Prayut seeks time to make Kingdom stronger, rejects outside assistance

[Costas2008]

The General didn't need to seize power to end the violence from the protest. The military had other ways it could have helped the government to stop the violence. Or, did the General have other ideas?

Bob, either you are a dreaming or you have no idea what was happening in Thailand.

I thought you are more intelligent than making assumptions and comments like that.

[15Peter20]

Money + Gus + Disingenuity = Power

This guy would try to sell snow to the Eskimos. And fail.

[Scouse123]

More xenophobic isolationist nationalistic ramblings. Im not a fan of the red mess but this isnt heading in a positive direction either. Globalisation is real and no country has prospered by shutting it out. The only reason Thailand's economy has developed is because it has traditionally been a (relative to neighbors) open country. With a stagnant aging population, floundering economy and poorly skilled, poorly motivated and poorly educated workforce, a closed door approach is the last thing Thailand needs. This just reeks of the small elite guarding their turf to the scant benefit of the easily swayed, readily brainwashed, euphoric Thai masses.

And nobody agrees with the above more than me!

I am also seriously beginning to doubt the sanity of the General turned unelected PM! Not joking, his ramblings are getting worrisome.

The best thing a foreigner can do is to enjoy their private space, environment and their own little world if they are retired or long term in Thailand.

Stay under the radar and away from these nutjobs and don't ever build your hopes up that there is a chance in the near future for democracy, justice or any chance of stamping out corruption. Greed is now in the veins of even those in the lowest jobs and occupations.

The country is a complete basket case.

[Utley]

Can someone point out what peacekeeping missions and to where was thailand involved or how much financially thailand contributed to those peacekeeping or any other missions

Thailand has been in many. You need to not be lazy and look it up yourself. Some maybe UN peace keeping mission. And money is not always the most important thing to sacrifice, but there is a high risk of losing your life during these deployments.

According to Sorpong Peou of the Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada:

"Thailand did not begin contributing forces to UN peacekeeping operations until 1991 and since the downsizing of its contribution to UNAMID (in 2012) has made only a modest contribution; 31 uniformed peacekeepers as of 21 May, 2014. Defense spending per troop: $17,211; global average per troop $70,000."

CLICK HERE to read the full article: http://www.providingforpeacekeeping.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Thailand-Peou-21-May-2014.pdf

[Bakseeda]

Kwanchai could not meet them because he had business to attend to in Chon Buri, a source said.

Yea I am sure he turned down a meeting with U.S official. Who was the source, a member of the Junta speaking on behalf of a red?

Why not tell the truth, he was warned if he spoke to U.S officials he would be dragged away to the factory. The reds have been told they are not allowed to speak.

Colonel Winthai Suwari, spokesman for the National Council for Peace and Order, said yesterday he was unaware of such a trip by US Embassy officials with the goal of meeting red-shirt leaders.

Yea right. He would have known very well and that is why Kwanchai suddenly became indisposed.

BUT... this is only your own opinion, and not a fact.. maybe Mr Kwanchai had to meet his 21yr old mia noi... so who would you rather meet..? But this is only my personal opinion.

[Just1Voice]

Thailand doesn't want or need help from outsiders? Of course not, because the Thai are the smartest, most advanced people in the world. Or so they think and say. Never mind that their list of inventions is non existent, that their contributions to the world are nil, or that their education system is one of the worst in the world. None of that matters. They are superior, and they know best. If you don't believe it, just ask them.

My biggest "fear" of living in Thailand is that one morning this nupty running the country will wake up and decide that it's all the fault of the farang living here that is the real cause of the problems in Thailand. It's the farang fault for talking about such things as real democracy, and idiot ideas such as freedom of speech. It's all the fault of foreigners, so the simple solution would be to get rid of the foreigners.

Let's see, Cambodia passed a law that no foreigner over 50 can marry a Cambodian woman. Hey, that sounds good, let's do the same thing. For the ones we will allow, well, how about proof of an income of at least 5 million baht a year. That will get rid of the "trash". Retirement visas? Do we really want the farang living here and corrupting our perfect Thai people with their western ideas? No! Can't have that, so do away with retirement visas. Businesses? Well, 49% foreign ownership really is too high, so let's bring it down to just, say, 10%. That's more than enough for them. After all, they're all millionaires to begin with. Work permits? We'll cancel those as well, since we can't have demon, inferior foreigners taking jobs from our superior Thai population.

There are those of you who will laugh at this, but with the way things are now going with the General/PM, you can't really rule out what I've said, and that is the frightening part.

Edited January 31, 2015 by Just1Voice

[mrjohndub]

"In fact, we have been an independent country for centuries. It's a shame to seek help from other countries to solve our own problems," he added.

Umm, try again Boss.

[mrjohndub]

Why are US embassy officials going to Udon Thani to meet a Red Shirt leader, without usual protocol of advising Gov't?

Once again, US sticking it's beak in where it shouldn't be; they have no idea of diplomacy .....bunch of gung-ho amateurs!!!

You actually believe this story?

[robblok]

US officials meeting with red shirt " leaders"..... Wow, here comes

another fire storm of from indignant government officials.... I

have said it before and I will say it again, Prayut will be in power

for at least 3 to 5 years. As time rolls by , you will hear less

and less talk about upcoming elections. A headline like this is

an example.

If he stays into power for 3 to 5 years then after that the reds are done for. All their finances gone, they need to be in power to drain the states coffers and get money in their own. So this strategy of Prayut might work as then the reds have no longer the money or the influence (they are getting kicked out of places of influence). That would mean they would a spent force.

[eggers]

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You actually believe this story?

If "The Nation" is stating that US officials went to Udon Thani to meet Red Shirt leader, believe they would validate the story before going to print & no denial by embassy = reasonable to take as correct. Irrespective, US should stay out of other countries domestic politics; turn it around, what would US say, if another country commented on what Obama should do about recent racial issues or Obamacare in US?....it's domestic, none of their business!! Same same.

[bkkjames]

I actually watched this last night (with subtitles) and overall was pretty balanced. Majority of the speech was about the need to conserve water properly, helping each other in these tough times, retraining out of work farmers etc, need to fight / report corruption , needing to be good to tourists, care about them and help ensure their safety so they have a good and lasting impression of Thailand. Very little about outside influence - maybe a min or so. It lasted about 15 mins in total.

[falangjim]

He said the country had cooperated with the global community in hundreds of international peacekeeping missions over the past several decades, and now it was time for it to take care of its own problems.

I'd really like to know of these international peacekeeping missions he speaks of considering the Royal Thai Army's main function is to uphold the monarchy and keep the peace within its boundaries.

[choff56]

Why are US embassy officials going to Udon Thani to meet a Red Shirt leader, without usual protocol of advising Gov't?

Once again, US sticking it's beak in where it shouldn't be; they have no idea of diplomacy .....bunch of gung-ho amateurs!!!

You actually believe this story?

Giving propaganda the benefit of belief, one day at a time.

[FangFerang]

" called |for the lifting of martial law |and described the impeachment |of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra as "politically driven".

That is not what he said and everyone who reads knows it. He said that the international community might very well perceive the impeachment as being politcally motivated (primarily because it is a retroactive enforcement). Unlike the current government, he talks to other countries, and was forwarding their generalized opinions.

GET OVER IT. Outisde Thailand, people view evidence, weigh events in their minds, and reach conclusions based on ALL available facts. People outside Thailand will never allow Thai temporary government officials to dictate what they should think in any way, shape or fashion.

[FangFerang]

A group of embassy officials led by first secretary Timothy Trengle on Thursday travelled to Udon Thani seeking to meet with Kwanchai Praipana, a key red-shirt leader of the region.

However, Kwanchai could not meet them because he had business to attend to in Chon Buri, a source said.

Timothy and entourage went all the way to Udon for nothing, because Kwanchai can't come to the phone right now...

Is it Thainess, or Bizarrenes? No, it's Misunderstandingness!

Kwanchai was being smart. Everyone who meets a US envoy is a target for "re-education" a few days at a an Army base for "attitude adjustments" and the ever amusing miraculously appearing lese majeste charge based on something someone might have mumbled in their sleep in Latin during an indeterminant evening in 1972.

The most amazing thing about leaders in Thailand is that they think everyone else (natioanally and internationally) is Stupid, an Expendable Resource, and a Buffalo for plowing their encroached fields of opium poppies.

[tif]

Is it really diplomatic protocol for US consular staff to be meeting with red shirt leaders.

I find this 'a source said' very hard to believe. The UK are constantly insisting they haven't the right to interfere in this country (or any others) judicial or political process and I doubt the US (overtly) deviates from this stance.

[Jeremy50]

Can someone point out what peacekeeping missions and to where was thailand involved or how much financially thailand contributed to those peacekeeping or any other missions

They sent a couple of hundred non-combatants to Iraq, they stayed a couple of weeks. Can't remember the dates.

[Jeremy50]

US officials meeting with red shirt " leaders"..... Wow, here comes

another fire storm of from indignant government officials.... I

have said it before and I will say it again, Prayut will be in power

for at least 3 to 5 years. As time rolls by , you will hear less

and less talk about upcoming elections. A headline like this is

an example.

If he stays into power for 3 to 5 years then after that the reds are done for. All their finances gone, they need to be in power to drain the states coffers and get money in their own. So this strategy of Prayut might work as then the reds have no longer the money or the influence (they are getting kicked out of places of influence). That would mean they would a spent force.

It was supposed to be 15 months. In my opinion that time span was chosen for the probability that a major destabilizing 'event' is likely to happen within it, thus enabling the junta to extend their tenure indefinitely.

[geriatrickid]

Can someone point out what peacekeeping missions and to where was thailand involved or how much financially thailand contributed to those peacekeeping or any other missions

East Timor. Can't think of any others but there must be plenty.

No there have not been "plenty". I am going to plagiarize from reputable Dr. Sorpong Peou. He is Professor in, and Chair of, the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson University. (Biography here in case anyone wants to engage in the usual feeble attempts at character assassination - http://www.ryerson.ca/politics/facultyandstaff/bio_SorpongPeou.htm )

Thailand did not begin contributing forces to UN peacekeeping operations until 1991 and since the downsizing of its contribution to UNAMID (in 2012) has made only a modest contribution. Thailand’s first contribution was seven military officers deployed in UNIKOM in 1991 along the demilitarized zone on the border of Kuwait and Iraq. In September 1991, Thailand sent a further 50 troops to Iraq as part of the UN Guard Contingent in Iraq (UNGCI). Thailand became more actively engaged in UN peacekeeping when it contributed 705 military engineers to the mission in its neighbor, Cambodia, as part of the UN Advance Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC, later UNTAC) in February 1992. . It was not until July 1998 that Thailand became more involved in international peacekeeping further afield, when it contributed 5 soldiers to UNOMSIL. This was soon followed in October 1999 by the country’s largest deployment to date, when 1,581 soldiers deployed in the Australian-led INTERFET mission in East Timor. In December 2010, after a six-year period when Thailand made only small contributions, Thailand agreed to deploy around 800 troops (known as the Thai/Darfur Task Force 980) to Darfur as part of UNAMID. Significant delays imposed by the Sudanese government on the granting of visas almost prompted Thailand to withdraw its offer of troops before they had deployed (the contribution was first mooted in 2008). The Thai contingent was withdrawn in the second half of 2012. Since then, Thailand has maintained a small presence in a handful of UN missions.

Draw your own conclusions. However, I don't think it unreasonable to expect a country with 551,000 military personnel to provide a significantly greater contribution, particularly when other countries are picking up the tab.

Edited January 31, 2015 by geriatrickid

[Thai at Heart]

Who is telling Thailand they need help or offering help?

No one.

What is so ridiculously serious that it couldn't be solved in short notice if needed?

Nothing.

So what is rhr problem?

Nothing

Just get on with it and get out of power and have an election

Now the problems start.....

[Thai at Heart]

Thailand doesn't want or need help from outsiders? Of course not, because the Thai are the smartest, most advanced people in the world. Or so they think and say. Never mind that their list of inventions is non existent, that their contributions to the world are nil, or that their education system is one of the worst in the world. None of that matters. They are superior, and they know best. If you don't believe it, just ask them.

My biggest "fear" of living in Thailand is that one morning this nupty running the country will wake up and decide that it's all the fault of the farang living here that is the real cause of the problems in Thailand. It's the farang fault for talking about such things as real democracy, and idiot ideas such as freedom of speech. It's all the fault of foreigners, so the simple solution would be to get rid of the foreigners.

Let's see, Cambodia passed a law that no foreigner over 50 can marry a Cambodian woman. Hey, that sounds good, let's do the same thing. For the ones we will allow, well, how about proof of an income of at least 5 million baht a year. That will get rid of the "trash". Retirement visas? Do we really want the farang living here and corrupting our perfect Thai people with their western ideas? No! Can't have that, so do away with retirement visas. Businesses? Well, 49% foreign ownership really is too high, so let's bring it down to just, say, 10%. That's more than enough for them. After all, they're all millionaires to begin with. Work permits? We'll cancel those as well, since we can't have demon, inferior foreigners taking jobs from our superior Thai population.

There are those of you who will laugh at this, but with the way things are now going with the General/PM, you can't really rule out what I've said, and that is the frightening part.

I hear you. The nationalistic rhetoric is simple opium for the people and many Thais are stupid enough to lap it up.

He's a fruit loop. Just listen to him and judge. He's stuck in a hole he can't get out of, he has no plan and he's barely competent to run this tin pot NLA under martial law let alone a country like this.

Just look at the mess they are in over the embassy making a comment. He is for some reason an angry little man because no one takes him seriously.

But that is a chicken and egg problem. No wonder these rumours about his seniors being quite disappointed are around.maybe another coup is in order.

Edited January 31, 2015 by Thai at Heart

[tbthailand]

dear General, no one is trying to "assist" you.

This is just classic deflection and an attempt to insulate his regime from outside criticism. It's purely for domestic consumption.

[selftaopath]

Something drastic needed doing to rid Thailand from the self serving scourge of the Shin clan. They were depleting The Kingdom and its citizens from every bit of finances humanly possible. The Shin clan and its gang took needed funds that could have greatly increased the living standard of the average citizen e.g. education/ sanitation/water distribution/roads etc.

Yes the appearance of liberties being diminished is a concern. However in the short term it might be significantly necessary to halt the ones who want to further cripple Thailand and keep citizens subservient to the rich/powerful minority. In the long term if the coup eliminates the cancer of the Shin family and ALL corrupt officials, the general will be held in the highest regard and a savior of Thailand. Time will tell. And it takes time to dismantle a corrupt empire and build anew.

[Thai at Heart]

Something drastic needed doing to rid Thailand from the self serving scourge of the Shin clan. They were depleting The Kingdom and its citizens from every bit of finances humanly possible. The Shin clan and its gang took needed funds that could have greatly increased the living standard of the average citizen e.g. education/ sanitation/water distribution/roads etc.

Yes the appearance of liberties being diminished is a concern. However in the short term it might be significantly necessary to halt the ones who want to further cripple Thailand and keep citizens subservient to the rich/powerful minority. In the long term if the coup eliminates the cancer of the Shin family and ALL corrupt officials, the general will be held in the highest regard and a savior of Thailand. Time will tell. And it takes time to dismantle a corrupt empire and build anew.

What on earth are you going on about. What a melodrama that story is.

[arrowsdawdle]

"Prayut also said that he listened to comments from all of the Kingdom's allies, but that he would decide whether to believe them."

Based on evidence and alternate information one assumes.

Or is that just a poor translation of what was said?

Based on a fortune-teller more likely.

[lildragon]

Something drastic needed doing to rid Thailand from the self serving scourge of the Shin clan. They were depleting The Kingdom and its citizens from every bit of finances humanly possible. The Shin clan and its gang took needed funds that could have greatly increased the living standard of the average citizen e.g. education/ sanitation/water distribution/roads etc.

Yes the appearance of liberties being diminished is a concern. However in the short term it might be significantly necessary to halt the ones who want to further cripple Thailand and keep citizens subservient to the rich/powerful minority. In the long term if the coup eliminates the cancer of the Shin family and ALL corrupt officials, the general will be held in the highest regard and a savior of Thailand. Time will tell. And it takes time to dismantle a corrupt empire and build anew.

You see now this is the thing. You could eridcate the shin clan from Thailand forever and I agree it would be a good thing given how corrupt they are. However, getting rid of them would just be a drop in the ocean and all of Thaksin's enemies (the traditional elite) well continue to get their own ill gotten gains. It's been that way before Thaksin and it will continue to be that way after him. Do you really think Prayuth will go after the ones he serves? Pigs flying is more likely.

[arrowsdawdle]

Thailand doesn't want or need help from outsiders? Of course not, because the Thai are the smartest, most advanced people in the world. Or so they think and say. Never mind that their list of inventions is non existent, that their contributions to the world are nil, or that their education system is one of the worst in the world. None of that matters. They are superior, and they know best. If you don't believe it, just ask them.

My biggest "fear" of living in Thailand is that one morning this nupty running the country will wake up and decide that it's all the fault of the farang living here that is the real cause of the problems in Thailand. It's the farang fault for talking about such things as real democracy, and idiot ideas such as freedom of speech. It's all the fault of foreigners, so the simple solution would be to get rid of the foreigners.

Let's see, Cambodia passed a law that no foreigner over 50 can marry a Cambodian woman. Hey, that sounds good, let's do the same thing. For the ones we will allow, well, how about proof of an income of at least 5 million baht a year. That will get rid of the "trash". Retirement visas? Do we really want the farang living here and corrupting our perfect Thai people with their western ideas? No! Can't have that, so do away with retirement visas. Businesses? Well, 49% foreign ownership really is too high, so let's bring it down to just, say, 10%. That's more than enough for them. After all, they're all millionaires to begin with. Work permits? We'll cancel those as well, since we can't have demon, inferior foreigners taking jobs from our superior Thai population.

There are those of you who will laugh at this, but with the way things are now going with the General/PM, you can't really rule out what I've said, and that is the frightening part.

I hear you. The nationalistic rhetoric is simple opium for the people and many Thais are stupid enough to lap it up.

He's a fruit loop. Just listen to him and judge. He's stuck in a hole he can't get out of, he has no plan and he's barely competent to run this tin pot NLA under martial law let alone a country like this.

Just look at the mess they are in over the embassy making a comment. He is for some reason an angry little man because no one takes him seriously.

But that is a chicken and egg problem. No wonder these rumours about his seniors being quite disappointed are around.maybe another coup is in order.

Imagine going from running a little army where everybody licks your boots and grovels to your every whim...to commandeering a country where people dare to speak when not spoken to, yawn during your speeches, or God forbid, ask you questions.

[Thai at Heart]

Thailand doesn't want or need help from outsiders? Of course not, because the Thai are the smartest, most advanced people in the world. Or so they think and say. Never mind that their list of inventions is non existent, that their contributions to the world are nil, or that their education system is one of the worst in the world. None of that matters. They are superior, and they know best. If you don't believe it, just ask them.

My biggest "fear" of living in Thailand is that one morning this nupty running the country will wake up and decide that it's all the fault of the farang living here that is the real cause of the problems in Thailand. It's the farang fault for talking about such things as real democracy, and idiot ideas such as freedom of speech. It's all the fault of foreigners, so the simple solution would be to get rid of the foreigners.

Let's see, Cambodia passed a law that no foreigner over 50 can marry a Cambodian woman. Hey, that sounds good, let's do the same thing. For the ones we will allow, well, how about proof of an income of at least 5 million baht a year. That will get rid of the "trash". Retirement visas? Do we really want the farang living here and corrupting our perfect Thai people with their western ideas? No! Can't have that, so do away with retirement visas. Businesses? Well, 49% foreign ownership really is too high, so let's bring it down to just, say, 10%. That's more than enough for them. After all, they're all millionaires to begin with. Work permits? We'll cancel those as well, since we can't have demon, inferior foreigners taking jobs from our superior Thai population.

There are those of you who will laugh at this, but with the way things are now going with the General/PM, you can't really rule out what I've said, and that is the frightening part.

I hear you. The nationalistic rhetoric is simple opium for the people and many Thais are stupid enough to lap it up.

He's a fruit loop. Just listen to him and judge. He's stuck in a hole he can't get out of, he has no plan and he's barely competent to run this tin pot NLA under martial law let alone a country like this.

Just look at the mess they are in over the embassy making a comment. He is for some reason an angry little man because no one takes him seriously.

But that is a chicken and egg problem. No wonder these rumours about his seniors being quite disappointed are around.maybe another coup is in order.

Imagine going from running a little army where everybody licks your boots and grovels to your every whim...to commandeering a country where people dare to speak when not spoken to, yawn during your speeches, or God forbid, ask you questions.

Just watch an wait. He wi start spouting even more nonsense soon enough. Already he apparently wants USA diplomats watched. Who the hell says that in public?

He is at war with everyone, but apprentkt everyone supports him. I reckon he is schizo or some other type of psychological weakened born out of having his ego stroked for 30 years.

[konying]

Can someone point out what peacekeeping missions and to where was thailand involved or how much financially thailand contributed to those peacekeeping or any other missions

Thailand has been in many. You need to not be lazy and look it up yourself. Some maybe UN peace keeping mission. And money is not always the most important thing to sacrifice, but there is a high risk of losing your life during these deployments.

Name which ones, no need to be a smartass.

East Timor , was one as mentioned , and others are?

[winstonc]

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Is it really diplomatic protocol for US consular staff to be meeting with red shirt leaders.

Well they can meet who ever they like , however to make a statement I guess that say's it all , only because the PTP were Democratically elected to represent the people, that's the bottom line , they are not interested in why ,who or what , Democracy is the key word. they fail inasmuch as there is no flexibility in their reasoning, pity we could do with a Coup in OZ with the cretins ruining the place.

they may meet whoever out of school hours ..but remember what country were in ....how about going back and voicing your opposition..to abbot and his cronies...no good whining if your not there with your finger on the pulse..