International alarm mounts over Thai coup

[webfact]

International alarm mounts over Thai coup
by Justine GERARDY

HONG KONG, May 23, 2014 (AFP) - Allies and key trading partners expressed disquiet over Thailand's coup Friday, demanding a quick return to civilian rule as some warned against travel to the prime tourist destination.

Japanese auto giants that have invested heavily in Thailand were forced to stop night operations at their factories to comply with a curfew imposed by the new junta, which seized power on Thursday in a move the United States said had "no justification".

Japan, by far Thailand's biggest foreign investor overall, described the coup as "regrettable".

"Our country wants to call strongly for a prompt restoration of a democratic political system," added Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Toyota, the world's number one carmaker which produces 670,000 cars a year in Thailand, said the curfew had halted production at all three of its local assembly plants.

Honda Motor also curtailed operations at its plant on Thursday, stopping four hours ahead of its original planned shutdown at midnight, a spokeswoman said.

The Pentagon said it was reviewing military cooperation with America's oldest Asian ally, while Secretary of State John Kerry warned of potential fallout.

"While we value our long friendship with the Thai people, this act will have negative implications for the US-Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military," he said.

In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters: "China and Thailand are friendly neighbours. We hope to see normal social order to be restored as soon as possible in Thailand."

Australia meanwhile said it was "gravely concerned" at the army's seizure of power.

"It is a volatile situation. We are monitoring it closely but people need to pay close attention to their personal security and their travel plans," Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told ABC radio.

- 'Unpredictable and volatile' -

With Thailand drawing just over 26.7 million visitors last year, according to its tourism authority, foreign governments have largely cautioned nationals to keep their heads down without explicitly advising against travel.

However, key trade partners Malaysia and Hong Kong warned against non-essential trips after months of political turmoil escalated into the military crackdown.

Neighbouring Malaysia -- Thailand's second-highest source of visitors last year with 2.99 million tourists, behind China's 4.7 million -- advised its nationals to postpone any non-essential visits and those there to abide by the curfew.

Hong Kong raised its travel alert for Thailand to its second-highest level. The city's Travel Industry Council said all group tours would be cancelled from May 24 to May 30, affecting 1,300 people.

Singapore also weighed in, warning that the situation was "unpredictable and volatile, and may evolve quite rapidly".

"Singaporeans should seriously reconsider visiting Thailand at the moment," the foreign ministry said.

Medical and travel security risk services provider SOS International also urged business travellers to defer non-essential trips, warning that all gatherings should be avoided due to a "credible risk of violence".

Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, said it was following developments "with deep and profound concern" and that it would seek the intervention of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Thailand is a leading member.

ASEAN is traditionally loath to get involved in its members' internal affairs. But Indonesia stressed that the bloc's charter "emphasizes adherence to democratic principles and constitutional government", and so the coup merited engagement by the region.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-23

[stickyrice2000]

Here comes another country disagreeing the coup. It's not just US, UN and UK.

[beautifulthailand99]

They will all mouth similar platitudes - but as long as business interests are safe and there's not mass bloodshed it will be business as usual. The international community is much more worried about Ukraine and the international ramifications than meddlesome domestics of Thailand. Baht seems solid as a rock at the moment as far as Sterling is concerned.

[rijb]

We live in a very connected world. No man is an island. No country is a 'center' of independence.

[bangarang]

Seems like the military is actually getting things done...and people are listening... is that a bad thing?

[GoodThaiGirl]

its what you would expect them to say....they didnt exactly go in guns blazing in syria now did they..calm down drama queen forum.

[marcusd]

Its a shame these countries do not listen to their Embassies who could advise them that the Military is not as bad as people think. They are not going to war on their people

[leggo]

Seems like the military is actually getting things done...and people are listening... is that a bad thing?

Could you be a bit more specific?

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Asiantravel]

They will all mouth similar platitudes - but as long as business interests are safe and there's not mass bloodshed it will be business as usual. The international community is much more worried about Ukraine and the international ramifications than meddlesome domestics of Thailand. Baht seems solid as a rock at the moment as far as Sterling is concerned.

" it will be business as usual "

.

I have no idea how you could possibly reach that conclusion without knowing exactly how the millions who voted for the previous government are going to react to all this?

[tullynagardy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27529563

BBC hinting at an "external factor". The more canny here will know what it is, though more internal really id say.

After 6 months of doing nothing something changed, hold tight this is going to be some ride.

[VocalNeal]

...In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters: "China and Thailand are friendly neighbours. We hope to see normal social order to be restored as soon as possible in Thailand."....

That’s good coming from a country where there are bombs going of in URUMQI and all the fuss in Vietnam and the Philippines

Not to mention how Tibet feels etc..

They all say the same PC things...

Edited May 23, 2014 by VocalNeal

[WhizBang]

Hardly 'International Alarm' as the headline screams. Just the usual platitudes.

[beautifulthailand99]

They will all mouth similar platitudes - but as long as business interests are safe and there's not mass bloodshed it will be business as usual. The international community is much more worried about Ukraine and the international ramifications than meddlesome domestics of Thailand. Baht seems solid as a rock at the moment as far as Sterling is concerned.

" it will be business as usual "

.

I have no idea how you could possibly reach that conclusion without knowing exactly how the millions who voted for the previous government are going to react to all this?

for the timebeing - it would appear the army is 'cutting off the heads' of the leadership cadre and stifling their comms so as the toiling masses have to work for a living and there is curfew on resistance seems fairly futile at the moment. Events could change of course but it would have to sustained and significant violence and a counter reaction by the armed forces to change international diplomatic opinion in any significant way.

[WhizBang]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27529563

BBC hinting at an "external factor". The more canny here will know what it is, though more internal really id say.

After 6 months of doing nothing something changed, hold tight this is going to be some ride.

Bull. Just more of the same shallow reporting of the BBCs Jonathan Head.

[beautifulthailand99]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27529563

BBC hinting at an "external factor". The more canny here will know what it is, though more internal really id say.

After 6 months of doing nothing something changed, hold tight this is going to be some ride.

Exactly the Bangkok based EX US army vet Michael Yon who is very much of the yellowshirt persuasion came under considerable criticism from Thais on his facebook page when he posted a controversial photo from the Red Shirt Aksa camp.

[love1012]

Here comes another country disagreeing the coup. It's not just US, UN and UK.

UN is not a country.........and its not a Father either!!!

[love1012]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27529563

BBC hinting at an "external factor". The more canny here will know what it is, though more internal really id say.

After 6 months of doing nothing something changed, hold tight this is going to be some ride.

Bull. Just more of the same shallow reporting of the BBCs Jonathan Head.

Yes his parents should have named him Richard!!

[bkkstooge]

Half the problem with the outside concern over the situation here in Thailand is the biased and subjective reports and in some cases outright lies from journalists to quote Jonathan head BBC a week or so ago describing anti govt protesters as a group of ULTRA RIGHT WING ROYALISTS and he by far is not the only one Twitter is full of them and I don't do Facebook but can imagine it is much the same.

[love1012]

They will all mouth similar platitudes - but as long as business interests are safe and there's not mass bloodshed it will be business as usual. The international community is much more worried about Ukraine and the international ramifications than meddlesome domestics of Thailand. Baht seems solid as a rock at the moment as far as Sterling is concerned.

" it will be business as usual "

.

I have no idea how you could possibly reach that conclusion without knowing exactly how the millions who voted for the previous government are going to react to all this?

for the timebeing - it would appear the army is 'cutting off the heads' of the leadership cadre and stifling their comms so as the toiling masses have to work for a living and there is curfew on resistance seems fairly futile at the moment. Events could change of course but it would have to sustained and significant violence and a counter reaction by the armed forces to change international diplomatic opinion in any significant way.

You see........youre so full of thaksins lust for power diatribe that you have-not considered that they MAY just be happy to be avoiding a civil war

[love1012]

Seems like the military is actually getting things done...and people are listening... is that a bad thing?

Could you be a bit more specific?

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I think anyone with half a brain cell understands him perfectly!!

[bkkstooge]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27529563

BBC hinting at an "external factor". The more canny here will know what it is, though more internal really id say.

After 6 months of doing nothing something changed, hold tight this is going to be some ride.

Sorry tullynagardy but this BBC report is just more uninterested lazy journalism we sadly have come to expect from BBC, The Economist etc.............. when it comes to Thailand

[tischmibkk]

...In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters: "China and Thailand are friendly neighbours. We hope to see normal social order to be restored as soon as possible in Thailand."....

That’s good coming from a country where there are bombs going of in URUMQI and all the fuss in Vietnam and the Philippines

Not to mention how Tibet feels etc..

They all say the same PC things...

I might be misinterpreting this but to me it doesn't sound like the typical condemnations. To me it simply means: Do what you need to do to make your country safe.

[tomyummer]

This is so stupid. Other than the Japanese factories here (which have a rightful gripe if they currently run their facilities 24/7), all the other countries are so misinformed. The US is just pissed off because ex-Carlyle crony Uncle Thaksin, may soon lose his grip.

Of course everyone knows this coup is just a show anyway. A way to pacify the general Thai public since the two sides couldn't come to an agreement anyway.

http://altthainews.blogspot.sg/2014/05/thailands-operation-valkyrie.html?spref=fb&m=1

Edited May 23, 2014 by tomyummer

[ravip]

Here comes another country disagreeing the coup. It's not just US, UN and UK.

yes all countries with extreme corrupt politicians....sure they don't like to see their comrades fall.

Which country has real honest politicians?

[beautifulthailand99]

They will all mouth similar platitudes - but as long as business interests are safe and there's not mass bloodshed it will be business as usual. The international community is much more worried about Ukraine and the international ramifications than meddlesome domestics of Thailand. Baht seems solid as a rock at the moment as far as Sterling is concerned.

" it will be business as usual "

.

I have no idea how you could possibly reach that conclusion without knowing exactly how the millions who voted for the previous government are going to react to all this?

for the timebeing - it would appear the army is 'cutting off the heads' of the leadership cadre and stifling their comms so as the toiling masses have to work for a living and there is curfew on resistance seems fairly futile at the moment. Events could change of course but it would have to sustained and significant violence and a counter reaction by the armed forces to change international diplomatic opinion in any significant way.

You see........youre so full of thaksins lust for power diatribe that you have-not considered that they MAY just be happy to be avoiding a civil war

be assured I'm no supporter of Thaksin and I sincerely hope bloodshed can be avoided at all costs. I have a lot of family in country who just want to get on with their lives and earn an honest living. Whose considered response would be a curse on all sides who seek violent confrontation.

[Fookhaht]

A number of academics at our university are posting this frequent Thai-type of response to the outside world.

Amongst several messages, one of which is included in the message below, is the same as I'm hearing from my Thai colleagues and friends, that is, "the outside world just cannot understand the depth of the Thai mind and culture to be able to understand our situation; therefore they have no right to comment on it."

Edited May 23, 2014 by Fookhaht

[virtualtraveller]

Of course, China isn't exactly going to ask for 'swift democratic elections' and if the US condemns Thailand too much they risk losing influence to China. Cold war mentality perpetuates this.

[MaxLee]

"ASEAN is traditionally loath to get involved in its members' internal affairs."

Attention, world, ASEAN is not for naughty naughty political, ignorant, selfish, spoiled trash kiddies in Thailand

[fab4]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27529563

BBC hinting at an "external factor". The more canny here will know what it is, though more internal really id say.

After 6 months of doing nothing something changed, hold tight this is going to be some ride.

Bull. Just more of the same shallow reporting of the BBCs Jonathan Head.

You obviously read the report by JONAH FISHER then.................

[Scott]

Off-topic post removed.