Thai Restriction Of Speech "Not Helpful" : British MP

webfact · July 19, 2010

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Thai restriction of speech "not helpful" : British MP

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Brown

BANGKOK: -- A visiting British politician said yesterday the state of emergency maintained by the Thai government in many provinces would not be helpful to the process of reaching a political settlement in the country.

"There may be in any country an exceptional circumstance, but as a general rule restriction on freedom of expression is generally not helpful in creating an open civil society," said Jeremy Brown, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Brown was in Thailand on Sunday and yesterday on a leg of his Asian tour taking him also to the Philippines, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

The British minister met on Sunday with Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to discuss various issues, including the government's unilateral offer of national reconciliation.

"I stressed with him the importance of reconciliation and the need for everyone in Thailand to feel the political process is able to reflect accurately the will of the people," Brown told reporters.

People in Thailand and everywhere in the world want to live in a stable prosperous country where the rule of law is respected and their views about politics and about society can be given accurate expression, he said.

Brown also met members of opposition Pheu Thai Party who offered differing views on the political situation and the state of emergency.

The minister also visited Rajprasong intersection, scene of much of the protesting by anti-government red- shirt groups in April and May.

"I want to see a political settlement in Thailand where the election reflects accurately the will of the people. I want to see, around the world, democracy and freedom of expression, reconciliation and stability," Brown told the audience in a luncheon speech hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce.

"But it is not the job of the British government to tell the people of Thailand which political system they should have, or what their political will should be," he said.

"That is a task for Thailand to create the settled political order that works for the people, regardless of their political opinion," he said.

"We hope Thailand will be a successful country, having a stable political system in which people enjoy democracy."

On Burma, minister Brown said the new British government would maintain the same stance toward the junta-ruled country as the previous one.

"The situation in Burma in terms of human rights and the freedom of people in Burma is unacceptable. The election planned late this year will not be a legitimate expression of the wills of the people of Burma," he said.

Burma planned to hold its first general election in two decades late this year; but the opposition will not be included and more than 2000 political prisoners are being detained.

-- The Nation 2010-07-20

siampolee · July 19, 2010

We should of course remember that my mother country England has draconian laws forbidding comment that may offend anyone who may not be of the same ethic or religious persuasion as ones self .

The Honourable member claimed expenses listed below in his pursuit of power, these expenses are not accountable as past events have proved.

Methinks the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament (MP) for Taunton Deane is poking his nose into matters that according to his responsibility list posted below do not concern him.

Responsibilities

South East Asia and Far East; Shanghai Expo
Caribbean
Central America
South America
Australasia and Pacific
Olympics
Public diplomacy
Human rights
Consular policy
Migration
Drugs and International Crime

EXPENSES CLAIM RECORD. Jeremy Brown M.P. 2005/062006/072007/08

£28,395.00£20,436.00£19,662.00 ----£1,053.00£1,053.00£1,114.00 ----£1,306.00£1,306.00£1,965.00 ------£11,205.00 ----£1,802.00£272.00£404.00 ----£6,979.00£7,482.00£8,341.00 ------- ----£21,565.00£22,094.00£23,074.00 ----£74,458.00£87,391.00£90,251.00 ----£3,260.00£3,142.00£4,989.00Total----£138,818.00£143,176.00£161,005.00

Edited July 19, 2010 by siampolee

jackdawson · July 20, 2010

i agree . isn't the way thailand chooses to run it's country ABOVE his pay grade ?

Moruya · July 20, 2010

What a pompous dick. I'm sure Quinton will be carpeted over these outspoken statements from the British coalition.

"I want to see a political settlement in Thailand where the election reflects accurately the will of the people." - he'll be campaining for PR in Thailand next.

Get back to your combine harvester dimwit and relieve yourself of these delusions of global grandeur!

whybother · July 20, 2010

I thought the last election accurately reflected the will of the people.

Large minorities voted for the PPP and the Democrats. The smaller minorities and the Democrats have formed government. That's similar to what happened in England, isn't it?

timekeeper · July 20, 2010

ok, as my last message was removed

if you object to what he said and who he met with (as i did) then contact him through his office in Taunton

you can google for his email address

jayjay0 · July 20, 2010

and just how does a election where the votes are bought reflect the will of the people.

I personally feel that the problems in this country can not be ironed out politically. To me that smacks of communism. The people themselves must do it. How can you mandate equality if the people are unwilling to except it. Until Thailand actually educates the population nothing will change. People need a education and the ability to reason things out.

Recently Air Asia ran a one hour special on the internal problems with Thailand. They featured a women red shirt demonstrator who could only say we have no democracy. She had no idea of what democracy was. All she knew was what the leaders had told her. Unfortunately there is many in Thailand bound by a lack of education and blind obedience to people who tell them what they want to hear. The answer must come from the people with knowledge of what is going on working together for a peaceful Thailand. You can not legislate this. It must be learned.

JMO

whybother · July 20, 2010

The will of the people was to vote for who they got paid to vote for. Not very good for democracy, but still the will of the people.

BWPattaya · July 20, 2010

I believe that it is improper for a British MP to comment or intervene in a sovereign country's political situation. How would he like it if a Thai MP went to London and made comments in the public arena?

dumball · July 20, 2010

He was discussing various problems in Thailand with the Thai foriegn Minister , he gave HIS OPINIONS on what he thought about these problems , he did not just stand up and cascade rhetoric to the press about his thoughs and feelings , this has been warped and twisted to suit some posters OPINIONS together with defamatory remarks about his being a farmer etc .

What has happened to TV posters of late ? There is often mention of 'Grumpy old men' and thier comments , how do you think some of you come across on this thread ?

DP25 · July 20, 2010

I want to see a political settlement in Thailand where the election reflects accurately the will of the people.

Well, you got it already. 2/3 of Thai voted against the Thaksin party.

dominique355 · July 20, 2010

Why are some posters here so outraged by what this fellow said?

It is a fact the there is political censorship in Thailand on all levels (113,000 websites blocked) and nobody dares to express his opinion freely. This suppression of freedom has penetrated all aspects of Thai society, even the private sector (just look a the rules in this forum). Even ad are censored (Thailand we apologise).

Without freedom of expression on all aspects of Thai politics, there can be no true democracy. The future of this country is at stakes but we cannot talk about it. LM is used to silence opponents.

It is very good that someone has the courage to speak openly, but even this British MP had to wait until he was outside Thailand to speak.

Moruya · July 20, 2010

He was discussing various problems in Thailand with the Thai foriegn Minister , he gave HIS OPINIONS on what he thought about these problems , he did not just stand up and cascade rhetoric to the press about his thoughs and feelings , this has been warped and twisted to suit some posters OPINIONS together with defamatory remarks about his being a farmer etc .

What has happened to TV posters of late ? There is often mention of 'Grumpy old men' and thier comments , how do you think some of you come across on this thread ?

he was acting in an official capacity - therefore "HIS OPINIONS" are those of the UK government.

With that in mind, I find his remarks quite patronising to Thailand and to some large degree, ill researched and ill informed.

It is "MY OPINION" that he is a blundering oik who has demonstrated the statesmanship of a turnip.

I too hail from Somerset and Browne from London so I find it amusing to make reference to farming for a guy who clearly came there on a political career move no doubt assisted by his family connections

Briggsy · July 20, 2010

In my job, it is a sound tactic to make staff aware they are being watched/monitored/evaluated.

Both parties, myself and the staff, know that if my advice is ignored and the staff choose to do as little as possible, then because of the roles we hold, precious little will happen in terms of consequences. However, the tactic often yields a lot in terms of results, effort and progress.

This is what is going on here.

dumball · July 20, 2010

Oye bey up frum zumerzet , frum Briál on zumerzet zide , that does not in any way infer my thinking has to aligne with yours , I am a free thinker , I am aware his comments could be aligned with government policy or thinking , but he did make some good points that Thai do not wish to be brought to the light of day or discussed in any honest way , shape or form .

Until or unless the mode of thinking changes , nothing of worth will come of any or all think-tanks .

Rucharee · July 20, 2010

Khun Kasit,

Please kick Mr. Brown asap.

It is obvious that Mr. have drunk too much over dinner last night.

Else, he might just be a puppet for Khun Thaksin.

Regards

Rucharee

(an open letter)

Edited July 20, 2010 by Rucharee

wolf5370 · July 20, 2010

If it were not so serious it could be laughable how some postes seem to beleive any criticism of a country or its policies is bad, especially when stated by a foreign politician (in this case a foreign minister - whose job requires him to consider non-British governments!). This country, like many in the 3rd world (and some in te 1st!) does not have the ability to change itself when the populous are so easily bought and so under-educated, the politicians and authorities so corrupt, and the political will centred on short term personal gains rather than do a good job for the country. Sure, all counties suffer from this in part, but when all points come together, there is no internal change (at least not without massive blood letting - revolution - which no sane man (or woman) wants to see).

To call laws protecting minorities from attack and discrimination as draconian says a lot about that poster - and relying on expense claims made in an effort to show a parallel of corruptiuon is silly given that all his claims were legitimate and legal (hence he is not under police investigation as some are) - the fact that it is not particularly moral to claim just because you can, does not make one corrupt - just desperate or greedy

To those who can't seem to tell: When he says, "I believe..." he means personally; when he says "We want..." he is talking for the British Government.

Can anyone actually argue against his words in a logical debate? (unlikely here unfortunatly) becasue he simply states what he (and the government - see last para)

would like to see - not what is the case - it also seems obvious he is talking about the current crissis and not history either.

wolf5370 · July 20, 2010

Khun Kasit,

Please kick Mr. Brown asap.

It is obvious that Mr. have drunk too much over dinner last night.

Else, he might just be a puppet for Khun Thaksin.

Regards

Rucharee

(an open letter)

Yeah right - Thaksin controls the British Govermnet now too (that's why he can't get a visa to go there!) - geez some people should have their keyboards impounded!

So, as a Thai you are disagreeing with th following (i.,e. you don't want...)

- The government to know ... the importance of reconciliation and the need for everyone in Thailand to feel the political process is able to reflect accurately the will of the people.

- Political settlement in Thailand where the election reflects accurately the will of the people.

- Democracy and freedom of expression, reconciliation and stability worldwide.

- Thailand to create a settled political order that works for the people, regardless of their political opinions.

- Thailand to be a successful country, with a stable political system in which people enjoy democracy.

- That this is a task for Thailand to create a settled political order that works for the people, regardless of their political opinions (and without foreign intervention)

That is, you want anarchy, instability and/or foreign intervention. Really?

dumball · July 20, 2010

'wolf5370' date='2010-07-20 12:02' timestamp='1279602169' post='3760642']

'Rucharee' date='2010-07-20 11:42' timestamp='1279600970' post='3760608']