US denounces Thai coup, warns on relations

[jamhar]

Its not surprising that the US condemed the Coup.

What were they suppose to do? SUPPORT the coup?

BTW

The French, Canadians, South Africans, Argentines (W-T-F? Didnt the Argentinians INVENT the coup?)

and a host of newpapers and other countries made similar statements.

BUT dont let a little thing like facts get in the way of your bash fest!

What is interesting is how little enthusiasm was spent in the condemnation. The way i see it, that amounts to diplomatic pass. in other words, "we have to say this because its required, but dudes, what took you so long?"

Edited May 23, 2014 by jamhar

[rijb]

This is ridiculous. As an American, I must say that those fools have no idea what they're talking about. There's plenty of "Justification" for this coup, as far as I'm concerned. The Thai Military seems to be doing a good job at remaining fair to both parties in this situation so far, and I'm happy to see this done before things spiral out of control, and give America a reason to say that "There is justification". We've seen enough violence and senselessness here over the years, when government and military action came way to late. It's none of America's business and they need to stop getting involved in matters that they cannot truly know about or even understand.

Those 'fools' have been spying on the world (including Thailand) for a long time, using advanced techniques and technology.

You've read the news (in ThaiVisa) and talked to a few Thais (using Tinglish).

Yet, you want us to believe you?

Edited May 23, 2014 by rijb

[EyesWideOpen]

What most fail to recognize is the Thai x-PM had some form of agreement with USA to occupy an area that belongs to Thailand. It's been hush-hush because of all the political turmoil. They have been waiting patiently for things to settle down but as we all know, things haven't gotten better. Now sInce the PM is no longer this has apparently upset the US.

Now with most recent events with Thailand military saying one thing and then doing another it's got The US in a frenzy. First the Thai military told several diplomats that there wouldn't be a coup and then they had the coup.

The US thinks or is concerned not knowing how long this could last and it's puts the military in Thailand in full control and not the PM.

This move is very strategic by the US. If they don't get what was agreed to by the x-PM they are worried that China will control that region of Asia.

China already controls this portion of Asia , as Thai-Chinese already own everything

and basically run everything. Thailand as an " ally" of America has always sort of blown

hot and cold depending on what Thailand thinks it can gain from America. A much

more natural ally for America in SE Asia would be in fact Vietnam. They hate China,

and are angry about China's designs on the South China sea. Thailand is in essence

a bit player for the area, and fading away. The military aid of 10 million dollars to Thailand is

ludicrous, that is a few good meals for the endless generals here. For a comparison,

aid to Egypt, basically a raggedy third world nation, was somewhere north of a billion dollars

per year.

[dcutman]

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.

Just curios. Did you renounce your American citizenship yet?

Edited May 23, 2014 by dcutman

[iancnx]

Perhaps Obama should send in a carrier strike group to scare the Thais and save Thailand.

Haha they tried that in the aftermath of Nargis in Burma, the Carrier group deployed off shore expecting a fanfare welcome, but the Mig 29's sat on the pan in Rangoon somewhat exercised the US perception that Uncle Sam was the worlds saviour. The Burmese had no problem telling them to blow it out of their proverbial... And now we have the preacher Kerry..... Too funny for words.

[metisdead]

A post in which the quoted post had been altered with font changes has been removed as well as a reply post:

15) Do not make changes to quoted material that changes the intended meaning of the quoted post.

[Naam]

Perhaps Obama should send in a carrier strike group to scare the Thais and save Thailand.

Haha they tried that in the aftermath of Nargis in Burma, the Carrier group deployed off shore expecting a fanfare welcome, but the Mig 29's sat on the pan in Rangoon somewhat exercised the US perception that Uncle Sam was the worlds saviour. The Burmese had no problem telling them to blow it out of their proverbial... And now we have the preacher Kerry..... Too funny for words.

now we have the preacher Kerry

[jmccarty]

Sorry , no oil here.

Actually, there is. Not Arabian Gulf big, but several hundred thousand barrels a day. Not enough to make the US do anything because of it.

[Mackie]

Who cares what they think? Thailand is an independent country and Thais should do what is in their best interest. Between a coup or a bloodshed between different fractions of Thai political spectrum, the choice is/was easy one. A coup any day. Now powers that be need to act fast and round up all thieves and recover as much money as possible which was blatantly stolen from the public purse. As for Americans complaining. Just show them two fingers like former senator did. Mind your own business.

Dear John Kerry; Dear BBC and CNN :

The News:

Thailand's military criticised as coup takes hold

The BBC's Jonathan Head, in Bangkok: "The BBC is off air, so is CNN. Most channels are now putting up a screen shot"

The US has led widespread international criticism of a military takeover in Thailand as the South-East Asian nation spent its first night under curfew.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said there was "no justification", and $10m in bilateral aid could be suspended.

France and Germany condemned the coup, with the UN expressing serious concern.

The army on Thursday suspended the constitution, banned gatherings and detained politicians, saying order was needed after months of turmoil.

The military had declared martial law on Tuesday. Two days later, it gathered political leaders together in Bangkok for talks on the crisis.

The moment Jonah Fisher and other reporters realised a coup was under way

However, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha then went on TV to announce the coup.

Several key figures at the talks, including opposition protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and pro-government protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, were detained.

Acting PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan was not at the talks and his whereabouts are unclear.

[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27530817]

[http://time.com/109601/us-thailand-coup/]

--------------------------------------------

The comments:

Dear John Kerry,

$10 million aid-cut means very little to Thailand. The Thaksin regime has abused more than $8,000 million out of the national budget. If the US is so happy and proud to support Thaksin corrupted regime, so be it. Someday the US will wake up and realize the difference between the authoritarian Thaksin regime under the disguise of their brand of democracy, and the full democracy as described by Alexis de Tocqueville 180 years ago. We in Thailand are now fiercely fighting for full democracy and will not settle for less.

+

Dear BBC and CNN,

Crisis in Thailand is certainly beyond your grasp. Time and more education will improve your understanding of Thailand.

Somkiat Onwimon

Bangkok

23 May 2014

[Credo]

I await the friendly messages to Kerry and Psaki by resident American expats, following their remarks.

Obama will probably be texting Yingluck.

Thailand does not need America Very few Thais visit America Many Americans visit Thailand, Thailand can ban Americans and it will hurt Americans Also who is America to tell Thailand what to do

I think you got that wrong. In the US in 2011 there were 239,942 Thai-born people in the US. I believe that compares with around 16,000++ in the UK.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_American

[dcutman]

What most fail to recognize is the Thai x-PM had some form of agreement with USA to occupy an area that belongs to Thailand. It's been hush-hush because of all the political turmoil. They have been waiting patiently for things to settle down but as we all know, things haven't gotten better. Now sInce the PM is no longer this has apparently upset the US.

Now with most recent events with Thailand military saying one thing and then doing another it's got The US in a frenzy. First the Thai military told several diplomats that there wouldn't be a coup and then they had the coup.

The US thinks or is concerned not knowing how long this could last and it's puts the military in Thailand in full control and not the PM.

This move is very strategic by the US. If they don't get what was agreed to by the x-PM they are worried that China will control that region of Asia.

China already controls this portion of Asia , as Thai-Chinese already own everything

and basically run everything. Thailand as an " ally" of America has always sort of blown

hot and cold depending on what Thailand thinks it can gain from America. A much

more natural ally for America in SE Asia would be in fact Vietnam. They hate China,

and are angry about China's designs on the South China sea. Thailand is in essence

a bit player for the area, and fading away. The military aid of 10 million dollars to Thailand is

ludicrous, that is a few good meals for the endless generals here. For a comparison,

aid to Egypt, basically a raggedy third world nation, was somewhere north of a billion dollars

per year.

US$10 million will not even buy a mansion each for the heads of the armed forces. This is a far cry from the billions the US poured into the Thai military in the late 60s and early 70s to ensure it remained a military dictatorship and to help finance the opium trade.

So 10 million $ is a bad thing then? At least to Thailand?

[dcutman]

Funny I dont remember so many people bitching about the billions of dollars in aid after the tsunami or floods in 2011. Who was the first foreign country on the scene again in those disasters?

I cant wait to hear the backlash when Thailand is downgraded to tier 3 on the trafficking in people report next month. That will be more free millions of $in aid that Thailand does not really want. I am sure the export companies will be overjoyed as well, with the billions lost in revenues.

Lets all not forget, as bad as you hate it. The US is and remains to be the biggest most wealthy economy on the planet, that does carry a lot of weight, especially for a tiny little Asian country dependent on exports.

Edited May 23, 2014 by dcutman

[Nickymaster]

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

Egypt - coup ousted an elected government which we didn't like. So it's o k.

Ukraine - coup ousted an elected government which we didn't like. So it's o k.

Thailand - coup ousted an elected government which we liked. So it's bad,

The reasons why some governments are liked and others aren't may be different. But the results the same. We only want our friend's in power. Fine if they are elected. If not then a coup is o k but it's not actually a coup because it's removing someone we don't like so they must be bad.

Got it?

This particular action is what Thailand desperately needed. Stop the violence, the bullying through legal intimidation, the ridiculous law suits and open lies and corruption. Good look to the military on sorting this mess all out - for the benefit of all Thai people not just a few or one fugitive.

Truly wish the Military just did the security to:

- Bring peace

- Bring both parties together for quick negotiations

- Military negotiates mutually agreed to reasonable reforms

- Continue the elections that were scheduled in a few months.

Why could they not avoid a Coup and make the above happen? It could have happened with military security.

The military tried to bring them together but none if the parties was interested to give up something. The military had no choice but to bring order back to the country and stop the killings. Some parties even threatened to start a civil war. A coup was unavoidable. Soon there will be elections and let's hope that the problem of winner takes all, and does whatever it wants with zero accountability and transparency, is sort of dealt with. Edited May 23, 2014 by Nickymaster

[Prbkk]

Time for the USA and other countries to lodge a formal complaint about the detention of Yingluck, including in the UN

[Skint]

Time for the USA and other countries to lodge a formal complaint about the detention of Yingluck, including in the UN

Whole world is against this coup and the army and pdrc are just on another planet from the rest of us.

[Torrens54]

Gee, I'm sure the Thai Military is shivering in abject terror!

Those two "Big Brothers, Obama and and Kerry reckon the Thai Military has been "naughty," and now they'll have to take action to fix things up, just like they've done in the Middle East.

Will Obama draw another "line in the sand" and perhaps slap Thailand with a "Wet Bus Ticket?" Who cares about their Chicken-Feed 11 something Million Dollars?

Maybe The Thai Military will be happy to DONATE that money to the American Department of Veterans Affairs. Obama has done such a wonderful job there, with VETS Dying because they can't get treatment. That 11 Million might just help a little, and save the lives of some Real American Heroes, who have served their country far better, than their country is now "serving" them."

Oh yes, Thailand should be worried about upsetting the Kiddies in the White House, who are currently running America.....into the ground!

Edited May 23, 2014 by Torrens54

[rwdrwdrwd]

Time for the USA and other countries to lodge a formal complaint about the detention of Yingluck, including in the UN

Whole world is against this coup and the army and pdrc are just on another planet from the rest of us.

Prbkk, the UN is not a country. And the concept of the USA chastising another country in regard to detention by armed forces is entirely laughable.

I'm not against the coup, and am sure I'm not alone in thinking it was very much the correct action in the circumstances.

Edited May 23, 2014 by rwdrwdrwd

[Amavel]

Americans are obsessed with the idea of elected representation acting as the foundation of Democracy. Restricting information is also contrary to Democracy. Anything other than an election can and will lead to dictatorship. Any government not elected by a majority is not legitimate. The US is simply trying to prompt a quick election.

A quick election would regain legitimacy internationally and resurrect foreign investment. A lengthy non election interim would cost the Thai people an economic malaise that would hamper them for a decade. Reform quickly or watch the other ASEAN nations have much greater economic success and growth.

[Publicus]

Well it didn't take long.

No hesitation on this one.

The squeeze has begun. It won't happen overnight, nor will the United States do it alone and anyway won't have to do it alone. There will be lots of help from both inside and outside of Thailand.

US Cuts Military Aid To Thailand Following Coup

Although the U.S. provides other forms of aid to Thailand, including $1.3 million for narcotics and law-enforcement, there was around $3.5 million requested for specifically military assistance in 2014. Today's announcement wipes out nearly all of it

Yesterday, Joshua Kulantzick, a senior fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained to Business Insider that the U.S. has little to gain from the military's moves and every reason to want to isolate the coup's organizers. He says that military rule following the ouster of an elected government will likely erode existing civil institutions and could destabilize a significant southeast Asian country.

"The military is incapable of actually running the country in terms of the policymaking we would need to see with a pretty complex and high-powered economy," he said, adding that "the potential for violence is now higher because the military has intervened." In 2010, 90 protestors were killed in Bangkok during a rash of political violence.

Read more: http://www.businessi...5#ixzz32aqOl98p

[harryfrompattaya]

The military aid of 10 million dollars to Thailand is

ludicrous

The USA is a Cheap Charlie if that is all it gives to Thailand

[Publicus]

Gen Ray Odierno, who is the commanding general of the U.S. Army, is speaking to Gen Prayuth as having the equivalent position in the Thai Army, however, Gen Odierno is not speaking to Gen Prayuth as a peer.

Gen Odierno's call is a part of the full court press Washington has initiated against Prayuth and the Thai military high command to end their dictatorship before Thailand descends into Hades as the direct consequence of the military mutiny coup d'état that deposed the legitimate democratic government of Thailand.

Gen Odierno had been the commanding general of all U.S. forces in Iraq during the Iraq War so he knows the ugliness of fighting against an insurgency. Gen Odierno knows the futility of a state armed force trying to take on clandestine insurgents who fight below the radar, so to speak.

.US Army chief of staff calls Thailand general

The Pentagon says the U.S. Army chief of staff is urging the head of Thailand’s army to return the country to democratic rule, just days after the military there ousted the government and seized control in a bloodless coup.

A Pentagon spokesman says Gen. Ray Odierno called Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha and was clear about the expectation that democratic principles be restored as soon as possible.

The Pentagon is reviewing its military relationship with Thailand in lieu of the coup

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-army-chief-of-staff-calls-thailand-general/2014/05/23/1ff876c2-e2c8-11e3-9442-54189bf1a809_story.html

However, I doubt Prayuth will listen because he is certain he can't afford to listen, that he can't afford to allow democracy or any kind of legitimate self government to occur. The Thai military lives in its own little world inside the national borders of the Thai little world. That the elites of Bangkok and the Surat think or believe they can stop global forces that permeate all our lives shows how unrealistic and how dangerous these people are to themselves and to the country as a whole.

The fear is that the possibility of violence has increased infinitely because of the interposition of the Thai military against the nation's government

and its people.

[impulse]

The military aid of 10 million dollars to Thailand is ludicrous

The USA is a Cheap Charlie if that is all it gives to Thailand

Which is better? Giving them $1 billion, of which $990 million will be siphoned off?

Or saying "We've got your back. You don't have to spend your money defending against China, or Cambodia, or Myanmar, or.... Spend your money on something useful"?

What do you figure would happen to Taiwan and the S China Sea -then eventually to Thailand- if the USA quit spending $$$Billions on defending the sea lanes and maritime rights of the underdogs?

Edited May 24, 2014 by impulse

[Crushdepth]

Well it didn't take long.

No hesitation on this one.

The squeeze has begun. It won't happen overnight, nor will the United States do it alone and anyway won't have to do it alone. There will be lots of help from both inside and outside of Thailand.

US Cuts Military Aid To Thailand Following Coup

Although the U.S. provides other forms of aid to Thailand, including $1.3 million for narcotics and law-enforcement, there was around $3.5 million requested for specifically military assistance in 2014. Today's announcement wipes out nearly all of it

Yesterday, Joshua Kulantzick, a senior fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained to Business Insider that the U.S. has little to gain from the military's moves and every reason to want to isolate the coup's organizers. He says that military rule following the ouster of an elected government will likely erode existing civil institutions and could destabilize a significant southeast Asian country.

"The military is incapable of actually running the country in terms of the policymaking we would need to see with a pretty complex and high-powered economy," he said, adding that "the potential for violence is now higher because the military has intervened." In 2010, 90 protestors were killed in Bangkok during a rash of political violence.

Read more: http://www.businessi...5#ixzz32aqOl98p

I hardly think the former government was capable of sane policy making. The US isn't going to dump a friendly Asian ally and most of the "aid" it has cut off is capacity building it wants Thailand to have for its own selfish reasons. Kulantzick needs to get a clue.

[EyesWideOpen]

America should mind its own business. But I do like the cutting of aid. In fact, as long as they

are in an aid cutting mode, how about giving Americans a break, and cut ALL aid around the world,

and invest that money in schools in America.......

[jayboy]

The US negative response seems to have captured the attention of many.Indeed I note from Facebook that in their usual semi literate way many middle class Bangkokians are full of anger and keen to tell the US to butt out and mind it's own business.That abysmal and creepy resident French cartoonist Stepphfart (sp) has also climbed on the anti US bandwagon.

And yet I'm not sure the US reaction was the most negative.Kerry was forthright but he had to be.There is little chance the US will want to upset an old ally particularly given the strategic rivalry with China.The US has by virtue of its political culture to show umbrage in the event of a coup, but I doubt given the context there will be much long term damage to relations.

The French response was actually more directly critical but below the radar screen the brief Japanese statement was perhaps the most deadly of all.One would perhaps have to have some appreciation of the delicacy of Japanese diplomatic expression to understand that.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Credo]

The US is hardly butting into Thailand's affairs. They are simply withdrawing some military aid, which is standard practice. They are doing nothing more than a mild complaint, not unlike what someone might give their neighbor whose stereo is too loud.

The announcement is pretty much in line with the other countries, which seem to be getting a free pass on criticism.

If the US wanted to interfere, it would interfere.

The current events in Thailand are dangerous, but they are not new. This cycle has been going on for a long time and the reaction has been about the same.

[anteater]

A few comments, snippets of news:

Channel News Asia is reporting that Robert Amsterdam and co are planning to set up a Thai government in exile, representing the deposed legally elected government, while Thailand is currently controlled by the illegal military junta.

Meanwhile there is talk of an international boycott.

The international press are almost universally hostile to the illegal coup, and academics such as Professor Thongchai Winichakul (Wisconsin) are explaining on media such as Channel News Asia the aim of the junta/PDRC in organising this coup: basically, he says, they want to stamp out democracy.

The demonstrators in Bangkok were standing up to the soldiers today and this will probably continue tomorrow.

Already some 150 government people have been detained, followed by attempts to detain about another 30 government sympathisers.

[F430murci]

Mouth piece Obama. All talk and rhetoric. None of US business if Thais want to act like and govern themselves like fools. Like denouncing will have any meaningful impact.

[ALFREDO]

Thaksin said once as Prime Minister, as he had to hear critic about his politic in Thailand from the USA,, including his war on drugs,

=The UN, USA is not my father, just ignore them!= A good friend from the US and UN?

[citizen33]

US toughening its stance a little.

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon announced Saturday it is suspending exercises with Thailand's military and called on officials to restore democratic rule after a bloodless coup there on Thursday.

The Defense Department also canceled a series of events planned with the Thai military. Meanwhile, the crisis in Thailand deepened Saturday as the military junta began detaining academics. It is already holding members of the government, including Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and some protesters.

"As we have made clear, it is important that the Royal Thai Armed Forces end this coup and restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule, including a clear path forward to elections," Rear Adm. John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement Saturday.

"While we have enjoyed a long and productive military-to-military relationship with Thailand, our own democratic principles and U.S. law require us to reconsider U.S. military assistance and engagements."

The Pentagon also canceled a visit in June to Thailand by U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Harry Harris.

"We will continue to review additional engagements as necessary until such time that events in Thailand no longer demand it," Kirby said. "We urge the Royal Thai Armed Forces to act in the best interests of their fellow citizens by ending this coup and restoring the rule of law and the freedoms assured those citizens through democratic principles."

There are about 700 U.S. sailors and Marines in Thailand, a close U.S. military ally. They had been taking part in annual naval exercises known as the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training.

On Thursday, Gen. Raymond Odierno, the Army chief of staff, contacted his Thai counterpart, said Kirby, who characterized the conversation as constructive but did not elaborate during a Friday briefing.

The military seized power after months of street protests and a political standoff between elected officials and elite Thai families. Protests continued Saturday, but the Associated Press reported that the military had not moved against demonstrators.

The joint military exercises have become increasingly important in recent years as China has grown more assertive in the region. U.S. allies in the region have looked to the Pentagon for reassurance. Last month, U.S. and Philippine leaders signed an agreement to enhance military cooperation, including a focus on "maritime security." The Philippine military is also involved in this year's military exercises.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is scheduled to visit the region as part of a trip beginning Wednesday. He will take part in talks with ministers of defense from Southeast Asia.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/05/24/thailand-military-coup-pentagon/9534151/