US Praises Thailand's Response To Floods

[webfact]

US praises Thailand's response to floods

WASHINGTON, October 25, 2011 (AFP) - The Pentagon praised Thailand's response to the country's worst flooding in decades Tuesday and said the United States stood ready to assist if needed.

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, on a tour of Asia, "is closely monitoring the situation and applauds the Thai government's quick response to this major natural disaster," spokesman George Little said in a statement.

"Thailand is a close ally, and we will continue to work with Thai officials to assess what they may need in the form of assistance from the United States."

The Pentagon statement came amid questions about how the Thai government has responded to the crisis and after Bangkok declined an offer of help from the US Navy, which had sent an aircraft carrier -- the USS George Washington -- and three other ships to the area to provide possible help with relief efforts.

With no formal request, the aircraft carrier departed the area last Friday and headed to Japan for an annual exercise, officials said.

Panetta, who held talks in Tokyo earlier, has "expressed serious concern about the flooding in Thailand" throughout his visit to the Asia-Pacific region and offers his "deepest condolences to all those who have suffered," the statement said.

A US defense official in Washington told AFP on Monday the United States had received "mixed messages" from Thailand about US assistance and in the end, no formal request was issued.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-10-26

[londonthai]

"US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, on a tour of Asia, "is closely monitoring the situation and applauds the Thai government's quick response to this major natural disaster," spokesman George Little said in a statement. "Thailand is a close ally, and we will continue to work with Thai officials to assess what they may need in the form of assistance from the United States." ...

A US defense official in Washington told AFP on Monday the United States had received "mixed messages" from Thailand about US assistance and in the end, no formal request was issued."

Looks like Little contradicts the unnamed source of AFP.

help in a dear situation like this, should be a help without "issuing formal requests", conditions and diplomatic pressures. Good, that the US is changing it's policy towards thailand.

Edited October 25, 2011 by londonthai

[cloudhopper]

help in a dear situation like this, should be a help without "issuing formal requests", conditions and diplomatic pressures. Good, that the US is changing it's policy towards thailand.

What just force their way in uninvited?? You can set the pail in front of the horse but....

[chadintheusa]

Yes compared to the US's slow response to it's own self created debt crisis this summer then I guess the Thai government appears to be moving relatively quickly. But to anyone in Thailand I'm sure that they aren't moving nearly fast enough. They are certainly moving slower than the Chao Phraya river is.

[Hssl]

rose coloured ray-bans................

[ricardofel]

Come on Leon...now you sound as incompetent as the mis-management of the crisis.

[zydeco]

Leon doesn't live here.

[rametindallas]

Thailand rebuffed the US and Panetta (political hack) is just being 'diplomatic' (code for lieing)

[Sydebolle]

If the burger boys indeed released such a <deleted> statement it would only prove that they remain ignorant as ever. Praising the successfull "swiping another problem under the Thai citizens carpet"? I think I have to throw up

[NowImEasy]

Constantly amazed at the anti=American rants on this site, and a good deal of the ranting is from Americans.

Lets focus on Thailand and Bangkok and the issues at hand.

[Who, me ?]

Constantly amazed at the anti=American rants on this site, and a good deal of the ranting is from Americans.

Lets focus on Thailand and Bangkok and the issues at hand.

What rant???

Did you read the OP? Can you really agree with such statement? If yes, please let us know your location, coz I seriously doubt you are in Thailand now. If you are in Thailand now, please take your pink tainted glasses off. You'll see the real situation.

From the beginning, Thai government has been below any expectation. They did not address the situation from day 1. They ignored all signals that a catastrophe was in the making. They focused on other pressing matters, such as brother, family and friends to be given posts at the government, etc..... When they started to realize that there was a problem they started to run like headless chickens, with no plans whatsoever. They spoke all together with different messages. They gave false alarms, while overlooking important information, they let people face their problems alone, etc, etc, etc.....

And you think that we are ranting against America because they give us such boll8cks.....

Please, get real...

[seadoo]

What a load of - The USS Washington was still in the Gulf after visiting several ports for R&R including Phuket, Pattaya and Malaysia. I was fortunate enough to go on board this boat and was advised it was due back in Japan where it is permanently stationed at the end of this month. So they didn't send it for this case.

[BuckarooBanzai]

The op appears to be a brilliant exercise in sarcasm which flys over the head of most.

How about starting up a separate thread called America Sucks so that all the purveyors of this message can congregate in one location and leave the serious posting to others on the more serious threads.

[scorecard]

Thailand rebuffed the US and Panetta (political hack) is just being 'diplomatic' (code for lieing)

The headline says "US Praises Thailand's Response To Floods"

Come on folks, read the headline then read the whole piece.

Just diplomatic talk, nothing more, nothing less.

[Payboy]

the United States had received "mixed messages" from Thailand about US assistance and in the end, no formal request was issued.

It would be embarrassing to have several thousand foreign servicemen on the ground witnessing first-hand all the ongoing ineptness, comical DIY, factional rivalry and official complacency, no? US should understand that face is more important than wet feet.

[animatic]

Think of this statement as just stroking the PM and her FROC staff, so they make face and can more easily make use of US resources, without thinking they will lose face. Just politics in the real world, Carry on.

Edited October 26, 2011 by animatic

[rametindallas]

What a load of - The USS Washington was still in the Gulf after visiting several ports for R&R including Phuket, Pattaya and Malaysia. I was fortunate enough to go on board this boat and was advised it was due back in Japan where it is permanently stationed at the end of this month. So they didn't send it for this case.

Bullshit! "The USS George Washington group had arrived at the port of Singapore on October 12 and four days later the carrier was steaming towards Thailand "to position itself in case their assistance was requested," Perkins said." You're saying AFP and all other news sources got it wrong and you got it right. I think you are lying. Do you have one article from any news source that say the USS George Washington was in Pattaya? Put up or shut up.

[seadoo]

What a load of - The USS Washington was still in the Gulf after visiting several ports for R&R including Phuket, Pattaya and Malaysia. I was fortunate enough to go on board this boat and was advised it was due back in Japan where it is permanently stationed at the end of this month. So they didn't send it for this case.

Bullshit! "The USS George Washington group had arrived at the port of Singapore on October 12 and four days later the carrier was steaming towards Thailand "to position itself in case their assistance was requested," Perkins said." You're saying AFP and all other news sources got it wrong and you got it right. I think you are lying. Do you have one article from any news source that say the USS George Washington was in Pattaya? Put up or shut up.

I have a photo album full of photos and went on board as a guest of the US Embassy whilst in Pattaya and when I was in KL on business ran into crew on R&R. Just what I said, it was hanging around the Gulf after visiting many local ports. You must be a Yank based on your passionate response. "Singing" Oh can you see, by the dawns - something like that, whatched too many star spangled movies.

[rogerdee123]

Thailand rebuffed the US and Panetta (political hack) is just being 'diplomatic' (code for lieing)

Yes this is diplo-speak ... same same the ESCAP mis-quote fiasco.

Read wikileaks later and see what they really think about it.

[noitom]

US praises what? Response benchmarked against New Orleans?

How dare they condone such incompetence.

LeonPanetta's comment about "applauding the Thai government's quickresponse" is contemptible and calls in to question his own competence tohold high office in the United States as Secretary of Defense. Does Mr.Panetta praise the Thai government's permitting private autos to be parked andabandoned on Bangkok'shighways and overhead expressways and thereby impeding emergency vehicles,ambulance, and other evacuation vehicles from access and assistance to ordinarypeople? Does he praise and condone their action to safeguard automobiles ratherthan human life? Has Panetta recently waded around in the contaminated flood water overwhelmed with human and animalexcrement? Did Mr. Panetta stop by an impromptu food stall in the flood waterand have a meal prepared and served by a vendor standing waist deep in wasteflood water? Did Leon Panetta follow the floods since July, when Bangkok and Thai officialsfirst became aware that there was a "situation" building up? Shame onMr. Panetta. I can't decide who is worse, Mr. Panetta and the likes of him "praising"a man made human disaster like this or the Thais responsible for it. Havinglived in Bangkok for four years, worked inprivate enterprise in Thailand,and taught at Thammasat University for two years,I feel somewhat qualified to document the damage and pomposity of remarks likeMr. Panetta's. I feel that it is incumbent on me to make Barack Obama aware ofdirect reports like Leon Panetta and their contemptible, irresponsible remarksabout matters that they know nothing about in Thailand and other locations in thefield.

[rametindallas]

What a load of - The USS Washington was still in the Gulf after visiting several ports for R&R including Phuket, Pattaya and Malaysia. I was fortunate enough to go on board this boat and was advised it was due back in Japan where it is permanently stationed at the end of this month. So they didn't send it for this case.

Bullshit! "The USS George Washington group had arrived at the port of Singapore on October 12 and four days later the carrier was steaming towards Thailand "to position itself in case their assistance was requested," Perkins said." You're saying AFP and all other news sources got it wrong and you got it right. I think you are lying. Do you have one article from any news source that say the USS George Washington was in Pattaya? Put up or shut up.

I have a photo album full of photos and went on board as a guest of the US Embassy whilst in Pattaya and when I was in KL on business ran into crew on R&R. Just what I said, it was hanging around the Gulf after visiting many local ports. You must be a Yank based on your passionate response. "Singing" Oh can you see, by the dawns - something like that, whatched too many star spangled movies.

Again, just your words. Just one article from a news report. Surely an aircraft carrier in Pataya should make the news. Put one of your many photos on this forum so we can see you're not a liar. Like I said, put up or shut up

[noitom]

US praises what? Response benchmarked against New Orleans?

How dare they condone such incompetence.

LeonPanetta's comment about "applauding the Thai government's quickresponse" is contemptible and calls in to question his own competence tohold high office in the United States as Secretary of Defense. Does Mr.Panetta praise the Thai government's permitting private autos to be parked andabandoned on Bangkok'shighways and overhead expressways and thereby impeding emergency vehicles,ambulance, and other evacuation vehicles from access and assistance to ordinarypeople? Does he praise and condone their action to safeguard automobiles ratherthan human life? Has Panetta recently waded around in the contaminated flood water overwhelmed with human and animalexcrement? Did Mr. Panetta stop by an impromptu food stall in the flood waterand have a meal prepared and served by a vendor standing waist deep in wasteflood water? Did Leon Panetta follow the floods since July, when Bangkok and Thai officialsfirst became aware that there was a "situation" building up? Shame onMr. Panetta. I can't decide who is worse, Mr. Panetta and the likes of him "praising"a man made human disaster like this or the Thais responsible for it. Havinglived in Bangkok for four years, worked inprivate enterprise in Thailand,and taught at Thammasat University for two years,I feel somewhat qualified to document the damage and pomposity of remarks likeMr. Panetta's. I feel that it is incumbent on me to make Barack Obama aware ofdirect reports like Leon Panetta and their contemptible, irresponsible remarksabout matters that they know nothing about in Thailand and other locations in thefield.

[animatic]

What a load of - The USS Washington was still in the Gulf after visiting several ports for R&R including Phuket, Pattaya and Malaysia. I was fortunate enough to go on board this boat and was advised it was due back in Japan where it is permanently stationed at the end of this month. So they didn't send it for this case.

Bullshit! "The USS George Washington group had arrived at the port of Singapore on October 12 and four days later the carrier was steaming towards Thailand "to position itself in case their assistance was requested," Perkins said." You're saying AFP and all other news sources got it wrong and you got it right. I think you are lying. Do you have one article from any news source that say the USS George Washington was in Pattaya? Put up or shut up.

There was another ship on RnR in Pattaya, that was pull out to join the carrier group. I've seen nothing to say GW was at Pattaya.

Pannetta is a political appointee he knows how the locals want things played, because he gets a folder twice a day telling him what he is about to walk into.

This was playing politics for the local powers that be's local benefit, which smoothed the waters for any relief efforts as understood on the local sides way of doing things.

Edited October 26, 2011 by animatic

[Tiffer]

Constantly amazed at the anti=American rants on this site, and a good deal of the ranting is from Americans.

Lets focus on Thailand and Bangkok and the issues at hand.

Why are constantly amazed?

You must be from Yeehaaville Cornvillesania with a thumb growing out of oyur head

[Orac]

What a load of - The USS Washington was still in the Gulf after visiting several ports for R&R including Phuket, Pattaya and Malaysia. I was fortunate enough to go on board this boat and was advised it was due back in Japan where it is permanently stationed at the end of this month. So they didn't send it for this case.

Bullshit! "The USS George Washington group had arrived at the port of Singapore on October 12 and four days later the carrier was steaming towards Thailand "to position itself in case their assistance was requested," Perkins said." You're saying AFP and all other news sources got it wrong and you got it right. I think you are lying. Do you have one article from any news source that say the USS George Washington was in Pattaya? Put up or shut up.

There was another ship on RnR in Pattaya, that was pull out to join the carrier group.

I've seen nothing to say GW was at Pattaya.

After 56-days at sea, the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and her crew of 5,500 Sailors arrived in Laem Chabang, Thailand, Aug. 6 for a well deserved rest and relaxation port visit in the coastal city of Pattaya.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/uss-george-washington-cvn-73/uss-george-washington-visits-thailand/10150240241252452

[BuckarooBanzai]

I believe this is the source for the OP.

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=65808

"After meeting with Thai officials, the team determined that U.S. military assistance was not needed."

The Thai officials must of made clear that U.S. military assistance was not needed or perhaps not wanted.

“The Thai government and military have led a tremendous effort to protect and help its citizens during the recent flooding,” Pentagon officials said. Probably a true statement regardless of the mismanagement at top levels.

The op headline appears to be political wishful thinking and not based on fact.

Edited October 26, 2011 by BuckarooBanzai

[Arkady]

Yes, Panetta, the Pentagon and the naval commanders have no doubt referred the Thai leadership as many different shades of asshol_e over this with considerable justification. They rejected bountiful humanitarian assistance due to fear of losing face, just like their close friends and business partners in Burma did in the same situation last year. This comment is diplomatic speak for "what a load f*cking idiots". The man used to be in charge of the CIA. So lying comes very easily to him.

[animatic]

'seadoo' timestamp='1319593384' post='4795325'

What a load of - The USS Washington was still in the Gulf after visiting several ports for R&R including Phuket, Pattaya and Malaysia. I was fortunate enough to go on board this boat and was advised it was due back in Japan where it is permanently stationed at the end of this month. So they didn't send it for this case.

Bullshit! "The USS George Washington group had arrived at the port of Singapore on October 12 and four days later the carrier was steaming towards Thailand "to position itself in case their assistance was requested," Perkins said." You're saying AFP and all other news sources got it wrong and you got it right. I think you are lying. Do you have one article from any news source that say the USS George Washington was in Pattaya? Put up or shut up.

There was another ship on RnR in Pattaya, that was pull out to join the carrier group.

I've seen nothing to say GW was at Pattaya.

After 56-days at sea, the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and her crew of 5,500 Sailors arrived in Laem Chabang, Thailand, Aug. 6 for a well deserved rest and relaxation port visit in the coastal city of Pattaya.

http://www.facebook....150240241252452

Yes in August. We are talking the last couple of weeks.

ie recently.

[jayboy]

Yes, Panetta, the Pentagon and the naval commanders have no doubt referred the Thai leadership as many different shades of asshol_e over this with considerable justification. They rejected bountiful humanitarian assistance due to fear of losing face, just like their close friends and business partners in Burma did in the same situation last year. This comment is diplomatic speak for "what a load f*cking idiots". The man used to be in charge of the CIA. So lying comes very easily to him.

Very inconvenient for those of an entrenched view that the US authorities, including the US Ambassador, have gone out of their way to correct some barefaced lies.Probably explains the incoherence and anger in the quoted post.

[seadoo]

What a load of - The USS Washington was still in the Gulf after visiting several ports for R&R including Phuket, Pattaya and Malaysia. I was fortunate enough to go on board this boat and was advised it was due back in Japan where it is permanently stationed at the end of this month. So they didn't send it for this case.

Bullshit! "The USS George Washington group had arrived at the port of Singapore on October 12 and four days later the carrier was steaming towards Thailand "to position itself in case their assistance was requested," Perkins said." You're saying AFP and all other news sources got it wrong and you got it right. I think you are lying. Do you have one article from any news source that say the USS George Washington was in Pattaya? Put up or shut up.

I have a photo album full of photos and went on board as a guest of the US Embassy whilst in Pattaya and when I was in KL on business ran into crew on R&R. Just what I said, it was hanging around the Gulf after visiting many local ports. You must be a Yank based on your passionate response. "Singing" Oh can you see, by the dawns - something like that, whatched too many star spangled movies.

Again, just your words. Just one article from a news report. Surely an aircraft carrier in Pataya should make the news. Put one of your many photos on this forum so we can see you're not a liar. Like I said, put up or shut up

Ohh so boring