U S Ambassador Kristie Kenney Dismisses Security Concerns: Thailand

[webfact]

US envoy dismisses security concerns

The Nation

Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- US Ambassador Kristie Kenney said yesterday that she was not worried by Thai Muslims' protest against a controversial US film.

"We don't have much concern because Thailand is different from other countries. It is a good ally of the US," she said. Kenney was in Chiang Mai to deliver a speech on the US elections.

She added that the US embassy had not detected any security threats against American expats in Thailand.

"Americans are lucky to live in Thailand and receive Thai hospitality and friendship," she said, adding that she hoped more Americans would visit the Kingdom.

Kenney said that the US embassy had held talks with all religious leaders and voiced the country's sincerity toward all faiths. She said the US government had also attached importance to all religions, especially since there are 2 million Buddhists and more than 11 million Muslims living in the country.

As for Muslim protesters' call for the United States to take responsibility for the controversial film, Kenney said peaceful expression had to be respected, even though the US government did not support the film or the use of violence.

"I would like to extend my admiration to Thailand for respecting the liberty of all religions," she said.

However, despite her playing down security concerns, security in Chiang Mai was tightened yesterday as up to 20 Thai-Muslims gathered in front of the US Consulate-General's Office and at Chiang Mai University, where she delivered the speech.

The Chiang Mai rally followed a peaceful protest at the US Embassy in Bangkok on Tuesday.

The protesters in Chiang Mai waved placards reading: "We want to condemn the US for its support in insulting our Prophet" and demanded that the filmmaker be punished. The also submitted a petition to Kenney via an embassy representative.

Meanwhile, the US Consulate-General in Chiang Mai was closed to the public yesterday following a tip-off about a demonstration being planned. It also issued a warning on its website advising Americans to exercise caution and monitor the local media for up-to-date information about protests and areas to avoid.

-- The Nation 2012-09-20

[toenail]

Thailand is a "good ally" of the USA... Hate to tell you this honey, but this has nothing to do with security. Government and its politics may be "allies" of a country but it doesn't mean all of its citizens are.... look at Libya...Egypt...

[webfact]

US envoy unworried by anti-American protest in Thailand

CHIANG MAI, Sept 20 - US ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney said she believes the anti-US protests in Muslim world will not deteriorate and that the situation in Thailand is different from other countries where violent protests were triggered and claimed lives of American diplomats.

The American envoy commented as she attended a seminar on the "US Presidential Election and Impact on Thailand" at Chiang Mai University on the same day that dozens of Muslims in this northern city protested in front of the US Consulate against a film considered offensive to Islam which sparked violent anti-US protests in more than 20 countries.

The US ambassador said she is unworried by the situation in Thailand as the movement here is different from other countries and that both countries have long-established relations.

Ms Kristie said there is no need to issue a warning on safety concern for Americans living in the kingdom as Thailand is a peaceful country and that she is confident with the security provided by Thai authorities.

The US envoy added the United States respects the freedom of expression of all parties and reaffirmed that it has not supported any act which is deemed insulting other religions or nationalities, or any violence.

She said she believes the situation will not deteriorate or trigger more conflicts between the Americans and Muslims and that the situation will at last improve.

The protest outside the US Consulate in Chiang Mai this morning was peaceful after the protesters handed in their statement to the US ambassador via the consulate official, denouncing those who took part in the production of the film, "Innocence of Muslims," and demanding that the United States punish the film producer and those involved.

On Tuesday, hundreds of Muslims also protested peacefully outside the US Embassy in Bangkok amid tight security by 400 police officers who were deployed there to maintain law and order. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-09-20

[noitom]

The ambassador's quoted remarks can't be correct. I am certain that Ambassador Kenney takes the muslim terror threats much more seriously than indicated in this article. We can be sure that Ambassador Kenney is "very concerned" about threatened attacks and fatwas from muslim terrorists and any threats from any other groups and wouldn't be in the job if she took them as lightly as this article implies. Or at least she shouldn't be if that's the way she feels.

I am certain that the ambassador also takes the issue of Thai security breaches very seriously and is concerned that Thais are taking it seriously as well. Needless to enumerate all the Thai security breaches at airports, in Bangkok, and around the country - airport closings, mysterious men in black shootings, flood control, fire, illegal fertilizer shipments, unchecked hazards,.. etc.. Albeit the article gives one the impression that she is very overconfident about Thai security and her remarks encourage Thais to continue to take a lackadaisical attitude about security by being over confident. Thais need no encouragement to be lackadaisical about security.

The ambassador's comments also seem incongruous with the dozen year conflict in the south over Islamic identity, rights, and treatment resulting in 6-7000 or more deaths and countless injuries. This as well as the Thai ineptness and lack of follow up on the handling of the Iranian bombs in Bangkok despite warnings from the US and Israeli intelligence sources. With these issues clearly in a Thailand observer's consciousness, it is a certainty that the newspaper has characterized Ambassador Kenney's opinions and attitudes incorrectly, I hope.

[Buchholz]

The US ambassador said she is unworried

Somehow, I doubt she said she was "unworried".

[Buchholz]

it is a certainty that the newspaper has characterized Ambassador Kenney's opinions and attitudes incorrectly, I hope.

in keeping with the paper's lingo, you should say

Ambassador Kenney's opinions and attitudes uncorrectly

.

[Moruya]

Thailand is a "good ally" of the USA... Hate to tell you this honey, but this has nothing to do with security. Government and its politics may be "allies" of a country but it doesn't mean all of its citizens are.... look at Libya...Egypt...

It was a barbed comment against other countries

[cloudhopper]

If they weren't worried they would not have closed the consulate.

[impulse]

They were encouraged when 495 of the 500 protesters signed up for visa interview appointments.

Edited September 20, 2012 by impulse

[BeforeTigers]

Unworried : adjective

Free from emotional or mental agitation <remained unworried despite the panic all around her>

-merriam-webster.com

You live in a non-English speaking country and make snide remarks about vocabulary that are actually incorrect. Now that's funny.

Edited September 20, 2012 by BeforeTigers

[rijb]

Thailand is a "good ally" of the USA... Hate to tell you this honey, but this has nothing to do with security. Government and its politics may be "allies" of a country but it doesn't mean all of its citizens are.... look at Libya...Egypt...

Honey? You such a big strong man. Can we feel your muscles?

Edited September 20, 2012 by rijb

[asiawatcher]

Oh well done - The Embassy is besieged by (well call then what you like) - it's ok but when the Iranian loser in Sukhumvit Soi 71 tosses a grenade at a van and it bounces back - blowing off his own legs - you issue a no travel warning against Thailand? Gee we should be issuing a no travel warning agains the US for all the multiple murders in ever state daily but Thailand is your friend.... and Muslins hassling the Embassy is of no concern. Right - let me think that one through!

[guava]

She said the US government had also attached importance to all religions, especially since there are 2 million Buddhists and more than 11 million Muslims living in the country.

I hope she didn't actually get the numbers that wrong. I'd also reasonably expect someone somewhere to catch such a bad typo...

[Payboy]

because Thailand is different from other countries

I'm going to cancel my tin foil hat order now. Dunno if I can get a refund from Amazon though.

[scorecard]

Perhaps the ambassador is going for the 'hub of inconsistency' award.

Everything she says is inconsistent and often plain incorrect.

Like her claim that visas are approved strictly by the relevant laws.

I would have thought an ambassador would be a lot more clever and a lot more astute than this, and never ever get caught with even one statement which has a clash. She seems to be going for a record.

Edited September 20, 2012 by scorecard

[geriatrickid]

One cannot expect the Ambassador to describe Thailand as a cesspool of corruption that has allowed Iranian terrorists to move about freely. Nor can she be expected to point out that Thailand was a hub of human trafficing including the departure point for Tamil Tiger bogus refugees as they made their way to Australia and Canada. Thailand is needed as part of the Chinese containment strategy. Unfortunately, the braniacs that set US national security policy have yet to grasp that Thailand is neither reliable nor trustworthy unless requests for assistance are backed up with an evident ability to ensure co-operation. The Australian/Canadian strategy on stopping the Tamil bogus refugees demonstrated that. Until Australia and Canadian were prepared to deploy warships off the coast of Thailand and implement additional stiff attention grabbing measures, Thailand did not act to stop the flow of bogus refugees.

[noitom]

One cannot expect the Ambassador to describe Thailand as a cesspool of corruption that has allowed Iranian terrorists to move about freely. Nor can she be expected to point out that Thailand was a hub of human trafficing including the departure point for Tamil Tiger bogus refugees as they made their way to Australia and Canada. Thailand is needed as part of the Chinese containment strategy. Unfortunately, the braniacs that set US national security policy have yet to grasp that Thailand is neither reliable nor trustworthy unless requests for assistance are backed up with an evident ability to ensure co-operation. The Australian/Canadian strategy on stopping the Tamil bogus refugees demonstrated that. Until Australia and Canadian were prepared to deploy warships off the coast of Thailand and implement additional stiff attention grabbing measures, Thailand did not act to stop the flow of bogus refugees.

Excellent illustration of Thai lackadaisical behavior and attitude when it comes to security. In addition to Iranian terrorists moving about freely, the Thais "featured" the Iranian ambassador in a "spotlight" interview extolling the virtues of Iranian/Thai relations, denying any "intent" to harm Thais nor any involvement by Iran nationals. The Thais ate it up and gushed all over him on TV and in the press. This while they were still stumbling, bumbling and discovering new caches of fertilizer and other chemicals in Iranian leased apartments. Doubtful that the US ambassador has all of this in mind when she makes these patronizing remarks about Thailand security.

[cup-O-coffee]

The protesters in Chiang Mai waved placards reading: "We want to condemn the US for its support in insulting our Prophet" and demanded that the filmmaker be punished. The also submitted a petition to Kenney via an embassy representative.

I do not recall ever reading that Muhammad encouraged his followers to punish people for insulting his person. This business of getting upset about "insulting the person who said something" is a digression from what the person said, and merely dilutes the effectiveness of Muhammad's teachings; which this protest ignores in place of childlike ignorance.

I do not think Muhammad ever poked someone in the snout because they insulted him, and I am sure he got his fair share of insults and was aware of those insults. The fact that Muhammad persisted in his views, insults aside, tells me that he was more interested in getting across his views than being distracted with petty issues such as being offended.

Protesting about someone being insulted has nothing to do with the reason one is a Muslim, and I believe there is no scripture in the Koran that supports such a protest. If there is anything remotely similar, then I would place this under the category of forgiveness in order to keep the Five Pillars of Faith intact.

This is a matter of misplaced pride, and I also believe that this is not condoned.

These are not Muslims protesting; they are stupid, immature little children who have forgotten their teachings and are taking matters into their own hands.

Edited September 20, 2012 by cup-O-coffee

[simple1]

One cannot expect the Ambassador to describe Thailand as a cesspool of corruption that has allowed Iranian terrorists to move about freely. Nor can she be expected to point out that Thailand was a hub of human trafficing including the departure point for Tamil Tiger bogus refugees as they made their way to Australia and Canada. Thailand is needed as part of the Chinese containment strategy. Unfortunately, the braniacs that set US national security policy have yet to grasp that Thailand is neither reliable nor trustworthy unless requests for assistance are backed up with an evident ability to ensure co-operation. The Australian/Canadian strategy on stopping the Tamil bogus refugees demonstrated that. Until Australia and Canadian were prepared to deploy warships off the coast of Thailand and implement additional stiff attention grabbing measures, Thailand did not act to stop the flow of bogus refugees.

I assume you mean warships in international waters off the coast of Thailand?

Edited September 20, 2012 by simple1

[dcutman]

She said the US government had also attached importance to all religions, especially since there are 2 million Buddhists and more than 11 million Muslims living in the country.

I hope she didn't actually get the numbers that wrong. I'd also reasonably expect someone somewhere to catch such a bad typo...

"Bad Typos" happen daily here at the Nation, a long standing tradition that will continue, daily.

[Colabamumbai]

There are 2 million Buddhists and 11 million Muslims in Thailand.

[Payboy]

There are 2 million Buddhists and 11 million Muslims in Thailand.

From CIA Factbook -

Buddhist (official) 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census). Things must have changed in 12 years!

[geriatrickid]

I assume you mean warships in international waters off the coast of Thailand?

Correct. Not that it would have happened, budget constraints and all that. However, the Canadian PM read the riot act to Thailand when he visited. Apparently, it was unexpected. The Australians were apparently just as forceful.

[DP25]

Thailand is a "good ally" of the USA... Hate to tell you this honey, but this has nothing to do with security. Government and its politics may be "allies" of a country but it doesn't mean all of its citizens are.... look at Libya...Egypt...

You think Thai people are like Libya and Egypt? I have never felt any anti American sentiment from Thai people at all. Thais in general like America or are indifferent to the outside world. I have felt quite a bit of anti American sentiment in Thailand, but it is all from other foreigners.

[DP25]

There are 2 million Buddhists and 11 million Muslims in Thailand.

I think she's saying that's in the US. But even that is wrong as it is way too many Muslims. Wiki says there are 2.6 million in 2010.

[metisdead]

A profanity post and reply have been removed.

[Time Traveller]

Unworried : adjective

Free from emotional or mental agitation <remained unworried despite the panic all around her>

-merriam-webster.com

You live in a non-English speaking country and make snide remarks about vocabulary that are actually incorrect. Now that's funny.

No, that's unfunny.

[kruangfaifar]

Perhaps the ambassador is going for the 'hub of inconsistency' award.

Everything she says is inconsistent and often plain incorrect.

Like her claim that visas are approved strictly by the relevant laws.

I would have thought an ambassador would be a lot more clever and a lot more astute than this, and never ever get caught with even one statement which has a clash. She seems to be going for a record.

Yes the UK's Muslim Ambassador seems to be a lot smarter than his US equivalent

[Suradit69]

Thailand is a "good ally" of the USA... Hate to tell you this honey, but this has nothing to do with security. Government and its politics may be "allies" of a country but it doesn't mean all of its citizens are.... look at Libya...Egypt...

Honey? You such a big strong man. Can we feel your muscles?

Speaking diplomatically, rather than blurting out whatever comes to mind, is what separates diplomats from TV barstool pundits.

[diehard60]

"The protesters in Chiang Mai waved placards reading: "We want to condemn the US for its support in insulting our Prophet" and demanded that the filmmaker be punished. The also submitted a petition to Kenney via an embassy representative."

As far as I know and understand the US Goevernment and the majority of the population do not and / or did not SUPPORT it. When are these people going to learn. It is only a few that feel that way.