Clinton Brings Aid To Flood-Hit Thailand

[webfact]

Clinton brings aid to flood-hit Thailand

by Shaun Tandon

BANGKOK, November 17, 2011 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday urged flood-stricken Thailand to overcome political infighting during the crisis as she announced immediate assistance for the historic ally.

Clinton said that a US warship, the USS Lassen, had docked and that its crew would begin work on pressing priorities including repairing the city's second largest airport, Don Mueang, and restoring police stations.

"We are proud to stand with you now, in this time of challenge, as you contend with the worst floods of your nation's history," Clinton told a joint news conference in Bangkok with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Clinton stood firmly behind Yingluck, who is facing intense pressure after only three months in office as she confronts the kingdom's worst flooding in decades which has killed at least 562 people.

Yingluck is the sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a deeply divisive figure in Thailand who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, and she has come under pressure from critics for her handling of the flooding disaster.

Last year the kingdom faced a different crisis in the shape of mass political protests by pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts", which were put down violently by Thai authorities.

"These floods pose an early and serious challenge to the new Thai government and the hard-won peace that the Thai people achieved after the political violence you have endured in recent years," Clinton said.

"We encourage the government to move forward with a political reconciliation process, which is critical to Thailand's long-term stability and security. As it does, it can count on support from the United States," Clinton said.

Yingluck, speaking alongside Clinton, said that her government "attaches a high priority to promoting political reconciliation and social cohesion".

President Barack Obama's administration has been looking to do more with historic allies in Asia as part of a growing focus on the continent.

Thailand is the oldest US ally in Asia, with a relationship dating back a century and a half, but US policymakers have been worried that the kingdom has become too absorbed and distracted by its internal struggles.

A State Department official said that the US was also concerned that Thailand's floods could spur instability around the region as the kingdom is a major supplier of rice, a food staple in Asia.

Clinton said that the crew of the USS Lassen, which is based in Japan, would begin assessment of Thailand's historic sites to look for ways to preserve or restore them from the floods that have swept through the country.

The US will commit up to $10 million in aid after the USS Lassen's teams assess needs, a process that could take between one week and 10 days, according to an official travelling with Clinton.

US officials said in October that a number of ships including the USS George Washington turned away from Thailand after the military did not give the green light for help, although the country provided other aid.

Clinton hastily added on the visit to Thailand after Yingluck cancelled a visit to Hawaii for a weekend summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum so she could focus on the crisis at home.

Clinton earlier Wednesday visited the Philippines to mark the 60th anniversary of a security alliance between the two countries, a trip that came amid high tension between Manila and Beijing over a territorial dispute.

In a symbolic show of solidarity, Clinton boarded a visiting US destroyer, the USS Fitzgerald, and signed a joint statement with the Philippines in which the two countries pledged to defend "freedom of navigation".

The Philippines and Vietnam have accused China of increasingly aggressive actions in the potentially resource-rich South China Sea, including intimidation of fishermen and oil exploration teams.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-11-17

[ratcatcher]

United States Naval personnel repairing Don Mueang Airport and police stations?

No Thais available?

Work Permit Dept. will be busy I guess.

[webfact]

US to help Thailand to restore flooded Don Mueang Airport

BANGKOK, Nov 17 -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday announced that the US would help Thailand fight massive flooding and pledged to help the government to restore the totally flooded Don Mueang Airport.

Arriving Bangkok Wednesday night, Mrs Clinton held talks with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at Government House and offered a US$10 million aid package to the flood-stricken country.

During the discussion, the secretary of state said that additional assistance from the US would be ready to be extended to Thailand, while pledging that Washington would support Thailand to reopen the still inundated Don Mueang Airport, the country's second largest airport, and rehabilitate flooded police stations.

"One of our major areas of focus will be to help the Thai government reopen Don Mueang Airport, Thailand's second largest airport, to resume commerce and tourism, and also help reconnect people with their families," she said at the joint press conference.

She said that an American naval ship the USS Lassen had arrived in the Gulf of Thailand and was on stand-by to help Thailand.

The US also offered to help Thailand restore the historical sites that were hard hit by the deep flood and other assistance that Thailand needed, she said.

Ms Yingluck said that natural disasters of increasing severity have damaged the region and other regions so that closer cooperation in disaster management is now more important.

The premier said she and Mrs Clinton discussed the possibility of using Utapao Airport in Chon Buri as a centre for humanitarian assistance and disaster mitigation and that Thailand was ready to cooperate with the US.

Mrs Clinton was scheduled to visit the shelter for flood victims at Rajamangala National Stadium on Thursday.

After Thailand, Mrs Clinton will travel to Bali, Indonesia, to attend the 19th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-11-17

[Friendlyisle]

Gosh be careful taking anything from Clinton, we know her past record. She has a motive for sure and it will not be in the best interest of Thailand.

You know her record? Please cite a couple cases for us. Just another example of someone senselessly bashing America. It bothers me you would be telling baseless lies about Clinton, and by extension about America! I don't see any line forming of other countries volunteering help. I suspect that you are falang, not Thai, and bringing your bad feelings about the U.S.A. from your home country. America and Thailand have been solid allies for longer than you have been alive - get over it!

Edited November 17, 2011 by Scott
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[webfact]

DON MUANG AIRPORT

Flood Situation Nov 5

Follow this link: http://www.thaiarmedforce.com/taf-special/396-tafspecial54.html

[Nowhereman60]

I don't see much coming from Uk, Europe, the Aussies or Russia. But they love to come here and make fools of themselves as tourist.

Edited November 17, 2011 by Scott
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[khaowong1]

I'm not a fan of Hillary, but she represents the USA, and the USA is always the first to offer its resources in times of need. What this assistance does can surely be done by Thais, but it is sign of friendship and solidarity with the Thai people. And maybe the sailors involved with the restoration of the airport and police stations might spend a few welcome dollars in the way that sailors have been known to spend their pay while on dry land.

Thank you. And your correct, i've never met a us sailor who wasn't ready to spend his pay check in a foriegn port, then borrow some more when he ran out of dough. :-)

[Golden Nugget]

Hey Thailand, you have a large currency reserve. Use it.

[Tywais]

United States Naval personnel repairing Don Mueang Airport and police stations?

No Thais available?

Work Permit Dept. will be busy I guess.

Guess I need to state this again. No WP is required for personnel invited by the Thai government to perform mission duties.

[sbk]

Off topic posts deleted, we are discussing THAILAND here, remember.

[Tywais]

Post commenting on moderation removed. Use the PM function or contact support if you have a complaint.

[wxyz]

the yingluck election to be a shill for her brother and to grant amnesty for her brother was about as unexpected as

hillary moving to new york and given the new york senate seat to then run for president

not a surprise in either case

Edited November 18, 2011 by wxyz

[anterian]

Repairing the airport makes sense, but why the priority on Police stations, I would think hospitals are much more important, particularly with a looming health problem.

[animatic]

Repairing the airport makes sense, but why the priority on Police stations, I would think hospitals are much more important, particularly with a looming health problem.

Because things are going to be going very bad, very quickly.

[anterian]

Repairing the airport makes sense, but why the priority on Police stations, I would think hospitals are much more important, particularly with a looming health problem.

Because things are going to be going very bad, very quickly.

I think too many people are soon going to be too ill to create the sort of bad you are implyi9ng.

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been deleted. Please stay on the topic of the OP.

[animatic]

Repairing the airport makes sense, but why the priority on Police stations, I would think hospitals are much more important, particularly with a looming health problem.

Because things are going to be going very bad, very quickly.

I think too many people are soon going to be too ill to create the sort of bad you are implyi9ng.

That in of itself will cause violence.

We've just seen the bankrobber to fix the house.

Tip of the iceberg.

[elgato]

I'm not a fan of Hillary, but she represents the USA, and the USA is always the first to offer its resources in times of need. What this assistance does can surely be done by Thais, but it is sign of friendship and solidarity with the Thai people. And maybe the sailors involved with the restoration of the airport and police stations might spend a few welcome dollars in the way that sailors have been known to spend their pay while on dry land.

Thank you. And your correct, i've never met a us sailor who wasn't ready to spend his pay check in a foriegn port, then borrow some more when he ran out of dough. :-)

Guilty as charged!