Tony Blair hopes there is an election in Thailand next year

[Lite Beer]

Tony Blair hopes there is an election in Thailand next year

BANGKOK: -- Former British prime minister Tony Blair expressed hope that there would be an election in Thailand next year so that democracy can be restored.

Mr Blair also suggested Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha to explain to the international community about the political situation in Thailand and the attempts being undertaken by the government to reform Thailand and, eventually, to restore democracy.

Currently visiting Thailand, Mr Blair met about one hour with Prime Minister Prayut during which the visitor was briefed of the situation in the country, the plans being undertaken and to be undertaken, including national reform and reconciliation, said government spokesman YongyuthMaiyalarb.

Mr Blair reportedly said he understood political problem in Thailand was complicated and complex as he used to study Thai politics before his arrival here.

The former British prime minister also recommended that the government speed up the implementation of infrastructure projects for agricultural and health sectors as Thailand has high capacity in those areas.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tony-blair-hopes-election-thailand-next-year/

-- Thai PBS 2014-11-03

[Suriya4]

Busy body tony. Thai have democracy the thai way. Nothing to do with farang; especially British.

[whybother]

Don't hold your breath.

[peptidebomber]

Tony Blair used to study Thai poltics??

What on the plane flight over!

[Snig27]

The most thoroughly discredited politician in the last 50 years of UK politics has finally found a soul mate.

[khunpa]

If he really had studied Thai Politics, he would know that there would be no point in suggesting anything...

[MJP]

Oooo . . . that photo makes my skin crawl and I ain't referring to the Thai guy on the right.

[Orac]

The good general is going have to get Kim Jong Un over next week to try and improve his image a bit after being seen with Blair.

[happydude303]

Busy body tony. Thai have democracy the thai way. Nothing to do with farang; especially British.

Dude this guy is a tool yes,but he does not speak for me and most of the people in my country and to be completely honest with you most people in England could not give two shits or a toss about what the Thai people do in there own country. This it just some political bullshit

[binjalin]

we have not heard from the Generals spin team yet?

I was expecting "Ex British PM Blair totally supports the coup and thanked the Army for their action to save democracy and wondered why Great Britain did not follow Thailand's shining example"

[bartender100]

He did a great job as Middle East Envoy, seems he has given that job up to interfere around Thailand

[JOC]

The good general is going have to get Kim Jong Un over next week to try and improve his image a bit after being seen with Blair.

[ikurauni]

Whatever Tony Blair hopes about the election in Thailand, it is not his business to make such suggestion.

Let Thai people do whatever the best for them. Why are all the Western people putting pressures on the Thai government.

Leave them alone.

[surangw]

hey tony, hope in one hand and poop in the other hand and see which one fills up first.

[BangkokHank]

"Tony Blair hopes there is an election in Thailand next year"

So do I, but you don't see any headlines about that, do you?

[Orac]

The setting was very formal with flags showing as if this was some sort of official visit.

I would guess His Tonyness is well on his way now with a smirk on his face and slightly fuller pockets while a certain ambassador is in a darkened room, muttering to himself and banging his head against the wall.

[Bwanatickey]

You all should know that Tony is a flag ship for western democracy, he single handedly brought democracy to Iraq after ousting their nasty dictator.

Tony Blairs stamp of approval on any Democratic government is a stamp of the highest order.

[Neeranam]

Busy body tony. Thai have democracy the thai way. Nothing to do with farang; especially British.

Thailand's entire Democratic system with the King as head of state, is copied from the British. The British set up Thailand's communication systems, railways, Post Office, the entire legal system etc etc. Thailand today has a LOT to do with the British and other farang. Would you rather Thailand was eating sushi and watching Sumo wrestlers?

[salavan]

and if there is an election im sure mr. tony blair will wish the new democratic goverment will do a better job than he done and not run up a massive debt for the country

[rajyindee]

All the guys down south should start receiving their "get out of jail letters" next week.

[blaze]

And in Burkina Fasao- from the gov't press release: the UN envoy congratulates the General on his coup-- and advises him to broadcast his emminence and purity of heart to the Assembly

(and in fact, the UN envoy pulled no punches-- return to democracy or face sanctions!!!)

bUT- spin will not be lost on the gullible. For god's sake- think: who summarized this meeting? Does anybody seriously think that this press release actually captures the tone and substance of the encounter?

Could it have been other than a PR slot for the good General-- Does anybody on this board think that Tony Blair- like him or not (I don't) came without a full knowledge of the context for this coup?

Edited November 3, 2014 by blaze

[MAJIC]

Having made alledgedly a £50 million pound personal fortune, since Tony Blair left office,forgive me if I sound cynicle and wonder what financial attraction is the bait to lure him to South East Asia!

Edited November 3, 2014 by MAJIC

[MAJIC]

Busy body tony. Thai have democracy the thai way. Nothing to do with farang; especially British.

There's only one Democracy,the Universal way or none at all,which ones yours?

[blaze]

Busy body tony. Thai have democracy the thai way. Nothing to do with farang; especially British.

There's only one Democracy,the Universal way or none at all,which ones yours?

Suriya

assuming you understand the concept of 'citizen'-- does Thai democracy provide equal opportunity for all citizens to participate in the shaping of the nation?

And the emphasis-- is on- as it has been from the time of the Greeks- ALL CITIZENS.

Does it?

and if not- by what standards do you call it a democracy-- (kind of like calling a snow shovel a brand muffin=-- ?)

[englishoak]

Probably figured that if Blair was willing to BS about WMD and defend that just maybe.......

[blaze]

Whatever Tony Blair hopes about the election in Thailand, it is not his business to make such suggestion.

Let Thai people do whatever the best for them. Why are all the Western people putting pressures on the Thai government.

Leave them alone.

Been to Iran lately- Cuba of ten years ago? NOrth Korea? Serbia until only a few years ago--

The west left them alone. Believe me- anyone caring about this country had better hope the west does not sever ties.

Do all Thais agree with you? that they want the west to butt out? How do we/you know that? Your Happiness polls? You don't have elections to guage public sentement-- so just maybe you are being a bit presumptive in speaking for the nation.

Maybe not everybody in Thailand agrees with your concept of inclusive government.

Or should we discount them-- as perhaps you do!

How far are you and your neighbors prepared to go it --alone

Edited November 3, 2014 by blaze

[icare999]

this parasite on UK poking his nose in again where its not relevant in real world makes me sick

[JoeLing]

Busy body tony. Thai have democracy the thai way. Nothing to do with farang; especially British.

There's only one Democracy,the Universal way or none at all,which ones yours?

.

Now don't be silly. You might have a "Direct Democracy" or a kind of "Representative Democracy"

but there's no such thing as "Universal Democracy".

Even within the Representative Democracies there are at least another 20 types of Indirect Democracies.

I'm absolute sure, the democracy you grew up in, is a complete different kind of democracy, than the one I grew up with.

[rucus7]

Tony Blair . . . . . never heard of him. Ooh well.

[japsportscarmad]

Whatever Tony Blair hopes about the election in Thailand, it is not his business to make such suggestion.

Let Thai people do whatever the best for them. Why are all the Western people putting pressures on the Thai government.

Leave them alone.

Your right and Tony Blair is the last person to berate anyone on truth and democracy after he took the UK into a war based on lies and presented it to Parliament. Many in the UK consider him a war criminal, but he's now the peace envoy to the Middle East - Was someone having a laugh and put his name down for a joke?

He also was the head of the largest social engineering project in UK history by allowing the almost UN controlled immigrantion that wanted to come and would allow no debate - You said anything you were branded a racist.

No one asked me if I wanted my country flooded by people who can't even be arsed to learn the language! So much for democracy.