EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Thank you, Thailand

By The Nation

Japanese ambassador profusely thanks Thais for being truly a friend at a time of need

The Japanese ambassador to Thailand has these special words for the Thai people: "A friend in need is a friend indeed."

That the sentence was uttered in Thai further underlined the heartfelt gratitude Ambassador Seiji Kojima shared with his compatriots towards the Thai people in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and the subsequent devastating tsunami.

"Mitr tae kue mitr nai yam yaak" was what the Japanese envoy wanted all Thai people to hear during his exclusive interview with Nation Multimedia Group's editor in chief Suthichai Yoon yesterday.

Like many Japanese, he was touched by the endless streams of donations and messages of sympathy, which he said have been pouring into Japan from all levels of Thai society even until now. He attributed the outpouring of goodwill to the solid relations between the two countries that go back a long time.

"Their Majesties the King and the Queen have sent very warm messages. We also received messages of sympathy from Thai businessmen, housewives, teachers, schoolchildren [and everyone]. We feel it every day," the envoy said. "Even now, one month after the earthquake, we are still receiving [messages and donations] from Thailand." He added that his country was also very much grateful to the rest of the world, which has sent in huge amounts of donations virtually every day.

During the one-hour interview, the ambassador also demonstrated the mixture of calm modesty and silent determination to see the crisis through, a combination that has come to characterise the Japanese people since the great twin natural disasters struck early last month.

On the contentious issue of nuclear power, he said the country's immediate task was to tackle radiation threats posed by the damage to its nuclear power plants.

'Verification' work

Then "verification" work will begin to pinpoint the causes of the crisis and the country will formulate its energy policy accordingly, based on all relevant factors, including availability of alternative power resources, he said.

"We will conduct an investigation into the causes of the problem. We will discuss and formulate a new comprehensive energy plan, considering all factors, such as availability of alternative resources of energy and the feelings of the Japanese people. It's premature to say [definitely] about the future energy plan," he said.

The ambassador acknowledged that Japan has faced criticism as the nuclear crisis has weakened other countries' confidence in Japan, a country that had always been considered efficient and secure when it came to safety.

"The government, the private sector, Tepco [Tokyo Electric Power Co], local governments, the fire department etc are mobilising resources for this mission. It's a unique experience for all of us. We have learned a lot in the past, but this time it's beyond what we expected. After the restoration, we will review measures in relation to nuclear power plants so we can be better prepared for a possible earthquake or tsunami in the future," he said.

He expressed confidence that Japan would come back stronger, but not without going through a soul-searching process.

"We are making utmost efforts and having strong determination to rebuild Japan and we are confident that we will be successful," the ambassador said.

Despite the cruel strokes of bad luck, he believed that Japan was lucky on at least two counts. First, the earthquake and tsunami damage, massive as it was, was not as widespread as war damage. This enabled unaffected people to join hands in the arduous reconstruction work. Secondly, Japan boasts enormous savings, which will help ease the financial and economic pressure accompanying the reconstruction and rehabilitation.

-- The Nation 2011-04-09

He attributed the outpouring of goodwill to the solid relations between the two countries that go back a long time

must mean back to the 1940's. even countries have karma, so they say?

Awwww..... isn't that nice.

Now can you please dump several thousand tons of wet concrete on to that little problem that may cause more deaths than your predecessors.

Yes, we must keep relations strong, we have free work permits and good pay for Thais who would like to come and pour the concrete, sarcastic mood today sorry... :lol:

wh

Awwww..... isn't that nice.

Now can you please dump several thousand tons of wet concrete on to that little problem that may cause more deaths than your predecessors.

Please have your mind 'in gear' before starting your mouth 'in motion'................

Please have your mind 'in gear' before starting your mouth 'in motion'................

How profound....

I mean no offense to anybody, just seems so slippery and hard to get a grip of, i can't imagine a proud nation like Japan, really being thankful to the open hearted, compassionate and generous Thais, who they class as inferior ....

Please have your mind 'in gear' before starting your mouth 'in motion'................

I mean no offense to anybody, just seems so slippery and hard to get a grip of, i can't imagine a proud nation like Japan, really being thankful to the open hearted, compassionate and generous Thais, who they class as inferior ....

I second that

The last time I looked at the aid package in baht to Japan from Thailand, it was about the value of one house......

He attributed the outpouring of goodwill to the solid relations between the two countries that go back a long time

must mean back to the 1940's. even countries have karma, so they say?

What,back to the time when Thailand was invaded by Japan or the time that Thai slaves controlled by the Japanese had to build the death railway line? My word, people have short memories don't they!

He attributed the outpouring of goodwill to the solid relations between the two countries that go back a long time

must mean back to the 1940's. even countries have karma, so they say?

I know you must love this woman, she possessed the same kind of thinking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxNp9Evqo3E

Edited April 9, 201115 yr by a51mas

He attributed the outpouring of goodwill to the solid relations between the two countries that go back a long time

must mean back to the 1940's. even countries have karma, so they say?

I know you must love this woman, she possessed the same kind of thinking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxNp9Evqo3E

Whooooow, That woman is just mind blowing ..... as extreme as a new Taliban recruit.

Or rather she has had her mind blown.

He attributed the outpouring of goodwill to the solid relations between the two countries that go back a long time

must mean back to the 1940's. even countries have karma, so they say?

What,back to the time when Thailand was invaded by Japan or the time that Thai slaves controlled by the Japanese had to build the death railway line? My word, people have short memories don't they!

Thailand was ruled by the fascist dictator Phibun who allied himself with the Japanese during WWII. He is still fondly remembered by Thais to this day. Don't forget the invasion only lasted a matter of hours until Thailand officially allied itself militarily with the Axis powers.

Thais died on the Death Railway but not as many as people think. Mostly Seri Thai fighters caught collaborating with the Allies. The tens upon tens of thousands of Asians that perished mostly came from British colonies captured by the Japanese including Malay and Burma from which Thailand was the staging ground for Japanese invasion of both countries. They seem to have been forgotten about in favour of the myth that the Japanese were rounding up Thai farmers and labourers and press-ganging them into forced labour on the railway.

Thanks, but i am not that stupid, i know it was the whales that got together and decided to create a giant splash down, to shake the Earth and the water,to show them that they, are sick of being slaughtered in an inhumane way, yes we have short memories.....now back to the subject....

He attributed the outpouring of goodwill to the solid relations between the two countries that go back a long time

must mean back to the 1940's. even countries have karma, so they say?

I know you must love this woman, she possessed the same kind of thinking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxNp9Evqo3E

He attributed the outpouring of goodwill to the solid relations between the two countries that go back a long time

must mean back to the 1940's. even countries have karma, so they say?

What,back to the time when Thailand was invaded by Japan or the time that Thai slaves controlled by the Japanese had to build the death railway line? My word, people have short memories don't they!

Thailand was ruled by the fascist dictator Phibun who allied himself with the Japanese during WWII. He is still fondly remembered by Thais to this day. Don't forget the invasion only lasted a matter of hours until Thailand officially allied itself militarily with the Axis powers.

Thais died on the Death Railway but not as many as people think. Mostly Seri Thai fighters caught collaborating with the Allies. The tens upon tens of thousands of Asians that perished mostly came from British colonies captured by the Japanese including Malay and Burma from which Thailand was the staging ground for Japanese invasion of both countries. They seem to have been forgotten about in favour of the myth that the Japanese were rounding up Thai farmers and labourers and press-ganging them into forced labour on the railway.

Thanks for putting me straight on that one I always thought that Thailand's alliance with the Japanese was a marriage of convenience (sort of like a shotgun marriage) and like Churchill's relationship with Stalin also didn't Pridi refuse to declare war on America? Anyway I did love your comment about Phibun the fascist dictator being fondly remembered by the Thais!

Edited April 9, 201115 yr by landofthefree

Has the day gone where people in crisis can openly thank and acknowledge contributors, who act to alleviate their suffering, (however large or small that contribution be) without attracting a stream of cynical derision...........

I don't think the days are gone, but it's made out to sound like, our great friends,the compassionate, considerate Thais,Japan thanks you for your integrity and leadership in times of crisis, you are a true friend ...puke... i sort of think, it's more like, shit, we'd better join the rest of the world or they may not come here any more and spend their Yen...

Has the day gone where people in crisis can openly thank and acknowledge contributors, who act to alleviate their suffering, (however large or small that contribution be) without attracting a stream of cynical derision...........

All those housing communities with golf courses, built with the Japanese in mind, might not fill up. Never mind. Reduce the cost to something reasonable, I'm sure other nationalities maybe interested.

He attributed the outpouring of goodwill to the solid relations between the two countries that go back a long time

must mean back to the 1940's. even countries have karma, so they say?

What,back to the time when Thailand was invaded by Japan or the time that Thai slaves controlled by the Japanese had to build the death railway line? My word, people have short memories don't they!

Thailand was ruled by the fascist dictator Phibun who allied himself with the Japanese during WWII. He is still fondly remembered by Thais to this day. Don't forget the invasion only lasted a matter of hours until Thailand officially allied itself militarily with the Axis powers.

Thais died on the Death Railway but not as many as people think. Mostly Seri Thai fighters caught collaborating with the Allies. The tens upon tens of thousands of Asians that perished mostly came from British colonies captured by the Japanese including Malay and Burma from which Thailand was the staging ground for Japanese invasion of both countries. They seem to have been forgotten about in favour of the myth that the Japanese were rounding up Thai farmers and labourers and press-ganging them into forced labour on the railway.

Thanks for putting me straight on that one I always thought that Thailand's alliance with the Japanese was a marriage of convenience (sort of like a shotgun marriage) and like Churchill's relationship with Stalin also didn't Pridi refuse to declare war on America? Anyway I did love your comment about Phibun the fascist dictator being fondly remembered by the Thais!

Pridi refused to sign the Declaration of War and Phibun removed him from power and made him Regent to the young King who resided in Switzerland. A Declaration of War against the US was issued but the Thai Ambassador refused to deliver it the the State Department.

The number of farangs who died during the building of the Death Railway is accepted by many informed historians to be about 28,000. It is also reckoned that at least 10 times this number of Asians died. The majority were from the adjacent countries and Indonesia but did include a significant number of Thais. The prison guards were mainly Korean and many of these were also harshly treated by Japanese officers and NCO's.