Thai Expectations High From Obama Trip

[maccaroni man]

At this point Obama could take some economic advice from thailand; the banks in thailand pay 3% in the US it is hard to get 0.05%.

[Jingthing]

180 years of diplomatice relations? does that count world war two when siam sided with the Japanese?

Siam was occupied but yes they did have their own fascist government but so did Vichy France. Edited November 10, 2012 by Jingthing

[Hugo6]

I think nothing positive about this Obama visit at all. Just a wast of the Thai peoples time and waste of US tax payers money

Obama is addicted to AF-1. This is a long distance trip with plenty of time to relax in his corporate jet.

And Yingluck will no doubt get a bow out of Obama..

looks like you and rotary are keeping each others butts warm

[Hugo6]

I think nothing positive about this Obama visit at all. Just a wast of the Thai peoples time and waste of US tax payers money

Well, speak for yourself--I guess you were. I am an American, and I think it's just about the greatest idea in the world for Obama to visit SE Asia! I also think it is a perfect thing for the United States citizens to spend their tax dollars on. How about you pretend I paid for the whole thing with my tax money, and you can spend your tax money on Pabst Blue Ribbon?

President Obama knows and understands the region. He's visiting the area and making the most of it - smart people call it being efficient.

[MEL1]

Yingluck, on her introduction to Obama:

"You is wercomed to the Thailand, Mr. Obama." (as she kisses him on both cheeks).

Obama straightens his tie, breathes deeply, and recovers from his blush.

"Thank you, Mrs Primeminister. Shall we get down to business?"

"This will be much excited Obama, dear. Shall we did you in a hotel, or in a House?" responds Yingluck.

Obama, virtually dumbstruck, replies, "My advisors inform me that it would be better in a formal venue, such as a place of recognition owned by the state."

"Ahai", adds Yingluck. "We cans be go in the Ratchadaphisek hume of my brother Thickskinned. This were state owned. Let's going, my new friendry."

They arrive at said venue, and sit down with Som Tam, water and begin the conversation.

Obama opens. "We are aware, Mrs. Primeminister, that you have large stocks of valuable rice sitting in various locations. How do you anticipate ridding of such large stockpiles, and issuing payment to the field growers of the product?"

Yingluck giggles, and responds. "Dearest Obimo, we don't pays back the lice growers. We gots their lice at good rates, and us in the top is velly pride that us getting this. We makes bif profit for to share. Wourd you rike a pieces of our plofits, and we can pays you in returns with some free bags if you does not says a words to your international fliends?"

"I'm afraid corruption is not a part of my position Mrs. Primeminister. In the West we do business above the table."

Yingluck smiles, "Oh Mr Obimy, we does too. Everybody know which we does. They can't be touch us or they disappears, for being bad mans. It's easy. You should tries it Mr. Abismo, it pay velly werr."

"I have to leave now Mrs Primeminister. I have more important business to attend to, which does not include corruption. I'm going to Myanmar....."

"Aww, no Mr Abismal. I were just coming at the brow job part of thing. You wuord have riked that velly velly much."

Obama's team order their Limo and disappear a.s.a.p.

-mel

[noitom]

This is like Obamacare. Instead of focusing on the fiscal cliff and job creation issues at home along with building conciliatory political paths in Washington, this president is off to the military dictatorship, and the two other corrupt nations in the region. Surprising that a visit to Indonesia and Malaysia is not on this distracted president's agenda.

[tawonsri]

Hoho .... "Thailand has been a long-time strategic partner of the US." What a bad joke.

So lets forget about WW2 ... where big parts of the country as well as many parties were NOT partner of the USA. Really not.

But after WW2, whenever there was any possibilty to grab some satang from the US, they were best friends immediately.

Best example was Vietnam war, where other countries suffered a lot (eg Cambodia, Laos) from massive US-bombing.

But Thailand only had to "suffer" from all the GI that came to Pattaya to drop their loads to the Thai Ladies and all the Million Dollars spent in all those bars.

Well, if being a strategic partner means to be the biggest brothel around and helping out with building up a illegal and secrets torture centers - I agree! All not new to LOS.

[Thai at Heart]

Yeah,,yeah, 51:49, restricted industries, foreign restrictions, and they want the US to give them something.

Free access for rice and shrimp, open up your phones or banking sector then. Gulp

It will also call on the US to lower its stringent trade barriers and increase fairness for facilitating trade and investment between the two nations.

[tawonsri]

Great for Thailand that Obama is coming here of course. Cambodia will be happy too.

But the real focus of the trip from the US viewpoint is Myanmar.

Spot on! Thailand is a mere stopover so Mr Obama can go and touch up Burma's oil people now it's OK to like Burma again...

Absolutely correct. Obama has been in office for 4 years now, and it's his first visit to Thailand. This is just a courtesy call. His main objective is to negotiate favorable terms with the Burmese regarding international trade, and their vast natural resources.

I think that the Thai government is fooling themselves if they think there is going to be any progress with US - Thai trade. Thailand is one of the worlds most protectionist countries. Import taxes on American products are as much as 100%.

Why would the U.S agree to give Thailand any concessions, especially at a time when the U.S is getting tough on unfair trade practices. I think the meeting between Yingluck and Obama is going to consist of Obama telling Thailand that if they don't open up their economy, and eliminate the ridiculous tariffs on U.S. products, then their status will be even further downgraded.

"Thailand is one of the worlds most protectionist countries." dam_n right ... but the Government must get its money from somewhere for very expensive adventures they start with highly qualified PMs like Plod, eg. the rice pledging scheme. If you lose billions with stupidity, the falangs are right her and welcome to pay for it! Thailand really have to open up - this country always profits from the foreigner companies bringing jobs (and much money) to the country - but they are demanding excessive taxes ist the same company wants to sell its products. Shamefull - but not surprising.

[Thai at Heart]

Great for Thailand that Obama is coming here of course. Cambodia will be happy too.

But the real focus of the trip from the US viewpoint is Myanmar.

Spot on! Thailand is a mere stopover so Mr Obama can go and touch up Burma's oil people now it's OK to like Burma again...

Absolutely correct. Obama has been in office for 4 years now, and it's his first visit to Thailand. This is just a courtesy call. His main objective is to negotiate favorable terms with the Burmese regarding international trade, and their vast natural resources.

I think that the Thai government is fooling themselves if they think there is going to be any progress with US - Thai trade. Thailand is one of the worlds most protectionist countries. Import taxes on American products are as much as 100%.

Why would the U.S agree to give Thailand any concessions, especially at a time when the U.S is getting tough on unfair trade practices. I think the meeting between Yingluck and Obama is going to consist of Obama telling Thailand that if they don't open up their economy, and eliminate the ridiculous tariffs on U.S. products, then their status will be even further downgraded.

"Thailand is one of the worlds most protectionist countries." dam_n right ... but the Government must get its money from somewhere for very expensive adventures they start with highly qualified PMs like Plod, eg. the rice pledging scheme. If you lose billions with stupidity, the falangs are right her and welcome to pay for it! Thailand really have to open up - this country always profits from the foreigner companies bringing jobs (and much money) to the country - but they are demanding excessive taxes ist the same company wants to sell its products. Shamefull - but not surprising.

I don't think she has considered that the way it's normally done it's you ask for something and give something in return.

And no, I don't mean a brown envelope.

In fact, considering thaksin got a visa, Obama probably considers this government already owes the Usa quite a few favors.

Edited November 10, 2012 by Thai at Heart

[tawonsri]

Yingluck, on her introduction to Obama:

"You is wercomed to the Thailand, Mr. Obama." (as she kisses him on both cheeks).

Obama straightens his tie, breathes deeply, and recovers from his blush.

"Thank you, Mrs Primeminister. Shall we get down to business?"

"This will be much excited Obama, dear. Shall we did you in a hotel, or in a House?" responds Yingluck.

Obama, virtually dumbstruck, replies, "My advisors inform me that it would be better in a formal venue, such as a place of recognition owned by the state."

"Ahai", adds Yingluck. "We cans be go in the Ratchadaphisek hume of my brother Thickskinned. This were state owned. Let's going, my new friendry."

They arrive at said venue, and sit down with Som Tam, water and begin the conversation.

Obama opens. "We are aware, Mrs. Primeminister, that you have large stocks of valuable rice sitting in various locations. How do you anticipate ridding of such large stockpiles, and issuing payment to the field growers of the product?"

Yingluck giggles, and responds. "Dearest Obimo, we don't pays back the lice growers. We gots their lice at good rates, and us in the top is velly pride that us getting this. We makes bif profit for to share. Wourd you rike a pieces of our plofits, and we can pays you in returns with some free bags if you does not says a words to your international fliends?"

"I'm afraid corruption is not a part of my position Mrs. Primeminister. In the West we do business above the table."

Yingluck smiles, "Oh Mr Obimy, we does too. Everybody know which we does. They can't be touch us or they disappears, for being bad mans. It's easy. You should tries it Mr. Abismo, it pay velly werr."

"I have to leave now Mrs Primeminister. I have more important business to attend to, which does not include corruption. I'm going to Myanmar....."

"Aww, no Mr Abismal. I were just coming at the brow job part of thing. You wuord have riked that velly velly much."

Obama's team order their Limo and disappear a.s.a.p.

-mel

Awesome Mel, Thanks - ROFL

[Hugo6]

This is like Obamacare. Instead of focusing on the fiscal cliff and job creation issues at home along with building conciliatory political paths in Washington, this president is off to the military dictatorship, and the two other corrupt nations in the region. Surprising that a visit to Indonesia and Malaysia is not on this distracted president's agenda.

explain how a bunch of bs commentary from you is like obamacare

[noitom]

Mr. Obama is catering to Myanmar on this trip. So Thais should not look at this from their over inflated sense of self importance. Mr. Obama is interested in currying favor with the Myanmar military dictatorship who still holds the cards so that Myanmar can be sold on Mr. Obama's vision of socialism and state managed programs rather than China's view of the world. Mr. Obama probably wants to persuade the generals that they can have democracy, but still maintain military control and he will support their psuedo democracy/military rule with his vision of redistribution of wealth. That is Mr. Obama's goal to "redistribute the wealth unfairly created by colonial Britain and the US" and redploy it in the hands of the underclass in Myanmar like the fat corrupted cats in Myanmar through bloated state government programs.

Mr. Obama's dream and vision of restoration of wealth achieved during colonial times also can be counted on to "promise" to evangelize tax investment credits for US firms to invest in Myanmar and this will continue to transfer US wealth accumulated in the business class sector to off shore places like Myanmar. This is Obama's vison and drum beat, the dream of wealth re-distribution through taxing the rich and eliminating ways for them to invest, but to harvest the existing wealth for the benefit of the "state" and "state programs." Developing his flavor of socialism instead of China's style of quasi this and quasi that. Obama's dream is create bureaucracy and more state management and Obama's "dream." The same dream of his father, a former socialist and Luo tribesman who resented colonial wealth and sought to re-distribute it into greater state bureaucracy and power.

So if anything, the Thai Hi-So privileged business class should be looking for signals that Mr. Obama is really building to stripping them of their wealth,, free land, and unfair avantage and re-distribute it to a bigger, fatter, more bureaucratic state in Thailand that provides welfare, food stamps, unemployment comp, higher minimum wage, state sponsored housing, universal health care at the expense of insurance companies and corporate leaders and wealthy entrepreneurs. Mr. Obama doesn't believe in true entrepreneurs because he doesn't believe that they accumukated their wealth fairly and they owe back more than their current share.

If Thais aren't aware of Mr. Obama's dreams and vision , they should read his book - Dreams From My Father, and also see the film Obama 2016 and view his speeches. Mr. Obama is dangerous to "free enterprise, capitalism, and democracy" as he seeks to use tax money for massive growth of state governed philosophy and socialism. So Thais can have "high expectations" about a relationship with Mr. Obama - but tehir high expectations are misled.

Edited November 10, 2012 by noitom

[Jingthing]

...

If Thais aren't aware of Mr. Obama's dreams and vision , they should read his book - Dreams From My Father, and also see the film Obama 2016 and view his speeches. Mr. Obama is dangerous to "free enterprise, capitalism, and democracy" as he seeks to use tax money for massive growth of state governed philosophy and socialism. So Thais can have "high expectations" about a relationship with Mr. Obama - but tehir high expectations are misled.

That is an expression of the American extreme right wing view of President Obama. As a reviewer remarked about the anti-Obama propaganda film mentioned: it is preaching to the choir. In objective reality, the politics of democratic party President Obama are remarkably similar to the politics of a MODERATE pro capitalist American republican (the more right wing party) from the era of Richard Nixon, not that long ago.

I think the Thais have nothing to fear from Obama except to not be taken seriously enough compared to Burma. So in that sense, I wouldn't expect very much.

Edited November 10, 2012 by Jingthing

[keemapoot]

Regarding Burma, clearly that is the single most important objective in the whole trip, and the trip to Thailand could be characterized as a "courtesy call," though there are also reasons why Obama would like to confirm the U.S. support of Thailand in many areas, and various other topics.

Regarding Thailand's position with respect to the newly opening Burma, I like to think of it in sort of the same terms as Hong Kong used to be, and still is, thought of with respect to China. Thailand has been the entrepot or gateway to Burma for a long time because of its more palatable political and legal status. Just as HK was the gateway to China, and then after it reverted to China, everyone still preferred to base in HK for many years to "make sure China did open the right way." I think Bangkok and Thailand will serve something of a purpose like this, as well as a partner to jointly move into Burma to make the U.S. entry easier for both the existing Burmese leadership as well as the promising more democratic one. Thailand also still makes the best choice of spy headquarters on China's activities in Burma.

Additionally, for trade and investment, Bangkok still makes the place of choice for a regional HQ for business that wishes to go deep with Burmese investment and trade. Thailand has all the infrastructure needed, banking, etc., location, and other factors that could mean Bangkok will be the "Hong Kong" of Burma for some time.

[jerrysteve]

KuhnPaen: I too like you am an American and a Veteran as well, seeing to campaigns...Iraq and Kuwait.

I voted for Obama 2 times; the first and the second.

I too am hopeful this visit will be fruitfull for both countries, and that is the bottom line.

[Miami Bob]

Don't take anything the Obama regime says at face value regarding this visit. Most of my British and Euro friends here in Thailand are still buying into all his old smooth talk going back to the 08 campaign but many Americans have caught up to the reality of what he says VS what he does and know he is every bit as much of a phony liar as Bush was only he's better at it. Romney is just as bad.

[noitom]

KuhnPaen: I too like you am an American and a Veteran as well, seeing to campaigns...Iraq and Kuwait.

I voted for Obama 2 times; the first and the second.

I too am hopeful this visit will be fruitfull for both countries, and that is the bottom line.

Happy Birthday USMC - Semper Fi

[prvtdetdave]

180 years of diplomatice relations? does that count world war two when siam sided with the Japanese?

I for one do appreciate your post here., but in retrospect Thailand allowed the Japanese in by invitation. (Even though the Japanese

forces would have invaded regardless.)

While at the same time supplying vital intelligence to the allied forces. They did what they needed to do to protect themselves and

thier populace in general. Many atrocoties were committed on all occuppied peoples of the Japanese, but to a much lesser extent

in Thailand, because the Japanese perceived them as a friendly nation.

[rakman]

I think nothing positive about this Obama visit at all. Just a wast of the Thai peoples time and waste of US tax payers money

Well, speak for yourself--I guess you were. I am an American, and I think it's just about the greatest idea in the world for Obama to visit SE Asia! I also think it is a perfect thing for the United States citizens to spend their tax dollars on. How about you pretend I paid for the whole thing with my tax money, and you can spend your tax money on Pabst Blue Ribbon?

You must be worth about what Warren Buffett is worth. So how about paying your fair share by donating a whole bunch of your money to the Treasury.

[rakman]

I think nothing positive about this Obama visit at all. Just a wast of the Thai peoples time and waste of US tax payers money

Obama is addicted to AF-1. This is a long distance trip with plenty of time to relax in his corporate jet.

And Yingluck will no doubt get a bow out of Obama..

Actually it's a flying office with worldwide communications and plenty of work being done.

At least it doesn't have a golf course, yet.. One way to keep Obama off the greens for at least 1 day. Besides, Obama doesn't do Presidential Daily Security briefings, he leads from behind, and says one thing while his administration does the opposite.

Edited November 11, 2012 by rakman