Thousands march to US Embassy in Bangkok

[kimamey]

The reason for the demo at the US Embassy was that the embassy took Yingluck's side, which the demonstrators took as inappropriate!

Did they?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[up-country_sinclair]

What the hell does the US embassy have to do with all this???

All I can think is that it's shameless attention seeking, trying the internationalize the conflict ...

Isn't that a clever tactic? The more they internationalize the conflict, the more (real or imagined) pressure put on the government.

[jdinasia]

The reason for the demo at the US Embassy was that the embassy took Yingluck's side, which the demonstrators took as inappropriate!

I don't understand where you got the impression that the US has taken sides in an internal Thai matter. Very little has been said from the US side other than please respect life and property. (What government ever has told protesters in another country that seizing buildings etc is OK? They'd have to live with the results of that at home!)

[JoeLing]

I'm not American, but have to question what on earth has to do with the current issues in Thailand? ...............................

Ask Thaksin

I'm sure he has some unpleasant memories on Americas anti-democratic activities

in ousting a democratically elected government during the 2006 coup.

Maybe Ahisist remembers it too

[jdinasia]

What the hell does the US embassy have to do with all this???

All I can think is that it's shameless attention seeking, trying the internationalize the conflict ...

Isn't that a clever tactic? The more they internationalize the conflict, the more (real or imagined) pressure put on the government.

Exactly,

A peaceful protet marches to an embassy, gives a letter, holds a brief rally and moves on ....

Did they expect to get a condemnation of the current government? No. Did they get attention, and importantly international attention? Yes. Will it be very much harder to crack down on these protests after students went to the army HQ .. hung out, read a statement/request to the army chief and then left peacefully? While another group went to the embassy and left peacefully?

Those overseas that remember 2009 and 2010, will remember the burning and violence of the political opponents of those that have been on the streets recently.

Those overseas will have seen a month of peaceful protests before Jatuporn and the reds arrive to "teach a lesson" to Suthep ....

It must be embarassing living down knee-jerk "they are anti-american" reactions but hey .... take deep breaths, look at what is happening around you, do not limit yourself to a single news source ... and watch.

My only reaction today was to call my partner and make sure he's getting out of the city this weekend. Then again I do that every Friday

[Yunla]

This seems more of an arbitrary visit, they have been whipped up into patriotic fervor and are doing what small birds do when faced with a much larger bird, fluff up all their plumage to appear bigger. I don't think they actually have any specific problem with the US. Its funny also because my Thai friends are the only people I know who can still say the word Obama with a happy smile, and not suffixed with a string of expletives.

[Sojuncoke]

So should they go to other countries embassy that has good ties with Thailand and their current ruling party?

[Chao Lao Beach]

He, Hey Buddies. Be care, the US Embassy guards (Marines) will shot you if you want to brake in. They are not a thai army.

Very Much So.

[Misterwhisper]

If they feel compelled to besiege any foreign embassy, it ought to be the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.

[malcyx]

Nothing wrong with a peaceful demonstration in my book ..

If you are for or against what these people believe in , its all well n good .no harm done ..

USA puts itself on a pedestal that's why people turn to them ...555

USA is still convinced its top dog in the world , best let them continue to believe ...

Ironically top dog in the world also eat dog 5555

[Thai at Heart]

Abhisit again proving himself to have lack of judgement and be a 'whatever is popular now' kind of politician

Indeed. If it was the right thing to do, why wasn't he trying to remove the Thaksin regieme 6 months ago?

[LALes]

As an American, I have been embarrassed numerous times by my government's support for bonehead, witless and murderous dictators.

We have installed and supported all the wrong candidates from Guatemala to Chile to Iran spanning 70 years since the end of WW II.

But, this is one regime where we can honestly say, "Hey, you did this. Leave us out of it."

No one but Thais responsible for this mess.

As for the march, no harm, no foul. They came, they presented a letter, they left. I hope that's the end of it for America.

[mosan]

I am saddened to hear that Abhisit was involved in such a farce. What is the U.S. government supposed to do? Take a side in this internal conflict? It's normal to deal with the current legal government whatever it is when there are relations between nations, and there are relations between the USA and Thailand. It doesn't mean the U.S. government is endorsing the government or fighting the opposition. That's not their role. The USA can't win. When it acts imperialistic it is justifiably dissed and when it doesn't its dissed as well.

So does this mean more of this faction are becoming more anti-American? How does their level of anti-Americanism compare to the red and PTP side? As an American living in Thailand, I suppose it would be useful to know.

Exactly what part of this action leads you to believe anti-Americanism is involved here? They simply went to the embassy to ask the US government not to support the current Thai administration. Did you just misinterpret what was written? Help us out here...

[mca]

Bizzare that they would march and protest the American embassy. These are supposedly educated class people?

Hmmmmm

Yeah. Why not just go and bother the Brits? They were here first. Make 'em feel important.

Sorry old chap it's time for a spot of tiffin and we don't want a bunch of oiks bothering that. One lump or two?

[Tokay]

Even the most educated Thais are clueless as to what happens outside of Thailand, so I can't fault them for not knowing that swarming a US Embassy after the Libya fiasco is a horrible, horrible idea.

If they are seeking an international incident, let them go ahead and breach the walls.

[aaacorp]

And some here still swear this protests are not leaded by democrats wanting everything except democracy.

[tragickingdom]

Yes, the US is democratic. Abhisit and his cronies not.

Have a look at the website of Time where the header reads:

Thailand’s Democrat Party Is Hilariously Misnamed

Don't believe Yellow Shirt talk of a "people's revolution" — what's being demanded is nothing short of a putsch

[dominique355]

I would believe that the USA probably knows more about Thaksin and the Thai government than most Thais including Korn or Abhisit.

Instead of annoying people in the city with blocking roads, why don't they try to explain in simple terms but supported by evidence, what exactly they blame Thaksin, or the Yingluck government for? Why don't they try to inform people in Isaan or anywhere up country about the crines and mistakes of the Shinawatra clan.

Remember, informed people only can make a democracy function.

[siamjimi]

^{Why does every country that has a problem turn to USA either to blame or to ask for support. How come I never see then ask China or Russia or India. I think American citizens are pretty sick of being the police of the world. This is a problem of Thailand and it needs to be settled in Thailand. I feel that Yingluk is a poor leader but she was democratically elected and must finish her term unless she commits a crime and is impeached. We were stuck with Bush but he was legally elected and was allowed to finish his term as god awful as he was.}

Same sentiments for the current US president worthless piece of **** never actualluy acheived anything but being black and rewarded with a prize for it.

True example of the degradation of the American voter simply bcoz gropus of misaligned citizens voting for any candidate that provides entitlement programs and other self serving BS.

Same sentiments towards your version of Thai's tolerating the duly elected Yingluck is the same equation that US citizens must tolerate duly elected Obama.

[tragickingdom]

Actually the supporters of Abhisit and Suthep must be highly ignorant. Suthep is a bigger crook than the unscrupulous Thaksin, just look at the convictions around the land scandal in the 90's

The supporters of the Democrat Party and Yellow shirts are completely clueless about the future, they are selfish, ignorant and belittle the rural poor, who have often much more of a brain than the idiots who claim to know everything about politics in Bangkok.

Just look at their power base. If the Democrat party was so good, how come they have killed 7000 people in the South and hundred plus thousand wounded? The South is the example for how Thailand will become if the elite gets their way again.

[i2i]

The Americans don't butt in and issue "interfering" statements without reason. The US has interest in Thailand on various issues whether it be geopolitical, military, bilateral trade, etc.

Try looking into the relationship between Thaksin and the US and you might see why the US can't stay out of this country's affairs.

The US Embassy's statements weren't meaningless, however short and subtle they seemed. The protesters had very good reason to respond.

[Mudcrab]

Is Thailand technically still at war with the US?

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Declarations of war to the USA and the UK were announced but never delivered to the respective countries.

The Dutch, Norwegians, Swedish, French and the rest of the countries in Eastern Europe surely must appreciate the fact that Thailand (allowed the Japanese to occupy the country for almost 2 years to build the Railroad of Death) and sided with the Axis: Japan, Germany and Italy.

A Thai professor I know at Thammasat (who got his degree in a university outside of Los Angeles County in California) rebutted this notion by saying: " But that was a long time ago!"

He was right. How long do you say someone is an enemy? 50 years, 100 years...1000 years? The Trojans? The ancient Egyptians? Hannibal? Attila? Ghengis?They all fought and ultimately colonized the western world in one form or another.

[dao16]

Thailand's attempt at democracy really doesn't seem to be working. Very doubtful that scrapping it completely is a good answer, but I can understand the political appeal of doing something radical.

How about the parties actually coming up with ideas to win votes instead of protesting and invading gov't offices when they don't get their way? Where does all this junk come from? The yellow guys (believe me, have heard the schpiel several times) say that the people in the countryside are too uneducated to vote, so they want to take away the vote and give it to the "right people." When asked about why they don't run on a platform of educating everyone in the country and promoting development for all Thais, they say it is too difficult. I don't believe that. I do believe that it is probably too di$$icult, though.

So, there you have it. It just doesn't seem like anyone has it in them to make real change. As I have noted on TV before, I hate both sides equally....just wish they could sort this out in a more reasonable way.

[Kitsune]

Stop dreaming, America will support whoever gives the best deal on Andaman gas & oil

[55Jay]

The US doesn't have any hard core interests in Thailand. They tried recently but were rebuffed.

Ambassador will make a canned response, "We support democracy and democratic principles, blah blah, respect Thailand's sovereign nation status, blah blah.

Read: We support whoever gets elected (most of the time) and will try to keep up appearances by cutting off foreign aide (again) if there's (another) coup. Thanks for stopping by. Chok Dee.

[rijb]

Even the most educated Thais are clueless as to what happens outside of Thailand, so I can't fault them for not knowing that swarming a US Embassy after the Libya fiasco is a horrible, horrible idea.

If they are seeking an international incident, let them go ahead and breach the walls.

Substitute

Even the most educated Thais are clueless as to what happens outside of Thailand,

with

Most US citizens are clueless as to what happens outside of the US

and you will get close to what my experiences have been in the US.

Not knocking anyone, just my observation.

For Americans living in the USA, I would say that sums up 80% of them. So no argument there.

Hooray! Tweedledee and Tweedledum have reached a consensus! (concerning 300+ million people in the US and more millions in Thailand)

Edited November 29, 2013 by rijb

[Scott]

Off-topic posts deleted as well as replies. The topic is about Thai politics, not US politics. Please stay on topic.

[MobileContent]

Abhisit can do what he wants. When he destroyed the country he can always go back to the UK and show his UK passport. For Suthep hopefully he will be jailed.

The army this time will not get involved. Bad Luck for the Democrat Party.

Democrat Party enjoy your time, the spook will be over on December 4.

[tezzainoz]

The way I remember it

It was the USA that wanted it this way

They believe they are the only superpower that can save the world

^{Why does every country that has a problem turn to USA either to blame or to ask for support. How come I never see then ask China or Russia or India. I think American citizens are pretty sick of being the police of the world. This is a problem of Thailand and it needs to be settled in Thailand. I feel that Yingluk is a poor leader but she was democratically elected and must finish her term unless she commits a crime and is impeached. We were stuck with Bush but he was legally elected and was allowed to finish his term as god awful as he was.}

[hansnl]

Yes, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's back in Wireless Rd in the near future, knocking on the door and begging to be let in...

There was no "he" in my post, but I will assume you mean Abhisit. I am sure he will be back on Wireless Rd. in the future, as an invited guest and not begging to be let in.

Let's not forget that Abhisit holds dual Thai/UK nationality, nor that he probably has never had to beg for admittance anywhere (unlike certain other ex-PM's)

You can forget Abhisit has dual Thai/UK nationalities.

He was born in England during the time you could APPLY for the British nationality, he has the right to do that, but he never did.

Edited November 29, 2013 by hansnl