Kerry offers Thais Songkran wishes

[Lite Beer]

Kerry offers Thais Songkran wishes
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- US SECRETARY of State John Kerry has extended his best wishes to Thais for the Songkran Festival, saying he hopes it would provide an occasion for people to spend enjoyable time with family and friends.

In his statement, Kerry said: "On behalf of President Obama and the American people, it is my great pleasure to extend New Year's greetings to the people of Thailand."

The blessing was posted on the Bangkok-based US Embassy's website.

He said the US was proud to mark another year in the enduring friendship between Thailand and the United States.

"Our nations enjoy an unshakeable bond that transcends politics in either of our countries, and we look forward to working together in the New Year on important issues such as trade relations, health research, security cooperation, and educational exchange.

"I look forward to the opportunities that the New Year holds for both of our nations and for our alliance. I wish you a happy and healthy Songkran!"

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Kerry-offers-Thais-Songkran-wishes-30257887.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-11

[Strangebrew]

As you can see the US may disagree politically but still will standby it's allies. Something Thai's don't understand democracy is the right to agree to disagree Then you sit talk and meet somewhere in the middle. The term is compromise meaning give a little to get a little.

[Costas2008]

As you can see the US may disagree politically but still will standby it's allies. Something Thai's don't understand democracy is the right to agree to disagree Then you sit talk and meet somewhere in the middle. The term is compromise meaning give a little to get a little.

No Sir, as you can see the USA have noted and feel uncomfortable about the meeting of Prayuth and the Russian Prime minister and now are trying to look good to the Thais as they know the bird has started flying away already from it's nest.

[BSJ]

Obummers lap dog Kerry is about as useful to the American people as the slag that went before him.

[jerojero]

Olive branch? Nah...just hoping the people revolt again the evil coup perpetrators!

[zydeco]

As you can see the US may disagree politically but still will standby it's allies. Something Thai's don't understand democracy is the right to agree to disagree Then you sit talk and meet somewhere in the middle. The term is compromise meaning give a little to get a little.

No Sir, as you can see the USA have noted and feel uncomfortable about the meeting of Prayuth and the Russian Prime minister and now are trying to look good to the Thais as they know the bird has started flying away already from it's nest.

You think the US is uncomfortable about the Russians and Chinese swarming all over Bangkok? Because of a Songkran message? Realize that this was the diplomatic equivalent of someone posting "HBD" on someone else's Facebook page. Kerry probably didn't even compose the thing.

[JOC]

As you can see the US may disagree politically but still will standby it's allies. Something Thai's don't understand democracy is the right to agree to disagree Then you sit talk and meet somewhere in the middle. The term is compromise meaning give a little to get a little.

No Sir, as you can see the USA have noted and feel uncomfortable about the meeting of Prayuth and the Russian Prime minister and now are trying to look good to the Thais as they know the bird has started flying away already from it's nest.

Costas, you have been here too long.

Starting to believe, just like the Thais, that Thailand is the center of the world.

The message was probably sent to Taiwan first, and only after returned sent to Thailand...........

[JingerBen]

As you can see the US may disagree politically but still will standby it's allies. Something Thai's don't understand democracy is the right to agree to disagree Then you sit talk and meet somewhere in the middle. The term is compromise meaning give a little to get a little.

No Sir, as you can see the USA have noted and feel uncomfortable about the meeting of Prayuth and the Russian Prime minister and now are trying to look good to the Thais as they know the bird has started flying away already from it's nest.

You think the US is uncomfortable about the Russians and Chinese swarming all over Bangkok? Because of a Songkran message? Realize that this was the diplomatic equivalent of someone posting "HBD" on someone else's Facebook page. Kerry probably didn't even compose the thing.

No, there is more significance to it than that.

When did the US Government ever send Songkran greetings before?

The officials in Washington didn't even know Songkran existed until Russia and China started encroaching on their turf.

[geriatrickid]

As you can see the US may disagree politically but still will standby it's allies. Something Thai's don't understand democracy is the right to agree to disagree Then you sit talk and meet somewhere in the middle. The term is compromise meaning give a little to get a little.

No Sir, as you can see the USA have noted and feel uncomfortable about the meeting of Prayuth and the Russian Prime minister and now are trying to look good to the Thais as they know the bird has started flying away already from it's nest.

Really? When the message was posted last year, what was the USA worrying about then?

How about the year before, and the year before and the year before and the year before? Every year, the US embassy posts a similar message

What's the UK worried about? Ambassador Kent is pictured on the British Embassy facebook page with a Happy Songkran comment. (Hideous shirt btw)

Maybe you should have a word with the Canadian Embassy. It posted this comment:

Embassy of Canada to Thailand - Ambassade du Canada en Thaïlande via Canada's Foreign Policy - DFATD April 3 at 10:27pm · Edited ·

Statement by Minister Nicholson on Thailand’s Lifting of Martial Law

The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Canada has taken note of Thailand’s lifting of martial law in much of the country but also of the near-concurrent adoption of similarly restrictive security measures in its place. Canada is concerned that these new measures, per Article 44 of Thailand’s interim constitution, may exacerbate the ...problematic human rights situation in the country. In particular, the persistence of restrictions on freedom of association and freedom of expression remain of concern, as does the continued practice of trying civilians before military courts.

“Canada continues to value deeply its established and multi-faceted relations with Thailand. We urge a restoration of democratic governance in Thailand through free and fair elections as soon as possible

German Embassy just offers

สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์ (Translation - Happy Songkran)

[CMBob]

No Sir, as you can see the USA have noted and feel uncomfortable about the meeting of Prayuth and the Russian Prime minister and now are trying to look good to the Thais as they know the bird has started flying away already from it's nest.

The US through the office of Secretary of State has offered these annual new year (Songkran) greetings for years, i.e., it's no reaction to anything other than a long-time custom. Has Greece, that simply wonderful and highly successful state, offered any Songkran greetings to Thailand this year (and, if so, why do you think the newspapers didn't care enough to print any news about that?).

[JLCrab]

As you can see the US may disagree politically but still will standby it's allies. Something Thai's don't understand democracy is the right to agree to disagree Then you sit talk and meet somewhere in the middle. The term is compromise meaning give a little to get a little.

No Sir, as you can see the USA have noted and feel uncomfortable about the meeting of Prayuth and the Russian Prime minister and now are trying to look good to the Thais as they know the bird has started flying away already from it's nest.

You think the US is uncomfortable about the Russians and Chinese swarming all over Bangkok? Because of a Songkran message? Realize that this was the diplomatic equivalent of someone posting "HBD" on someone else's Facebook page. Kerry probably didn't even compose the thing.

No, there is more significance to it than that.

When did the US Government ever send Songkran greetings before?

The officials in Washington didn't even know Songkran existed until Russia and China started encroaching on their turf.

They didn't even know this:

Her Majesty Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's 60th Birthday

Press Statement

John Kerry

Washington, DC

April 1, 2015

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, it is with great pleasure that I wish Her Majesty Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn a joyous 60th birthday.

Her Majesty has admirably devoted her life to the service of the Thai people. She is a generous patron of her country’s poor, supporting development projects in education, health, hygiene, water resources, and agriculture. She is also an accomplished scholar, and for much of her life has been a dedicated teacher of history for her country’s emerging leaders.

We wish Her Majesty all the very best on this auspicious occasion, and reaffirm our friendship and express our support for the Thai people.

[h90]

I think they were friendly because Kerry confused Thailand with Taiwan...

[ginjag]

No, there is more significance to it than that.

When did the US Government ever send Songkran greetings before?

The officials in Washington didn't even know Songkran existed until Russia and China started encroaching on their turf.

They didn't even know this:

Her Majesty Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's 60th Birthday

Press Statement

John Kerry

Washington, DC

April 1, 2015

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, it is with great pleasure that I wish Her Majesty Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn a joyous 60th birthday.

Her Majesty has admirably devoted her life to the service of the Thai people. She is a generous patron of her country’s poor, supporting development projects in education, health, hygiene, water resources, and agriculture. She is also an accomplished scholar, and for much of her life has been a dedicated teacher of history for her country’s emerging leaders.

We wish Her Majesty all the very best on this auspicious occasion, and reaffirm our friendship and express our support for the Thai people.

Here is the best example of the warmth sent to Thailand. the anti PM + Thai brigade on TVF omit from their posts. TRUTH, let's have some more balanced views on the Thai situation, fair criticism ok. NOT your daily propaganda.

[Daniel Ingalls]

Gee, I hate this phrase, "On behalf of President Obama, best wishes on Songkran"........This is nothing but an insult

to the PM and the general public! Obama is so busy, he himself has no time to respond his own wishes?

[baboon]

Gee, I hate this phrase, "On behalf of President Obama, best wishes on Songkran"........This is nothing but an insult

to the PM and the general public! Obama is so busy, he himself has no time to respond his own wishes?

Yes, quite probably.

[FangFerang]

As you can see the US may disagree politically but still will standby it's allies. Something Thai's don't understand democracy is the right to agree to disagree Then you sit talk and meet somewhere in the middle. The term is compromise meaning give a little to get a little.

No Sir, as you can see the USA have noted and feel uncomfortable about the meeting of Prayuth and the Russian Prime minister and now are trying to look good to the Thais as they know the bird has started flying away already from it's nest.

No way. What insouciant pandering. Kerry is a wooden doll. The Russians have a collapsed ruble and nothing but wants. The American market consumes a good deal of the world's resources, and that is a fact the Thais hate. Customers...all those customers.........and we have to be nice to sell? Such...inconvenience.

[wabothai]

every day common diplomacy guys, nothing more , nothing less.

[JLCrab]

Gee, I hate this phrase, "On behalf of President Obama, best wishes on Songkran"........This is nothing but an insult

to the PM and the general public! Obama is so busy, he himself has no time to respond his own wishes?

The phrase employed was "On behalf of President Obama and the American people ... " which is very nice of The President and the Secretary as -- being one of the American people -- it means that they have sent a greeting on my behalf and I won't have to send one myself.

Edited April 11, 2015 by JLCrab

[Gonsalviz]

Does anyone really care what John Kerry says?

[geriatrickid]

Gee, I hate this phrase, "On behalf of President Obama, best wishes on Songkran"........This is nothing but an insult

to the PM and the general public! Obama is so busy, he himself has no time to respond his own wishes?

It's called diplomatic protocol. The Ambassador speaks on behalf of the country and its designated leader. In Thailand we have a General that is "all powerful" and wears every hat. In other countries, there are people who are entrusted with responsibilities.

If you hate the best wishes, then don't read the statements from other countries because they have the similar form or are even more sparse.

[ldiablo]

JingerBen. And I am assuming by your statement that you must be close friends with a lot of the officials within Washington in order to make such a claim considering they offer similar wishes to Thais every Songkran.

Edited April 12, 2015 by ldiablo

[jerojero]

Talking to Thai people. Definitely not talking to Thai government.

[NickJ]

On behalf of Barak Obama I would like to dimiss this topic.