STR protests US 'interference in Thai internal affairs'

[webfact]

THAI-US RELATIONS
STR protests US 'interference'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Students and People's Network for Thailand's Reform protesters yesterday rallied at the US Embassy in Bangkok to criticise the ambassador for "interfering in Thai internal affairs".

They accused Ambassador Kristie Kenney of siding with the Thai government and of unfairly claiming that protesters were not following the democratic process.

The student leaders read a statement demanding the US stop supporting the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. The representatives from the STR, a faction of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee protesters, spoke via loudspeakers on a truck parked in front of the embassy.

The group raised a Thai flag, left it to fly for about an hour and lowered it before handing it to the embassy's security officer.

The group threatened to come back unless Kenney changed her approach to the current protests. If she did not, they would ask for her replacement as US ambassador, the STR speaker said before leaving.

-- The Nation 2013-12-20

[BigMountain]

Surely within the spectrum of 'interference' supporting an undemocratic movement would be a more interfering position than their current?

[noitom]

This is good. The US should be pounding the table for reform and the steps toward eliminating pervasive corruption in Thailand. The US and other major governments have long been tolerant of a known corrupt and abusive Thailand. On one hand the US voices support of people's movements around the world in Africa and the Middle East but fails to do so in the case of Thailand. For too long the US has been in bed with the corrupt legacy of elites and privileged in Thailand. Give the people of Thailand their due hearing America. Let them propose reform, support them and stop pandering to the elite corrupt privileged class in Thailand.

[Bluespunk]

This is good. The US should be pounding the table for reform and the steps toward eliminating pervasive corruption in Thailand. The US and other major governments have long been tolerant of a known corrupt and abusive Thailand. On one hand the US voices support of people's movements around the world in Africa and the Middle East but fails to do so in the case of Thailand. For too long the US has been in bed with the corrupt legacy of elites and privileged in Thailand. Give the people of Thailand their due hearing America. Let them propose reform, support them and stop pandering to the elite corrupt privileged class in Thailand.

On both the red and anti-govt sides.

[Nowhereman60]

The US could care less about these street tugs. They call them students most of them look like they didn't complete the 2nd grade and that was 30 years ago.. The US will do what it wants

[BigMountain]

This isnt Libya and Qadaffi. Why should the US be policing the world for corrupt governments?

[Tokay]

It was reported before that a few days ago they were making statements about "storming and seizing" the US Embassy. I wish them luck with that.

[Thai at Heart]

This is good. The US should be pounding the table for reform and the steps toward eliminating pervasive corruption in Thailand. The US and other major governments have long been tolerant of a known corrupt and abusive Thailand. On one hand the US voices support of people's movements around the world in Africa and the Middle East but fails to do so in the case of Thailand. For too long the US has been in bed with the corrupt legacy of elites and privileged in Thailand. Give the people of Thailand their due hearing America. Let them propose reform, support them and stop pandering to the elite corrupt privileged class in Thailand.

That's why these buggars are complaining.

Just imagine what political and business life was like before thaksin. All hunkey dorey. Zero accountability, zero interference.

How many stories were there in the press about corruption before thaksin. As much as anyone hates thaksin, his creation has moved the political process through 50 years in 10.

The result might not be perfect but it has certainly got the ammart jumping around. Politics will NEVER be the same in thailand after this last 10 years.

[Thai at Heart]

This isnt Libya and Qadaffi. Why should the US be policing the world for corrupt governments?

Since when did wanting free and fair elections mean you support PTP? More democracy, more involvement, more participation is always better than clouds and smoke and mirror dealings.

The USA is smart. They will keep supporting elections and the rule of law until thailand learns what it means.

Thais can be a little selfish and slow sometimes. Its thainess.

[tx22cb]

It so happens that the Yellows do not want an election at this time.

The US has voiced support for Democracy and the Rule of Law.

The US view would be the same if it was the Reds/Greens/Variegateds who did not want an election as stipulated by law.

[NeverSure]

It was reported before that a few days ago they were making statements about "storming and seizing" the US Embassy. I wish them luck with that.

Lots of luck. There are normally 18 specially trained Marines guarding that embassy and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that they currently have reinforcements after the fiasco in Benghazi, Libya.

AFAIK, all the US has done is the same that Britain did, which was to make a nebulous statement supporting "democracy."

[Thai at Heart]

It so happens that the Yellows do not want an election at this time.

The US has voiced support for Democracy and the Rule of Law.

The US view would be the same if it was the Reds/Greens/Variegateds who did not want an election as stipulated by law.

Exactly. Suthep doesn't want an election.

The USA is playing this very smart.

Get rid of yingluck but insist on democracy.

[Thait Spot]

This isnt Libya and Qadaffi. Why should the US be policing the world for corrupt governments?

Because the Yanks invented FCPA - and are therefore duplicitous if their government organisations don't adhere to the very same standards

[aussieinthailand]

It so happens that the Yellows do not want an election at this time.

The US has voiced support for Democracy and the Rule of Law.

The US view would be the same if it was the Reds/Greens/Variegateds who did not want an election as stipulated by law.

Exactly. Suthep doesn't want an election.

The USA is playing this very smart.

Get rid of yingluck but insist on democracy.

Wouldn't your last sentence be an oxymoron? "Get rid of yingluck but insist on democracy."

May 2011, general election, Didn't the PTP get 48.41% or (15.7 million ) of the popular vote? and the Dems got 35.15% or (11.15) of the popular vote?

IMO, that would be democracy.

The current protestors can barely raise 200,000 or less at any time, The numbers speak for themselves.

[Valentine]

There are plenty of precedents in the past where the US has supported depots, Including Sadaam, so supporting PTP or any other corrupt government here is surely not an issue for them.

[Valentine]

It so happens that the Yellows do not want an election at this time.

The US has voiced support for Democracy and the Rule of Law.

The US view would be the same if it was the Reds/Greens/Variegateds who did not want an election as stipulated by law.

Exactly. Suthep doesn't want an election.

The USA is playing this very smart.

Get rid of yingluck but insist on democracy.

Wouldn't your last sentence be an oxymoron? "Get rid of yingluck but insist on democracy."

May 2011, general election, Didn't the PTP get 48.41% or (15.7 million ) of the popular vote? and the Dems got 35.15% or (11.15) of the popular vote?

IMO, that would be democracy.

The current protestors can barely raise 200,000 or less at any time, The numbers speak for themselves.

I seriously doubt the reds had any more than 200,000 when they were trying to overthrow the government.

[ridkun]

Well I wonder when will my Thai fellows realise that we do not have enough oil supply for US to be interested to initiate anything more than barking on us. We have our own sovereignty and this is our own country, so do what you think it's good for our country and not what those foreigners think it's good for them.

[bkkfaranguy]

This isnt Libya and Qadaffi. Why should the US be policing the world for corrupt governments?

Since when did wanting free and fair elections mean you support PTP? More democracy, more involvement, more participation is always better than clouds and smoke and mirror dealings.

The USA is smart. They will keep supporting elections and the rule of law until thailand learns what it means.

Thais can be a little selfish and slow sometimes. Its thainess.

Thai at Heart you have answered your own question here, the Dems/Suthep do not want free and fair elections, there attempted coup/dictorship is not democratic, so it is fair to say the USA and the rest of the free world does not support them. So in there minds this means that the rest of the world supports the PTP.

[FangFerang]

It was reported before that a few days ago they were making statements about "storming and seizing" the US Embassy. I wish them luck with that.

Lots of luck. There are normally 18 specially trained Marines guarding that embassy and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that they currently have reinforcements after the fiasco in Benghazi, Libya.

AFAIK, all the US has done is the same that Britain did, which was to make a nebulous statement supporting "democracy."

You are correct. There are more than 18 Marines in Bangkok attached to the embassy.

[Anon999]

The US could care less about these street tugs. They call them students most of them look like they didn't complete the 2nd grade and that was 30 years ago.. The US will do what it wants

The US should just stay out of it altogether. Except that the big money is coming from there and in all probability the Ambassador is being leaned on.

[FangFerang]

Well I wonder when will my Thai fellows realise that we do not have enough oil supply for US to be interested to initiate anything more than barking on us. We have our own sovereignty and this is our own country, so do what you think it's good for our country and not what those foreigners think it's good for them.

There are quite a few Thais who immigrated to America, and they are also letting their voices be heard in Washington.

Don't believe everything you read. Most Americans distrust the government, and also distrust the media -- which is a reasonable approach to getting information.

I believe most Americans just hope that Thais find a lasting solution to the endless cycle of conflict. Thailand is one of the greatest producers of rice in the world, and many American chefs prefer Thai rice. Further, Thailand sells top grade rice to American allies. Thailand is affectionately called the Rice Bowl of Asia.

You are important in a unique way. The ports in Thailand ship goods worldwide, which also is important to the US and its allies. If Suthep was elected PM the Preident of the US would send a message of congratulations to him.

I certainly hope Thais find a unique solution to the balance of power problem. I have only been here four years, so I am a Beginner student about your culture, but I like you and your people. I love quite a few of you.

The world is more interesting with Thais in it.

[Yunla]

The US has a history of siding with the "coloured revolutions" / "people power" revolutions which is what I would class the events of 2010 Bangkok as also. Without wanting to go further and suggest US involvement in those events, they were not against them, and supported the new corrupt oligarch leaders who always got elected by the new "coloured /people's power revolution." In all cases the new leaders were dictators / destabilised warlord classes and most cases a lot worse than the regime they had overthrown. Egypt, Libya, Syria, etc. and a lot of the former Soviet East European nations too. So in a sense they are following the pattern by supporting PTP as it was elected as a "people's coloured revolution" and after that the waters get much murkier.

[ginjag]

How many of us have seen the US Ambassador in interviews with the Thai PM and other notables here ??? I have never seen anyone as Rs crawling as her, She is a very nice lady, but is similar to 10 spoons of sugar in the coffee.

In the UK we call them =yes sir no sir three bags full people. My idea is these people should be fair -firm-putting their countries points of view NOT trying to sweet talk her way into keeping her favourable position.

Serve her own people here and the US interest. I have yet to hear anything from her to suggest the US is not liking the high corruption here, or similar. She has been asked in interviews questions appertaining to issues but same as Yinluck DODGES them.

[LukKrueng]

This is good. The US should be pounding the table for reform and the steps toward eliminating pervasive corruption in Thailand. The US and other major governments have long been tolerant of a known corrupt and abusive Thailand. On one hand the US voices support of people's movements around the world in Africa and the Middle East but fails to do so in the case of Thailand. For too long the US has been in bed with the corrupt legacy of elites and privileged in Thailand. Give the people of Thailand their due hearing America. Let them propose reform, support them and stop pandering to the elite corrupt privileged class in Thailand.

That's why these buggars are complaining.

Just imagine what political and business life was like before thaksin. All hunkey dorey. Zero accountability, zero interference.

How many stories were there in the press about corruption before thaksin. As much as anyone hates thaksin, his creation has moved the political process through 50 years in 10.

The result might not be perfect but it has certainly got the ammart jumping around. Politics will NEVER be the same in thailand after this last 10 years.

have you been HERE in the last 12 years? do you know personally what was going on here before that time and after he got into power??

[Mole]

Wow, ask for her replacement? Just who the hell do they think they are???

[LomSak27]

This is good. The US should be pounding the table for reform and the steps toward eliminating pervasive corruption in Thailand. The US and other major governments have long been tolerant of a known corrupt and abusive Thailand. On one hand the US voices support of people's movements around the world in Africa and the Middle East but fails to do so in the case of Thailand. For too long the US has been in bed with the corrupt legacy of elites and privileged in Thailand. Give the people of Thailand their due hearing America. Let them propose reform, support them and stop pandering to the elite corrupt privileged class in Thailand.

Looks like you have missed post WWII relations between Thailand and the US. Maybe now is good time to grab a book and check out how the US had to deal with military strongmen and revolving door coups. The real change today is the US has little tolerance for Thailand anymore. They just do not care. That means putting in good words for hoping both sides can work out an amicable solution and yes they will support the elected government, not some bunch of losers who go for a coup or try to overthrow a government and replace it with UNELECTED People's Consuls

Not a bunch of loser who use a NASA weather project as a weapon in their internal Thai quarrels with the Reds

Not a bunch of losers who then have the ball faced audacity to ask Obama to help get some ultra nationalists numb nuts who have got tossed in a Cambodian Clink because they crossed the border deliberately.

The US always has a bunch a people out protesting, no one is going to lose valuble Plants vs Zombies 2 game time worrying about these clowns.

[unanimosity]

This isnt Libya and Qadaffi. Why should the US be policing the world for corrupt governments?

Since when did wanting free and fair elections mean you support PTP? More democracy, more involvement, more participation is always better than clouds and smoke and mirror dealings.

The USA is smart. They will keep supporting elections and the rule of law until thailand learns what it means.

Thais can be a little selfish and slow sometimes. Its thainess.

Thai at Heart you have answered your own question here, the Dems/Suthep do not want free and fair elections, there attempted coup/dictorship is not democratic, so it is fair to say the USA and the rest of the free world does not support them. So in there minds this means that the rest of the world supports the PTP.

In their minds, or at least in their heart of hearts, they understand that they are trying to hijack a government and country (again); to the same degree that a perp hijacking a BMW understands, that this is criminal behaviour. The best defense is a good offense and their wish to comandeer the country again has nothing more to do with Thaksin and Yingluck than it would have to do with anybody else that stood between them and their meal tickets.

[SICHONSTEVE]

This isnt Libya and Qadaffi. Why should the US be policing the world for corrupt governments?

There is nothing wrong with the Americans policing the world for corrupt governments.

In that case they should not be supporting either this corrupt caretaker government or polls on Feb 2nd without first implementing urgently needed political reforms to ensure fairness and transparency - something this government is incapable of abiding by.

[unanimosity]

This is good. The US should be pounding the table for reform and the steps toward eliminating pervasive corruption in Thailand. The US and other major governments have long been tolerant of a known corrupt and abusive Thailand. On one hand the US voices support of people's movements around the world in Africa and the Middle East but fails to do so in the case of Thailand. For too long the US has been in bed with the corrupt legacy of elites and privileged in Thailand. Give the people of Thailand their due hearing America. Let them propose reform, support them and stop pandering to the elite corrupt privileged class in Thailand.

Looks like you have missed post WWII relations between Thailand and the US. Maybe now is good time to grab a book and check out how the US had to deal with military strongmen and revolving door coups. The real change today is the US has little tolerance for Thailand anymore. They just do not care. That means putting in good words for hoping both sides can work out an amicable solution and yes they will support the elected government, not some bunch of losers who go for a coup or try to overthrow a government and replace it with UNELECTED People's Consuls

Not a bunch of loser who use a NASA weather project as a weapon in their internal Thai quarrels with the Reds

Not a bunch of losers who then have the ball faced audacity to ask Obama to help get some ultra nationalists numb nuts who have got tossed in a Cambodian Clink because they crossed the border deliberately.

The US always has a bunch a people out protesting, no one is going to lose valuble Plants vs Zombies 2 game time worrying about these clowns.

America is keeping Thailand like Thai men keep a mistress, for convenience and control. The USA is quietly romancing Indonesia as the primary SE Asian ally due in no small part to the strategic importance of the Strait of Malacca.

[captspectre]

The US could care less about these street tugs. They call them students most of them look like they didn't complete the 2nd grade and that was 30 years ago.. The US will do what it wants

they don't look like students to me, more like street trash! where's the uniforms? and as for the U.S. intervening in Thai polotics? not in this admin run by a cowardly cockroach who lets his own people die!