Envoy rejects US paper's attack on Thai government

[webfact]

Envoy rejects US paper's attack on Thai government
THE NATION

WASHINGTON: -- THE new Thai ambassador to the United States, Pisan Manawapat, has written a letter to the Washington Post, saying its editorial of February 20 on Thailand's political situation "grossly misrepresented the situation in the country".

The envoy was referring to the Post's editorial entitled "Thailand's ineffective rule by force" which suggested that the Thai prime minister should get the message that in the absence of meaningful steps, starting with the lifting of martial law, the Thai military would lose its relationship with the United States, including future exercises.

It further said that if the Obama administration was unwilling to act, Congress should step in.

In his letter, Pisan said: "Thailand has not wavered in its commitment to democracy. Progress is being made, and the new constitution's drafting and consultation process must, by law, be completed by September."

After its enactment, Thailand will hold multi-party elections early next year, the letter said. To prejudge the constitution's contents or even to presume a referendum would not be held was not appropriate, it said. The talk of delaying the election was in anticipation of time needed to organise a referendum. "As with every country, Thailand has to balance its national security with respect for civil liberty. Martial law is necessary to maintain public safety. Fed up with prolonged street protests and random violence, the Thai public is not affected by this deterrence. Martial law will, however, have to be lifted before elections to allow vibrant and participatory campaigning."

The letter said there were no political prisoners, and former premier Yingluck Shinawatra would enjoy due process in the Supreme Court.

Thailand's goal was to achieve democratic rule, where key principles such as good governance, transparency and accountability were respected. Further, anti-human trafficking and anti-child pornography bills to further improve human rights protections were being pushed into law, read the letter. The letter was on the Post's online edition on February 27.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Envoy-rejects-US-papers-attack-on-Thai-government-30255143.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-02

[Somtamnication]

LOL. Farcical and full of my little pony style dreams.

[TomJoad]

Why is democracy ALWAYS assumed to be the BEST form of government....?

Germany 1933 - a democracy that allowed Hitler to come to power. Millions died.

USA 2003 - a democracy that allowed George W. Bush to start a war over false claims. Hundreds of thousands died.

[tbthailand]

Envoy rejects US paper's attack on Thai government

well of course he would...

here is the editorial and

here is this guy's response.

you be the judge...

[boggle]

No political prisoners heh?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804867-people-jailed-for-political-crimes-in-thailand-united/?utm_source=newsletter-20150302-0751&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news

[Strangebrew]

In defense of Thai people Martial Law was needed when you have political sides who don't respect freedom of speech and different views you have chaos,as we saw children for god's sake were being killed over what? random bombing's by who? and for what? shooting's It was if they were rabid animals. The military restored calm the police didn't there a part of the problem they can be bought. I sorry but having not had a real democracy Thai's don't understand the power they are given or how to use it yet. The vote is a powerful weapon and should not be sold or bought by anyone.It was written the Pen is mightier than the sword, but the vote is the voice of the people. So want change tired of same oh same oh? the use your vote and bring about change or you doom your children and your children's children. I'm not trying to justify the coup but this is Thailand it is what it took to bring back some form of order I have Thai friends who have and could have been victims. So know we watch and wait to see where it goes from here.In the US there can't be coup's cause the people are armed and there are more armed people than any countries military in the world. Good luck to all Thai people We will be watching.

[Robby nz]

Why is democracy ALWAYS assumed to be the BEST form of government....?

Germany 1933 - a democracy that allowed Hitler to come to power. Millions died.

USA 2003 - a democracy that allowed George W. Bush to start a war over false claims. Hundreds of thousands died.

Simply because the US has decided that Democracy is the best system for the world and they are willing to show countries the error of their ways if they do not agree.

We have seen the success of this in places like Vietnam.....Err, no lets not use that as an example.

How about more recently in Iraq and Libya where...... No those are not good examples either.

Well Afghanistan then, OK as long as they keep troops there it should hold.

And they always come out strongly against any coup...... well except when it is in their interests such as in Egypt lately.

[JingerBen]

LOL. Farcical and full of my little pony style dreams.

Yes, that very well describes the Washington Post editorial.

They seem to be oblivious of the fact that tens of thousands of enraged people were on the streets of Bangkok facing off for a civil war.

That is why the Thai Army took action when they did.

Since the military restored order more has been done to eliminate the systematic criminality that masquerades as government since Anand Panyarachun was Prime Minister in 1991.

The Washington Post is clueless.

[JohnnyJazz]

The USA are ready to fight China over democracy in Hong Kong, in this regard Thailand's junta cannot expect any leniency from America in its push for greater democracy in SE Asia. The recent articles in Forbes and the Washington Post are just the tip of the iceberg. When you see to which extremes (Ukraine,the Middle East come to mind) the USA are ready to go to push for their agenda, I wouldn't be overly optimistic about Thailand prospects if the generals don't "readjust " their attitude in the very near future.

Edited March 2, 2015 by JohnnyJazz

[NeverSure]

What's the big face saving about here? It's a dumb newspaper, not the US government speaking.

One of the best things available is freedom of the press but with it comes dissenting opinion. Always. Every day.

People who don't have freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of the press don't seem to understand this:

Freedom of the press means freedom to be disagreeable.

[JohnnyJazz]

LOL. Farcical and full of my little pony style dreams.

Yes, that very well describes the Washington Post editorial.

They seem to be oblivious of the fact that tens of thousands of enraged people were on the streets of Bangkok facing off for a civil war.

That is why the Thai Army took action when they did.

Since the military restored order more has been done to eliminate the systematic criminality that masquerades as government since Anand Panyarachun was Prime Minister in 1991.

The Washington Post is clueless.

And you should add Ukrain to your list.

But you're missing the point, it is not about who is winning but about who is losing. The real loser in all these countries is the general population who is suffering greatly because their leaders thought they could defy the "free world" without consequences. The question we should ask ourselves is not who is right or who is wrong but should I stay or should I go.

Edited March 2, 2015 by JohnnyJazz

[eggers]

When will US get the message, to keep it's nose out of the internal affairs of sovereign states.

Give assistance when sought, otherwise,but out & concentrate on cleaning up your problems.......plenty to do in US!!

[captspectre]

Envoy rejects US paper's attack on Thai government

well of course he would...

here is the editorial and

here is this guy's response.

you be the judge...

thanks for publishing the editorial. was a good read and thught provoking. in the forty two years I have been associated with thailand i have seen general after genaeral take over. it has not worked in the past and as long as the people of the north and northeast ae reated as second class citizens, don't think things will change.

[TheDiva]

Why is democracy ALWAYS assumed to be the BEST form of government....?

Germany 1933 - a democracy that allowed Hitler to come to power. Millions died.

USA 2003 - a democracy that allowed George W. Bush to start a war over false claims. Hundreds of thousands died.

Oh I don't know, maybe because the alternative isn't too attractive? Anyway, apparently it doesn't take much to have a democracy - as the man said

“If we have a government, if we have an interim constitution, if we have a cabinet, we have democracy.”

Of course a leader may get more respect from other, more established, democracies if those three qualifiers were not the direct result of a coup.

[lucky11]

Why is democracy ALWAYS assumed to be the BEST form of government....?

Germany 1933 - a democracy that allowed Hitler to come to power. Millions died.

USA 2003 - a democracy that allowed George W. Bush to start a war over false claims. Hundreds of thousands died.

Yes, indeed, one needs to ask this question.

Flawed so-called democracies such (as all of the Shinawatra controlled governments tend to be) are no better than corrupt dictatorships.

Thailand is not mature enough for democratic rule as certain parties don't play by the rules and the people in the Northern parts aren't clever enough to make informed decisions.

Someone please tell the Yanks to mind their own shop and butt out of Thailand's affairs. Thai people want to retain marshal law for as long as it is needed and they are VERY happy with this government's performance to date and so there is not a problem. I wonder what would happen if Thailand said to America until you sort out your differences and stop acting like little children when it comes to setting national budgets (caused by democracy) we will pull out of your silly little war games and play them with China instead.

Also, it makes much more sense to trade with fellow Asian neighbours rather than a tin-pot country like the US of A - especially with a nice little rail-link or 2 on the horizon!!!

America!!! you have been warned!!

Edited March 2, 2015 by lucky11

[SoilSpoil]

I hope that the Thais stay clear of the US version of democracy/corporatocracy.

[TheDiva]

Why is democracy ALWAYS assumed to be the BEST form of government....?

Germany 1933 - a democracy that allowed Hitler to come to power. Millions died.

USA 2003 - a democracy that allowed George W. Bush to start a war over false claims. Hundreds of thousands died.

Simply because the US has decided that Democracy is the best system for the world and they are willing to show countries the error of their ways if they do not agree.

We have seen the success of this in places like Vietnam.....Err, no lets not use that as an example.

How about more recently in Iraq and Libya where...... No those are not good examples either.

Well Afghanistan then, OK as long as they keep troops there it should hold.

And they always come out strongly against any coup...... well except when it is in their interests such as in Egypt lately.

So democracy is not for you, fair enough, just as long as we know what your opinions are based on. Or is it you just want to bash the US? Why not rant at the British (you could bring up all kinds of errant forays into foreign lands) or the European Union (Germany's part of that - just think what you could whinge about there), oh, and Japan, they're not exactly stellar on the foreign intervention front either (think Thailand for example).

But do you know what else they have in common? - They've all come out strongly against the coup in Thailand.

[NeverSure]

-snip-

America!!! you have been warned!!

LOL. Who are you talking to? It was a crummy newspaper that wrote the article and it doesn't represent the US. It's a private business and it represents itself.

Such overreaction.

[NeverSure]

I hope that the Thais stay clear of the US version of democracy/corporatocracy.

The US isn't a democracy. Go back to school.

[h90]

Why is democracy ALWAYS assumed to be the BEST form of government....?

Germany 1933 - a democracy that allowed Hitler to come to power. Millions died.

USA 2003 - a democracy that allowed George W. Bush to start a war over false claims. Hundreds of thousands died.

Simply because the US has decided that Democracy is the best system for the world and they are willing to show countries the error of their ways if they do not agree.

We have seen the success of this in places like Vietnam.....Err, no lets not use that as an example.

How about more recently in Iraq and Libya where...... No those are not good examples either.

Well Afghanistan then, OK as long as they keep troops there it should hold.

And they always come out strongly against any coup...... well except when it is in their interests such as in Egypt lately.

But well their Democracy is the best. 2 parties which share power for the last 150 or so years. It is like the elections in East Germany or North Korea with some nice sugar topping. You can vote, you can decide and at the end nothing changes. Some minor argument, if putting the money to the big insurances (Obamacare) or to the big weapon producer, but that is just a big show for entertainment.

[lucky11]

-snip-

America!!! you have been warned!!

LOL. Who are you talking to? It was a crummy newspaper that wrote the article and it doesn't represent the US. It's a private business and it represents itself.

Such overreaction.

I was being sarcastic!!!

[2fishin2]

The USA are ready to fight China over democracy in Hong Kong, in this regard Thailand's junta cannot expect any leniency from America in its push for greater democracy in SE Asia. The recent articles in Forbes and the Washington Post are just the tip of the iceberg. When you see to which extremes (Ukraine,the Middle East come to mind) the USA are ready to go to push for their agenda, I wouldn't be overly optimistic about Thailand prospects if the generals don't "readjust " their attitude in the very near future.

Hahahahahaahaahahahah prove your points. If you cant (which I know you cant) then I will stop laughing....

Whats this thread about a newspaper post and a retort??

How do you equate hong kong and war into this?

[2fishin2]

I hope that the Thais stay clear of the US version of democracy/corporatocracy.

The US isn't a democracy. Go back to school.

Then what is the government?

[Braddockrd]

Very well said!!!

[2fishin2]

Why is democracy ALWAYS assumed to be the BEST form of government....?

Germany 1933 - a democracy that allowed Hitler to come to power. Millions died.

USA 2003 - a democracy that allowed George W. Bush to start a war over false claims. Hundreds of thousands died.

Yes, indeed, one needs to ask this question.

Flawed so-called democracies such (as all of the Shinawatra controlled governments tend to be) are no better than corrupt dictatorships.

Thailand is not mature enough for democratic rule as certain parties don't play by the rules and the people in the Northern parts aren't clever enough to make informed decisions.

Someone please tell the Yanks to mind their own shop and butt out of Thailand's affairs. Thai people want to retain marshal law for as long as it is needed and they are VERY happy with this government's performance to date and so there is not a problem. I wonder what would happen if Thailand said to America until you sort out your differences and stop acting like little children when it comes to setting national budgets (caused by democracy) we will pull out of your silly little war games and play them with China instead.

Also, it makes much more sense to trade with fellow Asian neighbours rather than a tin-pot country like the US of A - especially with a nice little rail-link or 2 on the horizon!!!

America!!! you have been warned!!

Then please tell Thailand to quit asking for US handouts. But for Thailand's military overthrow of a people elected government none of this would have happened remember......

[lucky11]

Why is democracy ALWAYS assumed to be the BEST form of government....?

Germany 1933 - a democracy that allowed Hitler to come to power. Millions died.

USA 2003 - a democracy that allowed George W. Bush to start a war over false claims. Hundreds of thousands died.

Simply because the US has decided that Democracy is the best system for the world and they are willing to show countries the error of their ways if they do not agree.

We have seen the success of this in places like Vietnam.....Err, no lets not use that as an example.

How about more recently in Iraq and Libya where...... No those are not good examples either.

Well Afghanistan then, OK as long as they keep troops there it should hold.

And they always come out strongly against any coup...... well except when it is in their interests such as in Egypt lately.

Nicely put into context!!

Until they can appreciate that democracy is not for everyone and that other (non-Western) countries have different cultures and economies that democracy doesn't serve so well or function properly in (for a myriad of reasons) then they are never going to understand this!!

[TheDiva]

Why is democracy ALWAYS assumed to be the BEST form of government....?

Germany 1933 - a democracy that allowed Hitler to come to power. Millions died.

USA 2003 - a democracy that allowed George W. Bush to start a war over false claims. Hundreds of thousands died.

Yes, indeed, one needs to ask this question.

Flawed so-called democracies such (as all of the Shinawatra controlled governments tend to be) are no better than corrupt dictatorships.

Thailand is not mature enough for democratic rule as certain parties don't play by the rules and the people in the Northern parts aren't clever enough to make informed decisions.

Someone please tell the Yanks to mind their own shop and butt out of Thailand's affairs. Thai people want to retain marshal law for as long as it is needed and they are VERY happy with this government's performance to date and so there is not a problem. I wonder what would happen if Thailand said to America until you sort out your differences and stop acting like little children when it comes to setting national budgets (caused by democracy) we will pull out of your silly little war games and play them with China instead.

Also, it makes much more sense to trade with fellow Asian neighbours rather than a tin-pot country like the US of A - especially with a nice little rail-link or 2 on the horizon!!!

America!!! you have been warned!!

Possibly the most naive, ignorant post about Thais and the situation I have read. Up until now that is, I'm sure the responses will probably vie for that accolade.

[Yann55]

If I were Thai, regardless of my political sympathies, I would be absolutely infuriated by the level of condescension, arrogance, utter ignorance and aggressive stupidity shown by the Washington Post on this issue.

What is it with Westerners constantly giving democracy lessons to the rest of the world ? Is it that our countries are a sort of Shangri-La where everything is fine and dandy just because people get to vote for one buffoon or another every now and then ?

Is there any sensible and informed person in the world who still believes that Western countries are actually governed by their 'democratically elected' governments rather than their financial and economical tycoons ?

Democracy is not a magic pill, it works only when a vast number of pre-requisites are put together, a miracle which happens once in a blue moon.

Edited March 2, 2015 by Yann55

[kblaze]

Why is democracy ALWAYS assumed to be the BEST form of government....?

Germany 1933 - a democracy that allowed Hitler to come to power. Millions died.

USA 2003 - a democracy that allowed George W. Bush to start a war over false claims. Hundreds of thousands died.

And I could name at least 5 other democratically elected governments that have been horrible as well.

But you are missing the point; it sucks, but it doesn't suck as much as the other options.

[lifeincnx]

I hope that the Thais stay clear of the US version of democracy/corporatocracy.

The US isn't a democracy. Go back to school.

Then what is the government?

The USA is a Republic.

A Democratic form of government = system in which the people decide policy matters directly

A Republic form of government = system in which the people choose representatives who, in turn, make policy decisions on their behalf.

Hnece the phrase "and to the republic for which it stands." in the Pledge of Allegiance.