Thailand Endorses First Palestinian Ambassador To Thailand

[webfact]

Thailand endorses first Palestinian ambassador to Thailand

By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 13 – The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday endorsed the appointment of the first Palestinian ambassador to Thailand, Government spokesperson Tossaporn Serirak said.

newsjsPalestinian ambassador Abdulaziz Abuqhoush resides in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur as proposed by Thailand’s foreign ministry.

Thailand recognised Palestine as an independent state in January 2012 and established diplomatic ties.

Thailand also supports the right of the Palestinian people to have their own state, with mutual acceptance between Palestine and Israel.

Thailand's embassy in Amman, Jordan, is now responsible for the diplomatic mission for Palestine. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-02-13

[Rooo]

Great news.

[noitom]

"Palestinian ambassador Abdulaziz Abuqhoush resides in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur as proposed by Thailand’s foreign ministry."

Why does Thailand propose that he reside in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia instead of Bangkok?

[chooka]

Great news.

A positive step

[Kilgore Trout]

"Palestinian ambassador Abdulaziz Abuqhoush resides in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur as proposed by Thailand’s foreign ministry."

Why does Thailand propose that he reside in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia instead of Bangkok?

Who do you think benefits Thailand more thru tourism and trade? Israel or palestine?

Pragmatism

[Chao Lao Beach]

"Palestinian ambassador Abdulaziz Abuqhoush resides in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur as proposed by Thailand’s foreign ministry."

Why does Thailand propose that he reside in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia instead of Bangkok?

Why is this?

Edited February 13, 2013 by Chao Lao Beach

[Misterwhisper]

Perhaps the Palestinian ambassador should move into the Israel embassy in Bangkok as a kind of sub-tenant. I mean, they already share the same land at home, so they should be used to it.

[Pimay1]

Perhaps the Palestinian ambassador should move into the Israel embassy in Bangkok as a kind of sub-tenant. I mean, they already share the same land at home, so they should be used to it.

I think he should be located in South Thailand. After all he would be among his own people so to speak.

[chooka]

There are so many good Palestinian people just like you and me and I think this is a very good positive move. Palestinian people get up in the morning and go to work then come home to be with thier families as you do and jews do.

[Jingthing]

There are so many good Palestinian people just like you and me and I think this is a very good positive move. Palestinian people get up in the morning and go to work then come home to be with thier families as you do and jews do.

Yes I totally agree. There are very many good palestinian people that get up in the morning and go to work then come home to be with their families as you do and Jews do. Edited February 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Thailand also supports the right of the Palestinian people to have their own state, with mutual acceptance between Palestine and Israel.

That is very good diplomatic language. Something the governments of Israel, the USA, and much of the world can agree on. Mutual acceptance between Palestine and Israel. That's the ticket. (Good luck! )

Almost forget to mention, the "governments" of Palestine such as it is are not so big on the mutual agreement thing, based on their recent unilateral actions in the UN.

I do have a question though. This Palestinian state that the U.N. has proclaimed, does the ambassador to Palestine represent the people of Gaza AND the west bank? The last I heard they need ambassadors themselves BETWEEN those two places!

Edited February 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[kblaze]

Thailand also supports the right of the Palestinian people to have their own state, with mutual acceptance between Palestine and Israel.

That is very good diplomatic language. Something the governments of Israel, the USA, and much of the world can agree on. Mutual acceptance between Palestine and Israel. That's the ticket. (Good luck! )

Almost forget to mention, the "governments" of Palestine such as it is are not so big on the mutual agreement thing, based on their recent unilateral actions in the UN.

I do have a question though. This Palestinian state that the U.N. has proclaimed, does the ambassador to Palestine represent the people of Gaza AND the west bank? The last I heard they need ambassadors themselves BETWEEN those two places!

You should have stopped after your post # 10.

First, to answer your question, yes, he represents both. And since you were so keen to bring it up, what makes the move to seek UN recognition "unilateral"? That they didn't ask their Israeli overlords to approve?

You tell me what seems more unilateral -

9 states voting against the recognition (USA, ISRAEL, CANADA, CZECH, PANAMA, NARAU, PALAU, MICRONESIA, MARSHALL ISLANDS)

OR

138 states voting in favor of the recognition

Why would Israel and co. be so scared of Palestine becoming "non-member observer" (not even a full member)? Oh thats right, because then they would have the ability to go to the ICC and put Israel on trial for its criminal behaviour the past decades. Well, we can't have that happening now can we.

Edited February 13, 2013 by kblaze

[Jingthing]

Obviously, there can't be FINAL borders in Israel and Palestine if they are ever REALLY to be TWO states, unless both sides agree on those final border between themselves. Thailand's very SMART diplomatic language says exactly that same thing. I am surprised at the language. I don't think the Palestinian leaders would like it based on what they pushed in the UN. Personally, I want to see REAL two states, but we're not there yet, and it may never happen.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[kblaze]

You are right when you say "it may never happen" because meaningful 2 state negotiations are only possible when illegal settlement activity stops.

The right-wing extremists allied to Netanyahu know that and thus they allow things like E-1 to happen;

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/world/middleeast/2-state-solution-at-risk-in-israeli-building-plan.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[Jingthing]

You are right when you say "it may never happen" because meaningful 2 state negotiations are only possible when illegal settlement activity stops.

The right-wing extremists allied to Netanyahu know that and thus they allow things like E-1 to happen;

http://www.nytimes.c...wanted=all&_r=0

Agreed indeed there are strong forces on BOTH sides that make any future REAL two state solution a very difficult thing to ever achieve. However, it still seems like the only somewhat good possible outcome (two state solution) for those who care about BOTH sides. But to be clear, we are not there yet or even close to there yet. Palestine having ambassadors doesn't mean we're there. Edited February 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[asiamaster]

Yes Thailand is quite known for choosing the wrong side....

[Jingthing]

Yes Thailand is quite known for choosing the wrong side....

Not sure what you mean, but the language they did use, if that actually is the language they meant to use (considering translation issues) is actually very accommodating to the Israeli AND American position. It seems very strange in a pronouncement about the Palestinian ambassador.

Overall. I really don't think Thailand intends to explicitly picks sides on this one. I think that's fine for Thailand. Why should they? The best side is a fair two state solution that Israel and Palestine can agree to. That's what Thailand said. I think that is RIGHT ON.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[Locationthailand]

There are not too many places Palestine ambassadors are welcome. Let's hope there is hope this appointment will ease tensions.

[Rancid]

I think the problem is that Malaysia has no problem with dynamite vests whereas the Thais are still a bit fidgety about that dress code, as such he stays down there, probably prefers the ambience anyway, a partial sugar coated theocracy is better than none at all. May miss the odd heretic stoning but at least they have religious police to intimidate the population.

[Jingthing]

There are not too many places Palestine ambassadors are welcome. Let's hope there is hope this appointment will ease tensions.

Are you suggesting Muslim separatism violence in South Thailand is related to the Israel-Palestine conflict? Because if so, I just don't see it. That said, I have no problem with a Palestinian ambassador to Thailand and feel enthusiastic support for the LANGUAGE Thailand used in welcoming him. Thailand is not majorly dissing Israel or the Palestinians (not yet really a state, let's not delude ourselves) in this matter. Edited February 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[khunken]

I think the problem is that Malaysia has no problem with dynamite vests whereas the Thais are still a bit fidgety about that dress code, as such he stays down there, probably prefers the ambience anyway, a partial sugar coated theocracy is better than none at all. May miss the odd heretic stoning but at least they have religious police to intimidate the population.

No, the problem is that you don't know what you're writing about.

Malaysia is nothing like a theocracy - it's probably more democratic than Thailand since Mahathir retired. There is no religious police in Malaysia - that is left to Saudi.

Now on topic. I applaud the endorsement of the new Palestine ambassador which may help counteract the pro-Israeli bias all too prevalent in some sections of the government bodies here. As for the ambassador moving to Bangkok - I doubt if the Palestinians could afford another embassy.

[Jingthing]

I think the problem is that Malaysia has no problem with dynamite vests whereas the Thais are still a bit fidgety about that dress code, as such he stays down there, probably prefers the ambience anyway, a partial sugar coated theocracy is better than none at all. May miss the odd heretic stoning but at least they have religious police to intimidate the population.

No, the problem is that you don't know what you're writing about.

Malaysia is nothing like a theocracy - it's probably more democratic than Thailand since Mahathir retired. There is no religious police in Malaysia - that is left to Saudi.

Now on topic. I applaud the endorsement of the new Palestine ambassador which may help counteract the pro-Israeli bias all too prevalent in some sections of the government bodies here. As for the ambassador moving to Bangkok - I doubt if the Palestinians could afford another embassy.

Has there been a pro-Israeli bias? I hadn't noticed that at all! Especially in the bizarre Thai response to the blatant terrorist attack attempt on Israeli diplomats here. I just see no bias. Welcoming the Palestinian ambassador, it wasn't possible before, rather proves there is no such Israel bias here. What is your case for this pro Israel bias you see here? Just wanting good diplomatic relations with Israel doesn't count as bias.

To be clear, I think its probably in Thailand's interest to show no strong bias to either side and to expect any more of any country than to side with their self interest isn't reasonable.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[khunken]

I think the problem is that Malaysia has no problem with dynamite vests whereas the Thais are still a bit fidgety about that dress code, as such he stays down there, probably prefers the ambience anyway, a partial sugar coated theocracy is better than none at all. May miss the odd heretic stoning but at least they have religious police to intimidate the population.

No, the problem is that you don't know what you're writing about.

Malaysia is nothing like a theocracy - it's probably more democratic than Thailand since Mahathir retired. There is no religious police in Malaysia - that is left to Saudi.

Now on topic. I applaud the endorsement of the new Palestine ambassador which may help counteract the pro-Israeli bias all too prevalent in some sections of the government bodies here. As for the ambassador moving to Bangkok - I doubt if the Palestinians could afford another embassy.

Has there been a pro-Israeli bias? I hadn't noticed that at all! Especially in the bizarre Thai response to the blatant terrorist attack attempt on Israeli diplomats here. I just see no bias. Welcoming the Palestinian ambassador, it wasn't possible before, rather proves there is no such Israel bias here. What is your case for this pro Israel bias you see here? Just wanting good diplomatic relations with Israel doesn't count as bias.

Just ask the military. Plenty of links - google is your friend - including buying weapons from Israel.

[Jingthing]

I think the problem is that Malaysia has no problem with dynamite vests whereas the Thais are still a bit fidgety about that dress code, as such he stays down there, probably prefers the ambience anyway, a partial sugar coated theocracy is better than none at all. May miss the odd heretic stoning but at least they have religious police to intimidate the population.

No, the problem is that you don't know what you're writing about.

Malaysia is nothing like a theocracy - it's probably more democratic than Thailand since Mahathir retired. There is no religious police in Malaysia - that is left to Saudi.

Now on topic. I applaud the endorsement of the new Palestine ambassador which may help counteract the pro-Israeli bias all too prevalent in some sections of the government bodies here. As for the ambassador moving to Bangkok - I doubt if the Palestinians could afford another embassy.

Has there been a pro-Israeli bias? I hadn't noticed that at all! Especially in the bizarre Thai response to the blatant terrorist attack attempt on Israeli diplomats here. I just see no bias. Welcoming the Palestinian ambassador, it wasn't possible before, rather proves there is no such Israel bias here. What is your case for this pro Israel bias you see here? Just wanting good diplomatic relations with Israel doesn't count as bias.

Just ask the military. Plenty of links - google is your friend - including buying weapons from Israel.

Why shouldn't they buy weapons from Israel? Doesn't Israel have good weapons to sell? Do the Palestinians have any good weapons to sell? Will Thailand be using any of these weapons against the Palestinians? It's like you are saying unless a country is actually BOYCOTTING Israeli products, they are biased towards Israel. Or perhaps if you aren't explicitly hostile towards Israel as much of the world is, that is bias towards Israel. You haven't begun to convince me of your theory. I am open to your theory if you can prove it. But just making the charge doesn't really cut it.

Again, it sounds like you are saying that the Thai vote in the UN and this ambassador welcome represents a major policy change SHIFT in Thailand away from an overt Israel bias. I still so no evidence there ever was this Israel bias that you claim, so really no major policy change from Thailand.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Jingthing

[KuhnPaen]

Does that mean I can hang out on Soi 3 north of Sukhumvit now without getting the "stink eye"? I am an infidel after all.

Edited February 13, 2013 by KuhnPaen

[Samuimike1]

Thanks to brave Thailand.

[lemoncake]

Thailand also supports the right of the Palestinian people to have their own state, with mutual acceptance between Palestine and Israel.

So why not grant the south its independence and accept it? Might be a good idea to first look into its own backyard

[Jingthing]

Thanks to brave Thailand.

Not sure what is brave. Thailand did exactly what the majority of countries did in the recent U.N. vote. It was totally expected and predictable. I don't see any brave in that.

[Kilgore Trout]

You are right when you say "it may never happen" because meaningful 2 state negotiations are only possible when illegal settlement activity stops.

The right-wing extremists allied to Netanyahu know that and thus they allow things like E-1 to happen;

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/world/middleeast/2-state-solution-at-risk-in-israeli-building-plan.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Oh but i suppose they are possible when the illegal shooting of rockets at children continue and leaders say they will never accept israels right to exist?? Duh.....