Foreign groups hail Thai army move if there is no coup

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MARTIAL LAW
Foreign groups hail army move if there is no coup
Petchanet Pratruangkrai,
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Darren Buckley

BANGKOK: -- Foreign chambers and business associations hope that the declaration of martial law will lead to an increase in security and safety, and eventually to a functioning government.

Darren Buckley, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, said the announcement of martial law would be a positive development only if it were to get the opposing sides in the prolonged political conflict to the negotiating table - and not lead to a coup d'etat.

"The military taking control of security is not necessarily a bad thing if it leads to a positive outcome, which is a functioning government at the end of it," he said yesterday.

The announcement of martial law is not in itself an issue, but the consequences of the military's move are what really matter, he said.

He reasoned that the sooner martial law could get both sides in the conflict to find a solution via negotiation, the sooner there could be an election and a functioning government, which would in turn lead to an improvement in the economy.

However, if martial law were to lead to a military coup, the economic situation could worsen, he warned.

Buckley added that the declaration of martial law would likely initially have an adverse impact on the tourism industry and the image of the country, since people's first reaction would be some uncertainty over the differences among martial law, the Internal Security Act and a military coup.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy yesterday released a travel alert for Thailand and warned its citizens to avoid areas where there are protest events, large gatherings or security operations.

David Lyman, co-founder of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce Thailand and chairman and chief values officer at law firm Tilleke & Gibbins, said he was relieved to see someone in a leadership position finally step up and take charge of the situation.

He said he did not believe the military's move was a coup, as the top brass had learned their lesson from past events.

"Somebody has to step up and say that enough is enough, since the important thing is to get the economy, businesses and the government running again - and fighting among each other will not get the country anywhere," he said.

"I do not see a coup in the making, as the military [leaders] have learned their lesson that they are not good at civil administration; that they are not built for it. The declaration of martial law can be seen as a start that could lead to a functioning government again, but everyone will have to wait and see how events unfold."

Ferdinand Gyula von der Luehe, former vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and current director of the Swiss-Thai Chamber of Commerce, said he hoped martial law could increase the level of safety in the capital.

"A positive sign is that there is no coup. I hope martial law can be effective, due to the recent escalation of violence as seen in the attacks on demonstrators and the amount of explosives that have been found but have not been used at some of the protest sites," he said.

He also said that the number of inbound tourists would likely decrease in the short term, since the imposition of martial law would mean that foreign travellers would not be able to get travel insurance for visits to the Kingdom.

Govt clarification sought

Hugh Vanijprabha, executive director of the Thai-European Business Association, said clarification was needed from the caretaker government so that foreigners could understand the current situation in Thailand.

This would lessen the negative effect of the latest development on foreign business sentiment, he said.

"The government should make sure that foreigners understand what martial law is all about, as it could affect business sentiment if people do not have a complete understanding of what is going on in the country," he said.

On the other hand, Hugh said he believed martial law would prevent any further escalation of violence and that once violence was off the table, the parties in the conflict would have no choice but to sit down and negotiate with each other.

Setsuo Iuchi, president of the Japan External Trade Organisation, Bangkok, said that in regard to the security situation, the enforcement of martial law should be positive for the country.

However, for the political situation as a whole, he could not tell yet if it would prove to be a positive or negative development.

"Following martial-law enforcement, I think Japanese investors, together with all other investors, hope to see the situation settled as soon as possible in a peaceful way, so that Thailand can develop again toward the future," Iuchi said.

Isara Vongkusolkit, chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said Thai private enterprises had a generally positive feeling that the military's action would bring peace back to the country and prevent further violence.

However, martial law should be enforced for as short a period as possible because it would affect foreign investors' confidence if implemented for too long, he warned.

He added that martial law offered an opportunity for every party to negotiate for an end to the political impasse, and to have the country's interests at the forefront of their thinking.

"We [the private sector] hope for peace. Now, there should be a middleman to lead negotiations and end the conflict soon. Thailand should have an authorised government to run the country, but preferably a government formed under the democratic process," Isara said.


-- The Nation 2014-05-21

[TVGerry]

Well of course. Better the army on the streets then PRDC and red shirts killing each other. The police are just plain useless. Hopefully both sides can come to some compromise while the army is keeping the peace.

[EricBerg]

With the army taking responsibility for public safety things improve. Less shootings and bombings than when police/CAPO were in charge.

That always is good for business.

Still I wonder where Captain Courageous Chalerm is. Not heard from him for a while. In a way I miss him. Twas fun reading his new plans at times.

[terryp]

and do all these smart??? people just think it is going to end here and now everyone goes home and smiles ...............

This is far from over and the next step is not going to be good for exports ..fools

[soundman]

The SET didn't tank yesterday, so I suppose the majority of the business and financial communities don't have a problem with the implementation of martial law.

[chooka]

Is this story true or has it been washed and sanitised to suit the Army. All media in Thailand is being heavily scrutinised so can we actually believe anything. What does the international media have to say on things.

[Thailand]

Foreign governments must be pretty dumb if they don't think this another coup.

[tomyummer]

Words like 'democracy' and 'coup' should be taken with a grain of salt in Thailand. True democracy never really exists here with all the questionable election practices and laughable law making protocol or lack thereof. And a coup doesn't make sense when there is no functioning government in the first place. It is more of a kangaroo democracy and 'sandbox supervision' coup.

Edited May 20, 2014 by tomyummer

[alant]

Martial law, just what does it mean?

Who is running the country?

If in normal terms it is the military maintaining the rule of law as defined by the government then I would class that as martial law.

If it is the replacement of the government by the army with the required force to back that position up then I would think coup.

Where are we now? Who is in charge? What will be the outcome?

[raybal5]

Martial law, just what does it mean?

Who is running the country?

If in normal terms it is the military maintaining the rule of law as defined by the government then I would class that as martial law.

If it is the replacement of the government by the army with the required force to back that position up then I would think coup.

Where are we now? Who is in charge? What will be the outcome?

Duuhhh

alant - if you took the time to read the various threads your questions have already been answered, except for the outcome which of course can't be known until it happens.

[Piichai]

With the army taking responsibility for public safety things improve. Less shootings and bombings than when police/CAPO were in charge.

That always is good for business.

Still I wonder where Captain Courageous Chalerm is. Not heard from him for a while. In a way I miss him. Twas fun reading his new plans at times.

Just like we missed Bagdad Bob.

[Baerboxer]

Foreign governments must be pretty dumb if they don't think this another coup.

Of course you know better than any governments, chambers of commerce, business associations, diplomats etc.

PTP - good. Everyone else - bad. Easy in your world.

[Mentors]

Business first - freedom, democracy and human rights last.

Edited May 21, 2014 by Mentors

[tonyboy33]

Messrs. Buckley and Lyman have both made very good comments.

[Benmart]

and do all these smart??? people just think it is going to end here and now everyone goes home and smiles ...............

This is far from over and the next step is not going to be good for exports ..fools

I prefer to attack and dismantle the logic of the post or article and not engage in personal assaults and name calling.

[Benmart]

Business first - freedom, democracy and human rights last.

Freedom, democracy and human rights, without bread, can be a hard meal to consume.

The best recipe is comprised of complimentary proportions.

Just a thought.

[Gonzo the Face]

Foreign governments must be pretty dumb if they don't think this another coup.

How in heavens name did some dumb government not snatch you up to make policy for them. Much gratitude must be forthcoming from Thai Visa to you for the honor of having someone as smart as you who knows more than all the other governments.

a thousand times to you o learned one

[winstonc]

Business first - freedom, democracy and human rights last.

has it ever been any other way here or around the world..

[shawn82]

Business first - freedom, democracy and human rights last.

Democracy can never work in western countries since the media is controlled by one single group.

(that is my optimistic view on why 70%+ of the western population have no real clue in whats going on. In my county Sweden over 70% including

the elected people can’t answer simple fact questions like: how much taxes does an average worker pay?

In Sweden the lowest tax rate for a worker is over 75%. If you are ”rich” and earn over 5K/dollars month the minimum rate is over 85%.

When is it slavery? It it not slavery as long as we keep 50cent/month? Is that the only difference?

Freedom of speech? Nope.. Political correctness have killed it (and PC is an invention of the same group that control the media)

In western countries we have a systematic genocide of the people living there and replaces them with immigrants. That is ok since people are

brainwashed that its good + I hope most just don’t undersand whats going on.

1948: 0.8% immigrants in Sweden. (1948 is also the year that Sweden granted asylum to 10K people from the group that controls media)

1950-60: Sweden was the nr1 country in the world. Unique economic system with a strong socialist state and strong private companies)

1960: 30% tax rate. The group that immigrated in 1948 started to propagate for immigration. ”we need workers”. They used their media monopoly to

start immigration since officially the factories had no workers. (in real life: 52% women didn’t work. The companies just wanted cheaper labour)

1975: The parlament took a ”law” to make Sweden multicultural + they made money worthless by removing that the federal reserve had to back the money with gold. (today money is worthless since banks who also are owned by the same group that controls media are allowed to make money from thin air. Banks just ned to have 8-12% real money for everything that they lend out = today 97% of all money is virtual currency. And somehow its legal for the bank to charge interest in money that they lend out that they don’t have!) Tax rate 40%. Less then 5% immigrants.

1980is: Highest employment in any country in history. 90% of the people worked. Unemployment was less then 2%. 8 million people lived in Sweden.

1980-2013: Over 1.7 million ethnical swedes died and was replaced by 3 million immigrants. Tax rates 75%-90% since only 64% of the population works today. 30% of the population immigrants. Majority of them africans that can’t read or write. UN repports that Sweden will be a development country in less then 10 years. Countries like Libya will have it better according to the UN.

Just 40 years from nr1 country with no crime, all had work, good tax system

to 75-90% tax. Killed of 25% of the population. 36% don’t work. Crime. 1 out 4 women will be raped (highest in the world)

And in a ”democracy” people vote FOR killing of their own population because of ignorance.

Thailand and the other asian countries don’t have the same group of people brainwashing them. Thailand still thinks about its country first, about their citizens first. They don’t believe in multicultural or a socialistic paradise. The group that controls western countries goal is that every country is multicultural = why have countries since every country live in every country. A world socialistic dream. Same goal as communists (that funny enough are from the same ethical group) had: To create a world wide Kibbutz.

Democracy can only work if people are intelligent and have a clue.

I personally believe in economic democracy: On my tax bill each year: Let me choose what I want the money be used to. This would create a real democracy. If people wants to spend all their money on immigration: ok, but let me don’t pay for it. (In Sweden about 25% of all money goes to immigration)

Thailand: I as a Farrang have to pay to move to Thailand.

Sweden: Anyone can get asylum = free money, housing, education and never have to work.

I personally believe Thailand have the right idea. (and most western countries are lost. Sweden can’t be saved for example. The genocide will continue)