US urges calm amid Thailand protests

[webfact]

US urges calm amid Thailand protests

WASHINGTON, November 26, 2013 (AFP) - The United States Monday called for restraint amid turmoil in Thailand as opposition demonstrators stormed key ministries seeking to topple embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Washington was concerned about the rising political tensions and was monitoring the situation closely, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

"We urge all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law. Violence and the seizure of public or private property are not acceptable means of resolving political differences," she said.

The mass protests against Yingluck and her brother, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, are the biggest since 2010 when the kingdom was rocked by its worst political bloodshed in decades in which more than 90 civilians were killed.

Psaki said that "as long-time friends of Thailand, we strongly support the Thai nation and its people during this period."

Washington believed the best way forward was that "all parties should work together to resolve differences through peaceful dialogue in ways that strengthen democracy and rule of law," she said.

The US official also called on the Thai government to uphold freedom of press and guarantee the safety of journalists.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-11-26

[Thainy Tim]

I notice the US has remained silent until they are informed that the government intend to turn this into a violent confrontation with their blanket ISA and promise to 'return control'.

I don't really think any more harm will come to journalists unless they get in the way of a police bullet.

[davehowden]

Blah blah blah ..................

[Alwyn]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

[Calimotty]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

Only a Pom could give us such advice. NZ is still sorting out the mess you clowns instilled 200 years ago

[aTomsLife]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

Not disagreeing: My federal government is out of control, and has been for quite a long while now. It's just that, as a Brit, you should demonstrate a little more humility, given your own bloody history.

[lostmebike]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

Only a Pom could give us such advice. NZ is still sorting out the mess you clowns instilled 200 years ago

NZ is still sorting out the mess you clowns instilled 200 years ago

200 years and you still haven't sorted it out?

[Several]

You going to have a go at Iran about the Persian Empire too? England hasn't been a significant power since before WW2. Oz and NZ have caused a lot of their own domestic problems, you might want to grow up and stop blaming England for every problem you can't solve.

[kamahele]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

You have to be kidding me right? Someone with a flag of the less than Great Britain, lecturing another country on invasion? Jesus, how much blood historically is on your hands? Great Britain should be renamed the great enslaver due to its colonial past. When you think of all the dead and drug addicted (yes, England was no only a slaver dealer but a drug dealer as well) left behind thanks to the English thirst for world domination, it is almost unbelievable. Oh, and the last three times the US has invaded other countries it was with the support of the UK military establishment. The US in this case is just urging a friend and ally (Thailand) to remain calm. That is what friends do during times of crisis.

[anon210]

Lovely how a discussion on the US expressing an opinion on the Thai mess has turned out into a boxing match between British and their former colonies...

[Jim walker]

It won’t be long now before the drones are flying overhead.

[lostmebike]

Lovely how a discussion on the US expressing an opinion on the Thai mess has turned out into a boxing match between British and their former colonies...

I knew it would happen. Just a question of when it would start

[Prbkk]

"Long time friends" indeed but Thailand is of such minor significance to any western country, economically or strategically. Travel warnings and the welfare of tourists/expats is about as far as it goes. I can't imagine the current issues in Thailand are high on Washington's priorities

[SICHONSTEVE]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

Only a Pom could give us such advice. NZ is still sorting out the mess you clowns instilled 200 years ago

If you still haven't sorted it out after 200 years then it doesn't say much for your problem solving abilities, does it!!

What he has witten is legitimate and sums up the US of A's meddling in other countries affairs if it doesn't fit in with their ideology. Just what aspect do you disagree with by the way?

You assume he is a Pom - could it be that you associate an intelligent statement coming only from a Brit?

[JoeThePoster]

It won’t be long now before the drones are flying overhead.

I spotted a few already here.

[SICHONSTEVE]

"Long time friends" indeed but Thailand is of such minor significance to any western country, economically or strategically. Travel warnings and the welfare of tourists/expats is about as far as it goes. I can't imagine the current issues in Thailand are high on Washington's priorities

Could it be something to do with Obama taking a fancy to Yingluck (god knows why as I think she is a plain Jane) not worth wasting a second glance on.

[Alwyn]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

Not disagreeing: My federal government is out of control, and has been for quite a long while now. It's just that, as a Brit, you should demonstrate a little more humility, given your own bloody history.

How far back in history are you wanting to go? Give Texas back to Mexico and I'll be quiet - not only Britain that has done bad things. Tell us how America saved the World in WWII by coming in during the last few years or so of conflict, tell us again how you were so successful in Vietnam (and while we're at it we can ask the people of Laos how they feel when they are still losing lives to unexploded ordnace and landmines put there by the US? Or how Cambodians feel about how you bombed the snot out of them and allowed Polpot to take control of the country? Tell me again what Brtain has done to slaughter people in the last 20 years like the good ol' boys of the USA?

[oakweb]

Alwyn is either a juvenile who knows no history, or just frustrated that he himself is not American. Please do tell us what perfect country you are from?

[oakweb]

Maybe a bit jealous too, since most what he uses... including the OS on the computer he is writing on... was invented by my countrymen. I've seen his type before.

[Local Drunk]

Alwyn is either a juvenile who knows no history, or just frustrated that he himself is not American. Please do tell us what perfect country you are from?

In my most unbiased opinion...

Rule number 1. History is always defined by anyone's particular bias.

Rule number 2. History is always defined by anyone's particular bias.

Rule number 3. History is always defined by anyone's particular bias.

Rule number 4. History is always defined by anyone's particular bias.

Rule number 5. History is always defined by anyone's particular bias.

[gemini81]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

'Methinks' you should keeps yours shut too and do some research: hailing from a country with a puppet gov't ruled and owned by world bank cartels since the Rotshchilds, since they took over the Bank of England at the time of Napolean. Methinks you don't thinks before you types.

[gemini81]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

Not disagreeing: My federal government is out of control, and has been for quite a long while now. It's just that, as a Brit, you should demonstrate a little more humility, given your own bloody history.

How far back in history are you wanting to go? Give Texas back to Mexico and I'll be quiet - not only Britain that has done bad things. Tell us how America saved the World in WWII by coming in during the last few years or so of conflict, tell us again how you were so successful in Vietnam (and while we're at it we can ask the people of Laos how they feel when they are still losing lives to unexploded ordnace and landmines put there by the US? Or how Cambodians feel about how you bombed the snot out of them and allowed Polpot to take control of the country? Tell me again what Brtain has done to slaughter people in the last 20 years like the good ol' boys of the USA?

They joined the US in all of the recent wars. Duh. Either step out of your cave, or don't get piss drunk and start typing on forums with Yanks that saved your Grand daddy's life.

[ggold]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

Only a Pom could give us such advice. NZ is still sorting out the mess you clowns instilled 200 years ago

NZ is still sorting out the mess you clowns instilled 200 years ago

200 years and you still haven't sorted it out?

about time you sorted it no? Or is that without the Brits you can't come up with a solution?

[Queenslander]

Is this the US Government that readily and willingly granted convicted criminal Thaksin Shinawatra a Visa. Perhaps they may wish to consider whether their actions contributed to the problem by, seemingly, supporting the actions of a fleeing felon. Seems the US hypocrites now want to be seen as the saviours of Thai democracy rather than the ones who stoked the fires!!

[signs]

It won’t be long now before the drones are flying overhead.

I spotted a few already here.

They are cameras from the newspapers.

Bangkok’s unlikely embrace of drone journalism shows the extent of the government’s problems

November 25, 2013

Thai newspapers covering ongoing protests in Bangkok have adopted a new reporting tool in recent weeks: small, camera-equipped helicopters they’re using to capture images of massive crowds.

http://qz.com/150668/bangkoks-unlikely-embrace-of-drone-journalism-shows-the-extent-of-the-governments-problems/

[wolf5370]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

Only a Pom could give us such advice. NZ is still sorting out the mess you clowns instilled 200 years ago

...and which legitimate government did Britain topple when it "invaded" NZ then?

[Alwyn]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

'Methinks' you should keeps yours shut too and do some research: hailing from a country with a puppet gov't ruled and owned by world bank cartels since the Rotshchilds, since they took over the Bank of England at the time of Napolean. Methinks you don't thinks before you types.

blah blah.. I thought this was about today and recent times, not ancient history. Methinks you need to hand Texas back to Mexico

[malathione]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

Truly rich, coming from a Brit. Not because of past history alone, but, because you stand with us when we do invade! Thanks for the moral support, by the way.

[gemini81]

This from a country where the national sport is invading other countries and toppling legitimate governments to be replaced by American puppet governments. Methinks America should keep it's big mouth shut

'Methinks' you should keeps yours shut too and do some research: hailing from a country with a puppet gov't ruled and owned by world bank cartels since the Rotshchilds, since they took over the Bank of England at the time of Napolean. Methinks you don't thinks before you types.

blah blah.. I thought this was about today and recent times, not ancient history. Methinks you need to hand Texas back to Mexico

Methinks you had to swallow your pride time & again, and with little left, have a complex. At least you can be tough on the keyboard, as you sure wouldn't survive Texas talking anti-American trash.

[Bagwan]

You going to have a go at Iran about the Persian Empire too? England hasn't been a significant power since before WW2. Oz and NZ have caused a lot of their own domestic problems, you might want to grow up and stop blaming England for every problem you can't solve.

For England read the UK. There has been more than enough PM's and Government ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Queen isn't even English.