US denounces Thai coup, warns on relations

[GeorgeO]

Posters here seem very selective in their criticism of the US foreign policy.

When it comes to foreign ownership of Thai houses & businesses, we complain to our embassies.

If the coup (or a different coup in the future) were to start expelling foreigners and nationalising foreign assets, would we quietly allow the Thais to do so?

Just because this coup has not affected us much, we should not condone a coup.

And I don't hear a lot of complaints when the US denounce North Korea (and, in the past, South Africa) - so we are fine with some types of interference?

Thailand need the US more than the US need Thailand.

You compare what has happened here to North Korea...?! I don't see anyone here being fed to the dogs...!! Nobody needs the US as much as the US thinks they do. If they stopped providing aid, countries will still get by.

[BigMountain]

all the anger towards the US is quite hilarious. I hope they end all military assistance, the quicker the better

I'll take Thailand any day over the US. Yea, why don't you go back there? The land of private companies determining your credit ratings and dictating what public services you're eligible for, where the people operating TV cameras at stop lights look to see if your tire merely touches the white line so they can send you a $750 fine, where if you carry too much cash in public you can be detained and your money confiscated as suspected "drug money," where courts order you who to hire and even sell your property to, where being too critical of Obama gets you a visit from secret service, where the military uses US citizens as cannon fodder to service the greed of banksters, oil companies, pharmaceutical cartels, and Hollywood cyber monopolists. My personal anger towards the US predates the martial law declaration by decades. These threats from the Ichabod Crane in the State Department are merely the latest moves in preserving the greedy desire of American oligarchs to enrich themselves and their vassals at the cost of average people's security and safety throughout Thailand.

feel better now? lol

[GAS]

Some of you people are hysterical and predictable. You condemn the U.S., but you're OK with the EU, Japan, Australia and others saying the same thing. Peace out.

If you do not understand the difference between those countries actions and the US we can not help you.

[Crushdepth]

A coup is an unacceptable solution. Only a salvo of tomahawk missiles followed by full scale invasion will do.

Hypocrites.

[zydeco]

all the anger towards the US is quite hilarious. I hope they end all military assistance, the quicker the better

I'll take Thailand any day over the US. Yea, why don't you go back there? The land of private companies determining your credit ratings and dictating what public services you're eligible for, where the people operating TV cameras at stop lights look to see if your tire merely touches the white line so they can send you a $750 fine, where if you carry too much cash in public you can be detained and your money confiscated as suspected "drug money," where courts order you who to hire and even sell your property to, where being too critical of Obama gets you a visit from secret service, where the military uses US citizens as cannon fodder to service the greed of banksters, oil companies, pharmaceutical cartels, and Hollywood cyber monopolists. My personal anger towards the US predates the martial law declaration by decades. These threats from the Ichabod Crane in the State Department are merely the latest moves in preserving the greedy desire of American oligarchs to enrich themselves and their vassals at the cost of average people's security and safety throughout Thailand.

feel better now? lol

Felt even better when I left the US. Now, why are you here?

Edited May 23, 2014 by zydeco

[love1012]

Thai soldiers I salute you

America gives you small money and are not the leaders of Thailand

Thailand is a brave modern nation

RESPECT

did you just get off the plane?

No he didnt..................did YOU just get out the village??

[Mr Yim]

I guess the anti government and coup supporters are beginning to realise the rest of the world doesnt share their view of "democracy" and they dont like it. But true to form, they hurl and profanities at those who voice reason.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Mr Yim

[thaitross]

I am an American who has been living here for 16 years. I don't have any idea how to fix the political problems Thailand is facing, but sitting back and letting innocent people die and allowing whole country languish indefinitely was not the answer. Before ANY country or entity criticizes the action that has been taken to free Thailand from the grips of this stagnant situation, they should take a look at the big picture. While I have no idea what is going to happen, I do know someone has been brave enough to step up to the plate and light a fire for change. Rather than criticising, it would be great to see others offer understanding and support, something the people of this country need badly. It's going to be tough times for a while, but as rhe saying goes "It's always darkest before the light."

[impulse]

Thailand need the US more than the US need Thailand.

Could say the same about all of Asia. Except, of course, China.

If the USA decides to leave Asia to their own devices, you guys better learn Mandarin.

If Asia kicks out the USA, we'll have to pay a little more for our trash from Walmart. Big whoop.

We'd save 10x as much not having to defend our "allies", and freedom of the seas.

Edited May 23, 2014 by impulse

[tx22cb]

Posters here seem very selective in their criticism of the US foreign policy.

When it comes to foreign ownership of Thai houses & businesses, we complain to our embassies.

If the coup (or a different coup in the future) were to start expelling foreigners and nationalising foreign assets, would we quietly allow the Thais to do so?

Just because this coup has not affected us much, we should not condone a coup.

And I don't hear a lot of complaints when the US denounce North Korea (and, in the past, South Africa) - so we are fine with some types of interference?

Thailand need the US more than the US need Thailand.

You compare what has happened here to North Korea...?! I don't see anyone here being fed to the dogs...!! Nobody needs the US as much as the US thinks they do. If they stopped providing aid, countries will still get by.

Sorry if I did not make myself clear - I was talking about the concept of "foreign criticism".

Thailand of course cannot be compared to (e.g.) N Korea, but the concept of "foreign interference" could apply to both.

I agree US aid is pretty irrelevant, but Thailand does need foreign investment from American companies/investors - whether they be car factories or computer part makers, or US investment funds, or tourists.

[dukeandduke]

Some of you people are hysterical and predictable. You condemn the U.S., but you're OK with the EU, Japan, Australia and others saying the same thing. Peace out.

If you do not understand the difference between those countries actions and the US we can not help you.

If your reading level cannot comprehend my one-line post, I cannot help you.

[tezzainoz]

Seems to be a double standard from the Obama Administration. Egypt's military overthrows the elected government, but it is not a coup. Thailand's military suspends the government, and it is a coup. Thailand's "coup" is substantially less violent than the Egyptian "coup". I guess Muslims are given more latitude than Buddhists.

Double standard yes but the US really needs Egypt on side because of it's influence in the Middle East and stance against Islamic fundamentalism.

In Asia the US has plenty of ' friends ' and could get by without LoS which isn't really concerned too much with foreign relations.

I hope your joking

The US Government is all mouth and blah blah

behind closed doors they are well behind with support for Thailand

They know China is just waiting for the US and Thailand to part its military aggreement

China would be happy to take over American agreements

Look at the map China and Thailand surrounding it arch enemy Vietnam

[wwest5829]

Take your aid and stuff it. No justification? You want "no justification?" How about going through the airports back home and being frisked like a criminal, having your luggage torn open and things stolen and when you complain about it getting a form letter telling you, "tough." Even under martial law, Thailand is not half the police state the US is on a normal day.

Well, I would like to disagree...but I cannot. My DNA was on the ground before it was made the USA. Every time I have to go through airport security I get very upset. If I cannot be trusted, there is no saving the country. There has got to be a better way dealing with security (which does not entail me having to pay to be approved as a trusted person!). Grrrrr... As to the foreign aid, small potatoes to Thailand but don't encourage USA foreign aid to be entirely dismissed. There are too many in the US wanting all foreign aid cut and it really does some good to many poor around the globe.

[GentlemanJim]

Hope the Western world will freeze all assets from the Junta and the 'invisisible hands'.

Mentors - some real world advice. Sometimes it is better just to say nothing. Your comments are more than foolish. Perhaps you should ask the Mods to delete your comment, particularly if you are living in this country.

[kriswillems]

Thailand doesn't care about international politics, they never did and never will.

Most Thai believe the economy of the country only depends on how much rise they could produce that year.

So, I am sure they don't care about what the US thinks.

The only thing that will happen now is that they're going to reflect their local problems onto US interference and the US will become the black sheep.

[chainarong]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Hope the Western world will freeze all assets from the Junta and the 'invisisible hands'.

Why? What other solution would you have advocated?

I prefer to take an optimistic view. Let's see what the military can do to straighten a few things out before handing back to the electorate.

Unfortunately the only time stability in Thailand has been around since 1999 ,is when the military have been in power , the elected governments don't seem to be able to take the ball and run with it, they would rather take the money and run

[kamahele]

US is a busted flush.

How dare they moralise

With their lousy schools, obscene inequality, racism and cultural vacuum I have no interest in their opinion on anything

Oh yes, how dare those Americans to think that Thailand should have freedom of the press and that the people should get to vote on their future instead of having their government overthrown by the military every few years. Damn them! They are horrible people. Of course by the sound of your post, you must come from a former colonial power which is now just a weak nothing and cannot make any positive contribution to the world.

[stickyrice2000]

I wish US would end their relationship with Thailand and stop the support. US does not have much benefits fromThailand. Then increase the tariffs on their Thai export products.

[CWMcMurray]

Coup in Egypt is ok... Coup in Ukraine is ok, but USA says coup in Thailand is not ok...

As an American find this a bit funny..

As some one living here in Thailand ... I can say that while I would never have wanted to see a coup... On some level it is a bit of a relief

Dad has stepped in and told the kids to stop their petty bickering

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tokay]

You compare what has happened here to North Korea...?! I don't see anyone here being fed to the dogs...!!

Don't think for a second they are above that here. They would feed people to dogs 24 hours a day if they knew they could get away with it. And if they thought it would bring them special powers, they would eat the dogs after.

[rucus7]

I noticed there was no whisper of the word sanctions. Aid to Thailand is eleven million and change($) annually basically trivial for both countries. Same thing as 2006 aid was suspended.

Everybody made up, no loss of face.

Edited May 23, 2014 by rucus7

[bkkfaranguy]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

all the anger towards the US is quite hilarious. I hope they end all military assistance, the quicker the better

I'll take Thailand any day over the US. Yea, why don't you go back there? The land of private companies determining your credit ratings and dictating what public services you're eligible for, where the people operating TV cameras at stop lights look to see if your tire merely touches the white line so they can send you a $750 fine, where if you carry too much cash in public you can be detained and your money confiscated as suspected "drug money," where courts order you who to hire and even sell your property to, where being too critical of Obama gets you a visit from secret service, where the military uses US citizens as cannon fodder to service the greed of banksters, oil companies, pharmaceutical cartels, and Hollywood cyber monopolists. My personal anger towards the US predates the martial law declaration by decades. These threats from the Ichabod Crane in the State Department are merely the latest moves in preserving the greedy desire of American oligarchs to enrich themselves and their vassals at the cost of average people's security and safety throughout Thailand.

feel better now? lol

Sounds like Timothy McVeigh reborn! LOL

[bonobo]

Please refrain from ad hominem attacks and name-calling. A number of posts have been deleted for these reasons.

[BigRick]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

all the anger towards the US is quite hilarious. I hope they end all military assistance, the quicker the better

I'll take Thailand any day over the US. Yea, why don't you go back there? The land of private companies determining your credit ratings and dictating what public services you're eligible for, where the people operating TV cameras at stop lights look to see if your tire merely touches the white line so they can send you a $750 fine, where if you carry too much cash in public you can be detained and your money confiscated as suspected "drug money," where courts order you who to hire and even sell your property to, where being too critical of Obama gets you a visit from secret service, where the military uses US citizens as cannon fodder to service the greed of banksters, oil companies, pharmaceutical cartels, and Hollywood cyber monopolists. My personal anger towards the US predates the martial law declaration by decades. These threats from the Ichabod Crane in the State Department are merely the latest moves in preserving the greedy desire of American oligarchs to enrich themselves and their vassals at the cost of average people's security and safety throughout Thailand.

feel better now? lol

Sounds like Timothy McVeigh reborn! LOL

Geez Gliven Bundy of Thailand above. He sounds so European! Nothing funnier than waking up to American bashing on Thai visa. All the Western Asians(Looking at a map looks like the continent) giving their opinion when they themselves repressed indigenous people for centuries. Viewing everyone as inferior to their superior. Well here is a clue you notice how Thailand does not give two craps about what Italy, Spain,France and whatever socialist sissy countries exist in that part of the world. They do in fact care about our diplomatic relations. So Europeans go have another socialist beer no one gives a crap what you think. PS in the future please solve you own problems. We would not have to butt in if you idiots were capable of handling your own messes. Libya your problem,Bosnia your problem,Tunisia your problem, Egypt your problem, Syria your problem, Ukraine you problem, Russia your problem. We should stop funding NATO Asap not one more US dollar let you clowns pay for your own regional defense maybe you won't have so much money to spend running your pie holes.

[carbine1125]

Posters here seem very selective in their criticism of the US foreign policy.

When it comes to foreign ownership of Thai houses & businesses, we complain to our embassies.

If the coup (or a different coup in the future) were to start expelling foreigners and nationalising foreign assets, would we quietly allow the Thais to do so?

Just because this coup has not affected us much, we should not condone a coup.

And I don't hear a lot of complaints when the US denounce North Korea (and, in the past, South Africa) - so we are fine with some types of interference?

Thailand need the US more than the US need Thailand.

Hahahh your here long enough to know better!

[Local Drunk]

Well as I'm a Southern Californian... I'm off to buy some snacks and cold drinks for the soldiers. Are there any other States in the Union that want to assert their independence and counter the Federalist bark of insanity?

Edited May 23, 2014 by Local Drunk

[siampolee]

Seem to recall that the Americans had no qualms about sending in a para military force to kill and maim students at Berkely University, interfering in other countries and sovereign states affairs seems to be an American obsession.

Keep your nose out America, your governments track record in S.E, Asia are not the best are they.

Your military aren't bad but the stench of hypocrisy from your administration stinks.

[BlueSkyCowboy]

As an American let me say to the US Gov't.

<deleted>

Congress has a 9% approval rating, our infrastructure is crumbling, we have millions on food stamps and disability and we all know our country is run by the biggest corporations and banks.

I seriously wish we would have a military coup to take down our authoritarian govt who have trampled press freedoms, SPIED ON ALL AMERICANS ILLEGALLY AND UNCONSTITUTIONALLY and committed a bunch of other hardcore crimes world wide!!!!

I agree completely. The ignorance and arrogance of our Government with Obama and gangsters gets the price

[SaamBaht]

Really good to see the Americans and French come out with definitive statements denouncing yet ANOTHER military coup. The British seemed a bit unsure of their stance with that somewhat weaselly "concerned" statement.

It's good to see some countries making it clear that military takeovers are not the reasoned way.

I'm sure China doesn't care which way the politically waves are flowing in any country as long as they grab as many islands and oceans they can get their clammy hands on.

[bobmac10]

Thai soldiers I salute you

America gives you small money and are not the leaders of Thailand

Thailand is a brave modern nation

RESPECT

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha rubbish