European Union may boycott Thailand if it delays election: Surapong

[webfact]

European Union may boycott Thailand if it delays election: Surapong
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, May 22 - Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he received a signal from the European Union (EU) that it might boycott Thailand if the next general election is delayed in the country.

Mr Surapong said that after the imposition of martial law in Thailand, the EU issued its letter to express its concern regarding Thailand. He said the expression indicated that if the next election was delayed or there was a coup, the EU and the United States would certainly boycott Thailand.

"I call on Gen Prayuth Chan-Ocha, the Army chief, to prompt the Election Commission (EC) to organize the election. Otherwise, a referendum can be held to ask people if they want the election before reform or vice versa so that people will be the decision makers. An election can happen during the imposition of the martial law," Mr Surapong said.

Mr Surapong said some insiders saw attempts to have a coup and that it would cause the Thai economy to decline in the next ten years because it would be unacceptable to the international community.

Meanwhile, EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen praised Gen Prayuth for exercising the martial law and mediating political conflicts. He viewed the movement as the beginning of peace restoration in the country.

Mr Supachai also said that the EC was ready to cooperate with politicians' decisions as to whether to hold the next election or a referendum. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-05-22

[Rob8891]

"................Otherwise, a referendum can be held to ask people if they want the election before reform or vice versa so that people will be the decision makers.............."

The irony of this silly wee man's outpurings would be funny, if he had not been instrumental in so much of thecountry's problems.

[laurentbkk]

I dont believe one minute in that statement .... how can Europe boycott Thailand ..... in which way ? Tourists will still arrive and business will be as usual .... ridiculous

[Zolt]

Surapong is probably overstating the EU's postion. It is simply not in the EU's nature to take a strong stance on anything.

[GentlemanJim]

Can Surapong produce the letter which states such a severe course of action from the EU?

I very much doubt it, and I doubt that any EU official would have said such a thing. You see unlike Thais, the major Western Organizations never say things such as 'we might take action' they either say we will or we will not or we are considering.

I call BS, any journo worth his salt would ask to see the letter. Military intervention in Thailand is as common as anything and is part of this countries evolving attempts at reaching a standard of democracy similar to the west. It is a standard that is destined to fail of course because of the inherent corruption and lying on the part of it's Politicians and Ministers. Just as we see in the OP in fact.

Being an Ambassador or a First Secretary in this country must be one of the most challenging and frustrating roles the Foreign Office of European countries has to offer.

Edited May 22, 2014 by GentlemanJim

[GeorgeO]

Why is this person even commenting on anything.

He was removed from his position by the courts, and as such, the EU have no reason to contact him. He is simply full of sh1t..!

[casualbiker]

Here is a link to the letter : http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/thailand/documents/news/20140520_en.pdf

It's a six line letter .. normal stuff!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Thait Spot]

The EU said the US would also boycott??

The man's playing games

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[MaxLee]

"European Union may boycott Thailand if it delays election: Surapong"

The whole world is laughing, we ALL know, no more pointless FACE to save,

to bloody h****ll with Election-Collection, under such treacherous corruption-polluted system aka propaganda-brain-washed vote-buying and rigorous threatening vote-blackmailing-terrorization.

Don't give me that primitive crap with Election-Collection solution of ThaksinDEMOcracy....

There NEVER was a fair election in Thailand EVER...

[scorecard]

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Surapong is probably overstating the EU's postion. It is simply not in the EU's nature to take a strong stance on anything.

Agree, and further, it's just not the way diplomacy works, not at all.

Proof please surapong and by the way what does 'signal' mean.

And by the way why is surapong making statements about this? He's been dismissed.

And by the way the EU would always be very careful, in terms of diplomatic protocols, who they addressed any form of diplomatic communication to in any country.

I don't believe surapong on several grounds.

Just proves again that surapong thinks the good Thai people can and should be fed untruths etc.

Further comment - just found the link to the actual. It doesn't say boycott or anything even remotely like boycott.

Surapong knows no boundaries to just blatant lies. And I repeat, how come he's making any comment on this?

Edited May 22, 2014 by scorecard

[Tywais]

Doing a search and only the MCOT article shows any such statement. So, was this 'signal' ESP?

[patjem]

Here is a link to the letter : http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/thailand/documents/news/20140520_en.pdf

It's a six line letter .. normal stuff!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

So, the usual Surapong rhetoric: stating something different to what was actually written. Lies lies lies.

[Civil War]

Yet another breach of the martial law about disseminating false and distorted statements to create a negative response.

The simple thing to do is for the army to contact the EU and the US embassy and ask if this is accurate information, and if they say no.... which is what they will say. Then Surapong should be instantly arrested and locked up in prison where he can be stopped from issuing this stupid bullcrap.

[GoodThaiGirl]

i did not know eu spoke on behalf the us..mmm strange times we live in now..

[smedly]

This mans input doesn't help anything and never has - as already mentioned - why is he even commenting - he was sacked

[Luk Mhee]

What "UTTER NONSENSE" why do these people thing that we are so gullible? our eyes have been opened to all this false propaganda spewed out from time to time.

[Smokemachine]

Shut up pls, Mr S.

[Tatsujin]

More lies from the slimy one . . . thought he got kicked out by the way?

[Gunna]

LIAR

[Gunna]

Doing a search and only the MCOT article shows any such statement. So, was this 'signal' ESP?

Signal was on Skype from Dubai

[DrTuner]

I dont believe one minute in that statement .... how can Europe boycott Thailand ..... in which way ? Tourists will still arrive and business will be as usual .... ridiculous

Thailand depends on export, not import of tourists:

Count the EU countries together and yes, it'll sting.

[Scamper]

OK, Surapong, let's see some letters. Let's see what the EU says. Let's see what the U.S. says. Enough of this nonsense of speaking on behalf of the entire Western hemisphere. All countries - including the U.S. - have been scrupulously careful in the statements they release. Not one peep from the EC about a boycott. ( What is the world does that mean, anyway ? ) No peep from the U.S. about a boycott. Surapong - you have been removed from office. You have been a disgrace since day one in the Yingluck administration, and you proudly handing a passport to your cousin is etched in the minds of many. Go back to providing relief to those who suffer from insomnia.

[SoFarAndNear]

I dont believe one minute in that statement .... how can Europe boycott Thailand ..... in which way ? Tourists will still arrive and business will be as usual .... ridiculous

It looks that you don't have much knowledge of Thailand's economy.

[WhizBang]

Why would the EU contact this weasel? He is nothing, as the Constitution Court fired him, and then to make it stick the army shut down CAPO.

Just more PTP posturing.

[Skywalker69]

I dont believe one minute in that statement .... how can Europe boycott Thailand ..... in which way ? Tourists will still arrive and business will be as usual .... ridiculous

Thaksin told him what to say.

[djjamie]

I revel in these unsubstantiated claims and with Surapongs history they are thick and fast.

Can I have a go to?

Australia, England and most countries in the world issued a letter to express their concern regarding Thailand. It said the expression indicated that if reform is not implemented and all 15 principles respected (not just 1) they would certainly boycott Thailand.

​That is as believable as Surpongs claims…Without proof of course.

Unfortunately for Surapong he is no longer relevant while the PTP do nothing in the confines of a "safe house" and the General is not a PTP lackey that will toe the PTP line for thaksin.

​He has more free will than a Tesco Lotus shopping trolley wheel and will ask for these "letters" (no doubt written in crayon with Surapongs hand writing) to be produced so he can see them for himself.

​Nice try Surpong, but times….they are a changen….

Edited May 22, 2014 by djjamie

[Nickymaster]

This guy is nasty. He really makes me sick. Never ever would the EU or anybody boycott Thailand. This statement is only meant to instigate the reds. He should stop damaging Thailand with all his threats and start looking for a solution.

[Nickymaster]

The EU said the US would also boycott??

The man's playing games

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Yep. And they are also going to boycott China until there are elections.

[bkkbarbara]

Operative word is "may" which renders the rest of the statement meaningless.

[bigbamboo]

What's the Thai for balls again?

Surapong really should do that peculiarly Thai thing and flee the scene for the sake of the country. What the EU wants is a stable Thailand and if the last few months have shown us one thing it is that the politicians are not capable of providing it but the military will.

Edited May 22, 2014 by bigbamboo