US envoy Kenney criticised

[Lite Beer]

THAI-US RELATIONS
US envoy Kenney criticised
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- A letter criticising US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney has gone viral in social media, as the United States froze US$3.5 million in military assistance to Thailand following the military's power seizure.

The letter was written by an American expatriate claiming to be a political scientist. Michael Yon, who describes himself as an author, photographer and war correspondent, posted the 400-word letter on his Facebook page. This is it:

"US Ambassador Kristie Kenney: An American in Thailand sent this to me. Here is the American Ambassador displaying epic ignorance and insensitivity towards current events in Thailand.

"There is a monstrous disconnect between current US government policy towards Thailand and reality. Part of the problem may be that Ambassador Kenney forbade her political officers from physically visiting any of the protest sites.'

"I cannot accept that concern for their physical well-being was the motivation. I cannot fathom the reasons why. Thailand is undergoing an historic process.'

"This is no way to represent an American Embassy in a foreign country, and this is no way to represent the American people … [Thailand] have been our natural allies for decades since WWII and earlier. Right now, most Thai people are angry at us. I cannot blame them. Our government desperately needs accurate, correct information about the political process underway in Thailand.''

-- The Nation 2014-05-25

[Ruin]

3.5 million is a drop in the military ocean. In soccer it wouldn't even buy a decent goalkeeper.

[khwaibah]

100% Agree and yes I'm an AMERICAN.

[heybruce]

I think this has more to do with politics in the US, and attempts to embarrass the Obama administration, than with Thailand.

[michaelscottfan]

100% Agree and yes I'm an AMERICAN.

Yes, many Americans who move to Thailand sadly abandon the principles their parent country were founded upon. Thankfully, I am not one of them.

Kenney is doing a good job representing US interests in Thailand and defending the rights of the people of both countries with her actions and words. If you truly prefer living in a military dictatorship then by all means enjoy yourself while it lasts.

Edited May 25, 2014 by michaelscottfan

[tx22cb]

The view of 1 American in Thailand is so important?

For every person critical of the US action, I can find another who support it.

And vice versa - for every person supportive of the US action, I can find another who criticize it.

So I don't think Her Excellency will lose any sleep.

[ginjag]

This US ambassador has been a crawler during her office term here, seemingly attending VIP dinners, trips around and meetings with Yingluck, every time I watched her interviews they were all ---yes maam, no maam 3 bags full. Never a slightest word of criticism,

I do understand she represents US policy here but also can relay more info to Head office---true impartial ones. Me thinks she avoided many happening here.

Not to dissimilar to Dick Head from UK.

[Cnxforever]

Micheal Yon???

Hahaha. Hahaha .....I think not even his dog would find him credible - if he had one

[bubblegum]

She is doing even less than most honorary consuls do in Phuket. At least they have the balls to talk about things going wrong. Mrs. Kenney better sticks to parties instead of making herself and the USA ridiculous.

[michaelscottfan]

Just a quick addition, I didn't notice that the source was Michael Yon. LOL

Just so Thais here understand, no one in our country respects him. There's a reason why he moved to Thailand to scam the protestors out of money.

[rijb]

I can't believe a 'real' political scientist would write this or be that naive.

The U.S. uses advance technology and intelligence agencies to gather and assimilate information.

Is this 'scientist' stupid enough to believe the U.S. embassy would send a blond-haired, blue-eyed representative to a Thai-only protest?

Could someone explain to this idiotic attention-seeker that many Thai people work for the U.S. government - and not just the embassy?

[rreddin]

The view of 1 American in Thailand is so important?

For every person critical of the US action, I can find another who support it.

And vice versa - for every person supportive of the US action, I can find another who criticize it.

So I don't think Her Excellency will lose any sleep.

Nor do I think the author of the letter will gain much credibility.

[thesetat2013]

100% Agree and yes I'm an AMERICAN.

Yes, many Americans who move to Thailand sadly abandon the principles their parent country were founded upon. Thankfully, I am not one of them.

Kenney is doing a good job representing US interests in Thailand and defending the rights of the people of both countries with her actions and words. If you truly prefer living in a military dictatorship then by all means enjoy yourself while it lasts.

Whats wrong with you? You more than anybody can see the Armies actions were not done to end democracy. It was done to end the political hatred and corruption that had taken hold in the 2 major parties and to quell a blood bath. YOU know darn well if political parties started to defy laws and entice terrorism in the US that they would have an Army of feds with shoot to kill orders be they pro or anti Gov. The US is not above what is happening here. They are just more devious in how they resolve it. Thailand needed this reset or would you prefer a civil war like the US had. Thai democracy is still young and learning how it works. But any idiot can see it was NOT working and the parties had twisted everything to benefit themselves.

I think as long as the Army is making progress to end the madness of Thak and Suthep and that they do all they can to restor democracy then they are doing a good job and should not be condemned. They are trying to save the country from its own self destruction which was getting closer and closer every day.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[JohnThailandJohn]

Micheal Yon???

Hahaha. Hahaha .....I think not even his dog would find him credible - if he had one

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

http://www.michaelyon-online.com/

http://asp.militarygear.com/2013/09/24/michael-yon-integrity-check/

Edited May 25, 2014 by JohnThailandJohn

[khwaibah]

100% Agree and yes I'm an AMERICAN.

Yes, many Americans who move to Thailand sadly abandon the principles their parent country were founded upon. Thankfully, I am not one of them.

Kenney is doing a good job representing US interests in Thailand and defending the rights of the people of both countries with her actions and words. If you truly prefer living in a military dictatorship then by all means enjoy yourself while it lasts.

2nd go around for me. No abandonment by me. Your not in America your in Thailand.

[aussieinthailand]

What the US and her rep's do is their business, as for me I think the Australian gov should STOP 100% of support and impose trade sanctions for a number of reasons, including undemocratic behavior and human trafficking censorship, the list go's on The problem is that The Dem's and other groups simply will not play by the democratic rules, or respect the umpires decision (the voters) and if you won't follow the rules and respect the umpires call then don't play the game...

[AgentSmith]

100% Agree and yes I'm an AMERICAN.

Yes, many Americans who move to Thailand sadly abandon the principles their parent country were founded upon. Thankfully, I am not one of them.

Kenney is doing a good job representing US interests in Thailand and defending the rights of the people of both countries with her actions and words. If you truly prefer living in a military dictatorship then by all means enjoy yourself while it lasts.

America has abandoned its own founding principles quite some time ago. Domestic politics became all about image and doing one's best to destroy that of the other party. It's a superficial practically two party system where ideals are replaced by utter propaganda. Your mass media are amongst the most manipulative in the world where nowadays even comedy shows are used to wrap political messages. Corporations are running your country now, not your politicians. And let's not even begin about American foreign policy and its effects and the resentment it's creating.

The Thai are very clear: don't mess with their internal affairs for whatever reason. And don't project your own American dogma on a country with a completely different culture. Especially Americans have a few lessons to learn about keeping an open mind, not in the least toward their own society.

And no I'm not American. I come from the country with the second highest freedom of press in the world. You can look up which one that is.

Edited May 25, 2014 by AgentSmith

[chickenslegs]

"US Ambassador Kristie Kenney: An American in Thailand sent this to me.

Sent what?

… [Thailand] have been our natural allies for decades since WWII and earlier.

Forgetting the small fact of Thailand declaring war on the US in 1942.

Right now, most Thai people are angry at us.

Someone else who thinks he knows what most Thai people are thinking.

[tx22cb]

This US ambassador has been a crawler during her office term here, seemingly attending VIP dinners, trips around and meetings with Yingluck, every time I watched her interviews they were all ---yes maam, no maam 3 bags full. Never a slightest word of criticism,

I do understand she represents US policy here but also can relay more info to Head office---true impartial ones. Me thinks she avoided many happening here.

Not to dissimilar to Dick Head from UK.

Her visible actions are what a Diplomat does.

I think that any criticism would be done by her behind closed doors with the relevant Thais. Diplomacy entails keeping channels open and avoiding a potential loss of face for the Thais.

[SaamBaht]

Yes the money is inconsequential but the letter is utter tripe.

[JohnnyJazz]

Michael Yon has always made it clear, he is a "pen for hire". Through his facebook page he asked for contribution to write for the anti government side.

He is not an "american". He is a professional writer hired to present one side of the story.

Edited May 25, 2014 by JohnnyJazz

[kblaze]

michael yon is a joke, sneered at by most of the journalistic community who cover the Thai beat largely due to his tried and true M.O of "publishing" a rant against the Red Shirts or Defending the Yellow Shirts on his FB or blogsite and then quickly following it up with messages like "I can't keep what I'm doing without the support of my followers! Please Donate to my paypal for the next dispatch from the field! or Buy my book!".

It works well, he has a rabid dem/yellow shirt THAI fanbase on his facebook page.

[rabas]

100% Agree and yes I'm an AMERICAN.

Yes, many Americans who move to Thailand sadly abandon the principles their parent country were founded upon. Thankfully, I am not one of them.

Kenney is doing a good job representing US interests in Thailand and defending the rights of the people of both countries with her actions and words. If you truly prefer living in a military dictatorship then by all means enjoy yourself while it lasts.

No, she's not. But Ambassador John did. An excellent man if you ever talked to him.

[iancnx]

Need more of the same to inform the West about the internal Thailand that they don't understand.

[edwinchester]

3.5 million is a drop in the military ocean. In soccer it wouldn't even buy a decent goalkeeper.

Or maybe a couple of Scottish ones.

[badgerbailey]

Michael Yon is a world class idiot!

[In Town]

Finally the world has woken up to the fascist yellow in Thailand. Cannot put that genie back in the bottle.

[Suradit69]

Micheal Yon???

Hahaha. Hahaha .....I think not even his dog would find him credible - if he had one

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

http://www.michaelyon-online.com/

http://asp.militarygear.com/2013/09/24/michael-yon-integrity-check/

And this ...

Over the years, I’ve gotten a LOT of emails from Michael Yon. I usually just confuse them for some drunk chimpanzee that probably stole his researcher’s computer and simply ignore them. After all, I don’t exist to answer the innumerable queries of a man who refuses to answer for his actions. Michael Yon is good at demanding “accountability” from others while refusing to be accountable himself. So, I ignored him. That’s generally my SOP because it doesn’t matter what I say, Michael Yon will simply edit out what he doesn’t like, twist what he can, and then rearrange my words to suit his narrative. He’s a VERY good fictional writer, so I do need to give him props for that. After all, this is the same man that in 2009 wrote that the only way a writer can make money is to lie. To punctuate that he hasn’t deviated from that script, he even republished that statement a couple of days ago on his own Facebook page:

http://asp.militarygear.com/2014/01/09/michael-yon-continues-to-lose-credibility-if-its-possible-to-lose-more/

[gadeloo]

What the US and her rep's do is their business, as for me I think the Australian gov should STOP 100% of support and impose trade sanctions for a number of reasons, including undemocratic behavior and human trafficking censorship, the list go's on The problem is that The Dem's and other groups simply will not play by the democratic rules, or respect the umpires decision (the voters) and if you won't follow the rules and respect the umpires call then don't play the game...

so you are saying that PT that won election once can break the rules and laws as they see fit?

[cardinalblue]

AS...

Pure rambling ignorance...

CB