Thai FM Surapong defends inviting Tony Blair for reconciliation talk

[webfact]

Surapong Defends Inviting Tony Blair For Reconciliation Talk
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- Minister of Foreign Affairs insisted that having former international leaders joining the talk on reconciliation in Bangkok would benefit the government′s reconciliation process.

Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on the government TV show broadcasted this weekend on Channel 11 that the government had invited 11 former international leaders and specialists to join the reconciliation talk.

The talks will be held on 2 September at Plaza Athenee Hotel, and will be broadcast on some TV and radio channels.

According to Mr. Surapong, 3 of them have agreed to join the talk so far: Mr. Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. Martti Agtisaari, the former President of Finland, and Priscilla Hayner, specialist in Justice and Political Transition.

The guests and other leaders would attend the talk for a couple of times more in the near future, he said..

The Minister asserted that Thai people would benefit from the talk, "as those international ex-leaders and experts are keen to share their experience with our country, in the hope to make the global community a better place".

Dismissing the criticism from the opposition which has alleged that the talk is an unnecessary waste of money, Mr. Surapong claimed that some of the leaders volunteered to work unpaid for this project.

He added: "I was disappointed when the opponent claimed we spent 20 million bahts for inviting international leaders.” He said the Thai government had paid for accommodations and traveling costs for invited guests, but he also mentioned that other expenses occurred mostly from building public relations about the event.

“I would like to see people engaged in discussion, because if they don’t, further political division will proceed, and I do not wish to see our country ending up like Egypt”, Mr. Surapong said on the TV show.

Full story: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM05qa3hOVGszTlE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-08-20

[Pimay1]

I do not wish to see our country ending up like Egypt

Actions speak louder than words and your actions Sir do not support your words.

[theblether]

Well if they are looking for a guy to make up false evidence to support their case Tony Blair is the very man.

They should invite Alistair Campbell too.

All those boys lying dead in their graves because of a false dossier downloaded from the internet. Disgrace.

Edited August 19, 2013 by theblether

[Ricardo]

Hub of listening to farangs & former international leaders ... well that makes a change, from "the U.N. is not my father", does he have permission from Dubai to say this sort of thing ?

[Pimay1]

Hub of listening to farangs & former international leaders ... well that makes a change, from "the U.N. is not my father", does he have permission from Dubai to say this sort of thing ?

If he dosen't he's toast.

[NongKhaiKid]

If they think they're getting someone of great standing they must be listening to the Americans, do they not realise his foul reputation in his own country ?

Since leaving office he has amassed a fortune going anywhere he gets paid and says what's wanted so he'll fit in here as he will flash that insincere smile and talk absolute crap about his experiences. All of this will certainly help the reconciliation process.

[Ricardo]

Hub of listening to farangs & former international leaders ... well that makes a change, from "the U.N. is not my father", does he have permission from Dubai to say this sort of thing ?

If he dosen't he's toast.

He's in the family, so protected.

[Pimay1]

Hub of listening to farangs & former international leaders ... well that makes a change, from "the U.N. is not my father", does he have permission from Dubai to say this sort of thing ?

If he dosen't he's toast.

He's in the family, so protected.

I stand corrected.

[RickBradford]

The best way to prevent Thailand ending up like Egypt would surely be Surapong's immediate resignation, retirement from politics, and relocation to cousin-in-law Thaksin's lair in Dubai.

[chainarong]

The only reason that you FM Surapong have invited guests from outside the Kingdom, is to use as propaganda tools to prop up a rather suspicious agenda , you might also be reminded that the world social networks are watching your every move , the days of glory , riding on bull Sh!!t are over , you no longer can hide behind a façade of crap , being supported by a crook in Dubai.

[tomross46]

Look at Northern Eireland, Tony did suck a good job of bringing peace there.

[hard124get]

Look at Northern Eireland, Tony did suck a good job of bringing peace there.

I detest Blair, but his only success was in Northern Ireland, compared to his predecessors anyway

[stevehaigh]

i'd love to see Blair and his ex boss, Bush, tried for crimes against humanity.

[i claudius]

He should have invited Blair to take a long walk on a short pier ,

[i claudius]

Look at Northern Eireland, Tony did suck a good job of bringing peace there.

I detest Blair, but his only success was in Northern Ireland, compared to his predecessors anyway

That wasnt Blair although he tried to take the credit

[Time Traveller]

Well his explanation would only matter if they actually had to pay Blair to be there. But since they are not paying Blair anything to come it really wouldn't matter if Blair was there just to sing karaoke.

Offering reasons and explanations when they are not needed is usually a sign of a liar

Edited August 20, 2013 by Time Traveller

[slapout]

Not sure about Blair's defense, but Bush could justifiablly plead mental incompentance. He has a well earned reputation as the ' Midland village idiot' for quite some time.

[TackyToo]

"...invited 11 former international leaders and specialists to join the reconciliation talk"

I doubt there would be any difference to the outcome of this event if they would take all participants out for an afternoon at the zoo.

[Bagwan]

There might be some mileage in inviting Blair. After he, he could tell those present on NOT what to do, and what his errors in judgment cost the UK.

[skorchio]

If Tony Blair helps sponsor the return of Taksin, he will be remembered as a warmonger and a mercenary. He is already be remembered as a warmonger and he should be in jail for leading a nation to believe that WMDs existed in Iraq. A personal servant of GW Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld. If he has any shred of self-respect, he will quickly and publicly distance himself from Thai 'reconciliation'.

Have to hand it to Taksin though, the guy really is a puppetmaster. Even the most tenacious of manipulators would have given up the game by now. His perseverence is admirable. My fear is that the longer he has to connive and twist things to get himself back, the more hatred he will have on his return, if he does actually get back in. That is a worry. The 'reconciliation' game will change in that event. jesuss ......

[mrtoad]

I am guessing that Surapong has no clue what ihs Tonyness is all about. However, I guess that Blair is cut from tyhe same toxic cloth as Surapongs puppetmaster.

Edited August 20, 2013 by metisdead

[JulietLima]

"Reconciliation" is a Thai-Thai business....why inviting Tony Blair or other outsiders to discuss about that ?

Tacitly, K. Surapong insinuates that there is not enough brain in Thailand. Very insulting !

[mrtoad]

"Reconciliation" is a Thai-Thai business....why inviting Tony Blair or other outsiders to discuss about that ?

Tacitly, K. Surapong insinuates that there is not enough brain in Thailand. Very insulting !

I don't believe that it's about actually needing help, it's more about trying to get some credibility for PTP as a true demiocratic and forward thinking political party. This is all about window dressing, as opposed to any real content. Of course his Tonyness will love the opportunity to make some more cash, so he'll be at the front of the queue on this one.

[Nickymaster]

“I would like to see people engaged in discussion, because if they don’t, further political division will proceed, and I do not wish to see our country ending up like Egypt”, Mr. Surapong said on the TV show.

It's all in your and your cousin Thaksin's hands my friend. Please stop treating people as if they were stupid.

[ggold]

Look at Northern Eireland, Tony did suck a good job of bringing peace there.

I detest Blair, but his only success was in Northern Ireland, compared to his predecessors anyway

That wasnt Blair although he tried to take the credit

Indeed it was the Americans who set it up, blair just signed on the dotted line!

This will prove to be yet another mistake on TB's part. He is going to look an even bigger fool if he does turn up for this one sided forum.

[tonneke breda]

I do not wish to see our country ending up like Egypt.

Bet the Egyptions think the Visa Versa.

[annabel]

Well his explanation would only matter if they actually had to pay Blair to be there. But since they are not paying Blair anything to come it really wouldn't matter if Blair was there just to sing karaoke.

Offering reasons and explanations when they are not needed is usually a sign of a liar

They are paying for ALL OF HIS TRAVELLING EXPENSES!!! need I say more .... !

[annabel]

“I would like to see people engaged in discussion, because if they don’t, further political division will proceed, and I do not wish to see our country ending up like Egypt”, Mr. Surapong said on the TV show.

It's all in your and your cousin Thaksin's hands my friend. Please stop treating people as if they were stupid.

Please stop treating people as if they were stupid.... I agree but ... I have to keep asking myself if they relly are not a bit stupid to tolerate all of this BS for the past 2 years ???