PM Prayut says it's just a joke for travel ban to the US

[rubl]

Sorry, I still don't get his humour. Is he or is he not banned from entering the US?

Note that treaties prevent the US from blocking people from attending the UN, but then may ban people from all entering for anything other than the UN.

So is he banned, or is he not?

i.e. can he fly on a normal passport to visit the US or will the visa be rejected (except for UN purposes)?

Gen Prayut said he will visit the US in September to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, accepting an invitation from UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.

He said some diplomatic procedures must be attended to prior to his visit.

You'll note the US has not invited the visit and the PM is not suggesting it either but is talking about attending the UN meeting as if its the same thing. Its not.

The clue is in the bold part,.After all its US soil and given the US has its own rules it must follow re coups and dictators, military aid suspension is one thing, possibly permission is required by the US for a Junta and self appointed PM to enter its borders even for UN business.

Be nice to know the truth of the matter. I suspect the PM was telling a half truth the first time and again the second.

Since the President of Iran could attend a UN meeting in New York, there seems to be a procedure to allow people who otherwise cannot enter the USA legally are temporarily granted limited permission. The USA must be asked, but with the UN in New York they have not much choice in the matter otherwise talks about the UN being independent and the need to move to more hospitable countries will start again.

I would assume that PM Prayut would travel on a Diplomatic Passport.

Of course, none of this is the same as PM Prayut visiting the USA.

[thewug]

He is banned to travel to the U.S. still. But because the UN is in New York he will be allowed to travel to NY and no where else. He will also be banned to any formal US- Thailand meetings. It's the same as the other dictatorship, re: Iran, Libya, Venezuela ect...

I'm trying to think of how you could be more wrong in that many words, and I can't. Start to finish, it's a classic. He isn't banned, he can travel where he wants. There won't BE any US meetings for him to attend and it's not the same as the three countries you mention - individually or collectively. All wrong.

There are no US sanctions against the members of the junta, their friends or family. There are no US sanctions against Thailand. Official relations are cool without doubt. Some military deals have been, er, "delayed". But no sanctions exist against the country or its directors, whether in or out of jackboots.

I got a kick out of the "he can't figure out why no one got the joke" post. It *is* ironic that the only person marching in step is General Failure and everyone else is out of step. Great metaphor, that.

I'm not wrong at all. And I believe Australia has imposed the same ban too. And Prayut knows it. But he is allowed to go to NY for the UN assembly as any other leader of a country, but he will not be able to travel anywhere else in the US.

[how241]

Good grief - every time this man opens his mouth he underlines just how dim he actually is.

+1... ha ha ha

[lildragon]

General Prauyth is warming up for his post PM comedy career. He's had some right old humdingers so far!

[mutha289]

“I just teased them on whether or not they would deter me from going to the US while I do not bar them from doing business here and they laughed,” Gen Prayut said.

So US citizens are "free" to do business in Thailand?

[bkk75]

At least he has a mind of his own and shows up to make speeches, and doesn't need to rely on a script writer.

Some of you may disagree on how he runs the country but at least he's doing something unlike a certain ex-PM who is more concerned about travelling aboard & shopping and crying crocodile tears when something goes wrong.

Edited March 18, 2015 by bkk75

[jesimps]

I have nothing against Gen Prayuth but deary me this govt is in desperate need of a skilled public relations team.

Some of the comments and stories that are allowed to come out in the media are laughable - this story being no exception.

It seems that Prayuth has had little or no media training whatsoever.

But then again why would he, he's a military general and not a career politician.

Then why does he not stick to generaling and leave politics to the politicians? For a politician he'd make a very good bus driver.

[connda]

Sounds like something written in conjunction with the US State Dept in order to 'save face' all around. Well, imho.

[Srikcir]

Too bad Prayut didn't tell the joke that he's not a dictator, that he can't order Thais people to shut up, or that he is really a democratic soldier. He would have gotten a standing ovation. Americans appreciate good political sarcasm. SNL might honor him in a funny skit - Prayut saying, "Sock it to me!" South Park could do an episode on him as a political savior rivaled only by Jesus.

Hopefully, when he comes to the US he will share more jokes with the American public. Maybe he will treat US reporters with pats on the head or funny outbursts like, "I could have you thrown in prison."

[jesimps]

At least he has a mind of his own and shows up to make speeches, and doesn't need to rely on a script writer.

Some of you may disagree on how he runs the country but at least he's doing something unlike a certain ex-PM who is more concerned about travelling aboard & shopping and crying crocodile tears when something goes wrong.

You mean the one that was voted in by the people of this country?

[rametindallas]

He is neither funny nor does he have any sensibility for politically incorrect remarks.

He sure knew that in the present situation with tenses between US and the government this could only put further and unnecessary heat in the tension.

Or is that what he intended all along?

What government? Has the coup been lifted?

The current government has been endorsed by the revered Head-of-State, or didn't you get the memo ?

the yanks have not endorsed this government

Yes they have. They recently held joint military exercises on Thai soil.

Edited March 18, 2015 by rametindallas

[rametindallas]

This sounds like one of the little Thai bar girls who after spitting out some insult of some sort tells you "Just joking".

I always look them straight in the eye and say "You joking? I am not joking. You are too stupid for me to talk to. Get away from me and go have a wank all by yourself please."

Lo and behold, they scurry right off.

So, even bar girls see you for what you are and insult you. From your post, it seems a common occurrence. Your post says more about you that it says about bar girls. How's that attitude working for you, so far?

[thewug]

He is neither funny nor does he have any sensibility for politically incorrect remarks.

He sure knew that in the present situation with tenses between US and the government this could only put further and unnecessary heat in the tension.

Or is that what he intended all along?

What government? Has the coup been lifted?

The current government has been endorsed by the revered Head-of-State, or didn't you get the memo ?

the yanks have not endorsed this government

Yes they have. They recently held joint military exercises on Thai soil.

Where do you get the word lie in all this. You must be a Thai? Americans have not endorsed the military junta at all. The are just putting up with it for now as you you would put up with a five year old child crying. Withe the hope that the child will do the right thing after the tantrum. The Americans just want to see a democracy as I think most Thais do too. As for the cobra gold exercises, the U.S. only involved itself in the humanitarian part and not the combat part. And only use a third of the personal.

[RT555]

The Clown is wearing Pink?

[catweazle]

PM on full HD (hilarious dimwittedness)...

[Amavel]

Hear that groan from his joke? That is the same groan foreign investors are making.

[rametindallas]

“I just teased them on whether or not they would deter me from going to the US while I do not bar them from doing business here and they laughed,” Gen Prayut said.

So US citizens are "free" to do business in Thailand?

Yes, the same as a Thai. Please look up Thai-US Treaty of Amity.

[Wat dee]

Prayut W. Chan-O-Cha

[cookee68]

What a croc of shit, he thinks ever one is dull and believe him, but he forgets about the intelligent people from other countries and forums, the shit he comes out with lately is getting beyond

[Alwyn]

and they laughed,” Gen Prayut said. Right........

[JulianLS]

Sure the Americans are amused!! NOT

of course they dont find it amusing they thought joan rivers was funny says a lot about these people...

Joan Rivers is the funniest american there is. She is a real hoot! Haven't you watched fashion police..... the best american comedy imho.... after MASh maybe. Its been a while.....

Oh and then there is John Oliver, he is funny too. Not as funny as Joan. But hey, isn't he actually British????

[chooka]

Prayuth,the Minister of Culture, the CEO of TAT and a gaggle of others are a great sense of amusement and laughter for the international community. The minister of Culture actually had news anchors in Australia rolling on the floor wetting his pants with the underboob sketch. If they were allowed to visit other countries they could take this comedy show on a world tour.

[chooka]

"He said some diplomatic procedures must be attended to prior to his visit."

Like maybe backtracking over his various poor judgements, trying to explain his various gaffes, and generally building a case for ignoring his apparent lack of diplomatic skills....

He has taken care of the menu on Thai Airways ready for his departure, so it appears he is packed and ready to go.

[diehard60]

You of all people should know that when you say anything infront of the news media they will play it up big. Never joke about things like that. Unless you are alone and no news people hanging around.

[NanLaew]

What government? Has the coup been lifted?

The current government has been endorsed by the revered Head-of-State, or didn't you get the memo ?

the yanks have not endorsed this government

Yes they have. They recently held joint military exercises on Thai soil.

The US participation in the annual Cobra Gold was on a much-reduced level compared with previous exercises. The devil is in the details.

[englishoak]

Sorry, I still don't get his humour. Is he or is he not banned from entering the US?

Note that treaties prevent the US from blocking people from attending the UN, but then may ban people from all entering for anything other than the UN.

So is he banned, or is he not?

i.e. can he fly on a normal passport to visit the US or will the visa be rejected (except for UN purposes)?

Gen Prayut said he will visit the US in September to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, accepting an invitation from UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.

He said some diplomatic procedures must be attended to prior to his visit.

You'll note the US has not invited the visit and the PM is not suggesting it either but is talking about attending the UN meeting as if its the same thing. Its not.

The clue is in the bold part,.After all its US soil and given the US has its own rules it must follow re coups and dictators, military aid suspension is one thing, possibly permission is required by the US for a Junta and self appointed PM to enter its borders even for UN business.

Be nice to know the truth of the matter. I suspect the PM was telling a half truth the first time and again the second.

Since the President of Iran could attend a UN meeting in New York, there seems to be a procedure to allow people who otherwise cannot enter the USA legally are temporarily granted limited permission. The USA must be asked, but with the UN in New York they have not much choice in the matter otherwise talks about the UN being independent and the need to move to more hospitable countries will start again.

I would assume that PM Prayut would travel on a Diplomatic Passport.

Of course, none of this is the same as PM Prayut visiting the USA.

Thats my opinion too.

[sabaii69]

I think he's got my sense of humour.

Never appreciated by anybody.

Don't worry Prime Minister, people can't understand great minds like ours........................

With supporters like you he doesn't need detractors. you do far more damage than good.

I happen to agree with the general, but your comment insults the man, even if that isn't your intent, or was it?

It is good to say nice things especially if you might have done something wrong. Huh?

[sabaii69]

So, let's go back to initial posting saying 'travel ban to US'. All you American bashers will have to come up with new hatred/jealousy comments. Seems the way in LOS is to say 'I was joking' when caught with pants down. My thai wife is an expert. (pants down as well). I was only joking teerak.

[PlastikbinLina]

I think he's got my sense of humour.

Never appreciated by anybody.

Don't worry Prime Minister, people can't understand great minds like ours........................

You can't be serious. If you think that's great mind then you need help.

You obviously don't understand sarcasm. Are you from the USA?

[Plutojames88]

A psycho might assassinate him and the State department profusely apologise this occurred while on US soil.

Alternatively , they allow him to shine on condition our ""feel good needy boy"" announce election dates ...while addressing the prestige audience assembled for him.

Either way this story is less complicated since we all discovered this guy wants and needs to be loved .

Japanese get their projects , the Chinese make even larger deals and plan to even swallow up the entire Nation ...and it's all done lovingly , while ""dear leader looks down the camera and announces Thailand might be possibly hosting the Games or going to become world leader in preferred luxury tourism in Pattaya .

And that ""his noble teachings will be taught in schools"" and Thais are blessed and lucky to be worlds greatest Nation according to a poll internationally conducted.