US must not impose its idea of democracy: PM

[Lite Beer]

47TH WHARTON GLOBAL FORUM
US must not impose its idea of democracy: PM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Prayut says you cannot tailor one dress for everyone, and each country must take into account its problems

THE UNITED STATES should not try to impose a one-size-fits-all democracy on the rest of the world, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

Prayut took to the podium as a keynote speaker at the 47th Wharton Global Forum at a Bangkok hotel and used the opportunity to extend an olive branch to other nations.

He asked the audience, including alumni and faculty members of the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, to relay the message to the US.

"Please tell the United States that in tailoring you cannot just cut one dress and expects it to fit all. There must be many sizes for each to fit. That's why a tailor is needed. You cannot tailor one dress and expect the whole world to wear it. Each nation has its own problems that differ," said Prayut, adding that any aid from the US should be on the basis of equity.

Prayut said he was determined to strengthen Thailand's ties with other nations.

"For those countries that won't invite me, I'll send a deputy prime minister to visit instead. Even if the US won't let me visit, I am open for them to visit [Thailand] because we have longstanding relations lasting two centuries."

Acknowledging criticism that he was not elected and the fact that he seized power through a military coup last year, Prayut also sought to defend the military regime.

"I am still being criticised today, accused of making Thailand a bad example for governance in the world. I don't get it. Every country is watching us to see how Thailand will proceed and they are surprised that Thai people have no problem.

"And they think some groups of Thais do not want the country to be democratic. So they are puzzled. We told them Thailand is unlike others."

The prime minister, who left for an official visit to Japan yesterday afternoon, insisted that no matter what, Thailand will continue to seek closer economic, political and security ties with countries like Asean member states, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

"Today, we have relations with many nations. I ask all countries not to be angry at Thailand simply because of me. If there's any inconvenience today, I will clear it up.

"Please return and tell your country if there's any problem then let me know. I'll clear it up. There's no point to meet in a conference and just shake hands. We must be able to relate because we're friends," said Prayut, adding that Thailand has been rated as the happiest nation on Earth.

"Thailand has been rated as the happiest nation on Earth because we adhere to the philosophy of a sufficiency economy. We're moving ahead firmly and we must not become bankrupt."

He seemed to be referring to a recent analysis by Bloomberg News that put Thailand at the top of a list of the 15 happiest economies in the world, which included Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, China, the US, Malaysia and Germany.

Inflation and unemployment, two factors that make consumers unhappy, are remarkably low in those countries.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/US-must-not-impose-its-idea-of-democracy-PM-30256005.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-14

[sjjmmi]

Thailand on their own the LOL Hub of the world

Edited March 13, 2015 by sjjmmi

[beautifulthailand99]

This verse is no longer sung in the popular hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful - I dedicate it to the good General.

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3668059/The-story-behind-the-hymn.html

[alex88]

Anybody who still believes that there is such a thing as democracy in the US or other similar countries is very deluded.

[halloween]

Who was the last US president NOT a multi-millionaire before becoming elected?

[NeverSure]

Bill Clinton

[FireMedic]

I was thinking he would want to be more like the democracy in the US. Once he understands how "lobbyists" work and how to keep the corruption hidden, it would be a no brainer.

[aussieinthailand]

Anybody who still believes that there is such a thing as democracy in the US or other similar countries is very deluded.

Yu'p Thailand is different, and so is the EU and UK, NZ, AU, and Timbuktu is different as is every other country out there, so quite right, one size dose not fit all.

Now for the kicker, basic rights and freedoms that should come with any attempted legitimizing of a democracy, otherwise your just taking the p*ss.

I don't have a dog in the fight, so my opinion's have not one ounce of weight in the current situation, nor it's past or future, and a mature government would see that, UNLIKE some people here that openly call here on TV for the searching, detention and deportation from the country of some people as they don't agree with their views, and when called out on it try's to spin it instead of backing it up and the MODS need to do something about that, ie rules, ( not criticizing, just a suggestion)

Most of us are individuals, (people of the world) we have our own opinions and moral values, we set our own standards just as different countries do, Thailand is a sovereign nation and sets it own standards.

As for linking aid and politics, in this case the US has it's own laws it must follow and that of aid to a country under a military coup's weather the government like it or not.

alex88, " Anybody who still believes that there is such a thing as democracy in the US or other similar countries is very deluded".

Please , tell me why Australia is not a democracy?

[tx22cb]

Looks like the PM's tailor has designed a new suit ....

[bim]

I agree with him. The US has the worst form of democracy where a government can be bought and paid for. It was the same in Thailand also so hope he changes it for the better.

[kriswillems]

Dear Mr. Prayuth,

In Thailand there's no democracy at all at the moment.....
Human rights are violated. Commoners are sent to military court.
The martial law is still not lifted.
So, why would you discuss with the US which kind of democracy is the best?

The US is right not letting you visit them - you're a dictator after all.
That Japan supports a dictatorship is kinda sad.
Maybe Japan is hoping for the trans-asian railway that they couldn't build during the second world war, in which Thailand chose the side of Japan.

Edited March 14, 2015 by kriswillems

[tbthailand]

THE UNITED STATES should not try to impose a one-size-fits-all democracy on the rest of the world, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

The USA is doing no such thing wrt Thailand, so yet another strawman argument and another attempt to make outsiders the boogyeman from the unelected 'PM'.

Martial law for 10 months, .... suspension of basic human rights... the General finds time to even let the word "democracy" cross his lips under these circumstances???

[trogers]

Lee Kuan Yew have said this very same thing so many years ago, that Western concept of democracy and human rights will not work in Asia.

[tbthailand]

Who was the last US president NOT a multi-millionaire before becoming elected?

Obama, but what does that have to do with anything?

[Calimotty]

Lee Kuan Yew have said this very same thing so many years ago, that Western concept of democracy and human rights will not work in Asia.

And there's nowhere that hides it's corruption better than Singapore.

Thanks to the Lee family.

[trogers]

Lee Kuan Yew have said this very same thing so many years ago, that Western concept of democracy and human rights will not work in Asia.

And there's nowhere that hides it's corruption better than Singapore.

Thanks to the Lee family.

So, democracy Singapore's style is so similar to that of USA...

[FireMedic]

But at least I feel safe in Singapore.

[jaywalker]

"And they think some groups of Thais do not want the country to be democratic. So they are puzzled. We told them Thailand is unlike others."

All OK here folks. We've been having coups since almost day one. We are the HUB of Coups!

We have one every 5 or 10 years whether we need one or not!

[jayboy]

THE UNITED STATES should not try to impose a one-size-fits-all democracy on the rest of the world, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

The USA is doing no such thing wrt Thailand, so yet another strawman argument and another attempt to make outsiders the boogyeman from the unelected 'PM'.

Martial law for 10 months, .... suspension of basic human rights... the General finds time to even let the word "democracy" cross his lips under these circumstances???

Exactly.Nobody has argued that democracy should not be adapted to suit local conditions and culture.That is why democratic systems in say Japan, the US, India and the UK are all distinctly different.

But there are also basic democratic values which recognise power lies with the people, recognises the rights of minorities and an independent legal system above politics.It is these universal values that are treated with contempt in Thailand.

[billsmart]

I'm a little uncomfortable with Prayut's statement quoted above for two reasons:

1. He's misusing the term "democracy". He should be using the term "government". Thailand never was a democracy, and neither is the USA. The USA is a republic where the representatives are democratically elected (or that's the intent anyway). I think what he means here and should be saying is "government". If he says that I agree that every country and society must tailor its government to best reflect the cultural values and address the needs of the people.

2. I also think he's misusing the word "impose". To 'impose democracy" would imply the US has sent troops over here to overthrow the current government and forcible establish (impose) a democracy. That's obviously not happening. The USA is doing what it can to influence the Thai government to return the control of the government to the people by reestablishing the constitution which calls for a customized Thai version of a democratically-elected parliamentary system. He should not expect the USA to ever abandon those efforts, nor himself quit commenting on and criticizing other countries. That's what international relationships are all about.

[arrowsdawdle]

How patently predictable to build a case on the premise that Thai democracy, like Thai electricity, is different...with the emphasis based only on appearances, viz., a dress (Freudian slip?) as opposed to substantive core values.

[HeijoshinCool]

The United States is not a democracy. It is a republic. Voters elect liars people to represent them in congress and the White House.

If the US were a democracy, we would not be going to war continuously; creating a pubic debt of tens of trillions of now worthless dollars; nor allowing illegal immigrants good jobs and social security and free school and medical.

No, Mr Couper, the US is not a democracy.

That is why it is doomed.

But then, Thailand ain't one either.

[trogers]

The United States is not a democracy. It is a republic. Voters elect liars people to represent them in congress and the White House.

If the US were a democracy, we would not be going to war continuously; creating a pubic debt of tens of trillions of now worthless dollars; nor allowing illegal immigrants good jobs and social security and free school and medical.

No, Mr Couper, the US is not a democracy.

That is why it is doomed.

But then, Thailand ain't one either.

Tens of trillions? Have a look at the debt counter at Times Square.

Over a thousand and a half trillion?

Edited March 14, 2015 by trogers

[Jip99]

The United States is not a democracy. It is a republic. Voters elect liars people to represent them in congress and the White House.

If the US were a democracy, we would not be going to war continuously; creating a pubic debt of tens of trillions of now worthless dollars; nor allowing illegal immigrants good jobs and social security and free school and medical.

No, Mr Couper, the US is not a democracy.

That is why it is doomed.

But then, Thailand ain't one either.

Tens of trillions? Have a look at the debt counter at Times Square.

Over a thousand and a half trillion?

Size clearly does matter!

[trogers]

The United States is not a democracy. It is a republic. Voters elect liars people to represent them in congress and the White House.

If the US were a democracy, we would not be going to war continuously; creating a pubic debt of tens of trillions of now worthless dollars; nor allowing illegal immigrants good jobs and social security and free school and medical.

No, Mr Couper, the US is not a democracy.

That is why it is doomed.

But then, Thailand ain't one either.

Tens of trillions? Have a look at the debt counter at Times Square.

Over a thousand and a half trillion?

Size clearly does matter!

That's why their aircraft carriers have aircrafts.

[2fishin2]

The United States is not a democracy. It is a republic. Voters elect liars people to represent them in congress and the White House.

If the US were a democracy, we would not be going to war continuously; creating a pubic debt of tens of trillions of now worthless dollars; nor allowing illegal immigrants good jobs and social security and free school and medical.

No, Mr Couper, the US is not a democracy.

That is why it is doomed.

But then, Thailand ain't one either.

1. The governmental system in US is a democracy.

2. The word republic means nothing in this argument.

3. The people choose and elect who they want to office. That's a basic principle of a democratic society/government. Freedom to choose.

4. In the dictionary meaning of democracy, the word war is not found.

5. You need to read this: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy

No need to cry Chicken Little just yet, the US isnt doomed. And for the record, it is the world's strongest economy and the dollar is what currency the world uses for trade.

If you are going to argue a topic at least have one sentence that is true

[Srikcir]

As always, Gen Prayut makes another unrestrained attack on the US in defense of his military-led government. His inelegant and bombastic condemnation of the US comes on the eve when a Thai delegation is going to the US to argue fair and balanced treatment on Thailand's listing with Tier 3 countries. This delegation was going to "help" the US understand that Thailand is meeting all its obligations in stopping and preventing human trafficking.

"We told them Thailand is unlike others." Thailand doesn't need US democracy but it wants unrestrictive access to all US markets.

So fine, the US is also unlike others, will also stand behind its democratic principles, and impose Tier 3 sanctions on Thailand because it DOES UNDERSTAND what Gen. Prayut stands for.

[HeijoshinCool]

The United States is not a democracy. It is a republic. Voters elect liars people to represent them in congress and the White House.

If the US were a democracy, we would not be going to war continuously; creating a pubic debt of tens of trillions of now worthless dollars; nor allowing illegal immigrants good jobs and social security and free school and medical.

No, Mr Couper, the US is not a democracy.

That is why it is doomed.

But then, Thailand ain't one either.

Tens of trillions? Have a look at the debt counter at Times Square.

Over a thousand and a half trillion?

.

I was stating the "official" debt.

But yes, it is far more than that.

Then you have the 1.2 quadrillion debt of derivatives ...

[TheKnave]

Democracy comes from the people, not from the government. Thais have no desire/ability to achieve democracy, any more than the last few generation of Americans do.

Give 'em a couple of TVs, and a vehicle, some cheap food, and...what was the question??

[tonypace02]

Every dress needs material like every democracy needs involvement by the people in gubernatorial choices. The PM's tailor is sewing this wonderful new material that only Thai people can see. The beauty of it is it never goes out of style because it changes every day at his whim.