Thai report: World 'won't accept' brass as foreign minister

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SPECIAL REPORT
World 'won't accept' brass as foreign minister
Supalak Ganjanakhundee,
Kornchanok Raksaseri
The Nation

Officials hope NCPO avoids move as it could hurt nation's diplomatic clout

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry might find it difficult to fulfil its mission to put Thailand in a leading position in the international community if the new foreign minister to be picked soon carries a military rank, senior ministry officials said yesterday.

Junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, who might take the premiership, reportedly prefers his deputy General Tanasak Patimapragorn, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, as the new foreign minister. The four-star general is now the deputy chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) overseeing foreign affairs and the ministry.

The problem is that it is difficult for Thai envoys to explain to their foreign counterparts and the international community why Thailand needs to have a military officer as foreign minister when the country has plenty of capable diplomats, the officials said.

Foreign affairs and diplomacy are the missions of civilians, not the military, they said. "Having two coups within less than a decade is hard enough to explain," said a senior official on condition of anonymity.

Military and police officers dominate the National Legislative Assembly. If any of them is put in the cabinet as the foreign minister, Thailand would be perceived as a real military state, an official said.

Thailand has been free from military officers serving as foreign ministers since the 1980s.

The last military officer in the position was Air Chief Marshal Siddhi Savetsila, who was picked for the position in 1980 by then prime minister General Kriangsak Chamanan.

However, Siddhi later served the position in his capacity as the leader of the Social Action Party, which was a coalition partner in Prem Tinsulanonda and later Chartichai Choonhavan's Cabinets.

Prasong Soonsiri, a squadron leader, and Thaksin Shinawatra, who holds the title of lieutenant colonel in the police force, used to serve as foreign minister, but in the capacity of a professional politician, not security officers.

Military-backed governments have in the past recruited retired diplomats, namely Arsa Sarasin after the coup in 1991 and Nitya Pibulsonggram after the coup of 2006 as foreign minister.

However, Kiat Sittheeamorn, former president of the Thai Trade Tepresentative office, said it did not matter how high-ranking a minister was or what positions he had held before becoming a cabinet member, what mattered were the ability and expertise.

From conversations with many diplomats, Kiat said those from Asian countries have said their countries would not interfere in Thailand's political or domestic affairs.

However, they believe a civilian government would be easier to approach than a military-led government, said Kiat, who is also a deputy leader of the Democrat Party.

It is difficult for Western countries that have shown anti-coup stances all along to fully support a government that is the result of a military coup.

While some international benefit schemes such as the generalised system of preferences actually depend on negotiation, the kind of government and the ability of its ministers will all be taken into account, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/World-wont-accept-brass-as-foreign-minister-30241317.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-20

[NongKhaiKid]

We will pick whomever we like, the world is not our father.

[jaidam]

Whoever, or whatever they choose, be it man, beast, alien life-form, will be a huge improvement to the previous Foreign minister. I shudder to think of the damage done by these Thaksin sycophants that had no business being in government in any capacity, let alone FM and PM.

[siampolee]

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry might find it difficult to fulfil its mission to put Thailand in a leading position in the international community if the new foreign minister to be picked soon carries a military rank, senior ministry officials said yesterday.

Thailand in a leading position in the international community .

Certainly interesting to note the delusions of grandeur that these officials hold regarding Thailands status within the international community. Thailand has or rather its politicians have a long way to go yet to put Thailand into the 21st century along with A.S.E.A.N. and the rest of the world

[chooka]

The Nations Dilpomatic Clout. Was Thailand ever a world leader and has it ever had any diplomatic clout. Is this a self assessment?

Thailand should really consider these positions a little more. Serving Military officers as P.M and Foreign Minister??? Definitely a serious conflict of interest and most foreign governments would prefer to deal with politicians than the army. Resign from the Military 1st

[siampolee]

jaidam post # 3

Thaksin sycophants that had no business being in government in any capacity, let alone FM and PM.

Now be fair there were then always career openings for caretakers and janitors wasn't there.

[iancnx]

We will pick whomever we like, the world is not our father.

Both true, but Thailand wiuld do well to take heed of international diplomatic norms or risk being frozen out of the club.

[nidieunimaitre]

Kasit?

[Suriya4]

Any one is better than that guy that play a part in the airport shut down.

[Ricardo]

One would have thought that other countries were used to Thai ministers & politicians wearing uniforms, smothered in medal-ribbons, regardless of whether or not they are active military-officers too ?

And surely places like Burma had military serving in the post ?

[davehowden]

"hurt nation's diplomatic clout"

Your joking, right?

[thesetat2013]

The problem is that it is difficult for Thai envoys to explain to their foreign counterparts and the international community why Thailand needs to have a military officer as foreign minister when the country has plenty of capable diplomats, the officials said.

Which people could they be talking about that is capable? All the gov that was in politics the last few years was corrupt as hell.

[96tehtarp]

The military parliament/legislature has a quota for the various branches of the military. In the end, at least 100 of the NLA members will be from from the military and this doesn't include police, civil servants, and state enterprise executives. The end result is complete control. Under these circumstances the foreign minister should be a high ranking military officer. This so as not to confuse anyone on the matter of who is in control.

[canuckamuck]

If they are going to deal with Thailand they are going to deal with the military. Why dress it up and pretend you have civilians in charge?

Having a general in the position makes sense, as it is all generals making the calls today.

Edited August 20, 2014 by canuckamuck

[ramrod711]

If the "world" was willing to accept Surapong, I wouldn't be too concerned about their input. Seriously, how much worse could it get?

[chainarong]

Thailand's political arena, like most governments world wide, needs a good dose of Epsom salts ,(The ones in OZ incredibly so) a good old fashioned clean out, with regards to Thailand it wouldn't make one iota difference whether the person is career diplomat or a Brigadier, these self appointed spokespersons need to understand Thailand to the International community means Thai green curry, lese majeste law, the Ivory trade, People trafficking, Human rights abuse and nothing much else, the former Foreign Minister would set the worst example of a Thai diplomat, however over the decades there has been some good ones that are a credit to Thailand , like most countries they are few and far between, what all Politician's fail to notice the age demographics have changed, no-one puts up with B/S anymore.

[IMA_FARANG]

The protocol is for a military person serving in a government post to take a "leave of absence" from his or her military position while serving temporarily in a government post.

Then the foreign country can either accept that or stuff it, whatever they think they need to do,

[tonbridgebrit]

You know, the junta will probably win a general election if an election was to be held right now, or very soon. And if Abhisit and the Democrats refuse to take part, then the junta will, surely, win ? They will come first.

And once the junta have won an election, then, then the junta can say that it's no longer a junta, it can say that it was democratically elected. And once that happens, places like America and every where else will fully accept Thailand. And indeed, Thailand can get back to being fully in with America.

Hey, Thailand can carry on dealing with China, and basically, get the benefits from BOTH America and China !

[15Peter20]

The Nations Dilpomatic Clout. Was Thailand ever a world leader and has it ever had any diplomatic clout. Is this a self assessment?

Thailand should really consider these positions a little more. Serving Military officers as P.M and Foreign Minister??? Definitely a serious conflict of interest and most foreign governments would prefer to deal with politicians than the army. Resign from the Military 1st

Resign from the Military 1st - but then they'd have to declare their assets....

[Prbkk]

Argentina in the 70s and 80s. That ended well.

[Always18]

"hurt nation's diplomatic clout"

Your joking, right?

That's the really sad part - they're not joking and these fools really do believe in their ridiculous self-delusions.................

[Berkshire]

Hmmm. John Kerry, the current US Secretary of State was a former military officer. Ditto General Powell under the Bush Administration. We've had Presidents who were military officers. Anyways, whatever.....

[JAG]

One would have thought that other countries were used to Thai ministers & politicians wearing uniforms, smothered in medal-ribbons, regardless of whether or not they are active military-officers too ?

And surely places like Burma had military serving in the post ?

I think Burma did, and Burmas International influence was an absolutely storming success story wasn't it?

[ColinChapman]

The headline made me laugh. "Brass" in England is slang for prostitute, "brass hat" is the slang for a senior military officer.

[fab4]

Foreign affairs and diplomacy are the missions of civilians, not the military, they said. "Having two coups within less than a decade is hard enough to explain," said a senior official on condition of anonymity.

Quote of the month, for me anyway.

[fab4]

If the "world" was willing to accept Surapong, I wouldn't be too concerned about their input. Seriously, how much worse could it get?

Just wait and see, shouldn't take long now.

[ginjag]

Foreign affairs and diplomacy are the missions of civilians, not the military, they said. "Having two coups within less than a decade is hard enough to explain," said a senior official on condition of anonymity.

Quote of the month, for me anyway.

Would be.

[jayboy]

Whoever, or whatever they choose, be it man, beast, alien life-form, will be a huge improvement to the previous Foreign minister. I shudder to think of the damage done by these Thaksin sycophants that had no business being in government in any capacity, let alone FM and PM.

Perverse comment given Thailand's international reputation under the last government improved greatly following the the disastrous tenure as Foreign Minister of the ludicrous Kasit.Yingluck's charm and legitimacy was recognised all over the world to the benefit of Thailand.On the current international reputation of the Thailand government I could not possibly comment.

[ginjag]

One would have thought that other countries were used to Thai ministers & politicians wearing uniforms, smothered in medal-ribbons, regardless of whether or not they are active military-officers too ?

And surely places like Burma had military serving in the post ?[/quote

I think Burma did, and Burmas International influence was an absolutely storming success story wasn't it?

Good choice for you, All the great countries of the world that have ex/or in these and more VIP positions, and for your propaganda you wish to choose this for an example ?? PTP had a fantastic foreign minister. and an even better PM/Defense Minister. JOKE.

[ginjag]

Whoever, or whatever they choose, be it man, beast, alien life-form, will be a huge improvement to the previous Foreign minister. I shudder to think of the damage done by these Thaksin sycophants that had no business being in government in any capacity, let alone FM and PM.

Perverse comment given Thailand's international reputation under the last government improved greatly following the the disastrous tenure as Foreign Minister of the ludicrous Kasit.Yingluck's charm and legitimacy was recognised all over the world to the benefit of Thailand.On the current international reputation of the Thailand government I could not possibly comment.

Churchill's charm, Thatcher's charm, So you need charm to be great--Ha ha.