Despite the coup, Thailand is 'friends with every country,' minister says

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Despite the coup, Thailand is 'friends with every country,' minister says
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND had been under pressure from the international community since the military staged a coup in May last year, but Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn insisted the Kingdom's status on the global stage remained unchanged.

As soon as the coup was staged on May 22 last year, Western countries like the United States, Australia and those in the European Union imposed measures against Thailand to show their disapproval of the Army takeover. The US froze military assistance and scaled down joint military drills while the EU discouraged high level visits.

However, the military government sees nothing changed in its international relations.

"The PM [General Prayut Chan-o-cha] was treated at the same level as other countries' leaders when he attended the summit Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan last October.

Six motorcycles accompanied the premier's motorcade," Tanasak said in an exclusive interview with The Nation.

He argued that currently, there was no reason for PM Prayut to attend any bilateral meetings with other leaders - but when they met in multilateral meetings they showed respect towards Thai leaders.

"Thailand still stands among the world of democracy - but we may be in a process of restoration for further stability," he said.

As the foreign minister, who travels abroad on behalf of the Thai government, Tanasak said he rarely faced questions about Thailand's next election during his foreign trips.

"Nobody [foreign counterparts] asked me when we would hold an election or when martial law was to be lifted - but I tried to explain to them about the roadmap," he said.

Questions he received about the election were asked by United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and a human rights organisation - and Tanasak said they were protocol questions.

Asked if Western countries were still putting pressure on Thailand, he replied "They may put pressure on us [by issuing statements] against the coup and Thailand, but there was no [talk of] action against us, so far."

For his part, he was also invited to visit other countries and vice versa.

Julie Bishop from Australia was the first Western Foreign Affairs Minister to pay an official visit to Thailand after the coup. She recently attended an inauguration ceremony of the New Colombo Plan in Thailand.

Tanasak also held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart in which he said Australia insisted that it supported Thailand's moving forward.

Other foreign ministers from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia would soon come to meet him - followed by India, according to Tanasak.

Regarding relations with the US, he insisted that it remained at a normal stage.

The two countries were still strategic partners on military cooperation.

Military exercises were still continuing. However, he said Thailand now relied less on the US for military exercises, training funds, as well as weapons purchases.

Thailand had bought helicopters from Russia, Gripen jet fighters from Sweden and tanks from China, he said.

For Asean, he said he was confident 100 per cent that its members understood Thailand's [stance].

Thailand had been criticised for shifting away from the United States and towards China and Russia. Tanasak said this criticism had been politicised by some Thais. In fact, Thailand had been associated with Russia for more than 170 years, with the United States for 180 years, and for China more than 1,000 years.

"For us, balance means associating with everybody and we love them all. We are friends with every country," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Despite-the-coup-Thailand-is-friends-with-every-co-30260337.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-18

[tullynagardy]

"The PM [General Prayut Chan-o-cha] was treated at the same level as other countries' leaders when he attended the summit Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan last October.

He must have missed the bit where Prayuth tried to shake hands with the Swiss leader

[chooka]

The Kingdoms status on the world stage remains unchanged. Says who, Thailand or the International community. If everyone is still mates and buddies with Thailand why is it that Thailand is the only one in the class who doesn't get invited to the birthday party.

[NongKhaiKid]

International diplomacy is something of a chess game with it's own language and the trick is to be able to read between lines of what's said, unsaid.and studiously avoided.

LoS is the hub of exaggerated claims and they are so lucky that other nations don't repeat in public the sort of comments they receive in cables from their embassy here. The most said openly will be to encourage Thailand to return to democracy as soon as possible which will be translated locally as the international community understands and supports all the junta is doing.

[BSJ]

The games of international politic's and the lies they tell!.......but not the Thai Foreign Minister......he has no need to lie to all the countries of the world who Thailand calls friend's.

[NongKhaiKid]

We are friends with everybody and everybody just luuvs us.

With all the competing claims in the South China Sea we fully support our new best friend China and we fully support all our pals in ASEAN, what could possibly go wrong ?

Edited May 17, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[Plutojames88]

Pathetic really,..like the nerd saying those chicks like me ...standing alone at the prom.

Australia still bans the military from even travel to its shore ( Thai government)

It's like having a date where she turns up to eat ( trade deals ) and you don't get anything and are not allowed to drive her home , and even claim it happened.

It's most embarrassing .

The Thai leader went near Tony Abbott to talk and Abbott immediately ignored him and spoke to the Japanese leader.

The Swiss leader shunned him.

This idea the world is friends mistakes the diplomatic cycle with something deeper..

Perhaps when sanctions bite and stronger language is applied the emotional maturity of the Thai government will improve and it can face the reality it's unappealing to all and sundry and only being used for what it can offer.

Which increasingly isn't much.

[mikemac]

Pathetic really,..like the nerd saying those chicks like me ...standing alone at the prom.

Australia still bans the military from even travel to its shore ( Thai government)

It's like having a date where she turns up to eat ( trade deals ) and you don't get anything and are not allowed to drive her home , and even claim it happened.

It's most embarrassing .

The Thai leader went near Tony Abbott to talk and Abbott immediately ignored him and spoke to the Japanese leader.

The Swiss leader shunned him.

This idea the world is friends mistakes the diplomatic cycle with something deeper..

Perhaps when sanctions bite and stronger language is applied the emotional maturity of the Thai government will improve and it can face the reality it's unappealing to all and sundry and only being used for what it can offer.

Which increasingly isn't much.

Wow, if this current circus is embarrassing for you I hate to think how you felt about the previous government freak show and the message they sent the world - leader in "self imposed exile", blockading of the capital city, destroying government and privately owned infrastructure, terrorists in the employ of the leader attacking the army etc etc etc.

Cannot imagine how you must have felt. Were you hiding behind the sofa, you drama queen you ?

[NeverFaFer]

Wasn't he refused entry to the U.S. ?

[chooka]

Pathetic really,..like the nerd saying those chicks like me ...standing alone at the prom.

Australia still bans the military from even travel to its shore ( Thai government)

It's like having a date where she turns up to eat ( trade deals ) and you don't get anything and are not allowed to drive her home , and even claim it happened.

It's most embarrassing .

The Thai leader went near Tony Abbott to talk and Abbott immediately ignored him and spoke to the Japanese leader.

The Swiss leader shunned him.

This idea the world is friends mistakes the diplomatic cycle with something deeper..

Perhaps when sanctions bite and stronger language is applied the emotional maturity of the Thai government will improve and it can face the reality it's unappealing to all and sundry and only being used for what it can offer.

Which increasingly isn't much.

Wow, if this current circus is embarrassing for you I hate to think how you felt about the previous government freak show and the message they sent the world - leader in "self imposed exile", blockading of the capital city, destroying government and privately owned infrastructure, terrorists in the employ of the leader attacking the army etc etc etc.

Cannot imagine how you must have felt. Were you hiding behind the sofa, you drama queen you ?

were you hiding behind the sofa during the Suthep and Mad Monk rampage?

[cumgranosalum]

since when does Thailand decide which countries like them or not?

[Oziex1]

"Six motorcycles accompanied the premier's motorcade," Tanasak said in an exclusive interview with The Nation."

Wow Six bikes, surely a sign of a great statesman, how can we honor this man, this new Messiah.

[fred Kubasa]

Thailand may well be "friends" with every country but this feeling may not be reciprocated by some. Friendly diplomatic meetings, like some

marriages and business dealings, can be deceptive. Bowing, smiling, nodding may not present a true picture of underlying feelings and,

considering recent Thai bad news events, authorities should take steps now to improve public relations and perceptions. Definitely not he time to take a wait and see attitude.

[Plutojames88]

Pathetic really,..like the nerd saying those chicks like me ...standing alone at the prom.

Australia still bans the military from even travel to its shore ( Thai government)

It's like having a date where she turns up to eat ( trade deals ) and you don't get anything and are not allowed to drive her home , and even claim it happened.

It's most embarrassing .

The Thai leader went near Tony Abbott to talk and Abbott immediately ignored him and spoke to the Japanese leader.

The Swiss leader shunned him.

This idea the world is friends mistakes the diplomatic cycle with something deeper..

Perhaps when sanctions bite and stronger language is applied the emotional maturity of the Thai government will improve and it can face the reality it's unappealing to all and sundry and only being used for what it can offer.

Which increasingly isn't much.

Wow, if this current circus is embarrassing for you I hate to think how you felt about the previous government freak show and the message they sent the world - leader in "self imposed exile", blockading of the capital city, destroying government and privately owned infrastructure, terrorists in the employ of the leader attacking the army etc etc etc.

Cannot imagine how you must have felt. Were you hiding behind the sofa, you drama queen you ?

Embarrassing for them I would imagine ....but I stand perhaps corrected by you..

The Government might well be delusional in thinking they are actually popular .

( not including the mention that the Australian FM told them also the ban on them won't be lifted )

Like a girlfriend saying you can't come around my house again and the nerd telling his family she loves him.

That's not dramatic that's accurate.

Thailand have communists and arms dealers and North Koreans as friends .

Gone are the others except for taking what they can.

As for prior Governments YS was warmly received in Australia and her state dinner for Obama lite up the Social media sites with speculation after the US president and her seemed transfixed with each other.

Edited May 18, 2015 by Plutojames88

[quandow]

The absence of a country openly declaring war on you does NOT make them a friend.

The hubris of this man knows no bounds!

[Toknarok]

WOW the General got an escort of six whole motorcycles! Sort of reminds me of the huge parade put on by Putin in Moscow recently where the only person of note to attend was Robert Mugabe.

Edited May 18, 2015 by Toknarok

[NongKhaiKid]

Pathetic really,..like the nerd saying those chicks like me ...standing alone at the prom.

Australia still bans the military from even travel to its shore ( Thai government)

It's like having a date where she turns up to eat ( trade deals ) and you don't get anything and are not allowed to drive her home , and even claim it happened.

It's most embarrassing .

The Thai leader went near Tony Abbott to talk and Abbott immediately ignored him and spoke to the Japanese leader.

The Swiss leader shunned him.

This idea the world is friends mistakes the diplomatic cycle with something deeper..

Perhaps when sanctions bite and stronger language is applied the emotional maturity of the Thai government will improve and it can face the reality it's unappealing to all and sundry and only being used for what it can offer.

Which increasingly isn't much.

Wow, if this current circus is embarrassing for you I hate to think how you felt about the previous government freak show and the message they sent the world - leader in "self imposed exile", blockading of the capital city, destroying government and privately owned infrastructure, terrorists in the employ of the leader attacking the army etc etc etc.

Cannot imagine how you must have felt. Were you hiding behind the sofa, you drama queen you ?

Embarrassing for them I would imagine ....but I stand perhaps corrected by you..

The Government might well be delusional in thinking they are actually popular .

( not including the mention that the Australian FM told them also the ban on them won't be lifted )

Like a girlfriend saying you can't come around my house again and the nerd telling his family she loves him.

That's not dramatic that's accurate.

Thailand have communists and arms dealers and North Koreans as friends .

Gone are the others except for taking what they can.

As for prior Governments YS was warmly received in Australia and her state dinner for Obama lite up the Social media sites with speculation after the US president and her seemed transfixed with each other.

Oh, Oh YL i suppose a b.....b's out of the question ? Just keep smiling, Michelle's watching and you've turned your back on Hilary, we're both in it now.

Edited May 18, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[LannaGuy]

"the Kingdom's status on the global stage remained unchanged"

so insignificant as normal then...

[DM07]

We love you long time!

[cumgranosalum]

it really shows how parochial the thai government is, how inept they are at foreign relations and how gullible they consider their own people to be.

[cumgranosalum]

I note with despair that there still appear to be some buffoons who think the situation in Thailand is a simple "Red/Yellow" affair. Let's hope that foreign countries realise that is is a LOT more complex than that and a football match mentality is just not appropriate.

[Srikcir]

“We are friends with every country," he said.

Actions say otherwise.

The Junta made new security agreements with China and Russia to protect Thailand from "external threats" after the US, EU, and Australia criticized its overthrow of the elected government.

And didn’t the Myanmar government just recently refuse to attend a Thai summit meeting on the issue of human trafficking? That was hardly very friendly.

Unfortunately, the Junta government cannot be friends with its own people. It must engage in military force to subjugate their rights and liberties (aka sovereignty) to prevent them from having a government that THEY WANT.

[wow64]

"Six motorcycles accompanied the premier's motorcade," Tanasak said in an exclusive interview with The Nation."

Wow Six bikes, surely a sign of a great statesman, how can we honor this man, this new Messiah.

They were moto taxi drivers from bangkok driving clicks in the Motorcade.

[FangFerang]

Pathetic really,..like the nerd saying those chicks like me ...standing alone at the prom.

Australia still bans the military from even travel to its shore ( Thai government)

It's like having a date where she turns up to eat ( trade deals ) and you don't get anything and are not allowed to drive her home , and even claim it happened.

It's most embarrassing .

The Thai leader went near Tony Abbott to talk and Abbott immediately ignored him and spoke to the Japanese leader.

The Swiss leader shunned him.

This idea the world is friends mistakes the diplomatic cycle with something deeper..

Perhaps when sanctions bite and stronger language is applied the emotional maturity of the Thai government will improve and it can face the reality it's unappealing to all and sundry and only being used for what it can offer.

Which increasingly isn't much.

Wow, if this current circus is embarrassing for you I hate to think how you felt about the previous government freak show and the message they sent the world - leader in "self imposed exile", blockading of the capital city, destroying government and privately owned infrastructure, terrorists in the employ of the leader attacking the army etc etc etc.

Cannot imagine how you must have felt. Were you hiding behind the sofa, you drama queen you ?

Only a true drama queen applauds her own performance....the topic is the statement that "Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn insisted the Kingdom's status on the global stage remained unchanged" ,which is patently untrue, with human trafficking, looming trade sanctions, the lottery and the PM's buddies, with the poor evicted from land, with Herr Suthep declaring he and the PM designed the coup months before it happened.

Maybe propaganda is more important than truth to you. ?

[Baerboxer]

International diplomacy is something of a chess game with it's own language and the trick is to be able to read between lines of what's said, unsaid.and studiously avoided.

LoS is the hub of exaggerated claims and they are so lucky that other nations don't repeat in public the sort of comments they receive in cables from their embassy here. The most said openly will be to encourage Thailand to return to democracy as soon as possible which will be translated locally as the international community understands and supports all the junta is doing.

Wow - you've got access to all the cables from every embassy in Thailand. Impressive.

[Baerboxer]

The Kingdoms status on the world stage remains unchanged. Says who, Thailand or the International community. If everyone is still mates and buddies with Thailand why is it that Thailand is the only one in the class who doesn't get invited to the birthday party.

Ms. Bishop seems to be matey and visits. Guess Abbot forgot to tell her about the ban on Junta members. Or is that just for appearances - say one thing and do the opposite?

Australia - who takes them seriously?

[Baerboxer]

since when does Thailand decide which countries like them or not?

Since Uncle Too siezed power and enacted article 44 and threatened to execute anyone who didn't say nice things about him and his country.

Would you like to provide the link which quotes the words you claim he said please?

Or, alternatively feel free to admit you made it up.

[Baerboxer]

Pathetic really,..like the nerd saying those chicks like me ...standing alone at the prom.

Australia still bans the military from even travel to its shore ( Thai government)

It's like having a date where she turns up to eat ( trade deals ) and you don't get anything and are not allowed to drive her home , and even claim it happened.

It's most embarrassing .

The Thai leader went near Tony Abbott to talk and Abbott immediately ignored him and spoke to the Japanese leader.

The Swiss leader shunned him.

This idea the world is friends mistakes the diplomatic cycle with something deeper..

Perhaps when sanctions bite and stronger language is applied the emotional maturity of the Thai government will improve and it can face the reality it's unappealing to all and sundry and only being used for what it can offer.

Which increasingly isn't much.

Wow, if this current circus is embarrassing for you I hate to think how you felt about the previous government freak show and the message they sent the world - leader in "self imposed exile", blockading of the capital city, destroying government and privately owned infrastructure, terrorists in the employ of the leader attacking the army etc etc etc.

Cannot imagine how you must have felt. Were you hiding behind the sofa, you drama queen you ?

Embarrassing for them I would imagine ....but I stand perhaps corrected by you..

The Government might well be delusional in thinking they are actually popular .

( not including the mention that the Australian FM told them also the ban on them won't be lifted )

Like a girlfriend saying you can't come around my house again and the nerd telling his family she loves him.

That's not dramatic that's accurate.

Thailand have communists and arms dealers and North Koreans as friends .

Gone are the others except for taking what they can.

As for prior Governments YS was warmly received in Australia and her state dinner for Obama lite up the Social media sites with speculation after the US president and her seemed transfixed with each other.

Not the first US president to have his brain in his trousers at times.

Still, Michelle seems a bit more daunting than Hilary. Despite all Yingluck's and number 1 cousin's efforts that invite for a state visit and Whitehouse reception just never came Yingluck's way.

I'm sure the Western international community are not in favor of a military dominated Junta. But I doubt they were fooled by Thaksin's little puppet either - entertained perhaps, fooled not.

[LannaGuy]

since when does Thailand decide which countries like them or not?

Since Uncle Too siezed power and enacted article 44 and threatened to execute anyone who didn't say nice things about him and his country.

Would you like to provide the link which quotes the words you claim he said please?

Or, alternatively feel free to admit you made it up.

wow 4 posts one after the other going for a record?

the facts are... the country was seized by the Army with guns and there is no democracy - what more do you need? of course the international community abhors junta's as you should too

[Srikcir]

Wasn't he refused entry to the U.S. ?

No.

What you are referring to was Prayut's possible attendance to a UN meeting in NYC. The US as host for the UN facilities cannot block attendace by heads of state unless there is an international arrest warrant. However, if Prayut were to apply for a US tourist visa instead of a diplomatice visa, he would certainly be denied.