is lucky he didnt face further charges for that.

[Plus]

The courts seem to play the same hardball with the offenders instead of initiating whole new proceedings about forgeries. Potentially, Samak could have been jailed for fabricating false evidence. They let him off scott free on that but made sure he was kicked out of politics for good.

[sriracha john]

whether it's 2006, 2007, 2008, or 2009... their violent ways always seems to come to the forefront...

Soldier Attacked by Red-shirts Still in Coma

Police are now seeking CCTV footage from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the government in response to a report that a soldier was beaten by supporters of the red-shirt anti-government last night.

Sergeant Major Aumnuay Thongrin, of Infantry Battalion Region 11, was severely injured by 8 red-shirt protesters in front of the Region 1 Army Headquarters near the demonstration site last night.

Sergeant Major Aumnuay was sent to Phramongkutklao Hospital and is now in a coma.

This morning, Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief Police Major General Aumnuay Nhimmano visited the victim at the hospital. He said police are now asking for CCTV footage from around the crime scene in an attempt to identify the offenders.

Police to prosecute UDD members for assault on military officer

Police have prepared to prosecute one of several members of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), who physically assaulted a military officer in front of the Government House during the group's recent rally.

Commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1 Police Major-General Vichai Sangprapai revealed that from photographic evidence one of the suspects attacking a military officer during the recent UDD rally had been clearly pointed out.

Investigative officers have corroborated the indication with available evidence and have issued an arrest warrant for the suspect on charges of assault and unlawful detainment.

In addition, police are also currently investigating the loss of a military communication device occurred during the incident.

- ThaiNews / 2009-03-02

[hammered]

whether it's 2006, 2007, 2008, or 2009... their violent ways always seems to come to the forefront...

Soldier Attacked by Red-shirts Still in Coma

Police are now seeking CCTV footage from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the government in response to a report that a soldier was beaten by supporters of the red-shirt anti-government last night.

Sergeant Major Aumnuay Thongrin, of Infantry Battalion Region 11, was severely injured by 8 red-shirt protesters in front of the Region 1 Army Headquarters near the demonstration site last night.

Sergeant Major Aumnuay was sent to Phramongkutklao Hospital and is now in a coma.

This morning, Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief Police Major General Aumnuay Nhimmano visited the victim at the hospital. He said police are now asking for CCTV footage from around the crime scene in an attempt to identify the offenders.

Police to prosecute UDD members for assault on military officer

Police have prepared to prosecute one of several members of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), who physically assaulted a military officer in front of the Government House during the group's recent rally.

Commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1 Police Major-General Vichai Sangprapai revealed that from photographic evidence one of the suspects attacking a military officer during the recent UDD rally had been clearly pointed out.

Investigative officers have corroborated the indication with available evidence and have issued an arrest warrant for the suspect on charges of assault and unlawful detainment.

In addition, police are also currently investigating the loss of a military communication device occurred during the incident.

- ThaiNews / 2009-03-02

The UDD/red side are losing control of their image. They have tried hard to create a meme of peaceful demonstrators but every time they get involved in causing a violent incident the media is all over it. It has affected their image in villages or at least the ones I know where there is a movement away from sympathy to a they are just the same as the other lot plus a seeping boredom with politcal conflict.

[Koo82]

Those who attacked 60 Police on 7 Oct last year have no problem.

Those who attacked NBT tv station last year have no problem.

Those who blocked Government House from Aug to Dec last year have no problem.

Those who protested at airports in the South (Krabi, Phuket etc) and slept for a week in 2 airports in Bangkok have no problem.

They must arrest the guy on 26 Feb 2006 first. The reds always have priority.

I watched the live protests last month on DStation. Nuthawut said the 2 guys ran when the red guards came to speak to them. He said the guards watched the 2 guys for an hour before deciding they wanted to talk. If they had said they were people from the Army, no one would have done anything. But they ran.

Why did they run? The guy broke the guard's arm. The reds caught 1 other guy. He said he was a red joining the protest. If so, why ran?

Here are tens of thousands of reds on 26 Feb in front of Government House. Why no one runs? They didn't break into the Government House either.

If the guy had gone inside like everybody and had acted like a regular person, no guard would have asked them.

[hammered]

Those who attacked 60 Police on 7 Oct last year have no problem.

Those who attacked NBT tv station last year have no problem.

Those who blocked Government House from Aug to Dec last year have no problem.

Those who protested at airports in the South (Krabi, Phuket etc) and slept for a week in 2 airports in Bangkok have no problem.

They must arrest the guy on 26 Feb 2006 first. The reds always have priority.

I watched the live protests last month on DStation. Nuthawut said the 2 guys ran when the red guards came to speak to them. He said the guards watched the 2 guys for an hour before deciding they wanted to talk. If they had said they were people from the Army, no one would have done anything. But they ran.

Why did they run? The guy broke the guard's arm. The reds caught 1 other guy. He said he was a red joining the protest. If so, why ran?

Here are tens of thousands of reds on 26 Feb in front of Government House. Why no one runs? They didn't break into the Government House either.

If the guy had gone inside like everybody and had acted like a regular person, no guard would have asked them.

Both sides have been involved in violence and death. There are court cases against the PAD leadership already. Im not however sure if any red shirt has to date been arrested for the murder of an old man right in fornt of police. Im not aware of red leader Khwanchai being detained for unleashing a violent attack that according to recent internatioonal reports included a death. Still lets not let the facts get in the way of good propoganda. And what is wrong with the arrest of an assailant in a violent crime whatever the politcail persuausion. Maybe it is harder to find the red murderer of Chaing Mai than it is to find the red who attacked the soldier or maybe it just hasnt got the publicity that the cases against the PAD leaders have. Maybe it is harder to find evidence to detain Khwanchia. However, the PAD have received their summons and justice system is moving albeit slowly as always. That is part of democracy. You cant just arrest peopel and lock them up. There are legal protections and both sides use these which is their right. Better not get into the denial of justice and human rights in the most extreme way back in the extra-judicial rampage Enough said that we seem to be at a point where at least right to trial is currently being granted to all.

[animatic]

The reds don't always have priority. They just get in line for their own actions.

It's just the police are now told to do their jobs, and not instigate violence,

against ANY side, not just held in check by the indecisions of their bosses.

Or put in ignominy by the over zealousness of other bosses.

You notice the BORDER POLICE are NOT doing crowd control now?

When the PPP did try and act, they way OVER-reacted and Oct 7th was the result.

Realizing how BADLY that went, they under-reacted later and the airport was the result.

But THAT never would have happened with out that loony-toons, loose cannon,

general's boys lobbing grenades nightly at PAD in G.H. It pushed them to a move.

A move far from the one expected...

So you see;

we now have a more measured control response towards the RED's rallies

followed by actually taking them in and booking them.

Their trip through the judicial system MUST go at it's typical pace to seem proper,

just as the PAD cases go at the TYPICAL THAI SPEED.

You now have a non-hamstrung constabulary working quietly to over-load the judiciary.

All things must pass from Yellow gallstones to Red kidney stones.

It all comes out in the wash, with a lot of bile...

Edited March 3, 2009 by animatic

[justanothercybertosser]

You notice the BORDER POLICE are NOT doing crowd control now?

That is absolutely wrong.

Border Patrol Police was as present outside the compound, on the streets, at the recent Government House protest as regular Police was.

[sriracha john]

You notice the BORDER POLICE are NOT doing crowd control now?

That is absolutely wrong.

Border Patrol Police was as present outside the compound, on the streets, at the recent Government House protest as regular Police was.

Source, please?

[justanothercybertosser]

..

Edited March 3, 2009 by justanothercybertosser

[justanothercybertosser]

Source, please?

Actually, after briefly googling this i found a source for the previous Red Shirt march to Government House:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1081...t-three-demands

Quote:

"Police deployed 5,000 officers, including border patrol police, to prevent UDD supporters getting inside the Government House compound."

[sriracha john]

Thanks, it's more credible than your first reply anyway, although I did like the description of wholly unique experience garnered from behind-the-scenes, on-the-ground, insider assertions.

Thaivisa's very own narrator from behind the red lines... we're so lucky.

Edited March 3, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Police to prosecute UDD members for assault on military officer

Police have prepared to prosecute one of several members of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), who physically assaulted a military officer in front of the Government House during the group's recent rally.

Commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1 Police Major-General Vichai Sangprapai revealed that from photographic evidence one of the suspects attacking a military officer during the recent UDD rally had been clearly pointed out.

Investigative officers have corroborated the indication with available evidence and have issued an arrest warrant for the suspect on charges of assault and unlawful detainment.

In addition, police are also currently investigating the loss of a military communication device occurred during the incident.

- ThaiNews / 2009-03-02

The UDD/red side are losing control of their image. They have tried hard to create a meme of peaceful demonstrators but every time they get involved in causing a violent incident the media is all over it. It has affected their image in villages or at least the ones I know where there is a movement away from sympathy to a they are just the same as the other lot plus a seeping boredom with political conflict.

Police to Bring Charges against Violent Red-Shirts in Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok provincial police are planning to prosecute red-shirt protesters who violently beat a Phitsanulok man for honking his horn at the group.

Commander of the Phitsanulok provincial police, Police Major-General Thammanool Phetchburikul, said that red-shirt protestors from Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lam Phun, and Pitsanulok provinces who were protesting against a yellow-shirt political concert on February 28th, beat a man because he honked his horn at the red-shirt group to make way.

Police are continuing their investigations and are preparing to prosecute the red-shirt protesters involved, even if they were from other provinces.

The police have been criticized for being slow to react to the violence.

Police reports explained that there were too many people involved in the incident and there were only 2 or 3 policemen on site. The best that the few officers could do was to assist the victim out of the vicinity and to send him to a hospital.

Phitsanulok provincial police said that early investigations have given police enough evidence to prosecute those involved.

- TOC / 2009-03-03

[animatic]

You notice the BORDER POLICE are NOT doing crowd control now?

That is absolutely wrong.

Border Patrol Police was as present outside the compound, on the streets, at the recent Government House protest as regular Police was.

Source, please?

Note the date this was 1/02/2009 Back in January.

On that date I was on the way to Myanmar for 2 weeks,

so I guess I missed that street happening.

So what about since then?

The question remains even back at that Jan 2nd:

Were they just deployed in the area,

or were the Border Patrol in the front line doing crowd control

like the Oct 7th debacle?

Extra troupes in case they are needed is

a lot different than first in the line of fire.

And no teargas in hand nor guns.

Quite the different kettle of pla.

Edited March 3, 2009 by animatic

[justanothercybertosser]

Note the date this was 1/02/2009 Back in January.

On that date I was on the way to Myanmar for 2 weeks,

so I guess I missed that street happening.

So what about since then?

The question remains even back at that Jan 2nd:

Were they just deployed in the area,

or were the Border Patrol in the front line doing crowd control

like the Oct 7th debacle?

Extra troupes in case they are needed is

a lot different than first in the line of fire.

And no teargas in hand nor guns.

Quite the different kettle of pla.

During both Red Shirt marches there was no need for crowd dispersal as the protesters did not overstep the lines. They did not invade Government House, nor did they block access or built barricades. In case of this preventing this, border police, riot police and army was deployed by the government.

That was the difference - on October the 7th debacle police faced an armed group blocking access to parliament which has erected barricades as well. Unfortunately police was equipped with far too lethal tear gas canisters. The dispersal of the crowd though was legal.

And not just police used violence, also PAD did. Three police officers were shot, one was stabbed through his chest with a flagpole, and several were run down by a pick up truck (google it - there are lots of images of those incidents available).

But your basic assumption here, that border police was not deployed by this government, is simply wrong. Border Police was deployed, and will always be deployed during potentially violent protests. If it comes to violence is not just depending on the government, but also on the actions of the protest groups. You can be sure that if the Red Shirts would have attempted an invasion of Government House, the Government would have prevented this with the appropriate levels of violence, and rightly so. Unfortunately during the PAD occupation of Government House, the last government was not able to prevent this.

[justanothercybertosser]

Thaivisa's very own narrator from behind the red lines... we're so lucky.

Arent't 'ya?

Otherwise we would be stuck with your highly selective posting of news articles supporting you biased views.

[hammered]

Note the date this was 1/02/2009 Back in January.

On that date I was on the way to Myanmar for 2 weeks,

so I guess I missed that street happening.

So what about since then?

The question remains even back at that Jan 2nd:

Were they just deployed in the area,

or were the Border Patrol in the front line doing crowd control

like the Oct 7th debacle?

Extra troupes in case they are needed is

a lot different than first in the line of fire.

And no teargas in hand nor guns.

Quite the different kettle of pla.

During both Red Shirt marches there was no need for crowd dispersal as the protesters did not overstep the lines. They did not invade Government House, nor did they block access or built barricades. In case of this preventing this, border police, riot police and army was deployed by the government.

That was the difference - on October the 7th debacle police faced an armed group blocking access to parliament which has erected barricades as well. Unfortunately police was equipped with far too lethal tear gas canisters. The dispersal of the crowd though was legal.

And not just police used violence, also PAD did. Three police officers were shot, one was stabbed through his chest with a flagpole, and several were run down by a pick up truck (google it - there are lots of images of those incidents available).

But your basic assumption here, that border police was not deployed by this government, is simply wrong. Border Police was deployed, and will always be deployed during potentially violent protests. If it comes to violence is not just depending on the government, but also on the actions of the protest groups. You can be sure that if the Red Shirts would have attempted an invasion of Government House, the Government would have prevented this with the appropriate levels of violence, and rightly so. Unfortunately during the PAD occupation of Government House, the last government was not able to prevent this.

The border police difference on Oct 7 which was quite widely telegraphed before the event and spoken about was that Kosit brought in border police units from specific divisions known to be very loyal to him, and units that werent normally used in Bnagkok and which had no or limited riot training, and it was widely believed these were going to be used for a revenge attack for previous police humiliations at the hands of the PAD. Seemingly these units were also used in advance of regular Bangkok units which there was talk of the government werent happy with because of them being too easy on the demonstrators previously. Maybe it was just the government were concerend at the loyalty of some local units and wanted those they knew they could rely on. However, even under this scenario it ended in disaster.

I dont dispute the PAD also attacked the police and used some weaponry, and dont intend to question that. However, the number of witness acounts out there and the number of injuries is testement to police overreaction. I also remember reading reports that witnesses in higher buildings stated the police did not leave an avenue for escape when moving in and that constant volleys of tear gas were fired. Not leaving an escape route is silly for two reasons: it maximises casualties among the civilians, and it forces civilians to move towards the police lines to try and break out thereby maximising conflcit and injury on both sides. Unless these witnesses were lying the police just about did everything wrong or planned such an eventuality. Anyway in this situation the police should have left multiple escape routes and that they didnt.

Chavalits resignation to accept responsibility for the police overreaction undermines any government claim of reasonable force only being used. His claims that Somchai was also aware and Somchais claims that nobody told him anything are also an interesting part of the day. And where was Kosit? We all remember the government went into hiding that day. Nobody wanted to be in command. That wouldnt be the case if the action was purely reasonable.

Plus to be honest virtually nobody likes the police (even most Thaksin voters dont like them) so anything they say is pretty much going to fall on death ears Plus virtually every analyst had the police down as being on Thaksin's side! Right now though some of the police from that time have switched sides and it is likely that this event will be left pretty much where it is. The NHRC report, whatever the veracity of it and whatever claims by interested parties about bias, and it is a report which may not please the police or the Thaksin supporters still stands as the independent report and the news cycle has moved on. The report commisioned by the government has already been dismissed as flawed and anyway is linked to an accused group. Anything the police say is also a statement of the accused and thereby suspect. Anyway while we may debate what happened that day the world has moved on and it is more about what happens in the next demo whoever it is by than about what happened before. People in Thailand do not seem to any longer have much sympathy for street demos as a tactic and they also dont seem to want to dwell on bad things in the past. That though is probably human nature. We move into a period where economics takes precedence over politcs and where performance of government and duration of the worldwide economic crisis are far more relevent than what the PAD or police did on October 7.

[sriracha john]

During both Red Shirt marches there was no need for crowd dispersal as the protesters did not overstep the lines. They did not invade Government House, nor did they block access or built barricades. In case of this preventing this, border police, riot police and army was deployed by the government.

That was the difference - on October the 7th debacle police faced an armed group blocking access to parliament which has erected barricades as well. Unfortunately police was equipped with far too lethal tear gas canisters. The dispersal of the crowd though was legal.

And not just police used violence, also PAD did. Three police officers were shot, one was stabbed through his chest with a flagpole, and several were run down by a pick up truck (google it - there are lots of images of those incidents available).

Senate Special Committee deems police action as infringement on human rights

The Senate Special Committee investigating the October 7th incident deemed the dispersal of protesters as an infringement on human rights.

Today's round table discussion on the violent incident of October 7th was joined by several relevant committee's investigating the matter including the Senate established special committee. The meeting chronologically ordered the events of the day from its preceding date and discussed whether or not police usage of tear gas was congruent with international standards for rally dispersal.

The Senate group revealed its conclusion that police actions, which resulted in many injuries and loss of life, were an infringement on human rights.

The group also commented that government reparations for the incident until now are insufficient to the magnitude of the event.

- ThaiNews / 2008-11-11

Have your desk cleared out by Friday, Somchai....

Government, police guilty of Oct 7 crackdown: Senate panels

Three Senate panels resolved that the government and police were guilty of violating human rights during the violent crackdown against protesters led by the PAD on October 7. Senate Committee on Human Rights, Freedom and Consumer Protection Chairman Somchai Sawaengkarn on Tuesday said the crowd dispersal on October 7 left over 400 people injured and two deaths, and the violent measures could have been avoided. Officials could have used other routes to enter parliament or meetings could have been postponed or relocated, he noted. “The committee sees that the incident has reflected the guilty party’s lack of discretion and their inappropriateness of using weapons to disperse the gathering,” said the Senator. He said the actions carried out by the police followed the Cabinet’s resolution on October 6 to allow the government to announce its policy at the parliament as scheduled. Therefore, the government and the Royal Thai Police must be responsible for the damage done. “Police officers did not negotiate with the protesters, but instead used tear-gas canisters and rubber bullets against them, causing many injuries. Their acts infringed on the Declaration of Human Rights and were more than necessary,” said Mr Somchai. As for the government’s measures to aid the injured and families of the deceased, he said the panel considered a budget of 56 million baht for the victims to be allocated by the government was not appropriate and fair. With this budget, the panels feared that it could exacerbate the situation in

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=131958

Thaivisa's very own narrator from behind the red lines... we're so lucky.

Arent't 'ya?

Otherwise we would be stuck with your highly selective posting of news articles supporting you biased views.

Which are still more reliable than unverified and uncorroborated field reports from an anonymous internet poster.

Edited March 4, 2009 by sriracha john

[justanothercybertosser]

Which are still more reliable than unverified and uncorroborated field reports from an anonymous internet poster.

Senate Special Committee, National Human Rights Commission, etc., known to be staffed by PAD cronies.

Better read the Human Rights Watch Report, which can't be accused of being biased, and has accused both sides of excessive violence.

Anyhow, before diverting the threat any further, we clarified the main point here - border police was present at the recent rallies.

[Koo82]

on October the 7th debacle police faced an armed group blocking access to parliament which has erected barricades as well.

If this Policeman were at the red protests, he would never have his hand bleed. Is it how people say yellow peaceful protest?

Edited March 4, 2009 by Koo82

[animatic]

If the police had used proper crowd control tactics that day,

it's JUST as likely this policeman would not be injured in the same way.

When you enrqage acrowd and try to maim and corral it's members

it is logical that it will lash out violently in response and fear.

Regardless of PAD's moves this day went wrong because

of the police's gross mis-management of the situation.

[Mario2008]

Keep it civil, or face the consequences. Out of line comment deleted.

[justanothercybertosser]

If the police had used proper crowd control tactics that day,

it's JUST as likely this policeman would not be injured in the same way.

When you enrqage acrowd and try to maim and corral it's members

it is logical that it will lash out violently in response and fear.

Regardless of PAD's moves this day went wrong because

of the police's gross mis-management of the situation.

Everything is a two way street.

PAD blocked parliament, built barricades, and waited for police armed with their usual sticks, iron bars, etc.

Police fecked up by having been given the wrong equipment, but was absolutely within the law to disperse the crowd.

PAD attacked heavily, even with firearms throughout the day.

Responsible protest leaders would have called off the protests after the horrific injuries in the morning. But no - PAD leaders have incited their protesters the whole day to fight and attack police. Two people have died because of this, and countless more were injured, several more were maimed.

[sriracha john]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-thailand-image

PM worries about Thailand image

By: BangkokPost.com

Published: 20/02/2009 at 10:07 AM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday expressed concerns about Thailand's image as the red-shirt supporters plan to hold rallies during the 14th Asean Summit.

He, however, said he is confident that the summit will serve as an opportunity for Thailand to restore confidence as it is serving as the host of the summit.

The premier said he is not worried that the planned rallies of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will make the Asean leaders to skip the summit.

For the 300th post of this thread, I thought it best to revisit the OP as it seems to have been long forgotten.

The PM was concerned over Thailand's image relative the ASEAN Summit. The ASEAN Summit has been concluded with some quite positive responses, such as described by the American Ambassador to Thailand's words today. Additionally, future ASEAN-related meetings are planned in Phuket. Anyway, the point being the Summit has finished.

The Red Shirt "rally" at the ASEAN Summit while it was still going on consisted of 10 people. This was after the Red Shirt leader had stated that there were going to be quote, "hundreds of thousands", unquote:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=2566357

Anyway, the point being the Summit went off without a hitch. There was no "ASEAN leader skipped the Summit."

And Thailand's image has improved, to whatever measurable degree, because of it.

Will Thailand's image ever stop being a concern for the Prime Minister? Obviously not....(and that's a good thing)... but for the purposes of those concerns and image as described in this OP, the chapter is finished and thankfully one that was completed on a positive note.