Japan backs Thailand's reform

[webfact]

Japan backs Thailand's reform

BANGKOK, 18 march 2015 (NNT) - Thailand and Japan have pledged to promote their bilateral relations in many fields during the Japanese ambassador’s courtesy call with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on the completion of his tenure as ambassador.

At Government House, Japanese Ambassador Shigekazu Sato on Wednesday paid courtesy call to PM Prayut who thanked the ambassador for playing an important role in strengthening the Thai-Japanese ties. The premier said he had met with his Japanese counterpart four times and he was satisfied with the results of their meetings.

The ambassador said he was proud to have worked in Thailand for the past two years and five months. From Japan’s point of view, Thailand was an important player in ASEAN. In terms of economy, Japan had the most cooperation with Thailand and was the number one investor in the country. The two countries also had close relations in terms of tourism, judging from an ever increasing number of Thai tourists to Japan, the ambassador said.

Prime Minister Prayut asked Japan to help expand the market for Thai agricultural products and develop personnel in the automotive industry.

The ambassador also voiced support for the Thai government’s reform effort and wished the PM success in all his future endeavors.

-- NNT 2015-03-18

[seajae]

support for the govts reform, looks like Japan is willing to admit that the corruption in Thailand was getting out of hand, now for the other countries to admit to the truth about what the ptp/thaksin/reds were doing

[JAG]

Says who? Oh I see, The National News Bureau of Thailand!

I wander if we will ever hear the Japanese version of the meeting?

[issanaus]

Theoretically Thailand is a low taxation country but the added cost of doing business with corruption running at between reported figures of 5 to 30 % makes Thailand a relatively high cost country. Even where overseas business manage to escape the direct cost of corruption the effect of corruption reduces the ability of Thailand to invest in Micro Economic reform wether be Transport or vocational education which would make the county more attractive to a range of investments. So even if the same amount of money was taken out of the economy in additional taxes the negative effect on business and investment would be lower. Of course Japan genuinely supports reform in a country where it is a major investor and well as being a supplier in that market for goods and services.

[Srikcir]

Japan is just conducting smart business.

It's about money and not about politics. So long as the Junta controls the nation and its treasury, Japan will play along with Gen. Prayut's roadmap to democracy spiel if it gives Japan a competitive edge over other national investors. Japan knows that it takes very little to stroke Prayut's ego to get favorable treatment in government-to-government deals, maybe just for the price of "You're the One" type platitudes. With a democratically elected government, Japan might have less of an advantage that would reduce its profits.

Japan is a successful democratic constitutional monarchy (thanks to the US roadmap for democracy in 1945) as much as Australia and New Zealand. None have experienced military coups to change governments nor to reform political systems. None had had to overthrow elected governments for the sake of "reforms."

Japan is a successful world investor and knows the Asian market as best as the other major Asian players like China and South Korea. To believe that Japan would believe in Prayut's reforms as a supportive ally is just plain theater.

[JingerBen]

It's called pragmatism.

The Japanese understand it very well... unlike the bumbling Americans.

[ChrisY1]

Backing the road to reform here in Thailand is no doubt supported by many countries......but as most likely know, the outcome may be very different from the plan.....time will tell if the Japanese still agree in 12 months time.

To date, as I see things, there has been very little reform anywhere.....lots of talk and ideas.....and with the charter draft ready for scrutiny, so far all we hear, are negative reports about it..........

[NongKhaiKid]

Says who? Oh I see, The National News Bureau of Thailand!

I wander if we will ever hear the Japanese version of the meeting?

Yes it won't be the first time LoS has presumed to speak on behalf of others. Last year after the meeting in Milan it was reported that the Japanese understood what the junta was doing and supported it. The Japanese comment was that they asked the country be returned to civilian rule as soon as possible.

I can imagine what the local propaganda will be like when the PM attends the UN !