US Secretary Of State Visits Thai Flood Victims

[Lite Beer]

US VISIT

US secretary of state visits Thai flood victims

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday visited victims of Thailand's floods at a shelter in Bangkok before flying on to Indonesia to attend an Asian summit.

Clinton spent about an hour at the Rajamangala National Stadium flood relief centre, where she pressed her hands together to give the traditional Thai greeting to victims of the floods, the worst to hit the kingdom in decades, and hear their stories.

"I’m 80 years old and have never seen Hillary Clinton before," said Joy Klongkamwan, whose house in Rangsit district has been under a metre of water for the past month.

"Staying here is nice," Joy said of the flood relief centre. "I have a place to sleep and there is plenty to eat."

The secretary of state conducted a 10-minute interview with the Phuying tung Phuying (Women to Women), a popular TV programme, but otherwise did not talk to the media Thursday.

At the press conference Wednesday night Clinton pledged an additional 10 million dollars in aid to assist Thailand in its flood relief and rehabilitation efforts.

"In the weeks ahead, the US will identify ways we can provide both civilian and military assistance to help save and restore lives, and to support Thailand’s long-term recovery," Clinton said.

Much of the aid will go to draining and refurbishing Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok’s old airport, that has been closed for more than a month because of floodwaters.

The US previously contributed 1.1 million dollars, primarily to the Thai Red Cross.

The US relief assistance is still considerably below the 600 million baht (20 million dollars) that China has provided over the past two months in cash and equipment to deal with the floods, according to Thai government sources.

Thailand has not officially requested international assistance to cope with this year’s floods, which have claimed 567 lives and caused billions of dollars of damage.

Thai governments have been reluctant to request international relief aid since the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which forced the country to appeal to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout.

The IMF-imposed tight fiscal policies and forced sell-offs of indebted companies left a bitter after taste among many countries in Asia, where the IMF is still shunned for borrowings.

"There are many Thais already helping Thailand, and foreign countries have also come to help, so there is no need for us to appeal for international assistance," said Thai Tourism Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa, who escorted Clinton to the flood relief centre Thursday morning.

Clinton was scheduled to travel on to Bali, Indonesia, Thursday where she and US President Barack Obama will attend the East Asia Summit and a host of regional and bilateral meetings.

The high-level attendance comes at a time when the US is trying to reassert its presence in the East Asia region, especially vis-a-vis China.

-- The Nation 2011-11-17

[webfact]

Clinton asks flood-hit Thais to keep hope

by Shaun Tandon

BANGKOK, November 17, 2011 (AFP) - Offering a hearty smile and traditional greetings, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton comforted Thais displaced by massive floods Thursday as she urged the long-divided nation to pull together.

Hoping to put a human face on US support for one of its oldest allies, Clinton toured a stadium in Bangkok where some 1,400 people are sleeping on mats after escaping floods that have affected millions around the kingdom.

Clinton grinned and pressed her hands together in a Thai "wai" greeting as she inquired about the health and conditions of survivors and their children, who ran around a floor cluttered by plastic bags full of salvaged belongings.

"Did you get a shot? Yes? Good," Clinton said to one middle-aged man in a T-shirt, who bowed to the ground in front of her in a sign of respect.

Clinton later recorded an interview with a popular Thai daytime talk show in which she declared: "I love Thailand and I love the Thai people."

"I want to tell you that we will be with you, not just now, but in years to come, because we believe in Thailand. We value greatly the Thai culture and the alliance and partnership we've had over so many years," she said.

Clinton, not known for her skill in foreign languages, was later persuaded by the show's hosts to chant with them a phrase in Thai -- "Susukha," which translates as "Be strong".

Despite the severity of the floods, the shelter -- which is run by volunteers and does not receive US assistance -- appeared to be in good shape, offering its residents comfortable air-conditioning and regular meals.

Clinton called the Rajamangala Stadium a "bright, cheerful complex" and said she was impressed to see volunteers helping in relief efforts, including women who offered free haircuts and babysitting.

While Clinton's visit to the shelter was brief and partly designed for media coverage, she also offered substantive help to Thailand, announcing Wednesday that Washington would commit up to $10 million in aid after teams from a US warship assess needs.

Clinton also threw support behind Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thailand has been riven by years of sometimes violent political unrest, worrying the United States as it hopes to work with allies as part of a renewed focus on fast-growing Asia.

Yingluck is the sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a 2006 military coup and remains a deeply divisive figure. Yingluck's cabinet has reportedly approved a pardon that would allow Thaksin to return.

Clinton, speaking at a news conference with Yingluck late Wednesday, encouraged Thailand to move ahead with political reconciliation and said she was reassured of the premier's commitment to democracy.

"It is certainly up to the government and people of Thailand to determine exactly how to proceed, but we are encouraging it and quite heartened at the steps we have seen taken," she said.

In the interview on Thursday with the talk show "Puying Teung Puying," which is hosted by four women, Clinton also praised Yingluck for becoming Thailand's first female prime minister after elections in July.

"I'm very proud of her, because, boy, she came into office and -- wham -- just really faced a big set of challenges," Clinton said.

"It's hard for men or women, but -- let's face it -- women are held to a different, double standard."

"We feel like we have to work even harder, do even more, to prove ourselves," said Clinton, who narrowly lost a bid to to be the first female US president and has made women's rights a major focus in her role as the top US diplomat.

Since becoming secretary of state in 2009, Clinton has put a priority on holding public events which she hopes can help improve the global image of the United States which sunk to lows under former president George W. Bush.

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

[erobando]

Man, I feel stupid... Why didn't any of us think of hope?

The flood would have been long gone by now if we only did a little hoping.

[HC82]

lol @ that picture doesn't she have some kind of cultural advisor telling her they don't shake hands in Thailand? the article even says she greeted them with a wai. I picture her doing that before giving a speech or to a crowd and then shaking hands one by one like an idiot.

Anyway her being here has very little to do with the floods and everything to do with strengthening America's ties to 'our oldest ally in Asia' (her words from last year) and surely a request for another block of troops to be stationed in Thailand and a doubling of the embassy compound so another couple thousand CIA agents can work in Bangkok - they are flexing their muscles at China.

Edited November 17, 2011 by HC82

[hedonist44]

Man, I feel stupid... Why didn't any of us think of hope?

The flood would have been long gone by now if we only did a little hoping.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.

[rkidlad]

lol @ that picture doesn't she have some kind of cultural advisor telling her they don't shake hands in Thailand? the article even says she greeted them with a wai. I picture her doing that before giving a speech or to a crowd and then shaking hands one by one like an idiot.

Anyway her being here has very little to do with the floods and everything to do with strengthening America's ties to 'our oldest ally in Asia' (her words from last year) and surely a request for another block of troops to be stationed in Thailand and a doubling of the embassy compound so another couple thousand CIA agents can work in Bangkok - they are flexing their muscles at China.

Well, she's rich and important. Maybe she knows that rich and important people can do what they like in Thailand. When in Rome.........

[sbk]

Oh for heavens sake, drop the petty bashing. Many Thai people do shake hands and are well aware that it is common in the west so do it to make their guests feel welcome, If that is all you can moan about maybe you need to back away from the keyboard.

[rkidlad]

Oh for heavens sake, drop the petty bashing. Many Thai people do shake hands and are well aware that it is common in the west so do it to make their guests feel welcome, If that is all you can moan about maybe you need to back away from the keyboard.

I'm yet to meet anyone around the world who's been offended by shaking hands.

[jayboy]

The State Department briefing before Secretary Clinton's visit is interesting (second part:the first part deals with her Manila visit)

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/11/177158.htm

Money quote

"SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Look, I mean, one of the messages that the Secretary will bring directly to the Thai people and the government is that we believe it is in the national security and political interest of the United States to have this government succeed, and we will do what we can to support that going forward. There are substantial tensions in Thailand, and those tensions will not be resolved after one or even a few elections."

Edited November 17, 2011 by jayboy

[otissp]

the picture is not of hillary clinton. just some other white woman.

duh?

[ballpoint]

The State Department briefing before Secretary Clinton's visit is interesting (second part:the first part deals with her Manila visit)

http://www.state.gov...1/11/177158.htm

Money quote

"SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Look, I mean, one of the messages that the Secretary will bring directly to the Thai people and the government is that we believe it is in the national security and political interest of the United States to have this government succeed, and we will do what we can to support that going forward. There are substantial tensions in Thailand, and those tensions will not be resolved after one or even a few elections."

Well, it would be somewhat hypocritical for a woman who got her job because of who her husband is to be anything but supportive of a woman who got her job because of who her brother is.

[Jingthing]

Well, it would be somewhat hypocritical for a woman who got her job because of who her husband is to be anything but supportive of a woman who got her job because of who her brother is.

Hillary Clinton isn't Secretary of State because of who her husband is. Sorry, but you're just totally wrong there. She was massively qualified for the job based on many years of political experience as a very successful US Senator, and has performed very well, and is now probably the most popular current office holding political figure in America. On her own.

I do, however, think Hillary is being a little more supportive to Yingluck than I think she should, partly as a girl power/feminist statement when the actual story of Yingluck doesn't reflect feminism at all. However, I don't doubt that publicly showing support to the current Thaksin regime is the current (cynical as usual) foreign policy of the USA towards Thailand. It's about US interests. US policy is always about US interests, like any country. The question here in Thailand, what's best for Thailand's interests.

Edited November 17, 2011 by Jingthing

[ginjag]

Oh for heavens sake, drop the petty bashing. Many Thai people do shake hands and are well aware that it is common in the west so do it to make their guests feel welcome, If that is all you can moan about maybe you need to back away from the keyboard.

good response sbk, some posters are so ting tong, I had to laugh at your rebuff--5555555 --I like the way sometimes when we give a wah-and they hold their hand out--and sometimes we hold out the hand and they give a wah. better to do either than nothing.

[Payboy]

Oh for heavens sake, drop the petty bashing. Many Thai people do shake hands and are well aware that it is common in the west so do it to make their guests feel welcome, If that is all you can moan about maybe you need to back away from the keyboard.

I'm yet to meet anyone around the world who's been offended by shaking hands.

They would be if they saw how many leave the restroom without washing their hands.

Edited November 17, 2011 by Payboy

[bbradsby]

... I do, however, think Hillary is being a little more supportive to Yingluck than I think she should, partly as a girl power/feminist statement when the actual story of Yingluck doesn't reflect feminism at all. However, I don't doubt that publicly showing support to the current Thaksin regime is the current (cynical as usual) foreign policy of the USA towards Thailand. It's about US interests. US policy is always about US interests, like any country. The question here in Thailand, what's best for Thailand's interests.

it's not good foreign policy for any country's government to take sides in another country's internal politics, with the exception of internationally-recognized crimes against humanity. All the major Western and Asian countries have had their FM's trotting to Bangkok to shake hands [not wai] the current Thai PM - yes, because it's in their countries' perceived best interests.

[toenail]

Maybe Hillary can go to Wall Street in NY and give the demonatrators there in the "land of democracy" a feeling of hope.

[clip]

Well, it would be somewhat hypocritical for a woman who got her job because of who her husband is to be anything but supportive of a woman who got her job because of who her brother is.

Hillary Clinton isn't Secretary of State because of who her husband is. Sorry, but you're just totally wrong there. She was massively qualified for the job based on many years of political experience as a very successful US Senator, and has performed very well, and is now probably the most popular current office holding political figure in America. On her own.

I do, however, think Hillary is being a little more supportive to Yingluck than I think she should, partly as a girl power/feminist statement when the actual story of Yingluck doesn't reflect feminism at all. However, I don't doubt that publicly showing support to the current Thaksin regime is the current (cynical as usual) foreign policy of the USA towards Thailand. It's about US interests. US policy is always about US interests, like any country. The question here in Thailand, what's best for Thailand's interests.

jingthing you MUST be an american to believe the crap you just said.omg wake up man!!

[elgato]

"Much of the aid will go to draining and refurbishing Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok’s old airport, that has been closed for more than a month because of floodwaters."

I wonder why the US would give 10 million in aid for an airport?

[vahack]

Well, it would be somewhat hypocritical for a woman who got her job because of who her husband is to be anything but supportive of a woman who got her job because of who her brother is.

Hillary Clinton isn't Secretary of State because of who her husband is. Sorry, but you're just totally wrong there. She was massively qualified for the job based on many years of political experience as a very successful US Senator, and has performed very well, and is now probably the most popular current office holding political figure in America. On her own.

ya her post was a concession to allow the Democrat's golden (brown) boy to win the primary rather than split the vote. she could have possibly been President and may have screwed the world up less than Barrack (give all our money to the banks) Obama.

regarding the first article here comparing how generous China is compared to the US (600 million to 1.1 million), Thailand did refuse the help of a US Navy support vessel, which would have probably solved a lot of the problems over the last few weeks. portable bridges, massive water pumps, and hundreds of men wouldnt have been helpful? we have no idea what other support they declined. Thailand only wants cash from farangs and mak mak..

[emilyb]

According to a disturbingly stupid percentage of this forum, immediately after these pictures were taken she necessarily did something along the lines of issuing invoices to the families and demanding they make their homes available as black prisons in the future.

[BuckarooBanzai]

"Much of the aid will go to draining and refurbishing Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok’s old airport, that has been closed for more than a month because of floodwaters."

I wonder why the US would give 10 million in aid for an airport?

Thailand is a US allay and Don Mueang is a military airbase. It is also the closest to the major International Airport which could prove useful for aeronautical emergencies. It is an act of friendship. I think the Viet Nam era has been over for quite a few years now. Whistle all you want but help is help.

[Jingthing]

The State Department briefing before Secretary Clinton's visit is interesting (second part:the first part deals with her Manila visit)

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/11/177158.htm

Money quote

"SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ONE: Look, I mean, one of the messages that the Secretary will bring directly to the Thai people and the government is that we believe it is in the national security and political interest of the United States to have this government succeed, and we will do what we can to support that going forward. There are substantial tensions in Thailand, and those tensions will not be resolved after one or even a few elections."

If you were to grade Yingluck's response to the question about the secret cabinet meeting, what grade would you give it? For me on an ABCDF scale, can't decide between D minus (she was awake and words came out of her mouth) or F. From Thaksin's point of view, as she avoided the question, it would have to be a C.