UN chief invited to visit Thailand

[webfact]

UN chief invited to visit Thailand
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 1 --The caretaker government was in process of formally inviting United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to visit Thailand to discuss options and possibility of the UN taking part in solving the political crisis in Thailand, according to Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman.

Sek Wannamethee, Director-General of the Department of Information, said the invitation was the initiative of caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who proposed the UN chief to be a mediator in the talks to end the ongoing political conflict in Thailand.

Mr Sek said that the move was also in response to the UN chief's proposal to help Thailand in seeking solutions to the political problems.

Mr Ban, in the statement on Feb 26, urged political parties in Thailand to respect human rights and the rule of law, and to work together towards resolving the politically-motivated confrontations which are becoming more deadly.

The UN chief said that he was “increasingly concerned” about the three-month political struggle and offered to assist the parties and the Thai people “in any way possible.”

Mr Sek said Thailand, as a member of UN, should welcome responding to the offer.

He said the formal invitation to visit Thailand would be sent to the UN chief soon in order to let the Mr Ban discuss and listen to ideas from all parties concerned and to gather firsthand information by visiting the locations.

The UN has experience in settling conflicts around the world and should come up with ways to seek solutions, he said.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives from both sides would discuss objectives and time frame before setting the date of visit. The invitation would then be tendered. After that the UN will send a letter of acceptance to confirm the visit. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-03-01

[JesseFrank]

said the invitation was the initiative of caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul,

So what it gonna be, eggs or chicken ?

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said Thursday that he disagreed with a suggestion that UN secretary-general be invited to mediate the ongoing political conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....reign-mediator/

[uty6543]

I think we can all agree that the rule of law should prevail. Therefore anyone who has broken the laws of the land should be punished appropriately. Either banned from politics or sent to jail. No need to negotiate.

[PatOngo]

Who's your father???

[Costas2008]

Mr Ban Ki-moon is at the moment packing his suitcase for his visit to Thailand.

All Blah, Blah and no real intention of any real help.

Anyway he is incapable of offering any help to any solutions.

Edited March 1, 2014 by Costas2008

[Thait Spot]

There is a danger that if Mr. Ban is called in and speaks with all parties that he will be bombarded with Kru Se, Tak Bai, war on drugs, black shirts, popcorn shooters, secessionists, communists, red shirts, yellow shirts, multicoloured shirts, white shirts, rice farmers, rubber farmers, students, corruption, nepotism, constitution changes, bar girls, lady boys, rice scams, sexpats, Pattaya and Adolf Hitler at which point he will run away and be incarcerated in a cell with foam walls and no windows

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[JesseFrank]

I wonder what will happen if Ban Ki Moon suggests that Yingluck steps down and a neutral PM is appointed until reform has worked out.

I know the answer, do you ?

[commie Joe]

The UN has lost all respect in the world after thje way it supports the Aparthit terrorist place they call Israel . The support of anything western & then to appoint Blair as an envoy of the UN to the countries he lied about so he could unleash death on . People also see the deaths of over 500 thousand Iraqi children due to the santions inflicted on Iraq by the UN for a decade before the invasion. The santions that are also inflicted on Iran because they could possibly decide in the future that maybe they could want or maybe not want Nuclear weapons. Yet Israel holds at least 300 of them missiles illegaly & yet no sanctions.

So who is interrested in Thailand with the UN. Thais will do what they will do which is usually scam each other .The UN scams entire nations wealth by invading them & charging them for the privledge of being murdered.

The UN will only make it worse as they always do .They are the last people to bring in .

[Yunla]

Its hard to see what they want Ban Ki-Moon to do, except for maybe provide a morale boost to people who feel his presence indicates that things are being solved somehow. It may reassure some people and lower the worry factor, and I think its great if that happens, but I can't see how it would solve anything else. The problems and divisions were entrenched long before this year's violence, and the only people who can solve it are the political leaders and the more hardcore members of both groups. Either they start giving ground and seeking consensus, or they don't. If the former, peace and progress are more than likely. If the latter, just more destabilisation and tragedies and downhill trajectories all-round.

[bigbamboo]

Ban is telling the Thais to sort themselves out. He is not going to waste his time watching two groups of amateur politicians trying to score points off each other.

Edited March 1, 2014 by bigbamboo

[Thait Spot]

The PTP government already call statesmen over for their opinions and subsequently ignored them and did their own thing.

Here we are today

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Briggsy]

This reminds me of Thaksin's last days before the coup removed him.

He wrote an open letter to George W Bush. This is effectively the same thing.

The standard operating policy for all Thai elites on both side is to completely ignore outside concerns (war on drugs, coups, army massacres, Harry Nicolaides) unless they are about to lose power and then they call for outside help.

So, the interesting thing for me here is this shows the current Yingluck administration is about to get the boot!

Unless of course Yingluck is planning to use Ban Ki-Moon as a human shield.

[kurtgruen]

The UN is a neutered organization with no power and a big mouth. Should fit in well with Thaksin's crew

[Prbkk]

The UN is a neutered organization with no power and a big mouth. Should fit in well with Thaksin's crew

If that is the criteria, I'm surprised you haven't been offered special advisor status

[expat888]

The real morons are the protest leaders. They think if they move off of their protest sites, or road markets, they think everything will look fine to the UN reps and nothing to see here.

How stupid. Thais think they live in a vacuum and no one sees what happens inside the country.

[thepool]

Ban Ki-moon would be better occupied solving real problems like Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, etc.

[DirtFarmer]

There is a danger that if Mr. Ban is called in and speaks with all parties that he will be bombarded with Kru Se, Tak Bai, war on drugs, black shirts, popcorn shooters, secessionists, communists, red shirts, yellow shirts, multicoloured shirts, white shirts, rice farmers, rubber farmers, students, corruption, nepotism, constitution changes, bar girls, lady boys, rice scams, sexpats, Pattaya and Adolf Hitler at which point he will run away and be incarcerated in a cell with foam walls and no windows

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

quote of the day ...cheers!

[DirtFarmer]

The UN is a neutered organization with no power and a big mouth. Should fit in well with Thaksin's crew

If that is the criteria, I'm surprised you haven't been offered special advisor status

Prbkk...won't let me like but i am clapping LOLOL

[simple1]

Some posts appear to show that people misunderstand the UN's role and mandate, especially when member countries refuse to abide by resolutions or let's say go their own way. Under the UN Charter it cannot get involved in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of a member State, but could be invited to act as a 'sounding board' for a way forward.

A bit out of date, but one POV out of many of the successes and failures of the UN and its affiliated organisations below:

http://dilipchandra12.hubpages.com/hub/Successes-and-Failures-of-the-United-Nations

Edited March 1, 2014 by simple1

[Davidhere]

said the invitation was the initiative of caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul,

So what it gonna be, eggs or chicken ?

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said Thursday that he disagreed with a suggestion that UN secretary-general be invited to mediate the ongoing political conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....reign-mediator/

It's hard to gauge which one has more sway.

Charupong is Pheu Thai Party Leader and a long-time crony of Thaksin, but Surapong is Deputy Prime Minister and a cousin of Thaksin.

In the end, as is Thaksin's nature, blood won out over water and the request for the UN to come was made.

.

.

Edited March 1, 2014 by Davidhere

[Halion]

A last desperate act by the PTP to deflect issues and clutch at straws.

[bigbamboo]

There is a danger that if Mr. Ban is called in and speaks with all parties that he will be bombarded with Kru Se, Tak Bai, war on drugs, black shirts, popcorn shooters, secessionists, communists, red shirts, yellow shirts, multicoloured shirts, white shirts, rice farmers, rubber farmers, students, corruption, nepotism, constitution changes, bar girls, lady boys, rice scams, sexpats, Pattaya and Adolf Hitler at which point he will run away and be incarcerated in a cell with foam walls and no windows

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Everything has to be just perfect for some people.

[klauskunkel]

The letter got Wiki=Leaked:

Dear Pi-Ban,

Please come quick.

You can have all the rice you can eat, 1-2 ladyboys, and a real Rolex from Patpong Market, if you help us.

Your friend Surapong

[commie Joe]

Ban Ki-moon would be better occupied solving real problems like Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, etc.

Kofi AnnanThe guy that he replaced was a peace seeker. Ban Ki-moon is just a USA yes man & USA dont do peace missions . As far as I know there has only ever been 1 President that hasn't done murder or planned to do it Carter.

[Scamper]

If Ki-moon actually visits, the administration may not want to show him the cementing in of the NACC by the UDD, because it might give him the impression the UDD doesn't like clamping down on corruption. Or the UDD's plans regarding the EC or the Civil Court, because it might lead him to think they have a problem with the processes of law. Or the UDD membership's calls for secession, because it might give the impression of an administration's party now split from within. Despite what Surapong says, one other administration official last week suggested that mediation talks would not be pursued. Therefore, it is more than possible that Surapong wants a photo-op more than anything else. Another key embarrassment for the administration is Yingluck turning down talks with Suthep down flat, particularly as Suthep has now substantially downgraded the PDRC protest, as the focus now is placed on the UDD's efforts against the independent agencies. Basically, that's what Ki-moon will be seeing.

[smileydude]

He's coming here because its in his job description to but other then that its about as effective as inviting a priest to your divorce hearing.

Any words from the UN chief will sound like a sermon and ring hollow to both sides who are at each other's throat, trying to present convincing arguments on violation of human rights and democratic principles.

All Ki-moon will hear is blah blah blah blah.

What you need is a referee with a really big ban-hammer. Maybe a dozen tanks will do.

Edited March 1, 2014 by smileydude

[bangkokpoppys]

Never seen a thread with so much crap on it like this. 99% rubbish, well done guys you've outdone yourselves this time.

How can Ban Ki-moon's visit be anything but positive?

It's incredible to think that a man can get to be a secretary general and that the TV population thinks he's ineffective and America's yes man.

Have a look at the current missions of the UN, then go back edit your posts. You think the world won't be watching when he visits?

Edited March 1, 2014 by bangkokpoppys

[bigbamboo]

Never seen a thread with so much crap on it like this. 99% rubbish, well done guys you've outdone yourselves this time.

How can Ban Ki-moon's visit be anything but positive?

It's incredible to think that a man can get to be a secretary general and that the TV population thinks he's ineffective and America's yes man.

Have a look at the current missions of the UN, then go back edit your posts. You think the world won't be watching when he visits?

It's incredible to think that a Nazi who lied about his war record could get to be secretary general as well but that's the UN for you.

Ban has given his advice to Thailand's kindergarten politicians already. It's up to them to take notice or not. Why does he have to come here in person and bang their heads together as well?

[personchester]

Mr Ban Ki-moon is at the moment packing his suitcase for his visit to Thailand.

All Blah, Blah and no real intention of any real help.

Anyway he is incapable of offering any help to any solutions.

The contents of your second and third printed lines are entirely nonsensical.

[Artisi]

If Ki-moon actually visits, the administration may not want to show him the cementing in of the NACC by the UDD, because it might give him the impression the UDD doesn't like clamping down on corruption. Or the UDD's plans regarding the EC or the Civil Court, because it might lead him to think they have a problem with the processes of law. Or the UDD membership's calls for secession, because it might give the impression of an administration's party now split from within. Despite what Surapong says, one other administration official last week suggested that mediation talks would not be pursued. Therefore, it is more than possible that Surapong wants a photo-op more than anything else. Another key embarrassment for the administration is Yingluck turning down talks with Suthep down flat, particularly as Suthep has now substantially downgraded the PDRC protest, as the focus now is placed on the UDD's efforts against the independent agencies. Basically, that's what Ki-moon will be seeing.

And can you can already hear the replies from YL to hard lined questions from Ki-moon, "but but, not sure, don't think that was my responsibility, wait till I Skype my brother, gee - that's a hard question - can you ask easy ones, sorry have to leave - time to go shopping - sales starts at 10am and everything is on special, bye bye - thanks for coming - Oh! and my brother sends his love - even though you aren't our father.