The West might regret forcing Thailand into a corner

[webfact]

OVERDRIVE
The West might regret forcing Thailand into a corner
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- The United States and European Union have responded to the coup by announcing they will downgrade their relations with Thailand.

Individual countries that have also issued strongly worded statements against the coup include the UK, France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. A closer look reveals that the Europeans and Americans have joined forces to apply pressure on Thailand to hold an election as quickly as possible, release all political detainees, and ensure freedom of expression. The penalty for not doing so will be the imposition of more measures to isolate Thailand from the international community.

This international pressure against Thailand is totally unjustified. Thailand has so far done nothing to harm the broad interests of the US or the EU. Business leaders representing the foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand have expressed confidence in the direction being taking to restore calm to the country.

Without the coup, political polarisation would have got worse and threatened to tear apart the fabric of the social order. The authorities continue to discover caches of war weapons and ammunition around the country, stockpiled by hard-core supporters of the previous government. These weapons were intended to be used to create violence in Bangkok by militia following what is generally known as the Khon Kaen model. Through this arrangement, the armed rebels would stage a takeover of the 20 provinces in the Northeast in defiance of the Bangkok centre. No country in the world would allow this to happen. Isn't this model similar to what the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is trying to achieve in the war-torn nations of Iraq and Syria?

By pressuring Thailand to hold an election without first forging political reforms, the US and the EU are effectively asking that Thailand remain a divided nation. A weak and polarised Thailand could, indeed, benefit the US and EU. It would fit world powers' traditional divide-and-rule formula.

The blatant interference in our internal affairs by superpowers in the Western world is unacceptable. As a sovereign and independent nation, Thailand has every right to put its house in order in its own way. Public opinion is mostly in favour of the coup, which has effectively restored order and ended the bloodshed. Now, the Thai people are looking forward to a reform process that hopefully will lay the foundation for political, economic and social stability. All now depends on the commitment and the capability of the military regime to guide Thailand through this transition.

It is likely that US and EU relations with Thailand will deteriorate over the next three to six months. This is unfortunate. A slackening of ties would also hurt the overall standing of the Asean, with Thailand being at the core of the regional bloc. Other Asean members have so far stood idle while Thailand is bullied. If the US and EU continue to play hardball politics with Thailand, and Asean proves to be a paper tiger, Thailand might have no choice but to strengthen relations with China or Russia. The BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - are eager to expand their membership and should ready to welcome Thailand into the fold. If Thailand is driven into a corner, it will have no choice but to walk a new path in its international relations.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/The-West-might-regret-forcing-Thailand-into-a-corn-30237205.html


-- The Nation 2014-06-27

[EyesWideOpen]

I agree with this article. Not about the regret part, because if SEA ceased to exist

it would make little difference to America or Europe. From an outside perspective,

a coup looks bad. Probably conjuring up images of some tin pot dictator taking

over a country and immediately ordering a private jet. But that is far from what

has happened here. Through vote buying, it was fairly easy to simply take control

of Thailand and start looting it .Prayuth has brought that to a halt. So what he has

now is a communication issue. He needs to fully expose the cancer of Thaksin

to the public eye, prosecute those involved ,and show the western world the

enemy he is fighting. Then and only then will the western world understand what

is going on here.

[PaullyW]

What a truly pathetic article. Why don't they all just create a national holiday where everyone gets to complain and cry together as a nation.

National Thailand Cry Day.

I've never seen a nation so butthurt.

They are being "bullied" now? Too funny

[PaullyW]

I agree with this article. Not about the regret part, because if SEA ceased to exist

it would make little difference to America or Europe. From an outside perspective,

a coup looks bad. Probably conjuring up images of some tin pot dictator taking

over a country and immediately ordering a private jet. But that is far from what

has happened here. Through vote buying, it was fairly easy to simply take control

of Thailand and start looting it .Prayuth has brought that to a halt. So what he has

now is a communication issue. He needs to fully expose the cancer of Thaksin

to the public eye, prosecute those involved ,and show the western world the

enemy he is fighting. Then and only then will the western world understand what

is going on here.

My friend, you are deeply naive if you truly believe that Thaksin is the issue here. The entirety of Thai politics is built openly on a patronage system that feeds on and creates corruption.

You really think this corruption issue is new or even made much worse by Thaksin?

People in Thailand will largely vote for their 'teams' whoever they are beholden to. It has little to do with creating a platform and resolving issues in the country. When have you heard of any well defined core of ideas from either side of the political divide? Never.

Thailand was never ready for Democracy. They are a fully and plainly feudal society. The democracy was a surface coat of paint on their feudal system. That coat of paint has since cracked and we get to see how the system really works here.

I can't comment negatively on the military coups (by law), so I will not, but you need only to look at some of the other 18 coups to see many similarities to this coup.

[neverdie]

Actually, I would read Into this further.

Many Politicians around the world have seen the writing on the wall. The Thai military can do a better job of fixing it's own internal problems than what the Politicians can. Actually, a mess created by the politicians is being cleaned up by non politicians. Must be alarming for those fools as many of them could end up facing similar situations, one day In the future.

It's so amusing that half the countries on the list have more internal problems than you can point a stick at but their moronic leaders like to huff and puff their chests out and point in a different direction.

Really, the article should read, "Western douchebag Politicians get nervous".

[Thai at Heart]

What a truly pathetic article. Why don't they all just create a national holiday where everyone gets to complain and cry together as a nation.

National Thailand Cry Day.

I've never seen a nation so butthurt.

They are being "bullied" now? Too funny

I can't being myself to read it, but I can just imagine.

[iphad]

Unfortunately this article is true that the West has started putting pressure on Thailand..

I mentioned the other day in a post with he US's report on Human Trafficking & downgrading Thailand to Tier 3 then EU saying sanctions it was obvious that these were connected.

Of course there will be posters here that will say Thailand is a crybaby,more Thainess,out of touch that the West couldn't care less about insignificant Thailand....but one wonders who the real crybabies are?

Thailand is sticking up for itself...

The West needs Thailand...not for trade....for regional access for their military power.

The West can go on about their moral high ground...but they are bullies......

They are "Exceptional" Thailand isn't.

[Thailand]

Great article concise and to the point.

[dumpling]

Actually, I would read Into this further.

Many Politicians around the world have seen the writing on the wall. The Thai military can do a better job of fixing it's own internal problems than what the Politicians can. Actually, a mess created by the politicians is being cleaned up by non politicians. Must be alarming for those fools as many of them could end up facing similar situations, one day In the future.

It's so amusing that half the countries on the list have more internal problems than you can point a stick at but their moronic leaders like to huff and puff their chests out and point in a different direction.

Really, the article should read, "Western douchebag Politicians get nervous".

Agreed.The West has such a great record when it comes to helping and advising nations in trouble just look at Iraq and Syria today (sarcasm).The sour grapes being tasted at this moment come from the fact they dont have a puppet politician in power what ever colour he/she was.I hope one day that the people in The Western nations have the nerve to stand against the broken political system that they have.Thailand has found a way out of a worsening situation it may not be to everyone taste but it seems to be working.

Edited June 26, 2014 by dumpling

[chiang mai]

Actually, I would read Into this further.

Many Politicians around the world have seen the writing on the wall. The Thai military can do a better job of fixing it's own internal problems than what the Politicians can. Actually, a mess created by the politicians is being cleaned up by non politicians. Must be alarming for those fools as many of them could end up facing similar situations, one day In the future.

It's so amusing that half the countries on the list have more internal problems than you can point a stick at but their moronic leaders like to huff and puff their chests out and point in a different direction.

Really, the article should read, "Western douchebag Politicians get nervous".

Spot on, 100% correct and true.

[WitawatWatawit]

It's hardly an erudite article with insightful analysis. Just a very basic summation of the situation from a coup supporter's viewpoint. But it is correct. Unlike some if the inane comments above.

[chooka]

So the Thai military is pissed and is about to kick some serious western ars#. I am sure the U.S, Europe and Australia are shaking. The West should have realised if you poke the most powerful nation in the world it is going to bite you.

[EyesWideOpen]

I agree with this article. Not about the regret part, because if SEA ceased to exist

it would make little difference to America or Europe. From an outside perspective,

a coup looks bad. Probably conjuring up images of some tin pot dictator taking

over a country and immediately ordering a private jet. But that is far from what

has happened here. Through vote buying, it was fairly easy to simply take control

of Thailand and start looting it .Prayuth has brought that to a halt. So what he has

now is a communication issue. He needs to fully expose the cancer of Thaksin

to the public eye, prosecute those involved ,and show the western world the

enemy he is fighting. Then and only then will the western world understand what

is going on here.

My friend, you are deeply naive if you truly believe that Thaksin is the issue here. The entirety of Thai politics is built openly on a patronage system that feeds on and creates corruption.

You really think this corruption issue is new or even made much worse by Thaksin?

People in Thailand will largely vote for their 'teams' whoever they are beholden to. It has little to do with creating a platform and resolving issues in the country. When have you heard of any well defined core of ideas from either side of the political divide? Never.

Thailand was never ready for Democracy. They are a fully and plainly feudal society. The democracy was a surface coat of paint on their feudal system. That coat of paint has since cracked and we get to see how the system really works here.

I can't comment negatively on the military coups (by law), so I will not, but you need only to look at some of the other 18 coups to see many similarities to this coup.

Granted, corruption has existed long before Thaksin showed up. But no one has ever taken

it to the levels he has. So he has in essence become the face on the poster for corruption.

And I certainly agree about the coat of paint cracking and the feudal system here. With Prayuth

exposing endless corruption, not sure if that is helping or hurting Thailand's image abroad.

A bit like the curtain being pulled back on the Great Wizard of Oz......

[Siripon]

General Prayuth seems to be be a smart guy, he's kept the power post coup and having absolute power, can go for many jugulars, especially corrupt officials', which would be impossible in normal times.

This will win him everlasting praise from the population if he can do it and, most importantly can show the junta itself to be clean.

I saw the army sorting out the queues for the vans the other day, one of my friends said once the army is gone the mafia will be back again. This is one challenge- to make lasting changes to the justice system- real punishment and real enforcement of laws.

good luck to him.

Noise from the EU means nothing, they couldn't even prevent a war in their own backyard- Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia until the Americans finally intervened.

[noitom]

Thailand should wake up and understand that it is the application of global standards that a military regime is not welcome in the world. Everyone knows that. Why is it so hard for Thailand to understand the idea of application of standard throughout the world? Why does Thailand perceive that it should have separate standards? Why do Thais always want to above the world?

[phuketrichard]

who cares what the west thinks but this is spot on.

Without the coup, political polarisation would have got worse and threatened to tear apart the fabric of the social order. The authorities continue to discover caches of war weapons and ammunition around the country, stockpiled by hard-core supporters of the previous government. These weapons were intended to be used to create violence in Bangkok by militia following what is generally known as the Khon Kaen model.

sometimes you need go backwards to move forward

[chainarong]

As we have all stated till we are all blue in the face, Thailand needs to understand if it wishes to be a part of the international community it must comply with international standards, not Thai standards, the west will not care on iota about Thailand an neither will it regret imposing sanctions , the only ones effected will be Thailand, Thailand also must realize that out side of Thailand no one ever hears about Thailand, except when there is a coup. Sadly Thailand has not learnt through history and continues to dumb down when it comes to international obligations.

[neverdie]

Looking through the countries on the list, it's just the usual suspects, USA and it's main allies, which is comical and what one would usually expect.

Seriously, how can the USA lecture anyone on the issue of fair elections. This is a country that laughs in the face of true democracy by allowing their whole election process to be manipulated by money, powerful

co-operations and hidden secrets.

The arrogance of certain western nations is overwhelming.

[Mango Bob]

It's easy to rule a country when you don't need the citizens vote and you carry a big stick and tell them if you don't like us, I will beat you with my big stick and throw you in jail. If you say anything negative about us, I beat you again and throw you in jail. If you read a book we don't like we will throw you in jail. They tell you that you have to be happy or they will beat you with their big stick and throw you in jail. Politicians can't do that. The motto here is one man one rule.

[wealth]

It's easy to rule a country when you don't need the citizens vote and you carry a big stick and tell them if you don't like us, I will beat you with my big stick and throw you in jail. If you say anything negative about us, I beat you again and throw you in jail. If you read a book we don't like we will throw you in jail. They tell you that you have to be happy or they will beat you with their big stick and throw you in jail. Politicians can't do that. The motto here is one man one rule.

but you have to admit you described Thaksin, no?

[baboon]

Unfortunately this article is true that the West has started putting pressure on Thailand..

I mentioned the other day in a post with he US's report on Human Trafficking & downgrading Thailand to Tier 3 then EU saying sanctions it was obvious that these were connected.

Of course there will be posters here that will say Thailand is a crybaby,more Thainess,out of touch that the West couldn't care less about insignificant Thailand....but one wonders who the real crybabies are?

Thailand is sticking up for itself...

The West needs Thailand...not for trade....for regional access for their military power.

The West can go on about their moral high ground...but they are bullies......

They are "Exceptional" Thailand isn't.

Such articles are not Thailand sticking up for itself. It is Thailand lashing out, which I doubt does the leadership or their cause any favours.

[iphad]

If the naysayers on this forum...( who I consider anti Thailand ) think Thailand should adhere to the West's superior wisdom I presume they mean that the Military should step down & elections should go ahead.

That's a brilliant idea .... I wonder who will get elected & everything will be better & back to normal?

Since the West is so wise .... what country have they interfered with...military direct or replacing the current government with a west leaning agenda through their many shadow terrorist groups have the support of it's people & not the support of the rich elite that can be bought?

I'm sure there is at least one but I can't think of one at the moment.

[wealth]

Looking through the countries on the list, it's just the usual suspects, USA and it's main allies, which is comical and what one would usually expect.

Seriously, how can the USA lecture anyone on the issue of fair elections. This is a country that laughs in the face of true democracy by allowing their whole election process to be manipulated by money, powerful

co-operations and hidden secrets.

The arrogance of certain western nations is overwhelming.

showing the neroistic Thaksin syndrom? Oh forgot, he's the adopted and groomed child of the 1%. To add on necrotic for the West in the analysis, this is a typical response pattern in that stage.

[TimCM]

The west might regret, lol. Oh no, you mean they will have to find another country that can be a brothel.

Sure Thailand, after you finish having a cry, run to Russia and China, I am sure they wont interfere with your sovereignty

[jonclark]

If the naysayers on this forum...( who I consider anti Thailand ) think Thailand should adhere to the West's superior wisdom I presume they mean that the Military should step down & elections should go ahead.

That's a brilliant idea .... I wonder who will get elected & everything will be better & back to normal?

Since the West is so wise .... what country have they interfered with...military direct or replacing the current government with a west leaning agenda through their many shadow terrorist groups have the support of it's people & not the support of the rich elite that can be bought?

I'm sure there is at least one but I can't think of one at the moment.

So would you say you broadly agree with the principle of the Army usurping a civilian government?

[BSJ]

The problem is Western politician's shoot of their mouths to make themselves look good on television. And I am convinced most of em are corrupt to boot. So, if I were Thai I wouldn't be to concerned by their bluster.

[Mackie]

Thailand should wake up and understand that it is the application of global standards that a military regime is not welcome in the world. Everyone knows that. Why is it so hard for Thailand to understand the idea of application of standard throughout the world? Why does Thailand perceive that it should have separate standards? Why do Thais always want to above the world?

Why would any sovereign country care about imposed global standard? Who is to judge what is right or wrong for different cultures? It is obvious that forcefully imposed American standards do not work well in certain cultures. Sometimes people do not have any other choice but to use the military in order to stop potential bloodbath and the civil war.

I personally support the coup. I would like to something similar back home where corrupted banksters and politicians completely hijacked power. Nothing would pleasse me more than to see all those cheats from Wall Street and London city imprisoned for a very long time.

[iphad]

If the naysayers on this forum...( who I consider anti Thailand ) think Thailand should adhere to the West's superior wisdom I presume they mean that the Military should step down & elections should go ahead.

That's a brilliant idea .... I wonder who will get elected & everything will be better & back to normal?

Since the West is so wise .... what country have they interfered with...military direct or replacing the current government with a west leaning agenda through their many shadow terrorist groups have the support of it's people & not the support of the rich elite that can be bought?

I'm sure there is at least one but I can't think of one at the moment.

So would you say you broadly agree with the principle of the Army usurping a civilian government?

I do not broadly agree with that principle ...and when the coup happened I wasn't in agreement...probably mostly because I didn't have my TV channels for a couple days..

But I also thought for the last couple years Thailand was headed for civil war.

As I try to have an open mind..& many times change it because I become more knowledgeable on the subject ..

I did slowly change my mind & believed with a good military leader...it's the best solution in this instance.

Unfortunately in democracy it is mostly focused on short term goals...to get re-elected & influenced by campaign contributions.

Thailand needs long term goals..to fix the many problems.

So far I see the military has done a great improvement for Thailand...I am not so naive to think that maybe behind the scenes it's not all rosey.

Each day I am more convinced it's real...& hope for Thailand...it continues.

and Yes I am pro Thailand..I live here..I love Thailand even with it's problems..I love the Thai people...not all but many...

I want Thailand to be independent..and has to balance it's position in the world against the super powers be it the US, China or anyone else.

[chiang mai]

If the naysayers on this forum...( who I consider anti Thailand ) think Thailand should adhere to the West's superior wisdom I presume they mean that the Military should step down & elections should go ahead.

That's a brilliant idea .... I wonder who will get elected & everything will be better & back to normal?

Since the West is so wise .... what country have they interfered with...military direct or replacing the current government with a west leaning agenda through their many shadow terrorist groups have the support of it's people & not the support of the rich elite that can be bought?

I'm sure there is at least one but I can't think of one at the moment.

So would you say you broadly agree with the principle of the Army usurping a civilian government?

There's no broadly anything in all of this, it's always on a case by case basis, don't try and make a global standard out of an isolated case! And in this case yes, it was absolutely the right thing to do.

Edited June 27, 2014 by chiang mai

[Seastallion]

Looking through the countries on the list, it's just the usual suspects, USA and it's main allies, which is comical and what one would usually expect.

Seriously, how can the USA lecture anyone on the issue of fair elections. This is a country that laughs in the face of true democracy by allowing their whole election process to be manipulated by money, powerful

co-operations and hidden secrets.

The arrogance of certain western nations is overwhelming.

showing the neroistic Thaksin syndrom? Oh forgot, he's the adopted and groomed child of the 1%. To add on necrotic for the West in the analysis, this is a typical response pattern in that stage.

Was that written by a lorem ipsum generator?