Get off your high horse, America, we do not need a ride: Thai opinion

[Iforbach]

Go junta ,,,,,

At least ,,,give army a chance ,,,,so far so good ,,,,,I say ,,,,,can't be any worse than before

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Morch]

I think the op misses a crucial connection. The USA has always made as big and as many mistakes as anyone and everyone else. The difference is that one can read about all the American mistakes on the front pages of American newspapers. We have always put our mistakes on the front page for the world to see. It is explicitly because of our guaranteed free press that Thailand--and the rest of the world--can read about everything we do wrong. What the op fails to understand is that being able to read about all our mistakes is actually one of our greatest strengths.

While it is correct that most people do not read up and are uninformed about many important issues, and also correct that

many media and news channels are basically drivel or watered down versions - one can still get information quite easily in

the USA if one wished to do so.

Getting to the bottom of things in Thailand, or even to the thick of things....somewhat harder.

USA media and news may not be the best, but when compared with Thailand its pretty much a knockout.

Same comparisons apply for most other countries around the globe.

[mikebike]

In this case I believe the U.S. has made the right call, and despite what currently seems to be a well intentioned junta, I can see this going badly if it's allowed to have carte blanche rule. You only need to look next door to the recent history of Myanmar (Burma) to see what could happen.

I really do not understand a philosophy which says, "if someone has tried something and it didn't work out well, no one should ever try again". It is a philosophy of fear. Of control. Just because my next door neighbour lost his house doesn't mean I'm going to. Be afraid of mistakes, don't try anything we don't endorse.

[northernjohn]

Well I got this far and saw where it was going so ended reading it.

TELL IT AS IT IS
Get off your high horse, America, we do not need a ride
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thais collectively have made a mess of their political system." The patronising words, with a typically blinkered anti-coup undertone, come from an American academician. Like him, his government has since May 22 been preaching down to Thailand, the country that in 1833 signed a bilateral Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the US, becoming the first Asian nation to establish formal diplomatic relations with America.

It also helped Japan against America in the second world war.

[mikebike]

USA media and news may not be the best, but when compared with Thailand its pretty much a knockout.

I'd say that US journalism had a golden age from the end of WWII through about the end of the 70s when ethical, critical journalism was practiced. Mainstream media, as practised today in the US is not journalism in any distinguishable sense.

[Morch]

USA media and news may not be the best, but when compared with Thailand its pretty much a knockout.

I'd say that US journalism had a golden age from the end of WWII through about the end of the 70s when ethical, critical journalism was practiced. Mainstream media, as practised today in the US is not journalism in any distinguishable sense.

Whereas you find things much better elsewhere in the world?

Quality journalism in the PRC, Russia?

My point was not that the USA media is necessarily great, just that in comparison to many other countries it is still

better. Certainly compared with what you get locally.

[ClutchClark]

USA media and news may not be the best, but when compared with Thailand its pretty much a knockout.

I'd say that US journalism had a golden age from the end of WWII through about the end of the 70s when ethical, critical journalism was practiced. Mainstream media, as practised today in the US is not journalism in any distinguishable sense.

You definitely called the time of death correctly but not the date of birth.

I would move the timeline back to days of muckraker journalism starting around 1900.

Cheers

Edited June 26, 2014 by ClutchClark

[wealth]

hahaha, read about the US Ambassador in the other paper. Now the location for cobra will not be changed and she hailed the move to make Cambodian workers legal.

[wealth]

-- The Nation

After Coup

US ambassador lauds junta's labour policy

The Nation June 27, 2014 1:00 am

Schoolchildren take part in the

Kenney meets top military chief, denies move to change the venue of Cobra Gold exercise

Only days after the United States cut military aid to Thailand, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney yesterday praised the ruling junta for its new regulation on migrant labour, describing it as "a good policy" to tackle human trafficking.

She said the US would support Thailand's efforts to resolve the problems of human trafficking, child labour and illegal foreign workers, the Thai News Agency reported.

The ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on Wednesday night set up a committee to tackle human trafficking.

Kenney earlier this week met with Armed Forces Supreme Commander General Tanasak Patimapragorn, who is also deputy NCPO leader, at Tanasak's invitation.

The American envoy told Tanasak that the US Department of State's recent downgrade of Thailand in its annual Trafficking in Persons report "was not a political issue and had nothing to do with the May 22 military coup".

The intended goal was for Thailand to become aware of human trafficking problems, Kenney was quoted as saying in the TNA report. Tanasak had expressed disappointment at the US downgrading of Thailand from Tier 2 to Tier 3.

During the meeting, Kenney revealed that the US has not considered a proposal for Cobra Gold, the Asia-Pacific region's largest military exercise, which is held in Thailand every year, to be moved to Australia, NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari said yesterday.

Scot Marciel, the US State Department's deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, had previously hinted that Washington was considering moving next year's Cobra Gold elsewhere.

Tanasak told Kenney that junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha understood the tougher US sanctions against post-coup Thailand were routine sanctions for countries under military rule, according to the NCPO spokesman. The NCPO expects such sanctions to continue until Thailand's political situation returns to normal.

The junta yesterday also rejected any notion that military-ruled Thailand was altering its foreign policy to have closer ties with China than with the US.

The NCPO spokesman said that there has been no such shift in policy. He said the NCPO simply wanted to make the current situation clear to all countries so that they have a correct understanding of what the NCPO is attempting to achieve for Thailand.

In its serious bid to regulate foreign labour and prevent human trafficking, NCPO has already set up a committee especially to tackle the issues.

The establishment of the committee was announced late Wednesday night.

And starting from yesterday, interested Cambodians can register themselves for a chance to become legal workers in Thailand via centres in several border provinces.

The moves took place just days after the release of the latest Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. Compiled by the United States, it has downgraded Thailand's status in terms of human-trafficking situation to the lowest class or Tier 3.

Since it came to power via a military coup last month, the NCPO has seriously tackled illegal labour.

Hundreds of thousands of illegal workers left Thailand during the past month in the wake of the NCPO's tough stance.

Now, it has become clear that they can return to Thailand for jobs as legal workers. They are only required to register themselves with Thai authorities.

Coordination centres for Cambodian workers are now up and running in four border provinces namely Sa Kaew, Chanthaburi, Trat and Surin. Registration there can be made till July 25.

In addition, the NCPO has required that one-stop-service centres for migrant workers be established in all provinces.

The first such centre will open in Samut Sakhon and start its operation next Monday.

Appointed by the NCPO, the committee on policies for solving migrant workers' problems and human trafficking will recommend policies, measures and guidelines to address these issues to the NCPO. The committee, which will be chaired by an NCPO deputy chief, will also monitor implementations and compliance with international obligations.

the wind of change with the speed of a hurricane ... love that ...

Edited June 26, 2014 by wealth

[ToYoungToRetire]

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Then why ever morning at the American Embassy their are long lines of people who want to come to this country. Answer that. We must be doing something right.

Why then, whenever I go out to a tourist area I run into Americans ?? Answer that.

I don't consider the places you go like

soi cowboy or Nana tourist places. You see a hell of a lot more drunk brits and aussie than you will Americans. That's for damn sure. You Brits and Aussies need to come down off your high horse.

s

My 30 days in Thailand I i didn't meet one American... Lots of Australians and other random EU countries... not one American......

[fabianfred]

Then why ever morning at the American Embassy their are long lines of people who want to come to this country. Answer that. We must be doing something right.

They got suckered by 'the American dream' ...which only works when you are asleep..

[SDM0712]

Then why ever morning at the American Embassy their are long lines of people who want to come to this country. Answer that. We must be doing something right.

Aren't most of these lines holiday makers who wouldn't be concerned with the political set up. Whatever the US version of democracy is Disney is still fun, (although World is both bigger and better than Land), Vegas is still entertaining, Carmel is still lovely.

Personally I can see why many people in other countries are just a tiny bit bored of US politicians interfering in their country's affairs.

[Mango Bob]

Well look at this, the Americans did something good even in a lost to Germany they are going to the round of 16 at the world cup. . How about you Brits and Aussies. You should be a shame of yourselves. Shows something about your country when you can't even make it to the round of 16. Eat my shorts

[Pimay1]

Thais really cannot take the truth about how little the rest of the world thinks of them. Transexual prostitutes and cheap fish caught by enslaved foreigners is about all Lie-Land offers the world.

The writer should be reminded he'd probably be speaking Vietnamese if not for USA.

The USA lost the war in Vietnam

I think they walked away..................

The Paris Peace Accords ending the conflict were signed January 27, 1973, and were followed by the withdrawal of the remaining American troops. The terms of the accords called for a complete ceasefire in South Vietnam, allowed North Vietnamese forces to retain the territory they had captured, released US prisoners of war, and called for both sides to find a political solution to the conflict.

With US forces gone from the country, South Vietnam stood alone. The situation worsened in December 1974, when Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act of 1974, cutting off all military aid. This act removed the threat of air strikes should North Vietnam break the terms of the accords. Shortly after the act’s passage, North Vietnam began a limited offensive in Phuoc Long Province to test Saigon’s resolve. The province fell quickly and Hanoi pressed the attack. Surprised by the ease of their advance, against largely incompetent ARVN forces, the North Vietnamese stormed through the south, finally capturing Saigon. South Vietnam surrendered on April 30, 1975, following the fall of its capital.

[kerrysum]

Then why ever morning at the American Embassy their are long lines of people who want to come to this country. Answer that. We must be doing something right.

Because it is the toughest country to enter, unlike those from south of the border.... Europe is different, Singapore, and many nations, would one think of such differences? In most cases, not really...

Guess it all matters on what continent one resides.

Just a thought, kilosierra

[mesquite]

-- The Nation

After Coup

US ambassador lauds junta's labour policy

The Nation June 27, 2014 1:00 am

Schoolchildren take part in the

Kenney meets top military chief, denies move to change the venue of Cobra Gold exercise

Only days after the United States cut military aid to Thailand, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney yesterday praised the ruling junta for its new regulation on migrant labour, describing it as "a good policy" to tackle human trafficking.

She said the US would support Thailand's efforts to resolve the problems of human trafficking, child labour and illegal foreign workers, the Thai News Agency reported.

The ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on Wednesday night set up a committee to tackle human trafficking.

Kenney earlier this week met with Armed Forces Supreme Commander General Tanasak Patimapragorn, who is also deputy NCPO leader, at Tanasak's invitation.

The American envoy told Tanasak that the US Department of State's recent downgrade of Thailand in its annual Trafficking in Persons report "was not a political issue and had nothing to do with the May 22 military coup".

The intended goal was for Thailand to become aware of human trafficking problems, Kenney was quoted as saying in the TNA report. Tanasak had expressed disappointment at the US downgrading of Thailand from Tier 2 to Tier 3.

During the meeting, Kenney revealed that the US has not considered a proposal for Cobra Gold, the Asia-Pacific region's largest military exercise, which is held in Thailand every year, to be moved to Australia, NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari said yesterday.

Scot Marciel, the US State Department's deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, had previously hinted that Washington was considering moving next year's Cobra Gold elsewhere.

Tanasak told Kenney that junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha understood the tougher US sanctions against post-coup Thailand were routine sanctions for countries under military rule, according to the NCPO spokesman. The NCPO expects such sanctions to continue until Thailand's political situation returns to normal.

The junta yesterday also rejected any notion that military-ruled Thailand was altering its foreign policy to have closer ties with China than with the US.

The NCPO spokesman said that there has been no such shift in policy. He said the NCPO simply wanted to make the current situation clear to all countries so that they have a correct understanding of what the NCPO is attempting to achieve for Thailand.

In its serious bid to regulate foreign labour and prevent human trafficking, NCPO has already set up a committee especially to tackle the issues.

The establishment of the committee was announced late Wednesday night.

And starting from yesterday, interested Cambodians can register themselves for a chance to become legal workers in Thailand via centres in several border provinces.

The moves took place just days after the release of the latest Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. Compiled by the United States, it has downgraded Thailand's status in terms of human-trafficking situation to the lowest class or Tier 3.

Since it came to power via a military coup last month, the NCPO has seriously tackled illegal labour.

Hundreds of thousands of illegal workers left Thailand during the past month in the wake of the NCPO's tough stance.

Now, it has become clear that they can return to Thailand for jobs as legal workers. They are only required to register themselves with Thai authorities.

Coordination centres for Cambodian workers are now up and running in four border provinces namely Sa Kaew, Chanthaburi, Trat and Surin. Registration there can be made till July 25.

In addition, the NCPO has required that one-stop-service centres for migrant workers be established in all provinces.

The first such centre will open in Samut Sakhon and start its operation next Monday.

Appointed by the NCPO, the committee on policies for solving migrant workers' problems and human trafficking will recommend policies, measures and guidelines to address these issues to the NCPO. The committee, which will be chaired by an NCPO deputy chief, will also monitor implementations and compliance with international obligations.

the wind of change with the speed of a hurricane ... love that ...

Looks like some back-room discussions have taken place to defuse the public perception problem.

[thailand49]

Wasn't the writer educated in the U.S?

Isn't the Man of Thailand born in the U.S and still holds a U.S. Passport?

The Junta is nothing more than a puppet for the Man!

Being on top one always gets criticized in life it is called JEALOUS! regardless if you are perfect or not!

Like in Thailand Falangs are looked as ATM'S, The world like to have their say and criticize America but the U.N. exist only because of the U.S. money and there are very few countries in the world that does not except our money as it come out of the U.S. ATM?

When the shit hits the fan " who do you call " not the Ghostbuster " They call the U.S. for help and when the U.S. do not or take too long " They get criticized for that too! "

In the end, this topic is just another topic to fuel the fire to bash the U.S. but like the man said " Let he who is without any sin throw the first stone". This is the right time to allow people to vent and bash the U.S. since the majority of the basher's team are out of the running and the U.S. is still in it? That must really burn the basher here that a sport that barely is noticed in the U.S.is doing so well!

Out or In... let's get back to " The World Kickball Cup! "

[daveAustin]

I agree to a certain extent; the US and others just don't get how it works here although the sanctioning is all knee jerk and to stem hypocrisy. But for this nincompoop do rant on like that just shows the world how immature even grownups get here. Some advice for the author: don't get defensive, stop the stupid face-saving (that's for children), show humility and most of all GROW UP!

[Fookhaht]

When the world (not just the USA) starts slinging mud at you, it feels good to start slinging it back.

Always a good diversion tactic.

[Fookhaht]

Then why ever morning at the American Embassy their are long lines of people who want to come to this country. Answer that. We must be doing something right.

Because it is the toughest country to enter....

FAIL

Because it is still universally recognized is the epitome of The Land of Opportunity.

Edited June 27, 2014 by Fookhaht

[gazzasore]

[cardinalblue]

More people are killed on the roads in Thailand in one day than have been killed in the last year in these so called political protests...

Almost all protestors who were bussed in were being paid...these protests had nothing to do about democracy but just a power struggle between two elite ane wealthy groups...

95% of thai people has no involvement in the protests and only cared about traffic flow and

whether school is closed or not....

The stalemate was about corruption and control and nothing to do with people or democracy

Enter the military over the struggle for their piece of the pie...

[rebeli]

The U.S. historically disapproves of any government that was not elected by popular consent, i.e. voted in by the populace. As a former U.S.A.F. officer one of things that was drilled into our military education was our support of the constitution and legally elected government. Rightly or wrongly the U.S. takes a dim view of any government that was not elected, regardless of how well intentioned it may seem to be or how much "unofficial" popular support it may seem to have.

And they embrased the not elected, by force installed goverment in ukrain.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Pimay1]

The U.S. historically disapproves of any government that was not elected by popular consent, i.e. voted in by the populace. As a former U.S.A.F. officer one of things that was drilled into our military education was our support of the constitution and legally elected government. Rightly or wrongly the U.S. takes a dim view of any government that was not elected, regardless of how well intentioned it may seem to be or how much "unofficial" popular support it may seem to have.

And they embrased the not elected, by force installed goverment in ukrain.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I think they might have done a little more than embrace.

http://www.storyleak.com/ukraine-deception-useu-directed-coup-detat-exposes/

[Baerboxer]

Thailand is the fortunate beneficiary in that the US made a grave error in 1954 by "interfering" in the French defeat in Vietnam. Had it not been for the US' over reaction to the harm of communism, Thailand most certainly would now be communist or fascist at the least. There would be no massive wealth siphoned off from foolish US investments in Thailand's military industrial complex, there would be no massive prostitution and its associated cash flow in to the Thai economy, and there would be no infringement of US business' intellectual property. The US should have minded its own business in SE Asia in 1954 and let its cottage prostitution trade stumble along instead of becoming the world's house of ill repute.

Had the US not foolishly invested in Thailand's military and its support of creatures like the Village Scouts (the earlier version of the PAD), and other border thugs to guard against communism, Thailand would continue to be a feudal banana pecking order and fourth world with the majority of its citizens goose stepping along, shuffling about, playing its domestic petty prostitution game and eating rice with no teeth. The only things that have changed in Thailand is that they aren't goose stepping "yet" and there is a very wealthy selfish elite business class establishment created on the backs of US military investment and security. This military security empowered Thailand to pursue and obtain huge Japanese and foreign investment, for without it, no one would have ever invested in Thailand other than setting up a girlie bar.

The US has been mistakenly disproportionate in its generousness and forgiving of Thailand's stupidity, greed, sloth, lack of investment in its own development, drug trafficking, general corruption mentality and violations of human rights. The US should take Thailand's advice and pick up its marbles and go home. The US should leave Thailand alone to manage its own sex, corruption, child labor and human trafficking along with its military. The US should channel all of its current 12 million USD in aid to Thailand's military in to its own public works on US shores for the benefit of US taxpayers. The US banks should cease all transaction activity with Thai banks. The US would indeed be wise to turn its back on Thailand, sanction all of its trade, and put it on a travel prohibition list with North Korea, Iran, and Somalia.

The US should be ashamed of itself for being tiered up with Thailand. The US has foolishly interfered and wasted hundreds of billions of dollars for decades in attempting to alter the course of Thailand and drag it into the modern world, investing in Thai military capability and force, and human development. Communism is no longer a big threat, and the US is not welcome in Thailand and it should close its own borders shores to Thais and call back all but a skeleton crew of embassy staff in Bangkok.

Thailand declared war on the US and Great Britain on January 25, 1942 and threw over to the Japanese. The Thais supported building the Death Railway as the result of declaring war on the United States not more than sixty days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The US would be wise to stop associating with Thailand lest it be double crossed again. The US should certainly not be advising Thailand as this writer recommends.

Thais are very capable of the double cross and the United States should take this writer's advice and back off, get its own garden in order and leave Thais to fend for themselves. The US should mind its own business. Thais can take care of themselves as the everyone in the world knows. Just look at the Thai press content and you will know immediately that the US should mind its own business. The Thais are more than capable of minding their own business and taking care of business.

Stopped reading your elongated fairy story when you used the expression "world's house of ill repute". Thai bashing and ignorant of the facts,

[Mango Bob]

If some of you anti american idiots read the Bangkok Post today online they said the American Military US has not cancelled the 2015 Cobra Gold military exercise in Thailand, and does not plan to move the war games elsewhere as earlier reported. So take that and put it where the sun doesn't shine.

.

[Morch]

If some of you anti american idiots read the Bangkok Post today online they said the American Military US has not cancelled the 2015 Cobra Gold military exercise in Thailand, and does not plan to move the war games elsewhere as earlier reported. So take that and put it where the sun doesn't shine.

.

I wouldn't put a Cobra anywhere near there. But maybe that's just me.

[Basil B]

Does the USA oppose every government run by unelected governments?

Like:

• Brunei
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Swaziland
• Vatican City

[citizen33]

Doesn't the extreme sensitivity arise because the unelected government displaced a government that was elected, and indeed the existing system of elections? Thai people underestimate the strength of the taboo against this in the West. In Basil's own country this was one of the only remaining two hanging offences until all capital punishment was abolished in 1998 (the other one being armed piracy).

Edited June 27, 2014 by citizen33

[airconsult]

Does the USA oppose every government run by unelected governments?

Like:

• Brunei
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Swaziland
• Vatican City

Strawman argument there.

5 of those countries have no history of democracy or elections - so government was never elected in them.

In the 6th - weeelllll.... technically the Pope IS elected - by the cardinals, not by the people though.