Thailand Refuses Visa To Dalai Lama's Sister

[george]

Thailand refuses visa to Dalai Lama's sister

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand has refused to grant a tourist visa to the sister of the Dalai Lama for fear of angering China, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.

Jetsun Pema, the younger sister of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, who like her brother lives in India, was due to take part in a three-day cultural show in Bangkok beginning Friday until the Thai embassy in New Delhi refused her.

"We support the cultural show but in the case of the Dalai Lama's sister we have reserved our right to reject her visa application along with her husband's because we don't want to get involved in international politics," said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thailand's foreign minister.

The Tibetan monk's 69-year-old sister was due to make a speech about Buddhist education for Tibetan exiles that the ministry feared could touch on the thorny issue of China's rule of the Himalayan region.

China is highly critical of any diplomatic ties with the Dalai Lama, who fled his homeland in 1959 and has since lived in India.

He advocates greater autonomy for Tibet under Chinese rule but is seen by Beijing as a separatist bent on independence for his homeland, and Sino-US relations were strained by his meeting last month with US President Barack Obama at the White House.

China invests heavily in Thailand's agricultural and industrial sectors, with the two countries maintaining close diplomatic ties.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-03

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[ratcatcher]

It always amazes me how some nations are so scared of individual characters.

Here we have the Thai government afraid of offending China by granting Jetsun Pema, sister of the Dalai Lama, a visa. This is a 69 year old, peace loving lady.

The same can be said for China's fear of The Dalai Lama, a wonderful old man with a great sense of humor and of the world.

Last but not least Aung Sa Suu Kyi, who has terrified the medal laden generals of the Burmese military for two decades.

At least the Dalai Lama got to see Obama inside the White House.

[Netfan]

They've just embarrassed themselves in front of the world. Mark might as well just stand up and say "Who's my daddy? China, baby, China"

[brahmburgers]

If Thailand was a guy, he would be pussy-whipped by his 600 kilo wife, China.

[petebkk]

Although I'm in favor of this government in most cases, this is a typical spineless reaction. May be they should let her in, then slap a penalty for overweight luggage, side-walk littering, etc. and get a few brownie point from puppet master in Beijing.

[mca]

"because we don't want to get involved in international politics," said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thailand's foreign minister.

To which he could have added " Christ, we've got enough shit going down with our domestic stuff! "

[Credo]

Sad, spineless, gutless. This government keeps trying to take the easy way out on everything. It doesn't work. It tows refugees out to sea, it allows so many criminals into the country. Now, it denies the sister of somebody who is problem for somebody else a visa. Very, very sad.

[kuffki]

Definitely deserves a sit on UN especially after this stupidity

[landofthefree]

Although I'm in favor of this government in most cases, this is a typical spineless reaction. May be they should let her in, then slap a penalty for overweight luggage, side-walk littering, etc. and get a few brownie point from puppet master in Beijing.

What else would you expect from an Elite Eton and Oxford educated rich ehnically Chinese/Thai Prime Minister who is controlled by elite ethnic Chinese/ Thais living in Bangkok?.... where's the chicken smiley when you need it?....

[ratcatcher]

Although I'm in favor of this government in most cases, this is a typical spineless reaction. May be they should let her in, then slap a penalty for overweight luggage, side-walk littering, etc. and get a few brownie point from puppet master in Beijing.

What else would you expect from an Elite Eton and Oxford educated rich ehnically Chinese/Thai Prime Minister who is controlled by elite ethnic Chinese/ Thais living in Bangkok?.... where's the chicken smiley when you need it?....

Here you are then, lots of happy,smiling young chicks from Charoen Pokhphand Happy Chicken Farm.

One question though, would ex P.M. Thaksin have granted her a visa, being himself a rich elite Chinese Thai living in Bangkok?

Edited March 3, 2010 by ratcatcher

[webfact]

ONE CHINA POLICY

Thai govt rejects visa for Dalai Lama's sister

BANGKOK: -- Thai government has rejected visa for Tebetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's sister Jetsun Pema who was scheduled to give a speech at a cultural event this weekend.

Thai Foreign Ministry said the rejection was decided out of fear that the Jetsun Pema, a younger sister of Dalai Lama, would use the visit to deliver a political message and that would certainly upset China.

China that has considered Tibet as part of its territory and Thailand has insisted that it respects the One-China policy.

Jetsun Pema was supposed to be in Thailand between March 5 and 7 to join the Tibetan spirituality, art and culture event, entitled "From the Himalayas to the Chao Phya River" hosted at Bangkok Art and Culture Center.

She was scheduled to deliver speech on "Buddhist Education for Tibetan school in exile and Tibet: My story," on March 6.

Foreign Minister's Secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut told The Nation that visa applications of Jetsun Pema and her husband was rejected as Thailand did not want to have any political difficulties with country in concern.

"We don't have any problem with a cultural and art event from Tibet. But reserved our rights to reject any political-related issue which might affect good relations with other countries," he said. He did not name the country in question.

-- The Nation 2010-03-03

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[landofthefree]

Although I'm in favor of this government in most cases, this is a typical spineless reaction. May be they should let her in, then slap a penalty for overweight luggage, side-walk littering, etc. and get a few brownie point from puppet master in Beijing.

What else would you expect from an Elite Eton and Oxford educated rich ehnically Chinese/Thai Prime Minister who is controlled by elite ethnic Chinese/ Thais living in Bangkok?.... where's the chicken smiley when you need it?....

Here you are then, lots of happy,smiling young chicks from Charoen Pokhphand Happy Chicken Farm.

One question though, would ex P.M. Thaksin have granted her a visa, being himself a rich elite Chinese Thai living in Bangkok?

Thanks for the young chicks picture (I'm talking about the feathered variety for a change) and no I wouldnt have expected Thaksin to have granted one but then he doesn't have a spine either does he? For once I would love to see a working class PM that could truly represent most voters in Thailand but I guess its not going to happen any time soon while the Elite and money both rule everything

[cmsally]

Abhisits father sits on the board of CP foods which is a big investor in China.

Wouldn't want to rock the boat in that case.

[neverdie]

WEAK POOR EFFORT.

[tooninthai]

A sad, pathetic reaction by the Thai (puppet) government.

[Bagwan]

"We support the cultural show but in the case of the Dalai Lama's sister we have reserved our right to reject her visa application along with her husband's because we don't want to get involved in international politics," said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thailand's foreign minister.

So just what is the point of having a Foreign Minister? Apart from stirring up troubles over a heap of rubble as a predecessor did?

[k9inkrabi]

At least the Dalai Lama got to see Obama inside the White House.

Yeah, lucky the Dalai Lama. He may have picked up a few points on socialism from a one term president.

[RKASA]

Don't worry the defenders of the faith will be here shortly and explain it all. This government is never wrong and more important they are always right. You just don't know anything they haven't told you yet and that is the source of your confusion.

[monkfish]

Abhisits father sits on the board of CP foods which is a big investor in China.

Wouldn't want to rock the boat in that case.

Good point.

Could there be a conflict of interest situation there???

[kuffki]

Putting aside all the obvious and already stated, this would be another action by Thailand to piss off USA and then they wondering why relations are deteorating

[DP25]

No surprise, Thailand has been doing this since the 1990s.

[Johpa]

Yet another example of Thailand being the most southern Monthol. Perhaps Thailand is not quite the example of a Buddhist Kingdom that Prof. Keyes postulated in his book of that name (Thailand: Buddhist Kingdom as Modern Nation-State). Certainly the actions of the Thai givernment are not protecting Dhamma in this instance.

And I always find it a bit odd that even educated overseas Chinese see Tibet as somehow being an integral part of China despite having a different language and a different culture, not to mention the distance between cultural capitols.

[ScubaBuddha]

"We support the cultural show but in the case of the Dalai Lama's sister we have reserved our right to reject her visa application along with her husband's because we don't want to get involved in international politics," said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thailand's foreign minister.

Errm....you just did dipshit.

[animatic]

A truly bad decision.

But this logic..

we have reserved our right to reject her visa application along with her husband's

because we don't want to get involved in international politics,"

said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thailand's foreign minister.

Sorry Chav, but you just did, big time....

this couldn't be a more politically based decision to kow tow to the 900 lb gorilla in the corner.

And China would have gotten over it, as just another political mosquito bite.

Time the FM grew a pair, maybe this will change, like the kid flying paper planes,

after the 'play it safe' decision maker gets slapped around a bit in public.

Edited March 3, 2010 by animatic

[nisakiman]

I really don't understand China's preoccupation with the Dalai Lama. Granted, he's an internationally known figure who disputes the Chinese claims on Tibet (and rightly so in my opinion), but he is really no more than a flea bite to the juggernaut that is China.

That this decision has come from this government comes as no surprise.

They have no mandate, no balls, and are as steeped in corruption and nepotism as any predecessor was. Maybe one day Thailand will get a truly representative polity that has the confidence in itself to actually make decisions that benefit the country, rather than gazing at it's partisan navel. But I'm not holding my breath...

[whichschool]

At least the Dalai Lama got to see Obama inside the White House.

Yeah, lucky the Dalai Lama. He may have picked up a few points on socialism from a one term president.

He isnt too interested in the right to self-determination of the Falkland Islanders though, just like he doesnt care about the plight of the Tibetans.

Obama could teach anyone how to be a spineless traitor, with his complete silence in backing Britain over the latest Argentinian troubles that are boiling over, though Clinton offered to mediate (though i dont see what there is to mediate over) Pity weve spilled so much blood helping out the cowardly governments (not people) from across the pond.

Edited March 3, 2010 by whichschool

[rfukata]

Thailand with a record of 'poor human rights' - would never or always refuse such visitors, Plain and simple.

With a vast number of ethnic Chinese established in Thailand, again, Thailand will be very hesitant or scared (to

offend) the Red China communist government.

[Carmine6]

...

At least the Dalai Lama got to see Obama inside the White House.

Except in advance of Obama's trip to China, he specifically refused a visit with the Dalai Lama.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/...hina-happy.html

[benizakura]

Good job Thailand!

Tibet is a Chinese province and the people don't want back to slavery, the Dalai Lama is pretending like he is a friendly political Tibetan leader traveling around the world, he is a spiritual leader and nothing more who wish to see the province Tibet back in the middle ages with slavery.

NO, China will not allow it and the Tibetans don't allow it.

I have nothing against Buddhism and Buddhist people but slavery isn't Buddhism.

[tartempion]

Tibet is a Chinese province, so is Thailand