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Senior US official visiting Thailand
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 26 -- A high-ranking US government official will visit Thailand officially today for the first time since the May 22 military takeover which toppled the elected government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, according to a Thai government advisor.

Maj Gen Weerachon Sukontapatipak said Daniel Russel, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, will meet senior Thai politicians and is scheduled to confer with Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Affairs Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn today.

Gen Weerachon said Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha was informed of Mr Russel's upcoming visit by Mr Russel and thought it was a good opportunity for his government to explain to the United States about the military intention to solve political problem in Thailand in taking administrative power.

According to Maj Gen Weerachon, the prime minister asked Gen Tanasak to fully explain plans of the caretaker government and the National Council for Peace and Order trying to solve problems, including human trafficking, existing in Thailand and the government’s roadmap which is designed to restore a democratic system and holding a general election. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2015-01-26

[chainarong]

They will probably roll out the happiness graph , that will show the US that it's former ally Thailand is happy and quite content hopping into bed with China.

[Thailand]

From the U.S. side.

"Department said Daniel Russel would meet political leaders from "all sides" in Bangkok." Really?

The explanation of why a democratically elected government, however flawed, was ousted by the military with a view to returning a democratically elected government should be interesting.

[sjjmmi]

Old news

[Squeegee]

"...trying to solve problems, including human trafficking, existing in Thailand and the government’s roadmap which is designed to restore a democratic system and holding a general election."

Just for fun, since it's really a translation or lack of English issue, but....

...solving problems like existing in Thailand?

...like the government's roadmap to restore democracy?

Easy: everyone get out of Thailand after preventing the government from restoring democracy.

Now there's food for nought.

[emilymat]

Wow! A senior official, whilst over there the US President is visiting the worlds largest democracy. There must be a message there somewhere.

[yellowboat]

No elected politician is going to embrace the government. It is not good for their image to be seen with a junta

[BlueSkyCowboy]

From the U.S. side.

"Department said Daniel Russel would meet political leaders from "all sides" in Bangkok." Really?

The explanation of why a democratically elected government, however flawed, was ousted by the military with a view to returning a democratically elected government should be interesting.

Maybe the US should learn something from the Thai Military.

[phrisco17]

From the U.S. side.

"Department said Daniel Russel would meet political leaders from "all sides" in Bangkok." Really?

The explanation of why a democratically elected government, however flawed, was ousted by the military with a view to returning a democratically elected government should be interesting.

Maybe the US should learn something from the Thai Military.

And pray tell, what that would be!!!!! Edited January 26, 2015 by phrisco17

[binjalin]

From the U.S. side.

"Department said Daniel Russel would meet political leaders from "all sides" in Bangkok." Really?

The explanation of why a democratically elected government, however flawed, was ousted by the military with a view to returning a democratically elected government should be interesting.

Maybe the US should learn something from the Thai Military.

And pray tell, what that would be!!!!!

well... forget US elections? if you don't like the Senate or Congress or the Pressie just "take over" I mean they have done it 22 times and it's sorta worked right? right? hmm let me think about that one

[Suradit69]

From the U.S. side.

"Department said Daniel Russel would meet political leaders from "all sides" in Bangkok." Really?

The explanation of why a democratically elected government, however flawed, was ousted by the military with a view to returning a democratically elected government should be interesting.

Well, they could always compare notes. The US has a record of covertly or overtly bringing about regime change in some countries or ensuring that certain people remain in office long past their "sell by" date. "Democratically elected officials" has a rather fluid meaning when used by American officials.

The Shah of Iran, Ferdinand Marcos, Mobutu Sese Seko come to mind (among many, many more) as well as attempts with varying degrees of success to change governments in Cuba, Guatemala, Iraq, Vietnam ...