Obama Hails Thai PM's 'Inspirational' Election Win

[Toltec]

"The US and Thailand are two of the oldest allies, with great friendship.

He missed off "when they stopped declaring war on us"

You're pretty right on that

[Scott]

Off-topic post deleted. This thread is not about the riots in Bangkok.

Please limit your comments to the OP.

[Riely]

I support Obama. Always did, voted, donated money to his campiegn and all. But this, no, that comment was BS. I can't cosign that crap. Mr. President you should have ended it with a simple "congratulations" IF that.

[erobando]

I think people are missing the point on why Obama said Yingluck's story is "inspirational." It's all about the American Dream.

He's saying that... If you work hard enough, you, too, can become the sibling of a billionaire with a cult following.

[kjhbigv]

I don't think he know anything about Thailand exceptit is a country.

+1

[JAG]

I imagine that those who get their news from TVF and the Nation are surprised to learn that much of Thailand and the rest of the world doesn't view her brother as the second Antichrist, much to their chagrin. I find it especially amusing to see him vilified because he is a convicted criminal, while the people who supported and engineered a coup to overthrow a twice elected government walk around free. Double standards, much?

You obviously were not in Thailand when the coup took place. Most Thais welcomed the coup. How else could the country be rid of Taksin??

I was in Thailand when the coup took place. Whilst many people in Bangkok may have welcomed the coup, a great many outside Bangkok did not. Most people in Thailand do not live in Bangkok.

Moreover, at the first opportunity after the coup the Thai electorate promptly voted Thaksins party back in!

[ronz28]

Give it up! Most of the Thai people like the Prime Minister and a female representing her party and overcoming the establishment for the good of the people is inspirational. She has been dealt a tough hand with the flooding situation but that is a long term deficiency in planning long before her watch. Let's see if she can lead the country with flood control improvements.

Obama has led the US to better health coverage for more people and has moved the country forward in finishing the wars the opposition started just in time to automatically reduce funding for Defense and end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. The opposition's dirty politics and willingness to sell out 99% of Americans is to further benefit the top 1%. The opposition has succeeded in their propaganda campaign in the past but it's obvious to most Americans now where the problem lies and certain elite's puppets will fail in the next Congressional elections.

[JAG]

+1

Mind you, stand by for incoming!

Edited November 20, 2011 by JAG

[yoshiwara]

Give it up! Most of the Thai people like the Prime Minister and a female representing her party and overcoming the establishment for the good of the people is inspirational. She has been dealt a tough hand with the flooding situation but that is a long term deficiency in planning long before her watch. Let's see if she can lead the country with flood control improvements.

Obama has led the US to better health coverage for more people and has moved the country forward in finishing the wars the opposition started just in time to automatically reduce funding for Defense and end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. The opposition's dirty politics and willingness to sell out 99% of Americans is to further benefit the top 1%. The opposition has succeeded in their propaganda campaign in the past but it's obvious to most Americans now where the problem lies and certain elite's puppets will fail in the next Congressional elections.

Most of the Thai people....? No evidence for that.

Its obvious to most Americans...? No it isn't.

[Moruya]

I think Obama needs to revisit the FCPA legislation

[tlansford]

Give it up! Most of the Thai people like the Prime Minister and a female representing her party and overcoming the establishment for the good of the people is inspirational. She has been dealt a tough hand with the flooding situation but that is a long term deficiency in planning long before her watch. Let's see if she can lead the country with flood control improvements.

Obama has led the US to better health coverage for more people and has moved the country forward in finishing the wars the opposition started just in time to automatically reduce funding for Defense and end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. The opposition's dirty politics and willingness to sell out 99% of Americans is to further benefit the top 1%. The opposition has succeeded in their propaganda campaign in the past but it's obvious to most Americans now where the problem lies and certain elite's puppets will fail in the next Congressional elections.

Most of the Thai people....? No evidence for that.

Its obvious to most Americans...? No it isn't.

ABAC poll did, however, give Yingluck higher marks than Abhisit for the handling of the flood.

As for Americans, an example of how they see the obvious, 68% feel that millionaires should pay higher taxes. And among millionaires, 68% also feel that they should pay higher taxes. So yes, it is obvious to most Americans, ... as he stated...

[jackr]

Give it up! Most of the Thai people like the Prime Minister and a female representing her party and overcoming the establishment for the good of the people is inspirational. She has been dealt a tough hand with the flooding situation but that is a long term deficiency in planning long before her watch. Let's see if she can lead the country with flood control improvements.

Who's most; those with 500 baht in their back pocket? It would be inspirational if she'd achieved what she's achieved without the name-tag. Btw, much flooding could have been averted if water was being released while already in office.

ABAC poll did, however, give Yingluck higher marks than Abhisit for the handling of the flood.

Largely meaningless, beings as Mark is not in office.

[whybother]

ABAC poll did, however, give Yingluck higher marks than Abhisit for the handling of the flood.

<snip>

Which poll was that?

[animatic]

In most countries democracy can be suspended in a National Emergency, and reinstated later.

Hmm, if democracy can be suspended, to suit the circumstances, then I would suggest that such a country is not a democracy!

The greatest emergency to arise in both the UK and the USA in the last century was WW2, in neither country was democracy suspended.

Returning to the Topic, perhaps President Obama was putting down a "marker" viz a viz any possible moves to topple the Yingluk government?

No general election in UK for duration of WWII, mass political internment without trial, No free speech.

Democracy is not an absolute, but has precisely evolved due to historical circumstances.

Learn a little history.

Thank you Yoshi. Exactly.

And many places of USA have had temporary suspension

of democracy for emergencies. Or 'democratic functions',

without an ending of the concept itself.

Yes read and understand history. Always a good idea.

Edited November 21, 2011 by animatic

[JAG]

The USA held a presidential election in 1944. The UK held a general election in 1945. Both held during WW2. As for freedom of speech, there was plenty of opposition to US involvement, and in the UK plenty of opposition for example to the allied bombing of German City's. Yes I agree reading and understanding history is a good idea!

[yoshiwara]

The USA held a presidential election in 1944. The UK held a general election in 1945. Both held during WW2. As for freedom of speech, there was plenty of opposition to US involvement, and in the UK plenty of opposition for example to the allied bombing of German City's. Yes I agree reading and understanding history is a good idea!

The UK election was held on July 5 1945. WWII ended on May 7 1945. Agreeing that reading and understanding history is a good idea! is not the same as doing something about it.

[Scott]

World War II did not end until the surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945. I believe the UK had a number of prisoners of war and a rather intense interest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Now back to the topic.

[animatic]

World War II did not end until the surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945. I believe the UK had a number of prisoners of war and a rather intense interest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Now back to the topic.

Yes, but actual war on UK proper had ended, so allowed for the election.

There are points to both sides of the argument. VE and VJ days were in

totally different parts of the world and so continued hostilities in one

weren't relevant in the other having an election.

"Now back to the topic."

[Moruya]

World War II did not end until the surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945. I believe the UK had a number of prisoners of war and a rather intense interest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Now back to the topic.

Yes, but actual war on UK proper had ended, so allowed for the election.

There are points to both sides of the argument. VE and VJ days were in

totally different parts of the world and so continued hostilities in one

weren't relevant in the other having an election.

"Now back to the topic."

Back to topic indeed.

I'm afraid Obama has made a habit of speaking out of turn. His words on the BP Macondo will probably prove to be prejudiced to the case.

Still, he came to sell snake oil in Asia and sweet-talked one honey into buying 2 packages in minutes that other, more cautious, politicians had held at arms length for years. One free trip to the White House!

[yoshiwara]

World War II did not end until the surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945. I believe the UK had a number of prisoners of war and a rather intense interest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Now back to the topic.

Well almost....VE Day May 8 in UK celebrates the end of the war in Europe, so the election post-war. The war against Japan (more important to US) continued until August 15, but to suggest that an election held in August 45 was during the war is a hair-splitting nonsense. For Europe the war is celebrated with the defeat of the German forces. And emergency restrictions were formally lifted on May 11, allowing for the subsequent election to be held. So in no way was the election held during wartime conditions.

United Kingdom - 1995 May Day Bank Holiday was moved from 1 May to 8 May to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War.

Edited November 21, 2011 by yoshiwara

[Scott]

And perhaps that could be a lesson as to why you are expected to stay on-topic.

It has nothing to do with the topic and is it really worth splitting hairs over how long a suspension will be for failing to follow the rules?

Back to the topic, for the last time.

[tlansford]

President Obama, like all American Presidents, does that which is in the interest of the United States - it is his job.

One big job he had on taking office was repairing the damage done since 2001. Largely an accomplished feat, he can now continue to promote US ties, and business interests, in Asia and around the world. Remember, at home he is trying to generate jobs - so he is our Salesman-in-Chief (like all heads of state today...).

25% of the world's HDD capacity being off-line impacts some rather important American companies, Dell, HP, Apple, ...

Making and keeping friendly relations with other countries is his job - you can bet he'll say nice things to the Thai PM.

(is that "closer" to the topic? )

Edited November 21, 2011 by tlansford

[pastitche]

World War II did not end until the surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945. I believe the UK had a number of prisoners of war and a rather intense interest in the Asia-Pacific region.

Now back to the topic.

Well almost....VE Day May 8 in UK celebrates the end of the war in Europe, so the election post-war. The war against Japan (more important to US) continued until August 15, but to suggest that an election held in August 45 was during the war is a hair-splitting nonsense. For Europe the war is celebrated with the defeat of the German forces. And emergency restrictions were formally lifted on May 11, allowing for the subsequent election to be held. So in no way was the election held during wartime conditions.

United Kingdom - 1995 May Day Bank Holiday was moved from 1 May to 8 May to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War.

You may wish to believe that the war ended on that date for the UK but I had an uncle who was serving in the struggle against the Japanese at that time and it did not end for him and his comrades. I don't understand why it is so important to try and justify anyone's idea of when the "postwar" election took place; there had been a long period of coalition government with one aim in mind - defeat Germany. That had happened and there was a desire to return to normal politics but that did not mean that the country was no longer at war because it clearly was.

It demeans the memory of those who were still fighting (remember the Chindits?) and denigrates the suffering of the prisoners of war in Japanese prison camps. You may call it hair-splitting nonsense but your proposition is completely out of tune with the veterans who remember how they were treated by the enemy which had not been defeated at that time.

Incidentally I believe that the US celebrates 2 September as the conclusion of the war against Japan, not 15 August.

[IsaanUSA]

It is open U.S. foreign policy to step up and act as a counterbalance all over Asia to the very real increase in Chinese bullying. This isn't about starting a war with China but to provide a power balance. Thailand is obviously a historically important player in American-Asian foreign policy, post WW2.

Requoting just in case anybody missed this.

[yoshiwara]

Give it up! Most of the Thai people like the Prime Minister and a female representing her party and overcoming the establishment for the good of the people is inspirational. She has been dealt a tough hand with the flooding situation but that is a long term deficiency in planning long before her watch. Let's see if she can lead the country with flood control improvements.

Obama has led the US to better health coverage for more people and has moved the country forward in finishing the wars the opposition started just in time to automatically reduce funding for Defense and end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. The opposition's dirty politics and willingness to sell out 99% of Americans is to further benefit the top 1%. The opposition has succeeded in their propaganda campaign in the past but it's obvious to most Americans now where the problem lies and certain elite's puppets will fail in the next Congressional elections.

Most of the Thai people....? No evidence for that.

Its obvious to most Americans...? No it isn't.

ABAC poll did, however, give Yingluck higher marks than Abhisit for the handling of the flood.

As for Americans, an example of how they see the obvious, 68% feel that millionaires should pay higher taxes. And among millionaires, 68% also feel that they should pay higher taxes. So yes, it is obvious to most Americans, ... as he stated...

Its obvious where the problem lies refers in the original email as a blame game on the Republicans? (certain elite's puppets) trying no doubt to establish with the magic word elite correspondence between Thai elite and Republicans and presumably heroic Thai reds with the Democrats and the 99% movement and so on blah blah. As for taxes, wasn't your mate Thaksin convicted of evading them? Big time. So much for the red agenda.

Edited November 21, 2011 by yoshiwara

[rubl]

Most of the Thai people....? No evidence for that.

Its obvious to most Americans...? No it isn't.

ABAC poll did, however, give Yingluck higher marks than Abhisit for the handling of the flood.

As for Americans, an example of how they see the obvious, 68% feel that millionaires should pay higher taxes. And among millionaires, 68% also feel that they should pay higher taxes. So yes, it is obvious to most Americans, ... as he stated...

Its obvious where the problem lies refers in the original email as a blame game on the Republicans? (certain elite's puppets) trying no doubt to establish with the magic word elite correspondence between Thai elite and Republicans and presumably heroic Thai reds with the Democrats and the 99% movement and so on blah blah. As for taxes, wasn't your mate Thaksin convicted of evading them? Big time. So much for the red agenda.

Skipping the 'American' bit, 'the' or is it 'a' ABAC poll said

2011-09-18:

"BANGKOK, Sep 18 - Despite a number of ongong national concerns, Thailand's ongoing Floods are the peoples' main concern nationwide, with the public giving an equal score to the responses of the Yingluck and Abhisit governments on dealing with the issue, according to the capital's Suan Dusit and ABAC polls."

2011-10-10:

"Among those surveyed by Abac Poll, 79 per cent said the government's support was insufficient and not distributed efficiently; and 68.6 per cent said the floodrelief supplies themselves did not sufficiently meet victims' needs.

...

In a survey by Rangsit University, however, 62 per cent of respondents had confidence in Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her leadership in tackling the crisis; 59.8 per cent had faith in her Cabinet; and 80 per cent had confidence in the Thai people to cooperate in dealing with the problem. The survey was conducted from October 4-6 on 1,080 people in Bangkok and floodaffected provinces."

2011-11-14:

"The survey said crying was perceived as a sign of weak leadership, dampening the hopes of flood victims.In a survey by Abac Poll, however, seven in 10 people did not think another politician would handle the flooding any better than the prime minister."

[Riely]

President Obama, like all American Presidents, does that which is in the interest of the United States - it is his job.

One big job he had on taking office was repairing the damage done since 2001. Largely an accomplished feat, he can now continue to promote US ties, and business interests, in Asia and around the world. Remember, at home he is trying to generate jobs - so he is our Salesman-in-Chief (like all heads of state today...).

25% of the world's HDD capacity being off-line impacts some rather important American companies, Dell, HP, Apple, ...

Making and keeping friendly relations with other countries is his job - you can bet he'll say nice things to the Thai PM.

(is that "closer" to the topic? )

Well said, but it just stings being a BKK resident and hating those scumbag red-shirt terrorists and their leaders.