webfact Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 REGIONAL PERSPECTIVEUS political posturing kills Thai-US relationsKavi ChongkittavornThe Nation BANGKOK: -- The latest strong condemnation by Washington of Thailand's action over the Uighur illegal immigrants has dampened any future amelioration of Thai-US relations.Thailand recalled a similar episode at the end of 2009 when it repatriated over 4,000 Hmong refugees back to Laos, ending four-decades of bitter Thai-Lao hostility. At the time, the US led the international community to severely trash Thailand, arguing the returnees would be prosecuted and tortured. In other words, it was all bad, violating human rights and relevant international laws — exactly the same tone used against Thailand these past weeks.In retrospect, Laos proved to be a trustful friend fulfilling all the promises — with some lapses, of course — given to the Abhisit government and literally allowing some breathing room to Thailand in the global arena later on. What followed has been a rapid improvement in Thai-Lao relations, which had been stuck with the Hmong issue since 1975.This time, US harsh reaction drew a rare response from Dr Panitan Wattanyayagorn, a security adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who pointed out that the US often offers self-serving comments on issues in its own interest. That spoke volumes of the current state of Thai-US ties. Despite the mutual desire to improve relations, Washington's continued unwarranted political posturing continues to undermine the Thai government at every turn. Here are some additional examples often cited:First of all, Washington's inability to reconcile political developments since the coup in May 2014. This will continue to have a long impact on Thai-US relations, especially on the security alliance and multilateral security franchises. The US voiced threats after previous coups as a routine response — apparently not this time, even though the current environment is more favourable than before.Let's face the reality. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is not going anywhere soon, as he will continue to fulfil what he pledged to do. Like it or not, the Thai military is part of the country's political DNA as its evolution has long demonstrated. Washington continues to view the military's intervention as an illegitimate act. Therefore, with this different basic understanding, the two countries will drift further apart.Second, the ultimate failure to build on progress in the renewed Thai-US strategic realignment in 2012, as part of the US rebalancing policy in Asia. The two allies urgently need to rebuild their security ties — basically unchanged since 1962 - so they do not get him by political posturing and uncertainty. For instance, there is still no combined defence and foreign ministerial meetings between the region's oldest allies — a display of mutual recalcitrance. The US is now placing high strategic value on non-ally countries such as Vietnam, Myanmar and Singapore.Thailand has been quick to adjust its strategic postures towards more embracing of key powers amid the US absence. Thailand mistakenly thought the US would apply the same standards of engagement to all allies, such as Egypt or Israel. Therefore, from now on, Thai policy makers are no longer acting "expediently" to help the US manoeuvre through their territory. The delay in permission for US flights in the Thai sky at the end of May during recent collaboration over the "Rohingya crisis" for maritime surveillance is a good example. In favourable times, it would have taken no time for such permission.Third, it is all about Cobra Gold — the notion that the military exercise will continue, but scaled down as a consequence of the coup. Truth be told, as far as the 32-year-old Cobra Gold is concerned, it is the American troops, learning interoperability with selective friends, that are the main beneficiaries. The recent Cobra Gold was a humiliating exercise for the Thais as the US's half-hearted and scaled-down participation did not go down well with the Thai co-hosts. The joint exercise next year is showing similar symptoms. For the Thai armed forces, the more respected officials are often missing from the annual exercise. In fact, they would not mind scrapping it altogether, if push comes to shove.Fourth, Thailand has few friends in the US Congress and government. American lawmakers hostile to Thailand are in abundance in Washington these days as they continue to view Bangkok as pro-Beijing. The US State Department also sees the country as a disloyal ally. It has also completely lost all diplomatic finesse and charm in engaging Thailand after the Christmas of 2007. Where is the "Skip" control?Fifth, Washington has not shown sufficient appreciation of Bangkok's relentless efforts to stabilise the country and move towards democracy. This has been the biggest pitfall for Washington's policy makers on Thailand, believing that the current military-run administration would yield to US pressure on the electoral process. Currently at odds is also the much delayed Traffic in Persons report, which prompted Prayut and related agencies to kick butts and prosecute wrongdoers and dramatically boost migrant workers' conditions. If the TIP report is indifferent to the latest progress, it would be a severe blow to the current state of the relationship.Interestingly, all other countries have shown more respect and conducted diplomatic ties "almost at near normalcy" with Thailand. If this trend continues, it will become normalised, which leaves little or no room for Thai-US relations. Thailand has changed greatly since last May.Finally, the notion that Thailand is just "bluffing" in its engaging with China and Russia, especially over hardware procurement. Sooner rather than later, China and Russia as well as other arms exporters, will gradually edge out the US-dominated arms procurements in this country, disrupting the US oriented interoperability. Western pundits view Thailand's planned purchases of Chinese and Russian arms as a reaction to the US rejection of domestic conditions — that this sentiment would soon disappear once the political woes have been fixed. Indeed, it is a wrong prognosis as there is no turning back this time.Bangkok deliberately used this vacuum to diversify its arms arsenals as other Asean countries have done. Before long, there will be Russian-made jetfighters flying in the Thai sky and Chinese-made submarines under the Andaman and in the Gulf of Thailand. They will open shops to service jetfighters and submarines and also train the Thai armed forces. Who knows? There could be a series of "Dragon Gold," or "Golden Bear" joint exercises on the pipeline.Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/US-political-posturing-kills-Thai-US-relations-30264774.html-- The Nation 2015-07-20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiSoLowSoNoSo Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 "Interestingly, all other countries have shown more respect and conducted diplomatic ties "almost at near normalcy" with Thailand." The author must have been to one of those attitude adjustment places before writing this article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverSure Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 "Fifth, Washington has not shown sufficient appreciation of Bangkok's relentless efforts to stabilise the country and move towards democracy." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesetat2013 Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Wow! Has this writer got a distorted view of things and of the impact their own actions relaying to the USAs current views and policies over Thailand. He is correct about one thing. Mr. P is here stay for some time. Hard to believe this guy thinks that if the US TIP report is indifferent that it will affect their relations. So he is basically saying that report should show improvement when there has been only a little and no real punishments for their leaders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lujanit Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 <deleted> the US,who care what they say or think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rijb Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 <deleted> the US,who care what they say or think. This journalist. Hence, the article. Try to keep up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LannaGuy Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 yes how dare the US condemn the hooding and handcuffing of refugees forced to go back to China and face their wonderful system of justice? I mean it was a humane and compassionate act! more trash from The Nation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baboon Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 <deleted> the US,who care what they say or think. Any country with an American embassy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDCNINJA Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Since Mr. Obama was elected, the US' relationship with every country on the face of the earth has deteriorated. Why should Thailand be any different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baboon Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Since Mr. Obama was elected, the US' relationship with every country on the face of the earth has deteriorated. No it hasn't, unless you consider Fox News entertainment to be gospel truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rijb Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Since Mr. Obama was elected, the US' relationship with every country on the face of the earth has deteriorated. Why should Thailand be any different? What metrics are you using? Party invitations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Somtamnication Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 "Bangkok's relentless efforts to stabilise the country and move towards democracy". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baboon Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Since Mr. Obama was elected, the US' relationship with every country on the face of the earth has deteriorated. Why should Thailand be any different? What metrics are you using? Party invitations? Rush Limbaugh party invitations by the sound of it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NongKhaiKid Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Since Mr. Obama was elected, the US' relationship with every country on the face of the earth has deteriorated. Why should Thailand be any different? Haven't they just upgraded to full diplomatic relations with Cuba ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdsandBooze Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I didn't know the Prime Minister wrote under a pseudonym. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MZurf Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 "US political posturing kills Thai-US relations". No, the actions of this and previous governments is what is killing the relations between Thailand and the US (and EU)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loptr Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Since Mr. Obama was elected, the US' relationship with every country on the face of the earth has deteriorated. No it hasn't, unless you consider Fox News entertainment to be gospel truth. And your go-to news source, the Huffington Post or perhaps CNN or MSNBC? Let's highlight US foreign policy "wins" in the last 7 years... You can start with Iraq, followed by Libya and Egypt, with a dose of Ukraine and Syria thrown in for good measure... And we shouldn't forget Afghanistan should we? And please don't start with the GWB rhetoric, we all know he was an idiot and pawn, just like his replacement... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred Kubasa Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 And the US is worried about relations with their " fair weather friend" ? I think not ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baboon Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Since Mr. Obama was elected, the US' relationship with every country on the face of the earth has deteriorated. No it hasn't, unless you consider Fox News entertainment to be gospel truth. And your go-to news source, the Huffington Post or perhaps CNN or MSNBC? Let's highlight US foreign policy "wins" in the last 7 years... You can start with Iraq, followed by Libya and Egypt, with a dose of Ukraine and Syria thrown in for good measure... And we shouldn't forget Afghanistan should we? And please don't start with the GWB rhetoric, we all know he was an idiot and pawn, just like his replacement... Let's not, shall we? This thread is about current U.S. - Thai relations. As for my go to news source? You don't get fairer or finer than the KCNA...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andaman Al Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Seems like a couple of Ministers's need to attend school for 'how to be a foreign diplomat and know what to say and what not to say',and that a security adviser should stick to what he is paid to do and advise on security. It also seems that said Ministers should stop employing their post graduate children to write news articles for The Nation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaywalker Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Sterling example of a bunch of words that say one thing and mean absolutely nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 <deleted> the US,who care what they say or think. Do you have any understanding of the Thai economy? If you did, you would be concerned about anything that could disrupt access to the US market. Here's a hint: Thailand exports some of its most profitable exports to the USA and makes a greater profit on those exports than it does on the raw materials it exports to China, only to purchase at a higher cost the finished goods China manufactures. Thailand needs the USA. The USA does not need Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MZurf Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 <deleted> the US,who care what they say or think. Who cares? How about every single country on the face of the earth. That's who. The US is still the big dawg and will remain so for at least another 20ish years until China "comes of age", unless President Donal Trump really makes a mess of things... To you Americans; if you really elect the Donald you deserve all that's coming to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salween Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 "US political posturing kills Thai-US relations"Yup, SOP here. Always somebody else's fault. Certainly Thailand could be doing nothing wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneday Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 "...Washington's continued unwarranted political posturing continues to undermine the Thai government at every turn..." This government is doing a great job of that all by themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NongKhaiKid Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 <deleted> the US,who care what they say or think. Who cares? How about every single country on the face of the earth. That's who. The US is still the big dawg and will remain so for at least another 20ish years until China "comes of age", unless President Donal Trump really makes a mess of things... To you Americans; if you really elect the Donald you deserve all that's coming to you i agree with you especially the last sentence but the US and their president are such a big deal worldwide that Pres. Chump, sorry Trump, would carry a major impact well beyond their borders. I wonder how many ' special relationships ' etc would survive his presidency ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamnutsak Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Kavi is a real piece of work. A tireless promoter of coups, and an anti-democrat through and through. US political posturing kills Thai-US relations Of course it's all due to the posturing of the U.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostoday Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Since Mr. Obama was elected, the US' relationship with every country on the face of the earth has deteriorated. Why should Thailand be any different? Not true. Look at Iran? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayboy Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 On the basis of this deluded piece of nonsense I think Khun Kavi is in need of some intervention.Someone close to him should make arrangements with a reputable home for the bewildered, then tap Kavi on the shoulder and say ,"Come along old friend", then lead him away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DM07 Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 More "we are so special, why don't everybody love us"- BS from Thailand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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