Thai alliance hinges on return to democracy: US diplomat

[webfact]

Thai alliance hinges on return to democracy: US diplomat

AFP

WASHINGTON: -- The United States will not fully reactivate its military alliance with Thailand as long as the junta-controlled country refuses to restore democracy, a US diplomat warned Thursday.

"There has to be a full restoration both of the institutions of governance and justice as well as the full restoration of a duly democratically elected civilian government," the senior State Department official told journalists.

It follows a recent visit by Daniel Russel, the most senior US official to travel to the kingdom since Thai generals imposed martial law and took over in a coup last May.

The United States strongly condemned the coup at the time, with chief diplomat John Kerry calling for a return to civilian rule via democratic elections.

Washington and Bangkok maintain a military alliance dating to the Cold War and the fight against communism in Southeast Asia, notably during the Vietnam War.

US and Thai armed forces remain tightly linked, but the United States canceled joint military exercises after the coup and suspended a small part of its military assistance to Thailand.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-02-06

[ExPratt]

Nice one US, Stick that in your pipe and smoke it P-Man

[chooka]

Well it looks like the U.S aren't scared of the Thai tiger. I can see some serious hissy fits being thrown and someone braking thier toys and throwing them out of the crib.

Edited February 5, 2015 by chooka

[tbthailand]

Nice one US, Stick that in your pipe and smoke it P-Man

certainly...

But on this count,

a duly democratically elected civilian government

you can imagine that the US will cut them a lot of slack regarding how impotent the 'NCPO' makes the civilian government in the new constitution....

[Thai at Heart]

Booooom

And that is that.

[rametindallas]

Typical US foreign policy. Schizophrenic. They've no problem with Egypt's Junta (who hates the US) or many others but love to drive their friends into their enemy's arms. Thailand does more trade with China and this short-sighted policy will cause Thailand to bond more closely with China to the detriment of both Thailand and the US. If the US State Dept. knew the first thing about Thais, they would know you don't get anywhere with ultimatums. Very disappointing.

Scholars rank US Secretary of State John Kerry dead last in terms of effectiveness.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/05/scholars-rank-kerry-dead-last-in-terms-of-effectiveness/

And this is from a newspaper sympathetic to the Obama administration.

[NongKhaiKid]

Oh Nooo ! This guarantees the ' wounded Thai hearts ' story has just been given fresh legs and there will be a queue forming to sound off about it.

[ExPratt]

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

Typical US foreign policy. Schizophrenic. They've no problem with Egypt's Junta (who hates the US) or many others but love to drive their friends into their enemy's arms. Thailand does more trade with China and this short-sighted policy will cause Thailand to bond more closely with China to the detriment of both Thailand and the US. If the US State Dept. knew the first thing about Thais, they would know you don't get anywhere with ultimatums. Very disappointing.

Scholars rank US Secretary of State John Kerry dead last in terms of effectiveness.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/05/scholars-rank-kerry-dead-last-in-terms-of-effectiveness/

And this is from a newspaper sympathetic to the Obama administration.

Right or wrong , Egypt Junta is keeping the Muslim Brotherhood and all that they are capable of, out of power, the same with many dictatorships the US supports. Thailand doesn't have scary terrorists that need a iron fist to keep them in line with a Junta, just a load of Farmers , Factory workers and housewives who want to vote for their own Government

[rametindallas]

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

Typical US foreign policy. Schizophrenic. They've no problem with Egypt's Junta (who hates the US) or many others but love to drive their friends into their enemy's arms. Thailand does more trade with China and this short-sighted policy will cause Thailand to bond more closely with China to the detriment of both Thailand and the US. If the US State Dept. knew the first thing about Thais, they would know you don't get anywhere with ultimatums. Very disappointing.

Scholars rank US Secretary of State John Kerry dead last in terms of effectiveness.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/05/scholars-rank-kerry-dead-last-in-terms-of-effectiveness/

And this is from a newspaper sympathetic to the Obama administration.

Right or wrong , Egypt Junta is keeping the Muslim Brotherhood and all that they are capable of, out of power, the same with many dictatorships the US supports. Thailand doesn't have scary terrorists that need a iron fist to keep them in line with a Junta, just a load of Farmers , Factory workers and housewives who want to vote for their own Government

Why Egyptian Columnists Are Calling Out the State Department for ‘Double Standards’ on Terrorism — and It Involves the Muslim Brotherhood

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/02/05/why-egyptian-columnists-are-calling-out-the-state-department-for-double-standards-on-terrorism-and-it-involves-the-muslim-brotherhood/

State Dept. met with affiliates of Muslim Brotherhood prior to call for violent Jihad

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2015/02/state-dept-met-with-muslim-brotherhood-prior-to-call-for-violent-jihad--111125.html

The US plays both sides against themselves and they are stirring dissent within and without Thailand (also Egypt and elsewhere). Wise countries get what they can from the US but use a 'long spoon' (Thai term) and never trust them.

[stickyrice2000]

Hurray for the US!

[Stradavarius37]

Everything is relative - if China becomes mouthy, watch the US quiet down on this quite quickly. Wish they would just &lt;deleted&gt; and let people sort themselves out.

[issanaus]

Putting aside the issue of the unidentified official ..... umm!

If the USA is calling for a return to the standard of governance, justice and democratic processes that were a feature of the Yingluck Era then we should stop claiming that there are double standards in the US government support for the Egyptian Government and others.

[chainarong]

Think first before the criticism of the US and its handling of various countries ,as each country has its own particular legacy , has its own demons to deal with and has its own governments that may or may not support Democracy , sometimes the bed you lay in might not be the best but when there is no other any bed it is better than none , Thailand fits into category "A" it is a peaceful country, so to having Coups all the time is not the way forward , the past 15 years Thailand has stagnated in-between third and emerging world country, to move up the ladder it must now show cause to gain respect of the international community all The US and its allies are saying is Hey until you can show you are mature enough to be apart of the Democracy club, we'll keep pushing all the buttons till you do, whether this means cutting of aid ,industry or military support so be it.

[siampolee]

Interesting reading here in the link below concerning an oppressive regime and American support in the link below.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/questions/uspolicy/

Those who throw stones should look before they cast those missiles

Edited February 6, 2015 by siampolee

[djjamie]

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

Typical US foreign policy. Schizophrenic. They've no problem with Egypt's Junta (who hates the US) or many others but love to drive their friends into their enemy's arms. Thailand does more trade with China and this short-sighted policy will cause Thailand to bond more closely with China to the detriment of both Thailand and the US. If the US State Dept. knew the first thing about Thais, they would know you don't get anywhere with ultimatums. Very disappointing.

Scholars rank US Secretary of State John Kerry dead last in terms of effectiveness.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/05/scholars-rank-kerry-dead-last-in-terms-of-effectiveness/

And this is from a newspaper sympathetic to the Obama administration.

Right or wrong , Egypt Junta is keeping the Muslim Brotherhood and all that they are capable of, out of power, the same with many dictatorships the US supports. Thailand doesn't have scary terrorists that need a iron fist to keep them in line with a Junta, just a load of Farmers , Factory workers and housewives who want to vote for their own Government

So you think democracy can be bypassed to stop the baddies? The baddies in the eyes of the west? According to the muslim brotherhood the west are the baddies. What a conundrum. Why do you think the Junta had the coup on May the 22nd. Straight after that the scary terrorists stopped their killing and injuring. They were the baddies right? They were baddies to the innocent people that lost their lives, but they were not the baddies of the PTP.

So you surmise there are no housewives, factory workers or farmers in Egypt, but the majority are terrorists. I suggest the majority are peace loving people that only want to live their lives, raise a family and do the same things in life as Thai's, Australian's and Americans. But to justify the American anti democratic stance you have to demonize Egyptian people by putting them all in the same "terrorist" classification. Because we will never know what those Egyptian housewives, farmers and factory workers can be capable of if they were allowed to vote and have a voice..You said it not me.

So in summary you feel that democracy can be thrown out the window because of a pre-determined, biassed definition of who a baddie is! How swell. That is why reform is needed.

America want Thailand back alright, but use "Democracy" as a quant handle to sell it. They much prefer the previous administration, not because the people got to vote. It was because the people were ignored straight after the election to allow a now unelectable convicted criminal fugitive to push free trade agreements through in the interests of the USA. To do it he bypassed the senate and the parliament. Parliament, who is supposed to represent the voice of the people and the senate, who is supposed to be a democratic check of parliament. America didn't care though. They saw $$$$. So who is the baddie is this instance Expratt? Who should be overthrown here?

Edited February 6, 2015 by djjamie

[umbanda]

Good news for the Chinese New Year Celebrations!

I wanted to write on big bold letters....but.....I had to restrain myself!

Edited February 6, 2015 by metisdead

[junk1e]

Watch them quickly change their policy should N. Korea suddenly become a threat. US are very good at ignoring the most evil of dictatorships when it suits them. Close to home a certain Pol Pot springs to mind. They condemned the Vietnamese for invading Cambodia when they eventually got rid of him. US foreign policy is governed entirely by whether there is anything in it for us.

[asiamaster]

Excellent news! Just let them stick with Japan and the Philippines.

[Ricardo]

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

Typical US foreign policy. Schizophrenic. They've no problem with Egypt's Junta (who hates the US) or many others but love to drive their friends into their enemy's arms. Thailand does more trade with China and this short-sighted policy will cause Thailand to bond more closely with China to the detriment of both Thailand and the US. If the US State Dept. knew the first thing about Thais, they would know you don't get anywhere with ultimatums. Very disappointing.

Scholars rank US Secretary of State John Kerry dead last in terms of effectiveness.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/05/scholars-rank-kerry-dead-last-in-terms-of-effectiveness/

And this is from a newspaper sympathetic to the Obama administration.

Right or wrong , Egypt Junta is keeping the Muslim Brotherhood and all that they are capable of, out of power, the same with many dictatorships the US supports. Thailand doesn't have scary terrorists that need a iron fist to keep them in line with a Junta, just a load of Farmers , Factory workers and housewives who want to vote for their own Government

"Thailand doesn't have scary terrorists"

Except of course for the on-going seperatist war in the South ?

Oh, and those people who wanted to create an army to defend the Lanna Peoples Democratic Republic ?

And the rich former-politicians now living overseas, but still stirring the shit ?

Thailand does definitely have its problems, but perhaps the USA might look to its own longer-term & broader strategic-interests in S.E.Asia, vis-a-vis the growing ambitions of the former-regional-superpower to the North, especially since it connived at the post-war booting-out of the former Western powers in the area ?

A limited cut-back of support, following the coup, and a few moral p.c. statements about the return of elections, are one thing. Personally I'd agree with them on most of that. But US-diplomats & strategic-thinkers should beware of cutting off their noses, to spite their Thai faces, despite their recent modest-success with Burma.

Thailand remains (so far) a potential friend for them, in the wider game being played-out in asia.

[Torrens54]

Suspect the US needs Thailand more than Thailand needs the weak and leaderless US.

The "Goofy Golfer" in the Whitehouse can't even run his own country and has managed to let the Middle East slip into chaos, now the Bumbling Obama wants to stick his nose into Thailand's affairs. Very Uppity!

Given Thailand's strategic location in this region, Obama would be a fool to turn his back on this country but then again, given his track record elsewhere, he is capable of some very foolish moves.

Bring on 2016 when the US will have the opportunity to return to sane Leadership and regain its place as the Leader of the Free World.

[SoilSpoil]

Without US and Japanese investments Thailand will move back to the stone age.

[binjalin]

I think, rightly, the international community decries ANY democracies that turn back to d********* (censored).

It is not anti-Thai or 'wounding Thai hearts' it is simply what is ethical, moral and right.

They know it is a slippery slope starting with 'we won't do it', arriving at 'we will do it for a short time' and ending with 'we will do it longer'

[geriatrickid]

Typical US foreign policy. Schizophrenic. They've no problem with Egypt's Junta (who hates the US) or many others but love to drive their friends into their enemy's arms. Thailand does more trade with China and this short-sighted policy will cause Thailand to bond more closely with China to the detriment of both Thailand and the US. If the US State Dept. knew the first thing about Thais, they would know you don't get anywhere with ultimatums. Very disappointing.

Scholars rank US Secretary of State John Kerry dead last in terms of effectiveness.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/05/scholars-rank-kerry-dead-last-in-terms-of-effectiveness/

And this is from a newspaper sympathetic to the Obama administration.

Not really. You have conveniently left out that the US Congress controls appropriations and its 2014 appropriations law included democracy conditions on Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Egypt that, slowed the FMF program. Much of the US $1.3billion in direct aid budgeted to Egypt has been suspended until ecretary Kerry certifies that Egypt has nmet the democracy obligations written into the funding conditions. Humanitarian aid was released, and part of the monies previously disbursed were needed to pay the US companies who had supplied military hardware to Egypt. More funding isn't needed now anyway since Senator Leahy forced the US government to suspend some big ticket military sales.

What do you mean that Thailand does more trade with China? Do you mean that Thailand imports more expensive goods and exports low profit, low tech goods? Are you aware that Thailand has a large trade deficit with China? This means that Thailand imports more than it exports. Whereas Thailand runs a massive trade surplus with the USA.

Which country do you think provides a greater benefit to the Thai economy;

- the country which purchases the more expensive finished goods which provide the better paying jobs, and the key agricultural sector products which employ the most workers from sensitive export driven segments or,

The country which purchases low cost goods from industries reliant on foreign workers, and exports high cost goods in return?

The USA just demonstrated that it has a consistent foreign policy with Thailand, and that it will not be intimidated nor succumb to threats from a military junta leader.

[pedro01]

The US isn't really a democracy.

You just have 2 almost identical parties passing the baton every 8 years.

Where there are perceived policy differences (climate change, abortion, taxes) - the people following their party do so like drones sticking to the party line on those issues and thinking the followers of the other party idiots for choosing the wrong side out of a sum total of 2.

Lobbyists and cash donations set policy because getting elected is basically a money game and the chance of any other parties participating is basically zero.

And then - every now & again, the guy with the least votes becomes President.

A fine system indeed.

[worgeordie]

Does Thailand seem worried,I don't think so,they have

just invited China to the Cobra Gold war games.in place

of the U.S.

regards Worgeordie

[Utley]

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

Typical US foreign policy. Schizophrenic. They've no problem with Egypt's Junta (who hates the US) or many others but love to drive their friends into their enemy's arms. Thailand does more trade with China and this short-sighted policy will cause Thailand to bond more closely with China to the detriment of both Thailand and the US. If the US State Dept. knew the first thing about Thais, they would know you don't get anywhere with ultimatums. Very disappointing.

Scholars rank US Secretary of State John Kerry dead last in terms of effectiveness.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/05/scholars-rank-kerry-dead-last-in-terms-of-effectiveness/

And this is from a newspaper sympathetic to the Obama administration.

Right or wrong , Egypt Junta is keeping the Muslim Brotherhood and all that they are capable of, out of power, the same with many dictatorships the US supports. Thailand doesn't have scary terrorists that need a iron fist to keep them in line with a Junta, just a load of Farmers , Factory workers and housewives who want to vote for their own Government

" the same with many dictatorships the US supports" - not "supports" but rather "tolerates".

[2fishin2]

The US isn't really a democracy.

You just have 2 almost identical parties passing the baton every 8 years.

Where there are perceived policy differences (climate change, abortion, taxes) - the people following their party do so like drones sticking to the party line on those issues and thinking the followers of the other party idiots for choosing the wrong side out of a sum total of 2.

Lobbyists and cash donations set policy because getting elected is basically a money game and the chance of any other parties participating is basically zero.

And then - every now & again, the guy with the least votes becomes President.

A fine system indeed.

Guess you arent American....

Every 4 years we have elections for our president....and for many other officials. We vote.

And no, people do not follow like drones....we vote for whomever we feel better suited to govern along our believes

Lobbying and cash donations are controlled....in Thailand corruption is a normal part of daily life.

We are a democracy....we dont do coups or military takeovers. We have rules, we follow them.

We have a constitution and we protect it with our lives. Thailand has meaningless paper.

We have choices and freedom....Thailand has neither

[Roadman]

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

Typical US foreign policy. Schizophrenic. They've no problem with Egypt's Junta (who hates the US) or many others but love to drive their friends into their enemy's arms. Thailand does more trade with China and this short-sighted policy will cause Thailand to bond more closely with China to the detriment of both Thailand and the US. If the US State Dept. knew the first thing about Thais, they would know you don't get anywhere with ultimatums. Very disappointing.

Scholars rank US Secretary of State John Kerry dead last in terms of effectiveness.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/05/scholars-rank-kerry-dead-last-in-terms-of-effectiveness/

And this is from a newspaper sympathetic to the Obama administration.

Right or wrong , Egypt Junta is keeping the Muslim Brotherhood and all that they are capable of, out of power, the same with many dictatorships the US supports. Thailand doesn't have scary terrorists that need a iron fist to keep them in line with a Junta, just a load of Farmers , Factory workers and housewives who want to vote for their own Government

So dictators and military junta's are fine as long as they are approved by the USA?

Here's an idea....the USA should stick their noses into their own mess at home, stop stooping around in Thailand and buddying to its political criminal element, shut their over opinionated traps and let the Junta have the time and space that they have indicated they need to implement reforms and return to elections.

[2fishin2]

Does Thailand seem worried,I don't think so,they have

just invited China to the Cobra Gold war games.in place

of the U.S.

regards Worgeordie

Hey Worgeordie guess you are late to the party....invalid.

[2fishin2]

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

Typical US foreign policy. Schizophrenic. They've no problem with Egypt's Junta (who hates the US) or many others but love to drive their friends into their enemy's arms. Thailand does more trade with China and this short-sighted policy will cause Thailand to bond more closely with China to the detriment of both Thailand and the US. If the US State Dept. knew the first thing about Thais, they would know you don't get anywhere with ultimatums. Very disappointing.

Scholars rank US Secretary of State John Kerry dead last in terms of effectiveness.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/05/scholars-rank-kerry-dead-last-in-terms-of-effectiveness/

And this is from a newspaper sympathetic to the Obama administration.

Right or wrong , Egypt Junta is keeping the Muslim Brotherhood and all that they are capable of, out of power, the same with many dictatorships the US supports. Thailand doesn't have scary terrorists that need a iron fist to keep them in line with a Junta, just a load of Farmers , Factory workers and housewives who want to vote for their own Government

So dictators and military junta's are fine as long as they are approved by the USA?

Here's an idea....the USA should stick their noses into their own mess at home, stop stooping around in Thailand and buddying to its political criminal element, shut their over opinionated traps and let the Junta have the time and space that they have indicated they need to implement reforms and return to elections.

Guess we have a Thai subversive in the midst.

The USA policy is that any overthrow of an democratically elected government ie coup is wrong. What happened in Thailand for the what 8,9,10,11,12 time? A coup. Thailand has a dismal track record of coups....it is what it is. Its a duck. Dont like it, fix the system....oh yeah like thats gonna ever happen.