British ambassador Kent expresses concerns over rising political tension

[webfact]

British ambassador expresses concerns over rising political tension



BANGKOK, 30 November 2013 (NNT) - British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent has expressed concerns over the impact of escalating political turmoil in Thailand.

Mr Kent met with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Government House to discuss the growing wave of anti-government demonstrations and the seizures of government offices.

The ambassador said the British government opposes the occupations of key government buildings and supports the proposed dialogue to restore peace and democracy. Mr Kent also echoed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon’s statement, saying that all sides need to show full respect for the rule of law and human rights.

The British ambassador also showed concern over the future of the planned 2-trillion-baht infrastructure projects. Prime Minister Yingluck told him that the decision lies with the Constitutional Court which is set to rule whether the loan bill conflicts with the charter.

The premier also assured that the government will continue to provide uninterrupted services to the public even though many major offices have been taken siege by protesters.


-- NNT 2013-11-30

[Thai at Heart]

He's got quite a lot to say about this issue recently.

[noitom]

Just yesterday or the day before it was reported that he was giving a speech at a tourism business luncheon extolling the virtues of travel to Thailand and how UK citizens rate Thailand as tops. It was a preposterous news story and shameful of the ambassador.

[chainarong]

It might be a very good idea for the countries represented by embassy's , consulates in Thailand to shut up, we do not need your consenting views on the state of Thailand , the people are saying something , listen you might learn something Mr Kent, lots of people are not happy with the PTP , let them make there own way and the embassy's shove off. go back to what you do best at , issuing visa's at a price.

[JeremyBowskill]

This fella seems more confused than scooby doo! Yesterday he encourages tourism, today well...........

[sms747]

He could have brought something important up with her such as why we all have to report needlessly to immigration every 90 days.!

[phitsanulokjohn]

Has he been smoking a Thai stick?

[Scott]

A rather nasty post has been deleted. Please stay on topic.

[jdinasia]

He mentioned the 2 trillion infrastructure deal, had he gone on to mention the rice-pledging scheme he would have done even better.

Ambassadors do look at stability (including financial stability) in the countries they are assigned to. They do not operate in a vacuum and are often given something of a script.

As we look and see what these ambassadors say they have all put a little extra pressure on the government to act in as restrained a way as possible without directly telling anyone what to do.

Remember that the UK did pull Thaksin's business visa after he sold Man City .... and the ambassador was sitting across from Thaksin's clone.

[honzad]

Mobs roaming the streets, breaking into government buildings and intimidating the workforce, blocking major traffic arteries, cutting the power supply, all in order to overthrow an elected government and replace it with some form of dictatorship? What do you think he's going to say?

[attento]

The function of a Diplomat is frequently misunderstood.

This News report from the Government News agency would have been jointly approved before release.

Repeating public safety concerns already voiced by the head of the UN can hardly be considered as partisan interferance.

The full extent of their discussion will never be known.

[Bender]

The British ambassador also showed concern over the future of the planned 2-trillion-baht infrastructure projects.

<deleted> ?

and why you don't mind your own business?

ps: anybody can go check if he is really the British ambassador?

[webfact]

UK Ambassador Cautions Thais Against Confrontation
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Mark Kent, has expressed his concerns over the political unrest during his visit to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday.

According to Mr. Teerat Rattanasevi, Prime Minister Office Spokesman, Mr. Kent had discussed with Ms. Yingluck about the current political situation in the country after the protest had occupied many administrative headquarters throughout Bangkok.

“The British Ambassador said he wishes to see the negotiation between the government and the anti-government protesters. He also stated that Britain support political protests as a feature of democratic nation, but they must be within the boundary of the laws," the government spokesman said.

Mr. Teerat added that "Mr. Kent disagreed with the occupying of government administrative offices, at which point the Prime Minister assured him that the Thai government will not use force against the protesters".

"The Prime Minister also wishes to see the negotiation to avoid the confrontation between two sides, which is very well agreed by the British Ambassador," said Mr. Teerat.

During the discussion, the Prime Minister reportedly insisted to Mr. Kent that many government offices can still operate properly, despite the occupation.

However, according to Mr. Teerat, Ms. Yingluck replied to Mr. Kent′s question regarding the two-trillion baht infrastructure development scheme that the government may have to delay its proposal at this time.

The United Kingdom is not the only nation expressing its concerns over the ongoing crisis, as the United States, the United Nations and China have previously sent letters to the Prime Minister asking for negotiations between the Government and the protesters.

However, anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has rejected any chance of negotiation with the government.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE5UYzNOelEyTUE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-11-30

[smedly]

I wonder what he really said - I don't believe anything this government says in it's press releases

I also expect a government clamp down and censorship of all press/news going forward - if it hasn't already happened

so don't believe all you read and hear

posted before the above post - which is somewhat different from the OP

[GeorgeO]

Mobs roaming the streets, breaking into government buildings and intimidating the workforce, blocking major traffic arteries, cutting the power supply, all in order to overthrow an elected government and replace it with some form of dictatorship? What do you think he's going to say?

I'm sure you meant to say "overthrow this dictatorship and replace it with some form of government" ... right?

[Loles]

SHOW BUSINESS

[scubascuba3]

I'm in favour of protests, one it doesn't usually impact tourists, only the scared ones and two the baht weakens which makes the holiday cheaper, great. Plus three the protests are a form of entertainment so all good news

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Thainy Tim]

Kent is just a sycophantic ass kisser and an embarrassment to the UK.

[winstonc]

Some pretty selfish, ignorant comments from obviously Brits today. Btrits who live here and think they know it all. If only they realized what most people think of them

do share your thoughts...on what you people think or are you trying to goad some posters with your pathetic attempt at some boring trolling..be silent or continue to embarass yourself again..

[shaurene]

It might be a very good idea for the countries represented by embassy's , consulates in Thailand to shut up, we do not need your consenting views on the state of Thailand , the people are saying something , listen you might learn something Mr Kent, lots of people are not happy with the PTP , let them make there own way and the embassy's shove off. go back to what you do best at , issuing visa's at a price.[/quote

You obviously do not know what you are talking about. If this was happening inUK the Thai Ambassador would also discuss similar issues with the UK. Do not forget that Thailand declared War on the UK and USA after they supported the Japs landing in Southern Thailand in their invasion of Malaysia and Burma. Thailand was very lucky that the UK did not make Thailand pay for this, so I suggest you think and understand before you condemn a country that was not telling your prime minister what to do.

[Jim walker]

Interfering old goats go and do something constructive help the poor in Thailand instead of meddling in Thai politics they can spend their money on what they want at least it won’t be spent on HS2 crap like the UK’s dreamers.

[blazes]

"Democracy" is ok until the poor sods who vote decide to vote for the 'wrong" party. Best recent example being Egypt. No matter what you and I may think of the Brotherhood of Islam (or whatever they are called) , the fact remains that they were voted in as much as a British party gets a mandate to govern, or an American president. (I seem to recall that only about 49% of the American voters turned out to elect Reagan first time around, which means he was elected by about 26% of the people)

So in Thailand, whatever you may think of the Shinawatras, they won the election (don't talk about vote-fixing, cos our good man George Dubya cheated his way into the White House, to name only one corrupt Western politician. Shall we talk about Tony Bliar, war criminal?)).

Time to oust them out at the next election, unless you want to start a revolution that truly changes the country, a la China or Vietnam.

[DGIE]

There's no need of foreign interference even if there is civil war.

The government doesn't need reinforcement yet.

Internal affairs shall be solved by the Thai people. But seems like cannot be solved till tomorrow

[Dogmatix]

Maybe badly reported but comes over as some real non-valued added comments at the expense of the British taxpayer.

How could the British government possibly be in support of the illegal occupation of govt buildings? So what?

"The British ambassador also showed concern over the future of the planned 2-trillion-baht infrastructure projects."

This is more than ambiguous. He didn't make clear whether the British government was concerned that the the projects would not go ahead or whether it is concerned about the possibility of such obviously corrupt projects. Since the matter is now with the Constitutional Court, it is inappropriate for the British Government to express concern on how a foreign court might rule.

[honzad]

Interfering old goats go and do something constructive help the poor in Thailand instead of meddling in Thai politics they can spend their money on what they want at least it won’t be spent on HS2 crap like the UK’s dreamers.

Good attempt to introduce a totally unrelated subject. 4/5.

[ballpoint]

Mild mannered Mr Kent went on to say that if the trouble didn't stop he'd be headed to the nearest phone booth.

[mok199]

she looks so sweet,and that is one of our misconceptions about thailand and ''the land of smiles''...corruption is evil,those who steal while the rest of the country suffers are about as low as it gets,take away her smile and nice legs ,and she is just another dictator...

[BigC]

Just yesterday or the day before it was reported that he was giving a speech at a tourism business luncheon extolling the virtues of travel to Thailand and how UK citizens rate Thailand as tops. It was a preposterous news story and shameful of the ambassador.

It's their job to report the facts

That is that from this report he consirned which everyone is and reminding yingluck about this big loan she has applied for also reminding Thailand that the UN is watching so be careful with human rights violations

Can't see the harm in that

Also from what you said that he was saying that British people reckon Thailand is tops

I reckon it is so I share this

[DualSportBiker]

You must have glossed over past briefs starting "Thai Ambassador urges... expresses concern... hopes... " I wonder if citizens of the countries urged to change by those Thai Ambassadors posted xenophobic nothings inviting them to focus on what Thailand does best? Or maybe you think Thailand has much to say that the world should listen to? Be honest, aside from what you like/hate" what is it that Mr. Kent can learn from you? What happens when governments don't put pressure on each other?

I understand that Ready, Fire, Aim is a national prerogative, but do try and rise above - try a little thought before you type.

It might be a very good idea for the countries represented by embassy's , consulates in Thailand to shut up, we do not need your consenting views on the state of Thailand , the people are saying something , listen you might learn something Mr Kent, lots of people are not happy with the PTP , let them make there own way and the embassy's shove off. go back to what you do best at , issuing visa's at a price.

[Scott]

Off-topic post and replies deleted.