Thailand Invites Obama To Patch Up

[webfact]

Thailand invites Obama to patch up - Interview

by Shaun Tandon

WASHINGTON, February 3, 2011 (AFP) - As the United States steps up its focus on Southeast Asia, its oldest regional ally Thailand is inviting President Barack Obama to visit as it tries to shed images of last year's political violence.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva sent a special envoy to Washington this week to convince US policymakers that the kingdom is returning to stability and is committed to shift its fractious politics from the street to the ballot box.

"Our mission is to tell them that we're back in business," envoy Panitan Wattanayagorn, who also serves as the Thai government's acting spokesman, told AFP on Wednesday.

The Obama administration has worked to build ties with Southeast Asia, sensing that the dynamic and mostly US-friendly region has been neglected due to Washington's preoccupation with Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Obama has promised to attend the next East Asian Summit, tentatively slated for October on Indonesia's resort island of Bali. A month later, Obama will welcome Asia-Pacific leaders to his native Hawaii for an annual summit.

Panitan said that Thailand welcomed the warming US relationship with Indonesia, which the Obama administration sees as an ideal partner in light of its vast, moderate Muslim population and its rapid shift to democracy.

But Panitan said that Thailand also sought a stop by Obama.

"We are working hard for that," he said. "A visit would be very good. By that time, we should have a new government in office."

Panitan hinted that the government supported elections early this year, saying it believed it enjoyed a lead in polls owing to an economic rebound.

But last month thousands of "Red Shirt" anti-government protesters returned to the streets of Bangkok, their largest demonstration since their mass sit-in in the heart of the capital in April and May last year.

Troops broke up last year's demonstration, killing more than 90 people as the world's television viewers saw footage of the modern city's sleek buildings burning to the ground.

The Red Shirts, who mostly come from the countryside and idolize deposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have asked the International Criminal Court to investigate possible crimes against humanity in the crackdown.

Panitan rejected the effort, saying that Thailand was not part of the world court.

An election would be "important in the sense that we can bring back politics to the parliament, not on the streets," he said.

Panitan conceded that foreign observers may think Thailand is consumed by domestic issues. But he said the kingdom was committed to an international role and pointed to its recent dispatch of peacekeepers to Darfur.

"We try to make sure that domestic turbulences don't spill over and affect our relationship with our friends," he said.

The United States has officially steered clear of taking sides in Thailand. In the meantime, it has focused efforts on building defense and political ties elsewhere in Southeast Asia -- including Indonesia and also former foe Vietnam.

The United States last month also pledged help for the navy of the Philippines, the other treaty ally of the United States in Southeast Asia besides Thailand.

Thailand is the oldest US ally in Asia. The kingdom then known as Siam famously offered elephants to President Abraham Lincoln to fight in the US Civil War.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-02-03

[happyrobert]

I fly 10,000 miles to get away and he follows me....is there no place safe?

[Payboy]

Thailand is the oldest US ally in Asia. The kingdom then known as Siam famously offered elephants to President Abraham Lincoln to fight in the US Civil War.

Then it went to bed with the Japanese during World War II.

[londonthai]

it's an invitation for the US investments.

obama might know where thailand is (unlike bush), but doesn't know and care more about it

[kuffki]

So in other words, USA no longer gives it all to Thailand but has been giving to other nations in SE Asia, Thailand wants a piece of that pie.

"The United States has officially steered clear of taking sides in Thailand. In the meantime, it has focused efforts on building defense and political ties elsewhere in Southeast Asia -- including Indonesia and also former foe Vietnam.

The United States last month also pledged help for the navy of the Philippines, the other treaty ally of the United States in Southeast Asia besides Thailand."

[REM]

I have to say, that's pretty amazing news about the elephants and the civil war!!!! I hope Obama does come here, it would be awesome for Thai's to know that Americans care. Even if it is an invitation for investment or stronger political ties, but any government relationship is for profit of some kind or another, so even if Thailand wants something, the US will get something out of it. I'm already pleased about the Thai/American Amnity Treaty, who knows what other benefits we could get. I'm trying to say the glass is half full, not taking a cynical approach to the whole thing.

[AZBill]

The only reason Obama is giving SE Asia the time of day is that he lived in Indonesia for a while and feels some connection to that area. The same is not true with respect to Thailand. He is notorious at cancelling these so called visits so I wouldn't get my hopes up. If he has a golf game or a basketball game come up Thailand will be off the itinerary. The bottom line is that Thailand does not have much to offer the US. We don't eat much rice and he has no affinity for the region here. The US has nothing against Thailand and sees it as a friend but only in the platonic sense. We learned our lesson from Vietnam so don't look for us to get involved in influencing any little pissing matches between Thailand and its neighbors or make any sort ofn major investment in Thailand's future unless the LOS can come up with some pretty big tea for the US to drink!. Farang not ting tong!

[thaihome]

The only reason Obama is giving SE Asia the time of day is that he lived in Indonesia for a while and feels some connection to that area. The same is not true with respect to Thailand. He is notorious at cancelling these so called visits so I wouldn't get my hopes up. If he has a golf game or a basketball game come up Thailand will be off the itinerary. The bottom line is that Thailand does not have much to offer the US. We don't eat much rice and he has no affinity for the region here. The US has nothing against Thailand and sees it as a friend but only in the platonic sense. We learned our lesson from Vietnam so don't look for us to get involved in influencing any little pissing matches between Thailand and its neighbors or make any sort ofn major investment in Thailand's future unless the LOS can come up with some pretty big tea for the US to drink!. Farang not ting tong!

Post such as this crack me up. Why do you people even bother posting shit you know nothing about that only shows how little you know about Thailand.

TH

Office of the US Trade Representative

Thailand

Exports

Thailand was the United States' 29th largest goods export market in 2009. U.S. goods exports to Thailand in 2009 were $6.9 billion, with top U.S. export categories including electrical machinery ($1.6 billion), Machinery ($1.2 billion), optical and medical ($436 million), plastic ($290 million), and grains ($240 million).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Thailand totaled $1.0 billion in 2009, making Thailand the 16th largest U.S. export market for agricultural products. Leading U.S. exports included rice, soybeans, wheat, wheat flour, and vegetable oil.

U.S. exports of private commercial services (i.e., excluding military and government) to Thailand were $1.6 billion in 2009.

Imports

Thailand was the United States' 18th largest supplier of goods imports in 2009, with U.S. imports from Thailand of $19 billion. The five largest U.S. import categories included electrical machinery ($4.4 billion), machinery ($4.0 billion), rubber ($1.2 billion), prepared meat and fish ($1.1 billion), and fish and seafood (shrimp and prawns) ($889 million).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Thailand totaled $1.6 billion in 2009, making Thailand the 14th largest supplier of U.S. agricultural imports. Key imports include processed fruit and vegetables ($379 million), rice ($371 million), and rubber and allied products ($294 million).

U.S. imports of private commercial services (i.e., excluding military and government) from Thailand were $1.5 billion in 2009.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand totaled $10.2 billion in 2009, up from $7.6 billion in 2004. U.S. FDI in Thailand is concentrated in manufacturing, finance, and insurance. Thailand’s stock of FDI in the United States was $220 million in 2009, up from $153 million in 2004.

[Pib]

it's an invitation for the US investments.

obama might know where thailand is (unlike bush), but doesn't know and care more about it

Bush knew where Thailand was...just ask him...it's a county in western Texas.

[hardy1943]

it's an invitation for the US investments.

obama might know where thailand is (unlike bush), but doesn't know and care more about it

Bush knew where Thailand was...just ask him...it's a county in western Texas.

I second that motion

[thaikahuna]

it's an invitation for the US investments.

obama might know where thailand is (unlike bush), but doesn't know and care more about it

Bush was here in 2003 for APEC but being the scholar you appear to be you wouldn't know that.

[Kernow86]

it's an invitation for the US investments.

obama might know where thailand is (unlike bush), but doesn't know and care more about it

Bush knew where Thailand was...just ask him...it's a county in western Texas.

I second that motion

And Sarah can see Thailand from her house! You bethcha!

[Jingthing]

Under Obama, US relations with Asean have been prioritized.

[mamypoko]

Flights leaving daily from Rendition Int'l Airport

[puyaidon]

Don't even equate the Thai/US Amnity Treaty with Obama. That treaty was established five years after he was born so connecting him with it is bull. If the Thais was oratory, yes, let him come. Substance, forget it.

Yes, I am an American who is watching my country go to hell in a hand basket due to him and his Chicago type politics. The only thing he will bring is a bunch of planes and synchophants costing millions for the US taxpayer. He could care less for this part of the world other than maybe China. Possibly Indonesia due to his childhood.

By the way, the definition of "investment" in the Obama dictionary is spend, spend, and more spending of the US tax dollars..

Edited February 3, 2011 by puyaidon

[Kernow86]

Don't even equate the Thai/US Amnity Treaty with Obama. That treaty was established five years after he was born so connecting him with it is bull. If the Thais was oratory, yes, let him come. Substance, forget it.

Yes, I am an American who is watching my country go to hell in a hand basket due to him and his Chicago type politics. The only thing he will bring is a bunch of planes and synchophants costing millions for the US taxpayer. He could care less for this part of the world other than maybe China. Possibly Indonesia due to his childhood.

By the way, the definition of "investment" in the Obama dictionary is spend, spend, and more spending of the US tax dollars..

Different to the last administration then...

[Garry]

The only reason Obama is giving SE Asia the time of day is that he lived in Indonesia for a while and feels some connection to that area. The same is not true with respect to Thailand. He is notorious at cancelling these so called visits so I wouldn't get my hopes up. If he has a golf game or a basketball game come up Thailand will be off the itinerary. The bottom line is that Thailand does not have much to offer the US. We don't eat much rice and he has no affinity for the region here. The US has nothing against Thailand and sees it as a friend but only in the platonic sense. We learned our lesson from Vietnam so don't look for us to get involved in influencing any little pissing matches between Thailand and its neighbors or make any sort ofn major investment in Thailand's future unless the LOS can come up with some pretty big tea for the US to drink!. Farang not ting tong!

Post such as this crack me up. Why do you people even bother posting shit you know nothing about that only shows how little you know about Thailand.

TH

Office of the US Trade Representative

Thailand

Exports

Thailand was the United States' 29th largest goods export market in 2009. U.S. goods exports to Thailand in 2009 were $6.9 billion, with top U.S. export categories including electrical machinery ($1.6 billion), Machinery ($1.2 billion), optical and medical ($436 million), plastic ($290 million), and grains ($240 million).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Thailand totaled $1.0 billion in 2009, making Thailand the 16th largest U.S. export market for agricultural products. Leading U.S. exports included rice, soybeans, wheat, wheat flour, and vegetable oil.

U.S. exports of private commercial services (i.e., excluding military and government) to Thailand were $1.6 billion in 2009.

Imports

Thailand was the United States' 18th largest supplier of goods imports in 2009, with U.S. imports from Thailand of $19 billion. The five largest U.S. import categories included electrical machinery ($4.4 billion), machinery ($4.0 billion), rubber ($1.2 billion), prepared meat and fish ($1.1 billion), and fish and seafood (shrimp and prawns) ($889 million).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Thailand totaled $1.6 billion in 2009, making Thailand the 14th largest supplier of U.S. agricultural imports. Key imports include processed fruit and vegetables ($379 million), rice ($371 million), and rubber and allied products ($294 million).

U.S. imports of private commercial services (i.e., excluding military and government) from Thailand were $1.5 billion in 2009.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand totaled $10.2 billion in 2009, up from $7.6 billion in 2004. U.S. FDI in Thailand is concentrated in manufacturing, finance, and insurance. Thailand's stock of FDI in the United States was $220 million in 2009, up from $153 million in 2004.

I'm glad someone responded that post. See that there could be more US based tarrifs on imported shrimp from Thailand. Obviously the industry is hurting in the US but it still needs to be protected from cheaper imports.

[dumpling]

I have to say, that's pretty amazing news about the elephants and the civil war!!!! I hope Obama does come here, it would be awesome for Thai's to know that Americans care. Even if it is an invitation for investment or stronger political ties, but any government relationship is for profit of some kind or another, so even if Thailand wants something, the US will get something out of it. I'm already pleased about the Thai/American Amnity Treaty, who knows what other benefits we could get. I'm trying to say the glass is half full, not taking a cynical approach to the whole thing.

maybe the boyz in Afghanistan could do with them elephants now , if it worked for Hanibal maybe it could work for the yanks

[passon]

I fly 10,000 miles to get away and he follows me....is there no place safe?

You flew 10,000 miles to get away from the president of the USA because you feared for your safety? Really? I guess you could hide out in the USA until the coast is clear if he decides to come here and visit; he wouldn't think to look for you there. It's too obvious!

[passon]

it's an invitation for the US investments.

obama might know where thailand is (unlike bush), but doesn't know and care more about it

Bush was here in 2003 for APEC but being the scholar you appear to be you wouldn't know that.

Was he here to massage the shoulders of the sitting Prime Minister?

[ThiagoBras]

I fly 10,000 miles to get away and he follows me....is there no place safe?

You flew 10,000 miles to get away from the president of the USA because you feared for your safety? Really? I guess you could hide out in the USA until the coast is clear if he decides to come here and visit; he wouldn't think to look for you there. It's too obvious!

irony, someone?

[mamypoko]

I fly 10,000 miles to get away and he follows me....is there no place safe?

At least it's not President Bush following you.

[Theoutsider]

Thailand is the oldest US ally in Asia. The kingdom then known as Siam famously offered elephants to President Abraham Lincoln to fight in the US Civil War.

Then it went to bed with the Japanese during World War II.

or where they pushed

what about the first one world war?

that where their flag comes from.

[hungryhippo]

By the way, the definition of "investment" in the Obama dictionary is spend, spend, and more spending of the US tax dollars..

Not really sure what you're trying to say here so maybe english isn't your first language. The word "invest" normally means you spend money to get money, typically more money then you put in.

I hope by now you realise how silly your post is.

Edited February 3, 2011 by hungryhippo

[passon]

P

Don't even equate the Thai/US Amnity Treaty with Obama. That treaty was established five years after he was born so connecting him with it is bull. If the Thais was oratory, yes, let him come. Substance, forget it.

Yes, I am an American who is watching my country go to hell in a hand basket due to him and his Chicago type politics. The only thing he will bring is a bunch of planes and synchophants costing millions for the US taxpayer. He could care less for this part of the world other than maybe China. Possibly Indonesia due to his childhood.

By the way, the definition of "investment" in the Obama dictionary is spend, spend, and more spending of the US tax dollars..

The writer said, " I'm already pleased about the Thai/American Amenity Treaty," so he was not giving the president credit for the actual treaty, but commending its existence. The country went to Hell during the eight years of George Bush, and Obama came into office to pull us out of the hole he found the country sinking in. So, you can not erase 8 years of mismanagement in two years, or expect miracles in the worst financial crisis in a generation. It took ten years to recover from the last financial crisis, The Great Depression. Check the facts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression_in_the_United_States

I don't believe for a second that Obama has an Indonesian agenda, and there is no proof to the contrary. I'm sure you probably think he is a Muslim, an undocumented citizen, and a socialist who fraternized with terrorist; but, the truth is, he isn't any of those things. He does drop the ball along the way, and there are things he can probably do better, but at least he is trying to get the economy back on track; so, I think what he cares about is a level playing field, something China does not believe in, and because of the unprecedented financial growth in China, it goes without saying that there is more focus on its expansion and how it effects the overall GDP of the United States and its trade deficit. Obviously China has a much bigger impact on those numbers then comparatively smaller Asian countries, so its really a matter of priorities. So, there is no Obama dictionary for spending, that's what mega banks do, and I don't believe he is deliberately ignoring Thailand, but from what spills out of the local papers in Thailand are never ending stories of the financial success of this country, and how that has evolved into huge foreign inflows of investment that have systematically increased the value of the baht against the USD, as any foreigner is painfully aware of that fact, if they depend on the value of the USD for their living expenses in The Kingdom. Therefore, if investments are overflowing , what need is there to pander for what the country apparently already has? which is, again, according to the news, an appreciating baht that is creating more investments that is stimulating growth (jobs, small business creation, commercial leasing, home ownership, auto sales, personal consumption, etc...), creating wealth, providing austerity to the poor, along with an inflation rate that is about 3%. Perhaps this is simply a courtesy call, an invitation to allow the president to see first hand how the economy in Thailand is thriving, and perhaps an opportunity for the him to ask for some financial assistance for a country, as you put it, that is "going to Hell in a hand basket."

[mataron]

By the way, the definition of "investment" in the Obama dictionary is spend, spend, and more spending of the US tax dollars..

Not really sure what you're trying to say here so maybe english isn't your first language. The word "invest" normally means you spend money to get money, typically more money then you put in.

I hope by now you realise how silly your post is.

That person is just spitting out what he hears from the commentators (Hannity, Beck, O'Reilly) on Fox News. Unfortunately, that's probably where he gets his information and shapes his beliefs.

[Suradit]

The US has nothing against Thailand and sees it as a friend but only in the platonic sense.

So there's nothing sensual we need to worry about, eh?

That person is just spitting out what he hears from the commentators (Hannity, Beck, O'Reilly) on Fox News. Unfortunately, that's probably where he gets his information and shapes his beliefs.

Fux Noise supplies revisionist propaganda, not information.

Edited February 3, 2011 by Suradit

[atyclb]

it's an invitation for the US investments.

obama might know where thailand is (unlike bush), but doesn't know and care more about it

Bush knew where Thailand was...just ask him...it's a county in western Texas.

Circa hurricane katrina Bush was the guest of honor at the Lousiniana Bar assoc annual dinner where he was asked about his opinion on "Roe vs Wade" He replied; frankly, to me it doesn't matter how people get out of new orleans.

[EvilDrSomkid]

P

Don't even equate the Thai/US Amnity Treaty with Obama. That treaty was established five years after he was born so connecting him with it is bull. If the Thais was oratory, yes, let him come. Substance, forget it.

Yes, I am an American who is watching my country go to hell in a hand basket due to him and his Chicago type politics. The only thing he will bring is a bunch of planes and synchophants costing millions for the US taxpayer. He could care less for this part of the world other than maybe China. Possibly Indonesia due to his childhood.

By the way, the definition of "investment" in the Obama dictionary is spend, spend, and more spending of the US tax dollars..

The writer said, " I'm already pleased about the Thai/American Amenity Treaty," so he was not giving the president credit for the actual treaty, but commending its existence. The country went to Hell during the eight years of George Bush, and Obama came into office to pull us out of the hole he found the country sinking in. So, you can not erase 8 years of mismanagement in two years, or expect miracles in the worst financial crisis in a generation. It took ten years to recover from the last financial crisis, The Great Depression. Check the facts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression_in_the_United_States

I don't believe for a second that Obama has an Indonesian agenda, and there is no proof to the contrary. I'm sure you probably think he is a Muslim, an undocumented citizen, and a socialist who fraternized with terrorist; but, the truth is, he isn't any of those things. He does drop the ball along the way, and there are things he can probably do better, but at least he is trying to get the economy back on track; so, I think what he cares about is a level playing field, something China does not believe in, and because of the unprecedented financial growth in China, it goes without saying that there is more focus on its expansion and how it effects the overall GDP of the United States and its trade deficit. Obviously China has a much bigger impact on those numbers then comparatively smaller Asian countries, so its really a matter of priorities. So, there is no Obama dictionary for spending, that's what mega banks do, and I don't believe he is deliberately ignoring Thailand, but from what spills out of the local papers in Thailand are never ending stories of the financial success of this country, and how that has evolved into huge foreign inflows of investment that have systematically increased the value of the baht against the USD, as any foreigner is painfully aware of that fact, if they depend on the value of the USD for their living expenses in The Kingdom. Therefore, if investments are overflowing , what need is there to pander for what the country apparently already has? which is, again, according to the news, an appreciating baht that is creating more investments that is stimulating growth (jobs, small business creation, commercial leasing, home ownership, auto sales, personal consumption, etc...), creating wealth, providing austerity to the poor, along with an inflation rate that is about 3%. Perhaps this is simply a courtesy call, an invitation to allow the president to see first hand how the economy in Thailand is thriving, and perhaps an opportunity for the him to ask for some financial assistance for a country, as you put it, that is "going to Hell in a hand basket."

Excellent reply.

Some people just hate Obama and believe any shit told about him. If I may generalize, they often watch Fox Truth *erm cough* News.

Like no other US prez has ever dropped the ball before. Naaah.

If there is country which is slowly "going to Hell in a hand basket" it is Thailand.

Indonesia is pulling it's act together and is making big efforts to rid themselves of the mega corrupt and totalitarian state (image).

It probably still is corrupt, but Indonesia is trying hard.

Thailand has a long way to go before it can be considered a real player.

I love Thailand, but I can't take it seriously when so many of it's people seem to be hellbent of f*cking it up, but pretending everything is cool.

Whenever I see that CNN/BBC promo for InvestThailand...

[Ulysses G.]

Under Obama, US relations with Asean have been prioritized.

Don't confuse the issue with facts.