Thai Foreign Minister to attend UN meeting this month

[webfact]

Thai Foreign Minister to attend UN meeting this month

BANGKOK, 10 September 2014 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimaprakorn is due to attend the UN General Assembly meeting in New York later this month, which marks the first time a senior Thai official pays a visit to the West since the army took power in May.

General Tanasak said that during the annual UN assembly, he will explain the situation in Thailand to the international community. He will deliver a speech at the annual assembly at the UN headquarters, during the session scheduled from September 16-October 1.

The announcement was made after Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-Ocha chaired an informal cabinet meeting yesterday, aimed at discussing the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s overall operations and the policy statement to be given to the National Legislative Assembly on Friday (Sep 12).

According to reports, General Prayuth also planned to visit member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations starting in October, with Malaysia slated to be the first stop.


-- NNT 2014-09-10

[chotthee]

PM Prayuth government has mapped out policies for his one-year mission emphasising the King's sufficiency philosophy, the junta's guidelines and demands from the people.

I wonder what the FM will fly to UN? 1st?

[NongKhaiKid]

In his UN speech will he advise them on Thainess and how if followed they might do a better job ?

[Sydebolle]

It's the General Assembly of the United Nations, coincidentally the event where Dr. Thaksin was to address the audience and got dethroned some eight years ago the night before his speech.

[Sena Dave]

Hope he gets caned by them

[rubl]

Hope he gets caned by them

I assume you refer to the verbal version.

"physical violence is a sign of verbal incompetence" especially when at the UN

[Don Aleman]

A general aka foreign minister addressing a couple hundred seasoned/educated, well versed diplomats could be embarrassing.

[tx22cb]

"According to reports, General Prayuth also planned to visit member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations starting in October, with Malaysia slated to be the first stop"

May I suggest that he in fact starts his diplomatic tour with Myanmar, followed by Indonesia? That way, he can get confidence meeting with like-minded leaders, and work his way up to more unenlightened governments.

[brucec64]

Has the UN been informed that criticism is banned, debate consists of praising the junta, and that all voting will be unanimous?

[wandasloan]

A general aka foreign minister addressing a couple hundred seasoned/educated, well versed diplomats could be embarrassing.

Gives a whole new meaning to four-star diplomacy. He'll have lots of time in New York, anyhow, not worrying about what other foreign ministers worry about - official visits to the US (Washington), visits with the UN secretary-general lots of talks on the sidelines with other foreign ministers, etc. Must be nice knowing from the start you don't have to do any of this malarkey and can spend your time in New York productively, watching shows and so on. Maybe "The King and I" will be playing.

About 120 days after this guy seized power from a civilian regime, he STILL plans to spend most of his speech to the UN explaining why a coup is necessary. Pretty insecure for such a big man, physically and gun-wise.

"According to reports, General Prayuth also planned to visit member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations starting in October, with Malaysia slated to be the first stop"

May I suggest that he in fact starts his diplomatic tour with Myanmar, followed by Indonesia? That way, he can get confidence meeting with like-minded leaders, and work his way up to more unenlightened governments.

Indonesia? The place that has elections? Maybe Myanmar, Vietnam and Brunei would be better suggestions.

.

Edited September 10, 2014 by wandasloan

[klauskunkel]

Good luck to him, he must be excited...

Advice: In case of severe butterflies in stomach syndrome, don't go Chalerm's route, no future in it!

[rickirs]

Perhaps Patimaprakorn will take some time to visit some of the 50+ monuments in NYC to the American Revolution against King George of England and the Statue of Liberty. And of course just a short flight or rail south is Wasington D.C. where he can view the 200+ year old US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Maybe then he can help the current Thailand leadership that democracy does not have to come with an expiration date.

[Dah fahrang]

Fasten your seat belts.

Here we go - the first of the many overseas trips.

The last encumbent seemed to like shopping on these official visits.

I wonder in what speciality the current regime of globe-trotters will indulge?

[rubl]

Perhaps Patimaprakorn will take some time to visit some of the 50+ monuments in NYC to the American Revolution against King George of England and the Statue of Liberty. And of course just a short flight or rail south is Wasington D.C. where he can view the 200+ year old US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Maybe then he can help the current Thailand leadership that democracy does not have to come with an expiration date.

Maybe the MoFA will like that the 'revolution' was in part initiated by the local ruling class upset with centralism; and being able to rouse the common people to help them. I don't think democracy as we now know and like it was in the Founding Fathers mind much.

To be sure, the Dutch revolt in the 16th century also started by local gentry totally opposed to the Spanish centralism.

Edited September 11, 2014 by rubl