REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Surapong sold out Thailand's for myopic interests
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- After a 90-minute session of clarification on the invitation of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to Thailand on Friday by caretaker foreign minister Surapong Tohvijakchaikul, Ministry for Foreign Affairs' senior officials concluded without any hesitation that he had no clue of potential repercussions from his personal actions.

Worse still, he has been the country's foreign minister all along for the past two years, revealing the low level of diplomatic literacy.

Of all the forty foreign ministers in the past 232 years since the founding of Krungthep, which has maintained independence and freedom, Surapong is among the worst of all time. He has completely sold out his country for personal royalty and interests of Thaksin Shinawatra. Fortunately for Thailand though, Thaksin and Noppadol Pattama, his trusted lieutenant, could have rival Surapong's records if both of them served as foreign ministers in 1994 (three months) and 2008 (five months) respectively for much longer period.

Lo and behold, by inviting Ban Ki-moon over here, Surapong did not even realize that his personal decision was tantamount to acknowledging Thailand as a failed state. He told in a complete denial mode when he told the ministry's officials that he wanted to the UN to help mediate the conflict to stop the so-called "extreme violence" particularly the last two week of February, which killed innocent people and four children. He wanted the UN to discover the truth as soon as possible.

That might be a good reason to invite outsiders for mediation if the situation was out of control. But the senior officials argued that was not the case. Furthermore, if the situation was as described, the conflicting parties should also consent to the proposed UN role—not unilaterally done by him. A top foreign ministry official, attending the meeting, commented that Surapong was actually very proud of the UN chief's invitation. "He thought he has done something new in the history of Thai diplomacy in the field of preemptive diplomacy," he emphasized.

During the Friday's meeting, he still had the audacity to defend his action saying that he wanted Ban, who has since then turned down the invitation, to know the truth about the political conflict in Thailand. He naively believed that Ban would respond to his invitation and find out the real perpetrators under his watch. Surapong told the Thai media as if he had consulted with the senior officials on his decision. What he fell to mention was that nobody agreed with him on the UN intervention. He went ahead anyway. Ironically, last week he even alluded to Thaksin's infamous comment on the UN role that "UN is not (Thailand's) father" as a sign of confidence that Thailand is not afraid of UN and is open for the world body's scrutiny.

In the past two statements on the situation in Thailand from Ban's office at the end of February, he expressed readiness to assist Thailand through his good office. Some Bangkok-based diplomats observed that the UN chief is eager to engage in settling political conflicts in Asia because it would look good on his UN legacy. He has been in this top UN position for the past seven year and still without any impressive record on the Asian affairs. Also, his role elsewhere such as in the Syrian crisis was also a thumb down.

In Thai political realm, the patron-client system and populist policies, excelled by Thaksin and his cronies, have not only eating into the country's overall economic health but also seriously undermining Thailand diplomatic finesse. Its leading role in the region has been subdued by personal interests. The Thai-Cambodian relations for the past decade has been help hostages by these horrible practices.

In one of the press briefings, Surapong credited himself for the real-time lived broadcasts of the Preah Vihear/Praviharn Temple disputes at the Hague. Truth be told, it was not his idea. The chief Thai defense team, Ambassador Virachai Plasai, proposed the idea learning the lessons from the previous hearing at International Court of Justice. As a minister, he should have given credits to his subordinates instead of taking constructive initiatives as his own.

When Surapong was given the post by Thaksin, his first job was to return his passport confiscated by the ministry in 2010 as he was a running fugitive. Throughout the past two years, Surapong has done everything to fulfill Thaksin's wishes including promoting ties with the region which Thaksin has major economic stakes. Africa immediately comes to mind.

Under his leadership, officials who served Thaksin well while he has been living in exiles were awarded with ambassadorial and other senior posts. Top Thai diplomats in some of key capitals were appointed only on the virtue of having closed ties with Thaksin and his families. These diplomats are protocol officers serving these narrow personal interests, not representing Kingdom of Thailand.


-- The Nation 2014-03-17

Perhaps someone at The Nation should tell Kavi Chongkittavorn that Google Translate just doesn’t cut it.

Monday...it is early... first convoluted piece of the day... nothing new here...although this author with his biased brush ( normal) is all over the place and barely understandable who are these Senior officials he paraphrases for...? and wasn't that Suthep's goal ..? to create a failed state...? so the Good People on White Horses can swoop at will...? Just another slam on on the head of Surapong...LMAO ( not even veiled anymore..just bilious...next...

This poor Thai press writer can't seem to string an English logical essay together. He certainly seems to have an axe to grind with this Surapong who he paints as a Thai monster all of a sudden.

He's right in every respect about Surapong, but he's biased with this Thai attitude of 'we're too proud to seek outside help'. Thailand is well on its way to a failed state (politically), and could use any outside mediation it can get. We should be encouraging Ban to get involved, he could well lecture both sides about being immature, and point out some harsh truths to Surapong, much in the same way Blair and the others did last year.

Very interesting. That has to be the most scathing and critical article I've read here in a long time.

Although the writing needs to be brushed up on, the content is surprisingly accurate and apt.

Monday...it is early... first convoluted piece of the day... nothing new here...although this author with his biased brush ( normal) is all over the place and barely understandable who are these Senior officials he paraphrases for...? and wasn't that Suthep's goal ..? to create a failed state...? so the Good People on White Horses can swoop at will...? Just another slam on on the head of Surapong...LMAO ( not even veiled anymore..just bilious...next...

Go back to bed you are talking childish babble.

Nothing new here. We have all known for sometime that Surapong has the IQ of a meatball.

Probably why he is so good at unquestioningly doing what he is ordered without even blinking, turning red or stretching his collar; he just doesn't understand the consequences of his actions.

Outsiders, foreigners, bla bla bla.

That was the rantings of someone who feels like they are being ignored. And rightly so. What a lot of drivel.

The only problem Thai People have is pride, they do not agree on their mistake to learn from it, all they want is right, they claim right even when they know what they are doing is wrong, this type of action cannot move the country forward. the only way out for thailand is for them to acknowledge their mistake and correct it.

Surapong Tohvijakchaikul is very close to thaksin, and the former was actually surprised over his appointment as foreign minister.

He told a TV interviewer on Nation TV soon after the official announcement that he was "very reluctant" about the new position.

Being so close to Thaksin raised speculation that thaksin (yes yes yingluck is PM) had put Surapong in as foreign minister so that the latter could help overcome “obstacles” that have barred the former from traveling around the world. Of course the predictable response from the red camp was; “This is not true” and “Show me the proof”. Well that proof came in October, 2011 in the form of a new Thai passport for thaksin.

Now when cronyism and nepotism are the binding factors that sway ministerial appointments as opposed to strengths, suitability and experience in the PTP brady bunch camp then one has to wonder if this will affect the farmers or will it affect the greater nation as a whole in a negative way. The nation as a whole was affected. Just look here for the results of putting a man who himself admits is not suited to the job into the position of foreign minister. The farmers, No. "Give me 40% above market value and I don’t care how you cripple the progress of Thailand"

But heay, thaksin got his passport back and that was the whole aim of putting Surapong into the position amongst the others stated above.

This is only further proof that an accused mass murder, accuses terrorist convicted criminal fugitive that is unelectable is the "real" boss. (yes, yes, yingluck WAS the PM)

The voters that are aware of this negative impact that Surpaong has shown know the PTP hold them in contempt. The remainder are getting 40% above market value.

Edited March 17, 201412 yr by djjamie

Monday...it is early... first convoluted piece of the day... nothing new here...although this author with his biased brush ( normal) is all over the place and barely understandable who are these Senior officials he paraphrases for...? and wasn't that Suthep's goal ..? to create a failed state...? so the Good People on White Horses can swoop at will...? Just another slam on on the head of Surapong...LMAO ( not even veiled anymore..just bilious...next...

Go back to bed you are talking childish babble.

Well each to their own... but as far as I can tell there have been 45 or 46 FM since 1871 not forty and that is 143 years ago not 232..so to start with the writer might want to try accuracy before sounding off with "facts"

MFA History

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/organize/19299-Names-of-Past-Foreign-Ministers.html

"Of all the forty foreign ministers in the past 232 years since the founding of Krungthep,..."

..also isn't it interesting that he refers to Kreungthep rather than Thailand... in most circles I have traveled, Kreungthep is a colloquial term for Bangkok.. yes...? no...? Well that leaves 89 odd years out of the math...with no Foreign Ministers...so as I said before...

He started too early on a Monday Morning with a bat to the head of Surapong albeit an inaccurate one...still I admit it was a bat to the head...

When Surapong was given the post by Thaksin, his first job was to return his passport confiscated by the ministry in 2010 as he was a running fugitive

Actually, and if I remember correctly, Surapong's very first job was to secure a visa for Thaksin to visit Japan; which he denied until Japan confirmed it.

Outsiders, foreigners, bla bla bla.

That was the rantings of someone who feels like they are being ignored. And rightly so. What a lot of drivel.

What a load of drivel? What is, the "FACTS" stated above? Again, these facts do not suit the PTP agenda so they are dismissed with no rebuttal except "bla, bla, bla". Simply dismissed and replaced with a belief that the PTP are right.

They say violence is the language of the inarticulate. I can see why the UDD are forming the largest street gang in history now.

Those facts are drivel apparently, but someone saying voting is not the expression of someones opinion because (surpirse, surprise) the poll does not suit the PTP agenda is not drivel.

A "belief" that suits the PTP agenda overrides "facts" that do not suit the PTP agenda.

That's PTP logic right there.

Edited March 17, 201412 yr by djjamie

Sounds like someone is very scared of having an independent body pass judgement of the goings on here in the LOS.

This dying anti-government movement could do with a good burst of sunlight on their shady activities.

Bring on Ban-Ki, let him do his thing and let us know where we need to spray the disinfectant.

Monday...it is early... first convoluted piece of the day... nothing new here...although this author with his biased brush ( normal) is all over the place and barely understandable who are these Senior officials he paraphrases for...? and wasn't that Suthep's goal ..? to create a failed state...? so the Good People on White Horses can swoop at will...? Just another slam on on the head of Surapong...LMAO ( not even veiled anymore..just bilious...next...

Go back to bed you are talking childish babble.

Well each to their own... but as far as I can tell there have been 45 or 46 FM since 1871 not forty and that is 143 years ago not 232..so to start with the writer might want to try accuracy before sounding off with "facts"

MFA History

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/organize/19299-Names-of-Past-Foreign-Ministers.html

"Of all the forty foreign ministers in the past 232 years since the founding of Krungthep,..."

..also isn't it interesting that he refers to Kreungthep rather than Thailand... in most circles I have traveled, Kreungthep is a colloquial term for Bangkok.. yes...? no...? Well that leaves 89 odd years out of the math...with no Foreign Ministers...so as I said before...

He started too early on a Monday Morning with a bat to the head of Surapong albeit an inaccurate one...still I admit it was a bat to the head...

That's a rather impressive take down.

How this guys editor keeps his job.....

He's right in every respect about Surapong, but he's biased with this Thai attitude of 'we're too proud to seek outside help'. Thailand is well on its way to a failed state (politically), and could use any outside mediation it can get. We should be encouraging Ban to get involved, he could well lecture both sides about being immature, and point out some harsh truths to Surapong, much in the same way Blair and the others did last year.

Well if you agree that Thailand is well on its way to a failed state, and you agree that Thailand could use any outside mediation it can get, and you agree that Ban should be encouraged to get involved, and you agree that Ban could point out some harsh truths to Surapong, how is the Nation journalist right in every respect? He is saying the opposite!

Sounds like someone is very scared of having an independent body pass judgement of the goings on here in the LOS.

This dying anti-government movement could do with a good burst of sunlight on their shady activities.

Bring on Ban-Ki, let him do his thing and let us know where we need to spray the disinfectant.

Junior school would normally understand and ask, "where has the money gone" rice-tablets-water.

All your rants are a divert from the truth. Will you answer --where has the money gone ??? I fear no answer, only other rants about opposition.

You condone the missing money as mai pen rai ?? let the UN look for it, yes bring him in, First thing wrong NO books--ACCOUNTS where are they--why is the government afraid to open the books. I fear they have been shredded, Stupid as this is the first sign of fingers in the till.

Khun Kavi, I'm pretty sure the headline should read like this:

Surapong One of oh so many politicians, people in authority, the wealthy and influential etc. etc over the years who have sold out Thailand for their own myopic and self-serving interests.

What do you think?

I now have a grammatically challenged induced headache.

Monday...it is early... first convoluted piece of the day... nothing new here...although this author with his biased brush ( normal) is all over the place and barely understandable who are these Senior officials he paraphrases for...? and wasn't that Suthep's goal ..? to create a failed state...? so the Good People on White Horses can swoop at will...? Just another slam on on the head of Surapong...LMAO ( not even veiled anymore..just bilious...next...

I think you should brush up on your reading comprehension skills. While not well-written, it is easily understood. Though I guess I just proved your point, I may find it easy to understand, however you don't, so the writer failed. The article definitely could benefit from some copy-editing.

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The only problem Thai People have is pride, they do not agree on their mistake to learn from it, all they want is right, they claim right even when they know what they are doing is wrong, this type of action cannot move the country forward. the only way out for thailand is for them to acknowledge their mistake and correct it.

Thais are filled with ego and self centered over inflated sense of self importance.

Well u voted for the people who put him in this position! What do u expect! ‘a bed of roses?”

Nothing new here. We have all known for sometime that Surapong has the IQ of a meatball.

Probably why he is so good at unquestioningly doing what he is ordered without even blinking, turning red or stretching his collar; he just doesn't understand the consequences of his actions.

"...he just doesn't understand the consequences of his actions."

Of course he doesn't, he's Thai isn't he?

.......there had been suggestions way before the elections to invite the UN to 'oversee' the situation before it got out of hand....

....the response was something like...."It is none of their business".....

...now maybe they fear for their own well-being......???

Outsiders, foreigners, bla bla bla.

That was the rantings of someone who feels like they are being ignored. And rightly so. What a lot of drivel.

"That was the rantings of someone who feels like they [sic] are being ignored. "

Sounds like a description of 90% of Thai Visa threads.

When Surapong was given the post by Thaksin, his first job was to return his passport confiscated by the ministry in 2010 as he was a running fugitive

Actually, and if I remember correctly, Surapong's very first job was to secure a visa for Thaksin to visit Japan; which he denied until Japan confirmed it.

Using your official position to lobby another country for a visa for a convicted fugitive, opening a Ministry during the worst flood in living memory to illegally issue said fugitive with a new passport, lying about the former and refusing to answer the Ombudsman's questions on the latter. This would have had legal and career consequences in any real democracy.

Here he can act illegally, lie about it, refuse to answer questions about it and nothing happens at all.

Shows who really runs the country and how the rules of law, democracy and the people are held in contempt by that person and his handpicked regime.

Let's go back a bit to the last election....

Thais voted Yingluck in as the PM when they knew all so well that she was a complete political novice who had no previous political training nor experience to lead a country. The only credential that she had at the time, were a pretty face, Thaksin's sister and a claim that she used to run Shin (quite dodgy there too if she ACTUALLY ran the operation?) She then appointed Surapong to be the head of the Foreign Ministry (probably more Thaksin's idea than hers). And they all know so well that Surapong had no previous training nor experience to run the Foreign Ministry. The only credentials that he had were Thaksin's relative and a loyal lackey.

Now both these novices are experiencing setbacks due to their inexperience and incompetence and whom should be blamed for their blunders? I really think education is the key for the Thai masses so they can wake up and actually go to election to elect politicians that will and would genuinely serve the country and her people instead of just serve for political and personal gains! Wishful thinking, at least in the present time!

Perhaps someone at The Nation should tell Kavi Chongkittavorn that Google Translate just doesn’t cut it.

Good point, but more than a little ironic to choose to make that observation on Thai Visa where many native English speakers express the hope that they won’t “loose” any days by making “boarder” runs before “there” current permission to stay ends.

Edited March 17, 201412 yr by Suradit69

Excellent article. Surapong's many overladen titles have been driven by nepotism. As Thaksin's cousin, Surapong has found himself thrust to the very top of government. His role as foreign minister was simply to do whatever Thaksin wanted, return his passport, act as spokesman for every idea that came into Thaksin's head, bluff his way in diplomatic circles, and enable Thaksin's overseas investments. Surapong has been markedly unskilled at diplomacy. This Thaksin gambit completely backfired. Evidently, the international community is not quite as malleable as Thaksin would have wished.