Ms Yingluck and her team meet with Daniel Russel

[Lite Beer]

Ms Yingluck and her team meet with Daniel Russel

BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra led a small group of her former ministers to have a meeting with the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Daniel Russel at the US Embassy today.

Ms Yingluck was accompanied by former deputy prime minister Niwattumrong Bunsongpaisarn, former foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and former secretary-general of the prime minister Suranant Vejjajiva.

The meeting was part of the US initiative to meet and hear the views of all political groups regarding the political situation here.

Surapong later told the media that the discussion touched on Ms Yingluck’s impeachment and the US administration was concerned with the political situation in Thailand.

He said Mr Russel also asked about when an election would be held in Thailand.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ms-yingluck-and-her-team-meet-with-daniel-russel

-- Thai PBS 2015-01-26

[seajae]

what a load, no wonder the US has become a crappy country when it does garbage like this. Giving yl and her corrupt crew somewhere to whinge and bitch after being caught with their fingers in the cookie jar is a joke, Thailand should tell them to take a hike and make it harder for the US to do business here pulling stunts like this. Have to wonder if a lone figure in a far off country has been making political donations to someone, definitely not how a world class country should be acting, sucking up to these dodgy ex ministers but then you cant help stupid

[sweatalot]

what a load, no wonder the US has become a crappy country when it does garbage like this. Giving yl and her corrupt crew somewhere to whinge and bitch after being caught with their fingers in the cookie jar is a joke, Thailand should tell them to take a hike and make it harder for the US to do business here pulling stunts like this. Have to wonder if a lone figure in a far off country has been making political donations to someone, definitely not how a world class country should be acting, sucking up to these dodgy ex ministers but then you cant help stupid

The whole world, except for a few pig-headed fascists on TVF, know that the junta's illegal actions & trumped-up political charges are wrong, unjust and selfish. Any self-respecting western democracy decries the oppression of a nation by military force. Good on the US for making it public & showing up the angry General by refusing to give him an audience. I bet there were a lot of toys flying out of his army cot!

"The whole world, ..."

What planet are you living on?

[thesetat2013]

what a load, no wonder the US has become a crappy country when it does garbage like this. Giving yl and her corrupt crew somewhere to whinge and bitch after being caught with their fingers in the cookie jar is a joke, Thailand should tell them to take a hike and make it harder for the US to do business here pulling stunts like this. Have to wonder if a lone figure in a far off country has been making political donations to someone, definitely not how a world class country should be acting, sucking up to these dodgy ex ministers but then you cant help stupid

The whole world, except for a few pig-headed fascists on TVF, know that the junta's illegal actions & trumped-up political charges are wrong, unjust and selfish. Any self-respecting western democracy decries the oppression of a nation by military force. Good on the US for making it public & showing up the angry General by refusing to give him an audience. I bet there were a lot of toys flying out of his army cot!

It doesn't matter what you think. The junta is running things so you just have to accept that whether you think its legal or not.

But this action the US is making is a joke. They know well and clear how corrupt thak and the gov was before and they benefited from that whereas now they are in a hole losing light to the Chinese.

But to go to YL and her ex ministers is ludicrous. Especially thinking they would get some truth about what is happening here.

Everyone has seen how easily the PTP lie and twist the facts to make themselves the saviors. Their idea of democracy was do as I say, not as I do.

The real question was what were they really talking about? Why would the US send someone here to hold a private meeting with a bunch of ex good for nothings who are already in a heap of legal troubles?

The US is a sneaky sh-- and always uses foreign affairs for other motives.

[binjalin]

good for the US I would hope and expect nothing less

[firestar]

"When an elected leader is removed from office, is deposed, then impeached by the authorities - the same authorities who conducted the coup - and then when a political leader is targeted with criminal charges at a time when the basic democratic processes and institutions of a country are interrupted, the international community is going to be left with the impression that these steps could in fact be politically driven."

Waiting for the usual TVF crew to explain Daniel Russel is a Thaksin stooge, dubai paymaster etc...

Edited January 26, 2015 by firestar

[ikke]

what a load, no wonder the US has become a crappy country when it does garbage like this. Giving yl and her corrupt crew somewhere to whinge and bitch after being caught with their fingers in the cookie jar is a joke, Thailand should tell them to take a hike and make it harder for the US to do business here pulling stunts like this. Have to wonder if a lone figure in a far off country has been making political donations to someone, definitely not how a world class country should be acting, sucking up to these dodgy ex ministers but then you cant help stupid

The whole world, except for a few pig-headed fascists on TVF, know that the junta's illegal actions & trumped-up political charges are wrong, unjust and selfish. Any self-respecting western democracy decries the oppression of a nation by military force. Good on the US for making it public & showing up the angry General by refusing to give him an audience. I bet there were a lot of toys flying out of his army cot!

It doesn't matter what you think. The junta is running things so you just have to accept that whether you think its legal or not.

But this action the US is making is a joke. They know well and clear how corrupt thak and the gov was before and they benefited from that whereas now they are in a hole losing light to the Chinese.

But to go to YL and her ex ministers is ludicrous. Especially thinking they would get some truth about what is happening here.

Everyone has seen how easily the PTP lie and twist the facts to make themselves the saviors. Their idea of democracy was do as I say, not as I do.

The real question was what were they really talking about? Why would the US send someone here to hold a private meeting with a bunch of ex good for nothings who are already in a heap of legal troubles?

The US is a sneaky sh-- and always uses foreign affairs for other motives.

Right, It doesn't matter what you think, as you do think you are the wisdom itself.....

At least they had an idea about democracy, something you can't say about this self appointed government.

[mrtoad]

good for the US I would hope and expect nothing less

Yeah, they're never afraid to interfere or invade if they think they are going to lose out on making money

[Ceruhe]

Wow...all this constant crying about this "democracy" stuff. It looks amazing on paper alright, but in practice it hasn't lived up to it's power yet. All I can see is a bunch of countries run into the ground and struggling with all kinds of sheet, where "demo" is being ignored leading to even more issues.

Can't wait for democrazy to fail worldwide or have a better thing worked out, as far as world politics go...rather take 1 dude/dudess with a brain that gets things done rather than that insolent bunch of hot air beating around the bush afraid to upset a child.

We still have more pressing matters worldwide, this "illegal coup" just ain't one of the bigger ones.

[Thai at Heart]

This should never ever ever have been allowed to happen. The embassy and the foreign office of the USA should be very embarrassed about this.

If they are going to have meetings like this they may as well just come out and declare that the NLA and the junta are not legitimate.

[tbthailand]

"When an elected leader is removed from office, is deposed, then impeached by the authorities - the same authorities who conducted the coup - and then when a political leader is targeted with criminal charges at a time when the basic democratic processes and institutions of a country are interrupted, the international community is going to be left with the impression that these steps could in fact be politically driven."

Waiting for the usual TVF crew to explain Daniel Russel is a Thaksin stooge, dubai paymaster etc...

basically, it already happened in post number 2 ... among the rantings was something about a 'payment being made', Ahhh, here it is;

Have to wonder if a lone figure in a far off country has been making political donations to someone

[NeverSure]

This should never ever ever have been allowed to happen. The embassy and the foreign office of the USA should be very embarrassed about this.

If they are going to have meetings like this they may as well just come out and declare that the NLA and the junta are not legitimate.

This guy works for some of TVF's biggest hero, Hussein Obama.

Don't forget that Japan walks in lockstep with the US on these matters. Japan and the US have made huge investments in Thailand over the decades but they don't like military dictatorships.

The US is free to associate with whoever it chooses and more and more it is pulling away from the junta as the junta leans more and more toward China.

This is two way. The junta has shown a preference for China instead of its long time ally the US, and the US isn't going to kiss the junta's fanny.

The US is the #2 buyer of Thai exports behind only Japan. The US and Japan have huge industrial investments in Thailand. The junta has been playing with fire.

Anyone who thinks this slap isn't deliberate hasn't been paying attention.

[tbthailand]

what a load, no wonder the US has become a crappy country when it does garbage like this. Giving yl and her corrupt crew somewhere to whinge and bitch after being caught with their fingers in the cookie jar is a joke, Thailand should tell them to take a hike and make it harder for the US to do business here pulling stunts like this. Have to wonder if a lone figure in a far off country has been making political donations to someone, definitely not how a world class country should be acting, sucking up to these dodgy ex ministers but then you cant help stupid

if you are American, then feel free to criticize your own country.

If you are not American, then feel free to criticize your own country.

Otherwise, feel free to keep your clap shut.

(btw, did you read that Russel also met with Abhisit and the general running the foreign ministry, or are you posting in total ignorance?)

[scorecard]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

what a load, no wonder the US has become a crappy country when it does garbage like this. Giving yl and her corrupt crew somewhere to whinge and bitch after being caught with their fingers in the cookie jar is a joke, Thailand should tell them to take a hike and make it harder for the US to do business here pulling stunts like this. Have to wonder if a lone figure in a far off country has been making political donations to someone, definitely not how a world class country should be acting, sucking up to these dodgy ex ministers but then you cant help stupid

And please note who <script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

what a load, no wonder the US has become a crappy country when it does garbage like this. Giving yl and her corrupt crew somewhere to whinge and bitch after being caught with their fingers in the cookie jar is a joke, Thailand should tell them to take a hike and make it harder for the US to do business here pulling stunts like this. Have to wonder if a lone figure in a far off country has been making political donations to someone, definitely not how a world class country should be acting, sucking up to these dodgy ex ministers but then you cant help stupid

And note: "Surapong later told the media that .......... . " Enough said.

[philw]

This makes an interesting and clear point, when viewed in relation to this thread.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795068-pm-prayut-shrugs-off-us-diplomats-snub/

It's a little bit more than a "snub", looks like a pretty clear statement.

The current climate prevents much further discussion, but the Thaivisa "hang the electorate and Yingluck" brigade will no doubt misread the accelerating gravitas of the situation.

[philw]

This should never ever ever have been allowed to happen. The embassy and the foreign office of the USA should be very embarrassed about this.

If they are going to have meetings like this they may as well just come out and declare that the NLA and the junta are not legitimate.

It did happen and the gap between the lines is now easily read. ( Red ? )

[WitawatWatawit]

This should never ever ever have been allowed to happen. The embassy and the foreign office of the USA should be very embarrassed about this.

If they are going to have meetings like this they may as well just come out and declare that the NLA and the junta are not legitimate.

This guy works for some of TVF's biggest hero, Hussein Obama.

Don't forget that Japan walks in lockstep with the US on these matters. Japan and the US have made huge investments in Thailand over the decades but they don't like military dictatorships.

The US is free to associate with whoever it chooses and more and more it is pulling away from the junta as the junta leans more and more toward China.

This is two way. The junta has shown a preference for China instead of its long time ally the US, and the US isn't going to kiss the junta's fanny.

The US is the #2 buyer of Thai exports behind only Japan. The US and Japan have huge industrial investments in Thailand. The junta has been playing with fire.

Anyone who thinks this slap isn't deliberate hasn't been paying attention.

Spot on. And that "anyone" might include the advisers in the Foreign Ministry who don't appear too concerned about Washington's efforts in recent years to affirm its ties with its "old ally" Thailand. Not to mention its other influence building measures in SEA.

[Thai at Heart]

This should never ever ever have been allowed to happen. The embassy and the foreign office of the USA should be very embarrassed about this.

If they are going to have meetings like this they may as well just come out and declare that the NLA and the junta are not legitimate.

This guy works for some of TVF's biggest hero, Hussein Obama.

Don't forget that Japan walks in lockstep with the US on these matters. Japan and the US have made huge investments in Thailand over the decades but they don't like military dictatorships.

The US is free to associate with whoever it chooses and more and more it is pulling away from the junta as the junta leans more and more toward China.

This is two way. The junta has shown a preference for China instead of its long time ally the US, and the US isn't going to kiss the junta's fanny.

The US is the #2 buyer of Thai exports behind only Japan. The US and Japan have huge industrial investments in Thailand. The junta has been playing with fire.

Anyone who thinks this slap isn't deliberate hasn't been paying attention.

This is an incredibly naive move from the USA. I am quite surprised.

PTP will win the next election and it doesn't really matter who is in power then, thaksin will rule by proxy. Moaning about freedom of speech now is pathetic. There is no real freedom of speech in Thailand all the time.

I would prefer the USA comes out and tells the truth of their opinion. They think the junta isn't legitimate and the system is a joke. Fair enough.

But cozying up to Yingluck after the event is very antagonistic and very underhand. It makes it impossible for the junta to back down.

[bangrak]

This I call: 'an interference in internal affairs'!

P.S.: With their (lack of decent) Intelligence it looks damn much as if the US (un-)diplomacy is pushing the Thais (even more) into the arms of the Chinese ogre... So sad, so stupid, as if they will never learn, and knowing that is (still today) the first-power-in-the-world. God protect the World, from America!

[iReason]

good for the US I would hope and expect nothing less

Yeah, they're never afraid to interfere or invade if they think they are going to lose out on making money

As would any other nation on the planet if they had the grit and the guns.

Don't fool yourself.

Lest we forget the British Empire. (As one example amoung many)

Luckily, some of the more insane nations are kept down.

Uncle Too is probably going apeshit.

Edited January 26, 2015 by iReason

[Thai at Heart]

This I call: 'an interference in internal affairs'!

P.S.: With their (lack of decent) Intelligence it looks damn much as if the US (un-)diplomacy is pushing the Thais (even more) into the arms of the Chinese ogre... So sad, so stupid, as if they will never learn, and knowing that is (still today) the first-power-in-the-world. God protect the World, from America!

The USA is showing it supports any democracy over the cleanest junta. Fair enough.

Come the return of democracy some day, the deals done with the Chinese will be up for negotiation and by then the Thais will be getting a lesson in mainland Chinese business and diplomacy.

Will be interesting to watch that the mainlanders arent quite so respectful of Thais as the Thais may expect.

Edited January 26, 2015 by Thai at Heart

[rubl]

This reminds me of the comments some give when a government spokes colonel describes the successful meeting with this or that official. So apart from former MoFA relative Surapong's comments we only seem to have

"The meeting was part of the US initiative to meet and hear the views of all political groups regarding the political situation here."

No comment from the American chaps till know? When's he scheduled to meet the Democrat party, Banharn's lot, the Newin gang and some of the smaller parties? Will he also have a chat with former MP General Sonthi ?

[NeverSure]

This I call: 'an interference in internal affairs'!

P.S.: With their (lack of decent) Intelligence it looks damn much as if the US (un-)diplomacy is pushing the Thais (even more) into the arms of the Chinese ogre... So sad, so stupid, as if they will never learn, and knowing that is (still today) the first-power-in-the-world. God protect the World, from America!

No one is forced to do business with America. Most choose to do it because it has the world's largest economy and can be a huge buyer of another country's exports. It is the second largest buyer of Thai exports, behind only Japan.

Part of the US and Japan issue with Thailand is its cozying up to China. This isn't all about the junta per se. The US and Japan aren't going to be allies with allies of China. Japan is very much afraid of China and the US is obligated to defend Japan. The US is also obligated by treaty to defend Thailand but that could change.

The Junta is STUPID to ignore its two biggest export buyers in favor of China. If the US and Japan pulled manufacturing out of Thailand, Thailand would rocket back to the stone age. China can't replace those investments and jobs in Thailand nor would it ever be willing to.

The US is sending a message as a direct result of the junta's actions regarding China vs US and Japan.

"God protect the world from America." No, the world needs protection from China and Russia. Russia is being dealt with. Would Thailand nd China like to be next?

[NeverSure]

This reminds me of the comments some give when a government spokes colonel describes the successful meeting with this or that official. So apart from former MoFA relative Surapong's comments we only seem to have

"The meeting was part of the US initiative to meet and hear the views of all political groups regarding the political situation here."

No comment from the American chaps till know? When's he scheduled to meet the Democrat party, Banharn's lot, the Newin gang and some of the smaller parties? Will he also have a chat with former MP General Sonthi ?

This was a slap at the junta for cozying up to China so much. If the junta keeps making deals like currency deals and making statements preferring China, it could also lose US industrial investment. If it does, Japan will go too because Japan is very much afraid of China and is tightly aligned with the US.

With the US and Japan being the two largest buyers of Thai exports, and by far the biggest industrial investors in Thailand, imagine what would happen to the junta if manufacturing was pulled out of Thailand and then Thailand was hit with a trade embargo.

Thailand would be starting camp fires by rubbing two sticks together.

Thailand doesn't seem to know who its friends are, or how to keep them.

Edited January 26, 2015 by NeverSure

[JomtienEats]

This was a slap at the junta for cozying up to China so much.

Clearly the junta has be re-orienting away from the US and towards China. The North Korean relations thing recently was another example of this. Care to speculate on why?

[djjamie]

This was a slap at the junta for cozying up to China so much.

Clearly the junta has be re-orienting away from the US and towards China. The North Korean relations thing recently was another example of this. Care to speculate on why?

Ummm.

There was a 40 year anniversary of Thai - North Korea relations under the Junta and no new deals or bilateral agreements were made

10 years ago there was a 30 years anniversary of Thai - NK relations under thakisn and no new deals or bilateral agreements were made.

20 years ago there was a 20 years anniversary of Thai - NK relations under Banharn and no new deals or bilateral agreements were made.

And before that there was another and before that another.

Care to speculate on why you think there is a need to speculate?

Give me one single fact showing the Junta are warming to the North Koreans and I will behead myself!!! Heay Cjhalerm..Apparently that is acceptable to say that in a democracy post 9/11 according to the PTP..

[than]

A new interference from US government in a Sovereign country affair........

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

This reminds me of the comments some give when a government spokes colonel describes the successful meeting with this or that official. So apart from former MoFA relative Surapong's comments we only seem to have

"The meeting was part of the US initiative to meet and hear the views of all political groups regarding the political situation here."

No comment from the American chaps till know? When's he scheduled to meet the Democrat party, Banharn's lot, the Newin gang and some of the smaller parties? Will he also have a chat with former MP General Sonthi ?

This was a slap at the junta for cozying up to China so much. If the junta keeps making deals like currency deals and making statements preferring China, it could also lose US industrial investment. If it does, Japan will go too because Japan is very much afraid of China and is tightly aligned with the US.

With the US and Japan being the two largest buyers of Thai exports, and by far the biggest industrial investors in Thailand, imagine what would happen to the junta if manufacturing was pulled out of Thailand and then Thailand was hit with a trade embargo.

Thailand would be starting camp fires by rubbing two sticks together.

Thailand doesn't seem to know who its friends are, or how to keep them.

Thailand would be starting camp fires by rubbing two sticks together.

[baboon]

A new interference from US government in a Sovereign country affair........

How? What interference?

[JomtienEats]

Care to speculate on why you think there is a need to speculate?

I think 'expound' is the word you were looking for.

Well, this happened -

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/11/us-thailand-politics-china-idUSKBN0EM0FO20140611

and then this happened a week later -

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/736234-thailand-downgraded-to-be-among-worst-human-trafficking-centres/page-2