POLITICS
FM to explain ISA to envoys and int'l agencies
Nantida Puangthong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on Monday that he would hold a meeting with foreign ambassadors to Thailand and representatives of international organisations in the afternoon to brief them on the political situation.

Before the meeting, Surapong said he would explain to the ambassadors why the Pheu Thailed government had to invoke the Internal Security Act in three Bangkok districts and also address the rumours circulating on social networks about a possible coup.

He will also hand out CDs containing a statement by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra about political reforms released last Friday.

"We want them to understand that the government is seeking solutions for the country and aiming to reduce political conflicts in order to enhance peace. If the country is in turmoil, it will destroy investment and foreign confidence as well as tourism," he said.

-- The Nation 2013-08-05

Yes please explain the double standard in which the ISA is NOT invoked when red thugs protest peacefully by threatening people while everyone else gets the special ISA and the 3243533453 policeman on standby riot treatment.

Has he already explained Thaksin's passport issue?

Foreign Minister if you and your Administration had just a little in the way of principals , you would not be placed in this position to explain, while you are so excited and keen to explain , explain to me and countless others how do you give Amnesty to criminals , persons on charges before the courts and a criminal in Dubai on the run from Thailand , how do you qualify these people to be entitled to an Amnesty., Amnesty is for law abiding citizens Minister , not criminals.

Unfortunately for members of the Thai gov. , Ambassadors have something called an education.

Watch the money leave these shores.

Ties in nicely with education issues and how the populace only listen, never think.

Laos Cambodia and Myanmar will benefit. As for Dawei; if it was viable, why ain't the farang cash coming? Likewise the rice.

Edited August 5, 201312 yr by Soi Sauce

'He will hand out CD's of PM Yingluck's talk on political reforms.'

Jeeeeeeeeeeeez.

Is that to avoid PM Yingluck being shown up as a dummy under questioning from educated ambassadors?

Edited August 5, 201312 yr by Phatcharanan

Shouldnt we wait for the explanation FIRST, then rant about how bad it was or how it changes nothing.

"...the 2nd best time to plant a tree is today." Sent from ThaiVisa app (Galaxy Note 2).

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Internal Security Act necessary, diplomats told
Nuntida Puangthong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Internal Security Act (ISA) is necessary in three Bangkok districts to prevent violence from political protests as well as to maintain peace and order, diplomats to Thailand were told yesterday.

"The measure is transparent, reflects the current situation and is in accordance with international standards. The government has told security forces to restrain themselves, and we have told diplomats that everything is under the government's control," Jullapong Nonsrichai, vice minister for Foreign Affairs, said after briefing foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organisations, including the United Nations.

Up to 40 participants attended the 10-minute briefing at the Foreign Ministry yesterday. Chaired by Jullapong, it included deputy permanent secretary Vijavat Isarabhakdi and deputy national police spokesman Anucha Romyanan.

Jullapong also told participants that the government and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra were ready to pursue political reconciliation by urging all concerned groups to join a council of political reform.

The ministry later handed out compact discs containing a statement from Yingluck about the political reform council, which she read out on television on Friday. The CD includes a printed English translation.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who called the briefing but did not attend in person, said the ministry wanted the diplomats to understand that the government desired solutions for the country and sought to reduce political conflicts in order to enhance peace.

"If the country is in turmoil it will damage investment opportunities and foreign confidence, including tourism," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-08-06

Meanwhile the Minister was worried about a letter the anti government group sent to embassies giving their side of the story.

He said they should not involve foreign countries ???????????

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who called the briefing but did not attend in person, said the ministry wanted the diplomats to understand that the government desired solutions for the country and sought to reduce political conflicts in order to enhance peace.

Calls the meeting, but doesn't attend?

Seems legit...

Under the Joh Bjelke-Petersen government in Qld, a government permit was required to hold a protest march. One man applied for a march consisting of him and his dog down a dead-end street at midnight, and was refused.

Coming soon to a city near you.

Edited August 6, 201312 yr by OzMick

I wondered why there was a garbage can full of CDs outside the Foreign Ministry yesterday.

Mick that lone protester lectured me at Uni. He was also Sigrued Thorntons father. Her mother once chained herself to a main bar foot rail back in the day protesting over segregrated bars. Segregrated by sex of course.

I wondered why there was a garbage can full of CDs outside the Foreign Ministry yesterday.

I heard they can't even give them away down at Pantip Plaza, seen a few acting as reflectors on the back of a couple of Moto Cy's though