US assured of Thai pledge to democracy

[webfact]

US assured of Thai pledge to democracy
The Nation

Sihasak briefs Obama and US officials on junta's roadmap ahead of UN conference

BANGKOK: -- Thailand told the United States that it had reaffirmed its faith in democratic values, while US President Barack Obama saw the importance of security in the Kingdom, said Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

Sihasak was in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly and to make preparations for deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapagorn's attendance at the annual conference.

Sihasak said he met Obama during a dinner reception and had a chance to explain the political situation in Thailand.

Washington has been heavily critical of the coup, freezing military cooperation and assistance to the Kingdom.

The US wants Thailand to return to the democratic path as soon as possible and deliver an inclusive reform process towards democracy.

In the US, Sihasak met with Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel.

He said Russel remained concerned over political developments in Thailand but the permanent secretary told his American counterpart the future for the country looked bright because the junta had a roadmap for democracy and national reconciliation.

He said Thailand was a strategic partner of the US, which was not only important for peace and stability in Asia and the Pacific but also for playing a leading role in Asean.

Russel urged Thailand and other Asean nations to cooperate in combating Islamic extremism in Iraq and Syria.

Sihasak said he told Russel that Thailand shared the same concerns and condemned terrorism.

Tanasak left Bangkok for New York on Wednesday and was scheduled to deliver his speech tomorrow.

Sihasak said the speech would emphasise the important of His Majesty the King's self-sufficiency economy philosophy as a key development guide in the Kingdom.

Sustainable development and achieving the Millennium Develop-ment Goals were priorities for the government.

He said the minister would also tell UN members that Thailand was ready and strongly committed to its international obligation to combat new security threats.

Thailand would show its development agenda vision and its role in peacekeeping in Sudan as well as in combating cross-border diseases and natural disaster.

In another development, junta chief General Prayut Chan-ocha will visit Myanmar in early October in what will be his first overseas trip since becoming prime minister, according to Thailand's ambassador to Myanmar Pisanu Suvanajata.

The exact date has not yet been fixed but it is expected he will visit Nay Pyi Taw after October 7, a source said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/US-assured-of-Thai-pledge-to-democracy-30244165.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-26

[Plutojames88]

More great news .

Quote

Washington has been heavily critical of the coup, freezing military cooperation and assistance to the Kingdom.

The US wants Thailand to return to the democratic path as soon as possible and deliver an inclusive reform process towards democracy.

Unquote

Yes it would be nice to see democracy return to this part of the world .

Nice to see America working behind the scenes.

Australia too has told the junta government they are banned from visits ( to Australia) while democracy isn't recognised there.

Pressure is a necessary to get free fair voting and a democracy back .

[NongKhaiKid]

A Thai pledge to democracy and that would be democracy Thai style of course.

The US sad ' sanks yoo 3 times, we ever believe yoo. "

[Roadman]

More great news .

Quote

Washington has been heavily critical of the coup, freezing military cooperation and assistance to the Kingdom.

The US wants Thailand to return to the democratic path as soon as possible and deliver an inclusive reform process towards democracy.

Unquote

Yes it would be nice to see democracy return to this part of the world .

Nice to see America working behind the scenes.

Australia too has told the junta government they are banned from visits ( to Australia) while democracy isn't recognised there.

Pressure is a necessary to get free fair voting and a democracy back .

To which the Americans have the stick and carrot mix right. Cuedos to the Thais for not telling the Aussies where to go for their immature approach

[chainarong]

Unfortunately they forgot to tell the truth , it will be business as usual within 12 months of general elections, plutojames88 remarks are noted, however the Royal Thai navy and air-force was in Darwin couple weeks back for exercises with OZ , Kiwi, US, Singapore and French forces, Thai leaders might not be welcome , apart from our Bros across the Tasman , Singapore and Thailand there is not many friendly nations left, the demographic supports 300 million Muslims to the north .

[Suriya4]

Australia is now enemy. USA burma north Korea are friends.

[noitom]

A Thai assurance. Solid as a rock. It's a certainty that this guy didn't "have a chance to explain the political situation in Thailand" to Mr. Obama. He may have met him on an assembly line handshake but it's not likely that he explained anything directly to Obama.

[djjamie]

Sihasak said he told Russel that Thailand shared the same concerns and condemned terrorism.

I remember yingluck who was "selling" democracy to the world from her platform in Mongolia like an encyclopedia saleswomen would do in the local neighborhood.

With that in mind I look forward to General Prayuth using the UN conference to remind the world of this solid stance they have towards terrorism by reminding them that the previous regime was behind the daily terrorist attacks and that they did not arrests a single suspect in those attacks.

Of course the General will not say that. He has more tact than the Encyclopedia saleswomen and won't abuse this platform that he has been granted.

<EDIT> It is refreshing to read nothing about the Koh Tao murders in this article.

Edited September 26, 2014 by djjamie

[rickirs]

Gen. Prayuth will visit Myanmar in early October in what will be his first overseas trip.

Will he take the polar air route to Mynamar or cross the equator by ship?

[fab4]

Sihasak said he told Russel that Thailand shared the same concerns and condemned terrorism.

I remember yingluck who was "selling" democracy to the world from her platform in Mongolia like an encyclopedia saleswomen would do in the local neighborhood.

With that in mind I look forward to General Prayuth using the UN conference to remind the world of this solid stance they have towards terrorism by reminding them that the previous regime was behind the daily terrorist attacks and that they did not arrests a single suspect in those attacks.

Of course the General will not say that. He has more tact than the Encyclopedia saleswomen and won't abuse this platform that he has been granted.

<EDIT> It is refreshing to read nothing about the Koh Tao murders in this article.

It appears that you ought to take prayuth's advice about the onset of senility as your memory of Yingluck's speech is definitely impaired. Rather than "selling democracy to the world from her platform in Mongolia like an encyclopedia saleswomen", she highlighted the anti democratic forces at work

there are people in this world who do not believe in democracy. They are ready to grab power and wealth through suppression of freedom. This means that they are willing to take advantage of other people without respecting human rights and liberties. They use force to gain submission and abuse the power. This happened in the past and still posed challenges for all of us in the present.

Another important lesson we have learnt was that international friends matter. Pressure from countries who value democracy kept democratic forces in Thailand alive. Sanctions and non-recognition are essential mechanisms to stop anti-democratic regimes.

An international forum like Community of Democracies helps sustain democracy, seeking to promote and protect democracy through dialogue and cooperation. More importantly, if any country took the wrong turn against the principle of democracy, all of us here need to unite to pressure for change and return freedom to the people.

and how prescient she was.

And you, what have you to offer? An attempt to mock somebody who recognises what democracy is, whilst praising prayuth for his "solid stance on terrorism" - how's that working down in the south? You might want to read up on how the military version of "hearts and minds" is alienating all and sundry.

Prayuth won't abuse the platform that he has been granted - granted? You do realise that prayuth has not been invited to talk at the UN, don't you? He's relegated to a chat with his military peer in Myanmar. Not much of a platform there.

[slipperx]

Thais need to understand the word democracy first before making promises they do not understand and if they did understand, have no intention of keeping at least in the Western sense of the word.

[Crazy chef 1]

in a global view-who gives a <deleted>of Thailand.

[Baerboxer]

Sihasak said he told Russel that Thailand shared the same concerns and condemned terrorism.

I remember yingluck who was "selling" democracy to the world from her platform in Mongolia like an encyclopedia saleswomen would do in the local neighborhood.

With that in mind I look forward to General Prayuth using the UN conference to remind the world of this solid stance they have towards terrorism by reminding them that the previous regime was behind the daily terrorist attacks and that they did not arrests a single suspect in those attacks.

Of course the General will not say that. He has more tact than the Encyclopedia saleswomen and won't abuse this platform that he has been granted.

<EDIT> It is refreshing to read nothing about the Koh Tao murders in this article.

It appears that you ought to take prayuth's advice about the onset of senility as your memory of Yingluck's speech is definitely impaired. Rather than "selling democracy to the world from her platform in Mongolia like an encyclopedia saleswomen", she highlighted the anti democratic forces at work

there are people in this world who do not believe in democracy. They are ready to grab power and wealth through suppression of freedom. This means that they are willing to take advantage of other people without respecting human rights and liberties. They use force to gain submission and abuse the power. This happened in the past and still posed challenges for all of us in the present.

Another important lesson we have learnt was that international friends matter. Pressure from countries who value democracy kept democratic forces in Thailand alive. Sanctions and non-recognition are essential mechanisms to stop anti-democratic regimes.

An international forum like Community of Democracies helps sustain democracy, seeking to promote and protect democracy through dialogue and cooperation. More importantly, if any country took the wrong turn against the principle of democracy, all of us here need to unite to pressure for change and return freedom to the people.

and how prescient she was.

And you, what have you to offer? An attempt to mock somebody who recognises what democracy is, whilst praising prayuth for his "solid stance on terrorism" - how's that working down in the south? You might want to read up on how the military version of "hearts and minds" is alienating all and sundry.

Prayuth won't abuse the platform that he has been granted - granted? You do realise that prayuth has not been invited to talk at the UN, don't you? He's relegated to a chat with his military peer in Myanmar. Not much of a platform there.

"An attempt to mock somebody who recognises what democracy is" - you really think Yingluck as a clue what she was actually talking about? Or cares the slightest about real democracy?

The Shins have shown time and time again that they see democracy as something they can manipulate and corrupt to gain power and then clutch onto it at any price. She did very little to stop her supporters attacking and murdering those who had the nerve to protest against the desire of her clan to award an amnesty and pardon to her criminal fugitive brother.

The Shins are no more democratically minded than any of the other powerful families that vie for control and slices of the cake. In the south - go and ask them how they feel about Thaksin and his "democratic" clan - they will sure give you an opinion.

[khunpa]

Only very few Thais actually know the real meaning of the word democracy. If they knew, they would not be supporting a military government.

They have no idea and are not ready for any kind of democracy. And they have never had democracy.

[mikemac]

More great news .

Quote

Washington has been heavily critical of the coup, freezing military cooperation and assistance to the Kingdom.

The US wants Thailand to return to the democratic path as soon as possible and deliver an inclusive reform process towards democracy.

Unquote

Yes it would be nice to see democracy return to this part of the world .

Nice to see America working behind the scenes.

Australia too has told the junta government they are banned from visits ( to Australia) while democracy isn't recognised there.

Pressure is a necessary to get free fair voting and a democracy back .

You seem to think that "free fair voting" = democracy. It is part of what makes a democracy but there is much more. Call the Junta what you like, but a lot of people in Thailand prefer it to what we had before, which was a circus run by an on-the-run criminal. Is that the "democracy" you want back.

And you could hardly call the voting system we had pre-Junta "free". Those PTP votes were won at "market value".

[mikemac]

Only very few Thais actually know the real meaning of the word democracy. If they knew, they would not be supporting a military government.

They have no idea and are not ready for any kind of democracy. And they have never had democracy.

Well put khunpa.

The average Thai person could live their whole life without ever understanding democracy and be no worse off for it. They are generally simple and practical people who tend to put their energy into the more important things going on in their lives, and ignore what they don't understand.

Which is why I sometimes laugh at the comments on this site by Shin fans who love to press the democracy envelope. The Thai people they are trying to "save" are far smarter than them.

While in Vietnam years ago I read a book called "When heaven and earth changed places", written by a Vietnamese lady, Le Ly Hayslip. Based on her life in a poor village in Central Vietnam during and after the Vietnam War.

On the first page of the book she wrote that her family knew little about communism and even less about democracy.

[Fred Flinstone]

Australia have been widely seen as showing great principle in banning the Thai military and their non elected representatives (all 200) and their Families from setting foot in Australia.

Please note supporting the Junta (even here) may get your entry into Australia refused By immigrations officials if you are asked and you advise them of support- or your support matched with data banks.

Juntas are not widely supported in western democracies

[lvr181]

You seem to think that "free fair voting" = democracy. It is part of what makes a democracy but there is much more. Call the Junta what you like, but a lot of people in Thailand prefer it to what we had before, which was a circus run by an on-the-run criminal. Is that the "democracy" you want back.

And you could hardly call the voting system we had pre-Junta "free". Those PTP votes were won at "market value".

Democracy "at any cost" supporters should face the fact, like it or not, mikemac has told it as it is. Get over it and SUPPORT the country transitioning towards a better, less corrupt future. You cannot successfully change centuries of non-democratic rule, cronyism and corruption overnight.

Have a look around your own backyard sometime.

[fab4]

Sihasak said he told Russel that Thailand shared the same concerns and condemned terrorism.

I remember yingluck who was "selling" democracy to the world from her platform in Mongolia like an encyclopedia saleswomen would do in the local neighborhood.

With that in mind I look forward to General Prayuth using the UN conference to remind the world of this solid stance they have towards terrorism by reminding them that the previous regime was behind the daily terrorist attacks and that they did not arrests a single suspect in those attacks.

Of course the General will not say that. He has more tact than the Encyclopedia saleswomen and won't abuse this platform that he has been granted.

<EDIT> It is refreshing to read nothing about the Koh Tao murders in this article.

It appears that you ought to take prayuth's advice about the onset of senility as your memory of Yingluck's speech is definitely impaired. Rather than "selling democracy to the world from her platform in Mongolia like an encyclopedia saleswomen", she highlighted the anti democratic forces at work

there are people in this world who do not believe in democracy. They are ready to grab power and wealth through suppression of freedom. This means that they are willing to take advantage of other people without respecting human rights and liberties. They use force to gain submission and abuse the power. This happened in the past and still posed challenges for all of us in the present.

Another important lesson we have learnt was that international friends matter. Pressure from countries who value democracy kept democratic forces in Thailand alive. Sanctions and non-recognition are essential mechanisms to stop anti-democratic regimes.

An international forum like Community of Democracies helps sustain democracy, seeking to promote and protect democracy through dialogue and cooperation. More importantly, if any country took the wrong turn against the principle of democracy, all of us here need to unite to pressure for change and return freedom to the people.

and how prescient she was.

And you, what have you to offer? An attempt to mock somebody who recognises what democracy is, whilst praising prayuth for his "solid stance on terrorism" - how's that working down in the south? You might want to read up on how the military version of "hearts and minds" is alienating all and sundry.

Prayuth won't abuse the platform that he has been granted - granted? You do realise that prayuth has not been invited to talk at the UN, don't you? He's relegated to a chat with his military peer in Myanmar. Not much of a platform there.

"An attempt to mock somebody who recognises what democracy is" - you really think Yingluck as a clue what she was actually talking about? Or cares the slightest about real democracy?

The Shins have shown time and time again that they see democracy as something they can manipulate and corrupt to gain power and then clutch onto it at any price. She did very little to stop her supporters attacking and murdering those who had the nerve to protest against the desire of her clan to award an amnesty and pardon to her criminal fugitive brother.

The Shins are no more democratically minded than any of the other powerful families that vie for control and slices of the cake. In the south - go and ask them how they feel about Thaksin and his "democratic" clan - they will sure give you an opinion.

Really, that's it? Anything to say about my post rather than drag out the same old platitudes? Just one example - if you go ask them in the south what they think of the military's confrontational arrest first, not really bothered with answering questions at all, let alone later, approach to "peace" in the south compared to the first real attempt at dialogue undertaken by the Yingluck government I think you'll get a different response to what your bias requires you to expect.

[jaideeguy]

"Sihasak said he met Obama during a dinner reception and had a chance to explain the political situation in Thailand."

Makes you wonder which 'version' of of the political situation he explained in the few minutes with Obama. Most probably the version that will be written in the new Thai history books they're printing now..............

[mikemac]

Australia have been widely seen as showing great principle in banning the Thai military and their non elected representatives (all 200) and their Families from setting foot in Australia.

Please note supporting the Junta (even here) may get your entry into Australia refused By immigrations officials if you are asked and you advise them of support- or your support matched with data banks.

Juntas are not widely supported in western democracies

Pure comic genius !

[mikemac]

Really, that's it? Anything to say about my post rather than drag out the same old platitudes? Just one example - if you go ask them in the south what they think of the military's confrontational arrest first, not really bothered with answering questions at all, let alone later, approach to "peace" in the south compared to the first real attempt at dialogue undertaken by the Yingluck government I think you'll get a different response to what your bias requires you to expect.

[AleG]

The previous government demonstrated their complete lack of commitment to democratic governance when they gave the finger to the whole country (and stabbed their own supporters in the back) by passing the "Amnesty Bill" modified with the explicit goal of whitewashing Thaksin and let him return to Thailand.

[visionchaser45]

The previous government demonstrated their complete lack of commitment to democratic governance when they gave the finger to the whole country (and stabbed their own supporters in the back) by passing the "Amnesty Bill" modified with the explicit goal of whitewashing Thaksin and let him return to Thailand.

I seem to recall that the bill did not pass, which would indicate that democracy was working.

[ikke]

Sihasak said he told Russel that Thailand shared the same concerns and condemned terrorism.

I remember yingluck who was "selling" democracy to the world from her platform in Mongolia like an encyclopedia saleswomen would do in the local neighborhood.

With that in mind I look forward to General Prayuth using the UN conference to remind the world of this solid stance they have towards terrorism by reminding them that the previous regime was behind the daily terrorist attacks and that they did not arrests a single suspect in those attacks.

Of course the General will not say that. He has more tact than the Encyclopedia saleswomen and won't abuse this platform that he has been granted.

<EDIT> It is refreshing to read nothing about the Koh Tao murders in this article.

A post with many words, saying nothing.......

[JOC]

Why does Thailand have to assure US of anything?

The very same US, who together with their "democratic" coalitionpartners UAE, Bahrain,Saudiarabia and Qatar are doing their best to bomb parts of the Middle East back to the stoneage, to solve a problem created by themselves.

The US should do some explaining to Thailand, not the other way around!

[AleG]

The previous government demonstrated their complete lack of commitment to democratic governance when they gave the finger to the whole country (and stabbed their own supporters in the back) by passing the "Amnesty Bill" modified with the explicit goal of whitewashing Thaksin and let him return to Thailand.

I seem to recall that the bill did not pass, which would indicate that democracy was working.

The bill passed the parliament when PTP voted unanimously for it, a bill that noone, not even the Red Shirts approved of, so much for "democracy was working"; the senate then rejected it when they saw what an uproar it caused and sent it back to parliament where PTP could had passed it into law, without senate approval, after a period of time.

Oh, yes, they said they wouldn't do that, but their "trust us, we won't pass the bill anyway" had as much credibility as their constant promises that the bill was not meant to help Thaksin before they changed specifically to help him.

[jayboy]

A Thai assurance. Solid as a rock. It's a certainty that this guy didn't "have a chance to explain the political situation in Thailand" to Mr. Obama. He may have met him on an assembly line handshake but it's not likely that he explained anything directly to Obama.

Please give the man some respect.If he said he had a deep conversation with Obama then he should be believed.He will have explained that it was necessary to destroy democracy in Thailand in order to preserve it.He will have put Obama right on his misunderstanding about the coup and explained in detail the virtues of the sufficiency economy ( and why Bangkok fat cats should be exempted from its application).Obama will have been very impressed and let's hear no more of the ridiculous suggestion that the president was other than stunned by the intelligence and wit of his very important Thai visitor.

[heybruce]

The previous government demonstrated their complete lack of commitment to democratic governance when they gave the finger to the whole country (and stabbed their own supporters in the back) by passing the "Amnesty Bill" modified with the explicit goal of whitewashing Thaksin and let him return to Thailand.

I seem to recall that the bill did not pass, which would indicate that democracy was working.

The bill passed the parliament when PTP voted unanimously for it, a bill that noone, not even the Red Shirts approved of, so much for "democracy was working"; the senate then rejected it when they saw what an uproar it caused and sent it back to parliament where PTP could had passed it into law, without senate approval, after a period of time.

Oh, yes, they said they wouldn't do that, but their "trust us, we won't pass the bill anyway" had as much credibility as their constant promises that the bill was not meant to help Thaksin before they changed specifically to help him.

Wow, the amnesty bill was so bad it seems the PTP would have been voted out in the next election, but....

[Fred Flinstone]

Australia have been widely seen as showing great principle in banning the Thai military and their non elected representatives (all 200) and their Families from setting foot in Australia.

Please note supporting the Junta (even here) may get your entry into Australia refused By immigrations officials if you are asked and you advise them of support- or your support matched with data banks.

Juntas are not widely supported in western democracies

Pure comic genius !

Glad you think shutting them out out of Australian soil is comedy-

I enjoyed it do.

Quote June 2014 SMH

"Australia downgraded ties with Thailand on Saturday, imposing a travel ban on junta leaders and cutting defence co-operation, the toughest measures taken by a foreign government since the change of regime""

Unquote

Also please note That supporting any undemocratic Government or Terror group will cause your request to enter Australia to be assessed.