Surapong to invite UN chief to be advisor

[Lite Beer]

Surapong to invite UN chief to be advisor

BANGKOK: -- Chief advisor to the Center for the Maintaining of Peace and Order (CMPO) Surapong Tovichakchaikul disclosed today that he has invited United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to be the center’s advisor.

Surapong, who is caretaker prime minister and foreign minister, said an invitation letter had been sent to the UN to invite Mr Ban Ki-moon to give advice on how to resolve the current conflict in Thailand.

He said that the UN chief has experience in resolving several crisis and conflicts in the world and his experience could help to resolve the conflict in Thailand.

He insisted that the invitation of the UN chief to give advice to the CMPO is not an interference of the Thai internal affairs, saying it was the experience and capability that the UN chief that could be helpful.

He also said that as there is indication of growing violence now, it was necessary to have an experience person to give advice to resolve the problem.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/surapong-invite-un-chief-advisor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=surapong-invite-un-chief-advisor

-- Thai PBS 2014-02-26

[bigbamboo]

His first piece of advice should be to Chalerm...... "Stay off the drink."

[mrtoad]

I guess Chalerm is not available today? Must of been a heavy night.

[siampolee]

Do the Thai's really think that there is concern about the current matters here by the U.N. apart from lip service as a window dressing exercise?

Will the Thai's actually take notice and even act upon any advice given by any foreigners who don't understand ''Thainess?"

Somehow I doubt it. the whole matter has been broached as this bunch of inept caretakers in reality haven't a clue of how to react to the fact that at last the public expect the politicians to be their servants not a family business intent on nothing more than self enrichment and rampant political incest known as nepotism.

It might well be an interesting fact as to how certain individuals and groups might stand regarding their legal liabilities if as such the U.N. were to broker some sort of settlement concerning the current state of affairs here in Thailand.

Certain people could end up in the witness box as the accused. In the event of that happening could they, would they be able to employ the Nuremberg Defence or that other well known hackneyed defense statement ''It was the drink your honour as made me lose me grip on meself,'' one must ask?

All to easy to put a noose around one neck when one is desperate.

Edited February 26, 2014 by siampolee

[Costas2008]

They don't need the UN's advice.

I can give them the best advice.

GET OUT now before you drag down, Thailand, into destruction and civil war.

[Publicus]

It is appropriate and the normal diplomatic course to ask the UNSG to appoint a mediator or someone globally recognized in conflict resolution to fulfill the needed and necessary role Surapong wisely seeks for the country.

The UNSG doesn't subcontract his individual services to a single sovereign member state, no matter what the issues.

Former SG Kofi Annan is the UN's mission impossible guy and Thailand would be fortunate to get him as a result of this request.

[canopus1969]

Getting rid of the 2 Muppets in the photo would be a good start

[Cuchulainn]

And I'm sure Mr.Ban Ki Moon will jump at the chance of working for the likes of Chalerm, Surapong and their band of incompetent, bumbling clowns.

[mrtoad]

The only reason The Gimp called Surapong is inviting Moon, is that he believes it will legitimize the current regime if he sits down and has talks with them. The UN does not have a good track record of resolving conflicts, but it does a good job in continuing to justify it's existence.

What PTP will make of any suggestions that are not in keeping with their definition of democracy will of course be disregarded. The Dubai Criminal is getting more desperate by the day now.

[culicine]

I thought the UN wasn't Thaksin's father? The PTP are really clutching at straws now if they think UN can get them out of this quagmire.

[Scamper]

Surapong and Chalerm sitting together - defenders of decency. Can Ki-moon be able to restrain his private thoughts about Thaksin, Surapong and Chalerm when he is here ? One has a feeling that a diplomat on the world stage is being consciously manipulated into saying something that might be construed in Pheu Thai's crazy way as fitting into Chalerm's narrative. That's the danger - that he is used as yet another pawn by the administration. If Ki-moon does come here, he ought to meet both sides. He ought to be made aware that there is actually a universe that extends beyond Thaksin, and another point of view. He ought to be made aware that Yingluck has been openly encouraged by the UDD to defy the independent agencies and the courts in a jaw-dropping attack on the judicial system. He ought to be made aware that an amnesty bill was rammed through by Pheu Thai that sought to pardon Thaksin and return huge monies to him, as well as pardoning over 25,000 convicted of corruption. He ought to be made aware that Yingluck is boycotting attending the NACC tomorrow, in a key impeachment proceeding. He ought to be made aware that Thaksin is directing the administration through skype, and ask himself if there is any parallel with that whatsoever in the world. He ought to know that the NACC may be physically impeded by the UDD tomorrow from their constitutional duty to investigate impeachment proceedings against Yingluck.

He may also want to sniff Chalerm's breath, and wonder if not a huge hunk of the crisis is due to that.

[webfact]

Thai FM ponders UN as mediator in political conflict
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 26 – Caretaker Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul today urged the United Nations to mediate the escalating political conflict in Thailand.

Mr Surpong, who is also deputy prime minister and chief adviser to the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), said he telephoned UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this morning, seeking his advice to resolve Thailand’s political impasse.

He said the secretary-general would be the most suitable person to find a way out for Thailand now that the conflicts have worsened, resulting in the deaths of four children.

“When disputes arose in countries like Syria, Ukraine, Egypt or Rwanda, the UN was always too late (in reaching the countries). If we get advice early enough, Thailand should be able to solve the problems,” he said.

Mr Surapong said he would submit an official proposal to the UN if agreed by the CMPO.

He said protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has refused to accept a neutral person to mediate negotiations but the UN would be the most suitable neutral body.

He added, “If the Democrat Party suspects that the general election would be unfair, the UN has an agency to supervise it to ensure a fair election. It depends on whether we want to use them.

“We have to be open without thinking that they are intervening in Thailand’s domestic affairs. If there is a civil war, it is inevitable that the UN intervenes to find reconciliation.” (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-02-26

[Publicus]

Surapong and Chalerm sitting together - defenders of decency. Can Ki-moon be able to restrain his private thoughts about Thaksin, Surapong and Chalerm when he is here ? One has a feeling that a diplomat on the world stage is being consciously manipulated into saying something that might be construed in Pheu Thai's crazy way as fitting into Chalerm's narrative. That's the danger - that he is used as yet another pawn by the administration. If Ki-moon does come here, he ought to meet both sides. He ought to be made aware that there is actually a universe that extends beyond Thaksin, and another point of view. He ought to be made aware that Yingluck has been openly encouraged by the UDD to defy the independent agencies and the courts in a jaw-dropping attack on the judicial system. He ought to be made aware that an amnesty bill was rammed through by Pheu Thai that sought to pardon Thaksin and return huge monies to him, as well as pardoning over 25,000 convicted of corruption. He ought to be made aware that Yingluck is boycotting attending the NACC tomorrow, in a key impeachment proceeding. He ought to be made aware that Thaksin is directing the administration through skype, and ask himself if there is any parallel with that whatsoever in the world. He ought to know that the NACC may be physically impeded by the UDD tomorrow from their constitutional duty to investigate impeachment proceedings against Yingluck.

He may also want to sniff Chalerm's breath, and wonder if not a huge hunk of the crisis is due to that.

The United Nations Secretary General is not coming to Thailand to personally mediate nor does he or anyone outside of Thailand care about your bent and anti-democratic agenda.

I'd reiterate it would be most encouraging if former UNSG Kofi Annan would be appointed as the UNSG's conflict resolution mediator in Thailand. The first thing any conflict mediator would do is completely ignore everything you say in your nagging gf post.

[rogerdee123]

When Ban Ki-moon declines the invitation, they can probably still get Tony Blair to advise them.

[webfact]

THAI POLITICS
UN urged to mediate in Thailand conflict: Surapong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Wednesday urged the UN to mediate in the escalating political conflict in Thailand.

Surapong, who is also deputy prime minister and chief adviser to the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), said he telephoned UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon this morning, seeking his advice on how to resolve Thailand's political impasse.

He said the UN chief would be the most suitable person to find a way out for Thailand now that the conflicts have worsened, resulting in the deaths of four children.

"When disputes arose in countries like Syria, Ukraine, Egypt or Rwanda, the UN was too late (in reaching the countries). If we get advice early enough, Thailand should be able to solve the problems," he said.

Surapong said he would submit an official proposal to the UN if he CMPO agreed. He said protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has refused to accept a neutral person to mediate negotiations so the UN would be the most suitable neutral body.

He added, "If the Democrat Party suspects that the general election would be unfair, the UN has an agency to supervise it to ensure a fair election. It depends on whether we want to use them.

"We have to be open without thinking that they are intervening in Thailand's domestic affairs. If there is a civil war, it is inevitable that the UN will intervene to explore reconciliation."

-- The Nation 2014-02-26

[Skywalker69]

And when have PTP listened and followed edvises from forigners?

Edited February 26, 2014 by Skywalker69

[bangkokpoppys]

a positive step

getting any international agency or other government to assist will highlight the issue and put more pressure on those responsible for the crisis to sort out the differences

[ggold]

First I doubt Ban Ki Moon would be interested in such a proposition, Secondly I wonder If Surapong would like the answers given! They are so desperate to try and prove their democratic credentials they fail to realise they are the ones holding the country to ransom, because they don't want to let go of the power they think they have.

Not for much longer. PTP's days are numbered and counting down before they are gone.

[Yunla]

Its not rocket-science, and there's no need to go asking the UN for the answers.

PTP have pushed their luck too far with passports-for-fugitives, flood failings, disastrous rice-pledging, House speakers caught on tape taking orders from overseas, failed tablet scheme and other issues which were swept hastily under the red rug such as giving out home-addresses of dissenting judges etc. The problems they are facing today are problems they created, they are reaping what they have sewn. So asking the UN to help fix those problems is ridiculous, its like asking the arresting officer to help you tidy up the house you just burgled.

[Cuchulainn]

And when have PTP listened and followed edvises from forigners?

True. When have ANY Thais listened to or taken advice from foreigners?

[Mentors]

The UN should talk to the 'invisible hands' first.

[casualbiker]

When Ban Ki-moon declines the invitation, they can probably still get Tony Blair to advise them.

only if the moneys right!

[godden]

their not going to like it, unless he says looks ok to me carry on, and how big is the envelope.

[harber8]

I wonder how many Thai's know who Ban Ki Moon is.

Edited February 26, 2014 by harber8

[bigbamboo]

The UN should talk to the 'invisible hands' first.

How do you talk to an invisible hand?

Unless you are Chalerm after a few drinkies.

[klauskunkel]

Actually, I think this is a wonderful idea!

Have the UN chief experience Thainess, inept government, oafish ministers, the PM married to Facebook and Chalerm first hand. I will give him 3 days before he strategically retreats home, all the way shaking his head in utter disbelief.

Let's all give him a warm welcome.

[Baerboxer]

Surapong and Chalerm sitting together - defenders of decency. Can Ki-moon be able to restrain his private thoughts about Thaksin, Surapong and Chalerm when he is here ? One has a feeling that a diplomat on the world stage is being consciously manipulated into saying something that might be construed in Pheu Thai's crazy way as fitting into Chalerm's narrative. That's the danger - that he is used as yet another pawn by the administration. If Ki-moon does come here, he ought to meet both sides. He ought to be made aware that there is actually a universe that extends beyond Thaksin, and another point of view. He ought to be made aware that Yingluck has been openly encouraged by the UDD to defy the independent agencies and the courts in a jaw-dropping attack on the judicial system. He ought to be made aware that an amnesty bill was rammed through by Pheu Thai that sought to pardon Thaksin and return huge monies to him, as well as pardoning over 25,000 convicted of corruption. He ought to be made aware that Yingluck is boycotting attending the NACC tomorrow, in a key impeachment proceeding. He ought to be made aware that Thaksin is directing the administration through skype, and ask himself if there is any parallel with that whatsoever in the world. He ought to know that the NACC may be physically impeded by the UDD tomorrow from their constitutional duty to investigate impeachment proceedings against Yingluck.

He may also want to sniff Chalerm's breath, and wonder if not a huge hunk of the crisis is due to that.

The United Nations Secretary General is not coming to Thailand to personally mediate nor does he or anyone outside of Thailand care about your bent and anti-democratic agenda.

I'd reiterate it would be most encouraging if former UNSG Kofi Annan would be appointed as the UNSG's conflict resolution mediator in Thailand. The first thing any conflict mediator would do is completely ignore everything you say in your nagging gf post.

Self appointed and self opinionated. You don't know what everyone outside of Thailand thinks about the current situation in Thailand, just what you think they should think.

Thankfully someone like you is not likely to be asked to help. Dismiss everyone who has a different viewpoint eh?

[Baerboxer]

The idea itself is one thing. What is the real motivation behind it? Could it be a ploy to avoid the NACC probe against PTP members and Yingluck in particular.

Plenty of lobbying on talks, negotiations and being seen to be reasonable. A mediator or adviser is likely to advise a freeze on probes like the NACC and actions to remove the protesters whilst engaging in initial talks.

Of course the intimidation through nightly bomb and shooting attacks on protesters will be continued to help soften them up and dissuade them. No one knows who is really doing this

All part of buying time, keeping a grip on power, grabbing a place at any table and manipulating the circumstances.

[khunken]

Surapong and Chalerm sitting together - defenders of decency. Can Ki-moon be able to restrain his private thoughts about Thaksin, Surapong and Chalerm when he is here ? One has a feeling that a diplomat on the world stage is being consciously manipulated into saying something that might be construed in Pheu Thai's crazy way as fitting into Chalerm's narrative. That's the danger - that he is used as yet another pawn by the administration. If Ki-moon does come here, he ought to meet both sides. He ought to be made aware that there is actually a universe that extends beyond Thaksin, and another point of view. He ought to be made aware that Yingluck has been openly encouraged by the UDD to defy the independent agencies and the courts in a jaw-dropping attack on the judicial system. He ought to be made aware that an amnesty bill was rammed through by Pheu Thai that sought to pardon Thaksin and return huge monies to him, as well as pardoning over 25,000 convicted of corruption. He ought to be made aware that Yingluck is boycotting attending the NACC tomorrow, in a key impeachment proceeding. He ought to be made aware that Thaksin is directing the administration through skype, and ask himself if there is any parallel with that whatsoever in the world. He ought to know that the NACC may be physically impeded by the UDD tomorrow from their constitutional duty to investigate impeachment proceedings against Yingluck.

He may also want to sniff Chalerm's breath, and wonder if not a huge hunk of the crisis is due to that.

The United Nations Secretary General is not coming to Thailand to personally mediate nor does he or anyone outside of Thailand care about your bent and anti-democratic agenda.

I'd reiterate it would be most encouraging if former UNSG Kofi Annan would be appointed as the UNSG's conflict resolution mediator in Thailand. The first thing any conflict mediator would do is completely ignore everything you say in your nagging gf post.

Self appointed and self opinionated. You don't know what everyone outside of Thailand thinks about the current situation in Thailand, just what you think they should think.

Thankfully someone like you is not likely to be asked to help. Dismiss everyone who has a different viewpoint eh?

Agreed.

What he and Surapong conveniently forget is that Kofi Annan was asked to take part in PTP's useless 'reconciliation' conference last August and he wisely refused.

Tony Blair, Marti Ahtisaari & Priscilla Hayner did take part and offered a few suggestions which were completely ignored by the ruling dynasty.

As Surapong has failed to get the international condemnation of the protests that he wants, he is again clutching at straws. Any international figure that knows a bit about Thailand will take a look at the CMPO stooges, have a laugh and politely decline.

[Phuket Stan]

When Ban Ki-moon declines the invitation, they can probably still get Tony Blair to advise them.

Been there....Done that....Read the book....Watched the movie