US cancels military exercise, visits after Thai coup

WASHINGTON - The United States has canceled an ongoing military exercise with Thailand and planned visits by officials after the Thai army seized power in a widely condemned coup.

"While we have enjoyed a long and productive military-to-military relationship with Thailand, our own democratic principles and US law require us to reconsider US military assistance and engagements," Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement Saturday.

The Cooperation of Afloat Readiness and Training exercise (CARAT), which involves several hundred US Marines and sailors, began Monday and was supposed to run for a week.

The scrapped visits had been planned for June -- one to Thailand by US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Harry Harris and another to the US Pacific Command in Hawaii by a high-ranking Thai military official.

"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," Kirby said.

-- The Nation 2014-05-25

General Somchai declared "US did not cancel anything. WE CANCELLED. We don't have time for exercise. We are busy with the REAL THING. We have a population to fight. Sorry."

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule.

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

EnzoRippo,do you have a link to when and where he have said that?

No biggy, as long as b. Obama doesn't have to draw any " red line" we going to be ok here.....

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule.

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

Yingluck was elected, the coup leaders were not. Were you unaware of this?

EnzoRippo,do you have a link to when and where he have said that?

It was a joke but I guess it's what "they" think.

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule.

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

Yingluck was elected, the coup leaders were not. Were you unaware of this?

she was elected by a corrupt government don't forget that.

It was a joke but I guess it's what "they" think.

that awkward moment, where you can't distinguish the real thing from satire. Glad it was the latter though.

For what it's worth, the annual naval exercise (CARAT) that started last week was not cancelled/curtailed. The US military personnel (about 700 of them) are still here, many of them partaking in the Pattaya nightllife. According to the Marines I talked to yesterday, they will be here participating in the exercise through the end of the week. Also, no restrictions have been placed on them with regard to shore leave, except that they must comply with the curfew.

There's also the money spinning ' Cobra Gold ' exercise when off duty personnel spend a lot of money.

I wonder if Singapore will stop sending F-16s to Udon Thani for training flights ? This happens a couple of times a year and the Thai government steadfastly refuse to reveal how much they get paid.

General Somchai declared "US did not cancel anything. WE CANCELLED. We don't have time for exercise. We are busy with the REAL THING. We have a population to fight. Sorry."

On the contrary......much of the population would fight alongside him!!!

EnzoRippo,do you have a link to when and where he have said that?

Whoooooshhhh!!!!

LOL

This will benefit Thailand --saved expense. Training for an invasion, by whom ??? a threat from Laos--Cambodia - Vietnam-Singapore--Burma-

These exercises are just good will stunts, spending given monies to use.

Well , it didn't worry them last time and it certainly wont worry them this time , all this would have been taken into account in the Coup risk assessment, so frankly who cares.

EnzoRippo,do you have a link to when and where he have said that?

It was a joke but I guess it's what "they" think.

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

So, what you are saying now is the previous statement you posted was a lie and basically bulls _ _t, am I correct?

Seems to be a lot of such bulls_ _t on this forum topic, doesn't it.

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule[J/b].

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

Yingluck was elected, the coup leaders were not. Were you unaware of this?

After being voted in by an undemocratic election - the caretaker Government has been manipulative, violent AND self serving as well as thieving and incompetent.as well as acting OUT of the interests of much of the population,,,,,.it was therefore removed by due legal process......were you unaware of this??......if not, and if you don't like it don't come to Thailand .....SIMPLE!!

Your comment has merit and I agree with most of it.

However, everyone seems to be free to be aware or unaware of anything, anywhere and at any time. I'm not in charge and wouldn't presume to tell someone where to go or come to.

I understand that CAPS are the equivalent of shouting. No need in my opinion.

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule.

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

Yingluck was elected, the coup leaders were not. Were you unaware of this?

After being voted in by an undemocratic election - the caretaker Government has been manipulative, violent AND self serving as well as thieving and incompetent.as well as acting OUT of the interests of much of the population,,,,,.it was therefore removed by due legal process......were you unaware of this??......if not, and if you don't like it don't come to Thailand .....SIMPLE!!

Oh boy, I assume you will now present proof that the 2011 election was undemocratic! So many posters just make wild accusations then go to another thread when I reference sources that indicate it was legitimate.

You'll have to explain how street mobs qualify as due legal process. While your at it, explain what is democratic about a military coup.

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule.

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

Yingluck was elected, the coup leaders were not. Were you unaware of this?

she was elected by a corrupt government don't forget that.

No, she was elected in 2011 by the Thai people, and handed Abhisit a humiliating defeat in the process. She probably would have been re-elected in February, but Suthep's lawless thugs prevented that. Yingluck's democratic credentials greatly outweigh those of a coup.

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule.

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

Yingluck was elected, the coup leaders were not. Were you unaware of this?

YAWN--it's true then she blew it big time, were you aware of this. YAWN the same denial,, in your mind Yingluck did nothing wrong --Your a wind up as this is a lie--she did many things against the law.

Remember RED poster-----democratically elected BUT NOT democratically ruled.

No, she did plenty wrong, but she did the right thing when she tried to have an election and let the Thai people decide if they wanted to keep her. Unfortunately some undemocratic forces kept that from happening, and apparently will continue to keep that from happening.

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule.

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

Yingluck was elected, the coup leaders were not. Were you unaware of this?

she was elected by a corrupt government don't forget that.

There are several countries in the world you can say the same about right now, not just Thailand. Even in places where they are supposed to have a free election how can you call less than 4% of the popular vote a real majority.

So, no more R&R for american army ppl. in Thailand. Great!!!!

So, no more R&R for american army ppl. in Thailand. Great!!!!

.

I wonder why you say that.

I found those I've met to act like gentlemen.

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule.

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

Yingluck was elected, the coup leaders were not. Were you unaware of this?

she was elected by a corrupt government don't forget that.

"She" was not elected by a corupt Government, "She" was elected by the voters in Thailand. THEY want to apoint leaders chose who will rule what laws to make up who enforces that law and do away with any that don't agree--thats called a police state or Dictatorship

A letter was sent from China thanking for destroying their relationship with Thailand as china become more friendly

So, no more R&R for american army ppl. in Thailand. Great!!!!

.

I wonder why you say that.

I found those I've met to act like gentlemen.

Some want Thailand all for themselves.

There are thousands of negative comments directed at both Kerry and Obama pooping up on many of the news links all across the US. It's starting to indicate most Americans are against any sanctions against Thailand. Most are not happy with the current administration's foreign screwed up policies. Which has never been very good in the first place.

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule.

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

Yingluck was elected, the coup leaders were not. Were you unaware of this?

I wouldn't spread that around.....it shows the intelligence of those who voted for her. what a fine example to represent a country. The thai army doesn't need to be elected....do you know of any Army that is ?? were you unaware of this ??

As an American citizen, I am so ashamed of my government. Please understand, this does not reflect the American peoples wishes. We continue to provide aid to countries who hate us, but go after our friends. Shame, shame, shame.

restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule.

Have these muppets been on the moon for the past 13 years or what?

Yingluck was elected, the coup leaders were not. Were you unaware of this?

she was elected by a corrupt government don't forget that.

"She" was not elected by a corupt Government, "She" was elected by the voters in Thailand. THEY want to apoint leaders chose who will rule what laws to make up who enforces that law and do away with any that don't agree--thats called a police state or Dictatorship

She was not elected ---she was placed there by her brother, how many voters of Thailand elected HER. ??