US, Japanese ambassadors meet new Thai Foreign Minister

[Lite Beer]

US, Japanese ambassadors meet new Thai Foreign Minister
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 13 -- The United States and Japanese ambassadors to Thailand have held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn, who informed them that the interim Thai government would do everything possible to strengthen the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The meeting was held on Friday, where Gen Thanasak told journalists that US ambassador Kristie A Kenney and Japanese ambassador Shigekazu Sato each paid separate courtesy call visits to congratulate him upon being appointed foreign affairs minister.

He said the two ambassadors had gained more confidence in this country after the government was formed and plans implemented in accordance to the road map laid out by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) that seized administrative power on May 22.

Gen Thanasak said he had informed them that Thailand must remain strong in order to prevent ASEAN from being weakened.

Touching on the downgrading of Thailand by Washington to the lowest position on tackling human trafficking, Gen Thanasak said Ms Kenney also disagreed with the downgrading as the Thai government had put in efforts to rid the problem, but it may have confronted with certain regulations, and the government would start anew in an attempt to solve the issue.

Gen Thanasak said experts would be invited and brainstorming sessions organised and that he hoped the US government would improve this country’s ranking.

Gen Thanasak said he had assigned Foreign Affairs Ministry officials to prepare a 10-year strategy on foreign relations so that it could match with and guide policies of the future government. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-09-13

[NongKhaiKid]

He said the two ambassadors had gained more confidence in the country. Once again a Thai official speaks on behalf of someone else.

Wonder what they would say if not bound by diplomacy ?

[Baerboxer]

He said the two ambassadors had gained more confidence in the country. Once again a Thai official speaks on behalf of someone else.

Wonder what they would say if not bound by diplomacy ?

2 Ambassadors from major countries to Thailand visit the FM. The UK ambassador visits the Bangkok governor.

Looks like business as usual.

The financial markets seem positive about Thailand - Bloomberg, IMF, Moody's, ADB etc.

Seems that lots of organizations have more confidence in Thailand.

No one seems to so worried about corruption and poor policies bankrupting the country as they were with the previous regime, no body threatening big sanctions or cutting of diplomatic ties unless the democratically elected previous regime is re-instated.

I think he made a fairly obvious comment. As too the personal opinions of the ambassadors, that's not something diplomats usually divulge as they are here to represent the views and interests of their nations.

[rickirs]

A lot of material here for stand-up comedy.

“… the interim Thai government would do everything possible to strengthen the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)…,” even if it has to overthrow their governments so as to eliminate political conflict and dissent?

“ … Foreign Affairs Ministry officials to prepare a 10-year strategy on foreign relations so that it could match with and guide policies of the future government.” Well, that should be very useful as it about matches how often Thailand military coups happen.

“Gen Thanasak said experts would be invited and brainstorming sessions…” Is this where brains get stormed with propaganda.

The Generals were a lot of campaign ribbons on their uniforms. Is there one for military coups?

Saturday Night Live should take a look at Thai politics for possible material. But they better be prepared NEVER to set foot in Thailand.

[Baerboxer]

A lot of material here for stand-up comedy.

“… the interim Thai government would do everything possible to strengthen the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)…,” even if it has to overthrow their governments so as to eliminate political conflict and dissent?

“ … Foreign Affairs Ministry officials to prepare a 10-year strategy on foreign relations so that it could match with and guide policies of the future government.” Well, that should be very useful as it about matches how often Thailand military coups happen.

“Gen Thanasak said experts would be invited and brainstorming sessions…” Is this where brains get stormed with propaganda.

The Generals were a lot of campaign ribbons on their uniforms. Is there one for military coups?

Saturday Night Live should take a look at Thai politics for possible material. But they better be prepared NEVER to set foot in Thailand.

Yes, and sadly many of the nations of SEA have been plagued with corrupt politicians, corrupt political families and wannabee dictators. Some have been lucky and removed them, some still have them.

Thailand, and many SEA nations have never had much opportunity to experience real democracy.

[BadBouy]

Cry me a river of red tears

[bunuel]

The job of an ambassador in any country is to maintain cordial relations with the government of the host country. This was the case when Yingluck Shinawatra was Prime Minister, and it remains the case. A meeting means absolutely nothing per se; the General would be well advised to avoid putting too many words in the mouths of the ambassadors, who cannot comment or reply, due to the nature of their johs. Just as Ambassador Kinney was erroneously attacked and reviled by the PDRC for supporting the democratically elected government of Yingluck, her meeting with General Thanasak should not be seen as approval of the coup. Policy is made in capitals like Washington and Tokyo, and not in embassies in Bangkok.