Obama Calls Thailand a Partner and Ally

[Jacob Maslow]

U.S. President Barack Obama called Thailand a friend and ally in a personal response to Ambassador Pisan Manawapat’s letter to the U.S.

U.S. President Barack Obama says Washington considers Thailand a partner and an ally, despite differences over the country’s current military government and the coup last year.

Ambassador Pisan Manawapat presented his credentials to the U.S. president Friday along with a letter. Obama replied personally, stating that the United States and Thailand have shared a long friendship and have cooperated on many issues, including countering wildlife and illegal narcotics trafficking, assisting displaced persons and refugees, helping to find cures for deadly diseases, protecting the environment and fighting international crime.

In his letter, the ambassador pointed out six critical areas where the ties between the U.S. and Thailand could be strengthened. He also noted the country’s goal to pursue a functional and sustainable democracy and highlighted that the goal requires understanding and support from international friends.

In Mr. Obama’s response, he noted that Washington anticipates Thailand and the U.S. will continue to work together to pursue common goals and find solutions to challenges in the coming years. He noted that the U.S. is also looking forward to Thailand restoring democracy, stating that it would allow their partnership to “reach its fullest potential”.

Obama called Thailand an important voice in Southeast Asia’s multifaceted institutions, and stated that the U.S. will continue see Thailand as a partner and an ally in the Asia-Pacific region.

The letter also stated that the U.S. will continue working with Thailand’s regional institutions to help stimulate economic growth and trade. Some of Thailand’s biggest investors are American companies, and the United States is its third largest trading partner. Obama also made mention of his visit to Thailand in 2012, where he stated the people-to-people ties between Thailand and the United States were also very strong. Links in both countries allow

American students to study in Thailand and vice versa.

-- 2015-02-26

[Scully]

Dear General this is how diplomacy works, instead of throwing your toys out of the pram, react with some choice words such as calling a country your friend and ally etc.

Then you can say what you really mean in the small print like "the U.S. is also looking forward to Thailand restoring democracy ".

[NeverSure]

Yes, the fine print is definitely there, in just two sentences.

[Marknreston]

Being rich and well connected gets you the visa. Many less fortunate who just want to visit friends or have an unforgettable trip of a lifetime are not allowed. It is not about sex as some of you might intimate. I have met so many nice sincere people who wNt to travel to the west but the process of getting a visa is worse then a criminal proceeding. Unless of course your Daddy or Uncle is well connected. Unfortunate for so many.

[rakman]

Obama:

If you like your country, you can keep your country. But you got to bring back the Red Shirts, they are the only party I like.

[DonaldBattles]

I did not see any of Obama's comments about friendship with Thailand published in the papers. Maybe they don't want to piss off the Chinese or alter the nationalistic attitude of hate toward the USA the country that saved them 2 times.

[Yann55]

Diplomatic language : the art of saying nothing in so many words.

Diplomatic institutions : the art of spending buckets of taxpayers money just so that a few privileged 'diplomats' (note the word 'mats') can enjoy a good life, high salaries, and a feeling of extreme self-importance.

Diplomatic approach : the art of approaching without ever actually getting there.

[finnomick]

I wonder what he wants ? Maybe a supply chain for coconuts and bananas ?

[micmichd]

Diplomacy: the Cybernetic way of change-making and development.

[metisdead]

Troll posts and replies have been removed.

[asiamaster]

Bla bla bla - Freedom - bla bla bla - Democracy - bla bla bla - Cooperation - bla bla bla - Dialogue- bla bla bla

[Baerboxer]

I did not see any of Obama's comments about friendship with Thailand published in the papers. Maybe they don't want to piss off the Chinese or alter the nationalistic attitude of hate toward the USA the country that saved them 2 times.

Saved them twice?

[micmichd]

Guess the magic spell of diplomacy is "nit noy" - a little bit, in the right direction, so the big boat doesn't collide with cliffs.

"Cybernetics" is literally the arts of governance.

[Dannyboy666]

Great to Hear, Don't Need any Drama...

[lucky11]

Obama:

If you like your country, you can keep your country. But you got to bring back the Red Shirts, they are the only party I like.

The red shirts are not a party so not sure what you are on about!!!

[Suffinator]

Ambassador Pisan Manawapat presented his credentials to the U.S. president Friday along with a letter. Obama replied personally, stating that the United States and Thailand have shared a long friendship and have cooperated on many issues, including countering wildlife and illegal narcotics trafficking, assisting displaced persons and refugees, helping to find cures for deadly diseases, protecting the environment and fighting international crime.

You've got to love Obama; that's one sick and twisted moron who could find his own butt hole if his life depended on it.

The letter also stated that the U.S. will continue working with Thailand’s regional institutions to help stimulate economic growth and trade. Some of Thailand’s biggest investors are American companies, and the United States is its third largest trading partner.

And there you have it, the US and its corporations will do business with anyone, including totalitarian dictators, providing there's a profit it in. And people wonder why humanity is seriously f*** up.

[sweatalot]

" U.S. is also looking forward to Thailand restoring democracy"

he still seems to not understand.

He should have said "U.S. is also looking forward to Thailand attaining democracy at last"

[Torrens54]

All very good, so Obama the "Flip/flop Man" has flipped....or is it flopped on this one?

I told you that Thailand is far more important Strategically to the US than the US is to Thailand and maybe the White House Golf-Pro has had a revelation pointing out the fool hardiness of his previous attitude towards the Thai Government.

Of course, given that Obama does tend to flip-flop on everything from Red Lines in The Sand to who his Best Buddy is, anything could happen between now and when Sanity and Integrity is elected in the 2016 election.

Wonder how Obama's "toe-touching admirer" feels about his new alliance? Does he still have a "Thing for Ying?"

Stay tuned folks, you can bet there'll be another exciting episode in the Obama Odyssey, playing on the World Stage, real soon!

Edited February 26, 2015 by Torrens54

[bernd1616]

fits perfect the terror state usa and this dictatorship in thailand as do the good friendship from the usa with the allies from them in the barbaric islamistic dictatorships in the arabian league. js great to have friends and allies like them hahahaha

[HeijoshinCool]

I wonder what he wants ? Maybe a supply chain for coconuts and bananas ?

.

No, he wants to continue using the secret location in Thailand for torturing "terrorists," while the good general says he knows nothing about it, because the US's torturing people in Thailand is an "internal matter" for the USA.

[Godders]

Wonder which is easier - getting a Thai student into the US or a US student into Thailand? No prizes for the right answer.

[lifeincnx]

Wonder which is easier - getting a Thai student into the US or a US student into Thailand? No prizes for the right answer.

Question 2, which will help answer question 1: What city and country have the largest concentration of Thais living outside of Thailand?

(hint: They just held the Academy Awards there)

[Srikcir]

It is up to the Thais Peoples for what form of government they want for their nation. To that end Obama will respect the will of the People. If Thais are complacent or uninterested about the current state of affairs in the new formation of government and constitution, Obama will respect that. If Thais accept as a society having repressive and nondemocratic governance, Obama will respect that. USA's relationship with Iran, China, and Saudi Arabia are good examples.

The US maintains a complex set of relationships with most every nation whether it be for trade, humantarian aide, military security, or combination of purposes. To that end keeping a pragmatic view of the world as it relates to American culture is Obama's main priority in foreign affairs.

But remember that the POTUS is only one part of the USA government and while he sets policy as Head of State and Government, he must also attend the will of the American peoples through their elected officials as well. So while he expresses support for Thailand as a partner and ally, such diplomatic viewpoint may not be shared by members of Congress. As the new congressional Republican majority deals with more domestic issues, they will begin to assert themselve on foreign issues in a less than pragmatic manner.

Time is not on the side of the Junta to delay the will of Thais.

[outsider]

A lesson in diplomacy and tact for Thailand, it seems. Learn, dear leader.

[watcharacters]

I wonder what he wants ? Maybe a supply chain for coconuts and bananas ?

.

No, he wants to continue using the secret location in Thailand for torturing "terrorists," while the good general says he knows nothing about it, because the US's torturing people in Thailand is an "internal matter" for the USA.

You gotta get points for that.

Not necessarily good points however.

Kind of a dumb post really.

[micmichd]

MCD Ying Rubs OBAMA.jpgAll very good, so Obama the "Flip/flop Man" has flipped....or is it flopped on this one?

I told you that Thailand is far more important Strategically to the US than the US is to Thailand and maybe the White House Golf-Pro has had a revelation pointing out the fool hardiness of his previous attitude towards the Thai Government.

Of course, given that Obama does tend to flip-flop on everything from Red Lines in The Sand to who his Best Buddy is, anything could happen between now and when Sanity and Integrity is elected in the 2016 election.

Wonder how Obama's "toe-touching admirer" feels about his new alliance? Does he still have a "Thing for Ying?"

Stay tuned folks, you can bet there'll be another exciting episode in the Obama Odyssey, playing on the World Stage, real soon!

[micmichd]

Guess the First Lady will smile

[ithankGodagain]

Thais should watch out u s' that all I have to say..

[Robby nz]

As long a Obama doesn't want Thailand to help out with giving lethal aid.

[Dustdevil]

Great to Hear, Don't Need any Drama...

No-drama Obama. Always has been.