Kasit interview: 'Everything starts at home' if we want foreign policy to regain dynamism

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EXCURSIVE INTERVIEW
'Everything starts at home' if we want foreign policy to regain dynamism
Wiraj Sripong


Kasit Piromya

BANGKOK: -- Former foreign minister Kasit Piromya expresses his concerns over Thailand's posture in the international arena in this exclusive interview with The Nation's Wiraj Sripong a week before he was appointed by the People's Democratic Reform Foundation to explain to international organisations matters related to Thailand and the world.

'Everything starts at home' if we want foreign policy to regain dynamism

Former foreign minister Kasit Piromya expresses his concerns over Thailand's posture in the international arena in this exclusive interview with The Nation's Wiraj Sripong a week before he was appointed by the People's Democratic Reform Foundation to explain to international organisations matters related to Thailand and the world.

Q : HOW DO YOU ASSESS THE CURRENT SITUATION OF THAI FOREIGN POLICY?

We are not in a normal situation to talk about the normal posture of the Kingdom in the international arena. Foreign countries, in particular democratic countries and many Asean countries, perceive the current situation as a setback. When foreign countries see that it is a military-backed government, they tend to scale down cooperation to express their dissatisfaction [with the current political situation].

This can be seen through the temporary suspension of visits between political cadres in Thailand and the European Union. Political leaders can only meet at the sidelines of each international forum, but have almost no opportunity to pay official visits or to meet bilaterally.

Currently, the EU has suspended the negotiation of a free-trade area with Thailand. This is not to forget the United States, which has also put pressure on Thailand for a rapid return to democracy.

All of the above create conditions that constrain Thailand's relations with other countries.

Q : THERE HAVE BEEN MORE PEOPLE WHO PERCEIVE THAT THAILAND IS MOVING CLOSER TO CHINA AND RUSSIA, TRYING TO CREATE DEEPER TIES. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE MATTER?

Our foreign policy really is swinging to China and Russia, given the fact that Western countries are putting pressure on us for the return to a fully democratic regime. This is a matter of choice that is reflected through [our foreign policy].

Thailand is currently behaving like a child, which is a graceless act. It is crucial to think about our illustrious diplomatic record. In the meantime, we should not forget to think about our Asean partners such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia [who have tense relationships with China].

Aligning the Kingdom with China and Russia is really a choice [made by the government]. The government should bear in mind that this is an issue that concerns all 65 million Thais.

As for the repatriation of the 109 Uighur migrants to China, the government should not forget that we are party to international conventions related to human rights. Every practice exercised by the government should have a legal basis. In this case, the political cadre should explain their decision to the public.

As for the submarines issue, there are around 10 countries that want to sell their submarines [to us].

Q : DOES THE CURRENT DIRECTION OF THAI FOREIGN POLICY AFFECT THE KINGDOM'S POSITION IN ASEAN?

It has some impact. Our role in Asean becomes less proactive, in particular on matters related to the South China Sea. This happens when the Kingdom bends to the Chinese side.

We should put the emphasis on completion of the code of conduct and respect of the law of the sea. This would ensure the freedom of navigation in the region.

Q : WHAT SHOULD THE COUNTRY DO IN THIS CASE?

If we want our foreign policy to regain its dynamism, everything starts at home. There is no reason for the government to reproach our Western friends when they want the Kingdom to get back on the democratic track.

The government came in last year to restore order and to bring back democracy.

They have declared that they are laying the ground rules for it. It is just a matter of informing our partners that we need time and space and to provide them with a clear timeline for the reform process.

If the government wants to undergo the reform process before holding an election, then the government should be able to inform the international community about what is going to happen in the next two years.

The government should not forget that the underlying problem of this society is to address the problem of corruption and the abuse of power, to allow the decentralisation process in public administration, and to reform the Army as well as police institutions.

In the meantime, the government should clarify cases related to the insurgency in the South, whether it is the incident at Tak Bai, the Krue Se incident, or other cases. This is a matter for the credibility of the country.

As for reconciliation, this has to do with speaking the truth [about what happened]. We should make a distinction between victims and wrongdoers. We could invite [former UK prime minister] Tony Blair to deliver his experience on the Northern Ireland issue.

We could also invite the ambassador of South Africa to share the experience about the reconciliation process in post-apartheid South Africa.

At the regional level, Thailand should play a central role in Asean connectivity by creating infrastructure and a legal basis that would facilitate the process.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Everything-starts-at-home-if-we-want-foreign-polic-30265760.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-03

[NongKhaiKid]

Everything starts at home and what better starting point than binning the attitude that when something goes wrong it's always someone else's fault and they don't understand Thailand ?

[MaiChai]

Taiwan did he say? Thailand does really stand out as being important in a global context. Too many more important issues to worry about (ISIS, middle east, Russia, Greece, etc).

[Stradavarius37]

I really enjoyed not hearing from this idiot. Let him fade away.

[bamnutsak]

The Ultra-Rightists/Conservative's Shadow Cabinet is coming out into the open.

Not "political", of course.

[jayboy]

There is much sense in what Kasit says.The trouble is he is the worst person to deliver the message given his past and present associations.He mentions Tony Blair who is a good example of someone who has some outstanding qualities but who has become toxic.So on a lesser scale it is with Kasit.Frustrating for both no doubt but inescapable reality.

[Srikcir]

"Every practice exercised by the government should have a legal basis."

Such as NOT abolishing a constitution approved by the majority of Thai people?

Such as NOT suspending right and liberties of the Thai people?

The Prayut regime only operates on the basis of armed force. Every practice exercised by it has no legal basis.

[waitforusalso]

Thailand's new foreign minister (Kasit Piromya) has described last month's hijacking of Bangkok's main international airport as "a lot of fun".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/3885612/Bangkok-airport-protests-were-fun-says-Thailands-new-foreign-minister.html

[jayboy]

Jonathan Head of the BBC has just tweeted that now Kasit has crawled into bed with Suthep the chances of him selling anything are precisely zero.That's JH's view.My view is <deleted> was that little fool thinking.

[tbthailand]

PDRC/F - sure, not political at all...

[rubl]

"Every practice exercised by the government should have a legal basis."

Such as NOT abolishing a constitution approved by the majority of Thai people?

Such as NOT suspending right and liberties of the Thai people?

The Prayut regime only operates on the basis of armed force. Every practice exercised by it has no legal basis.

Such as NOT pushing through a blanket amnesty bill which covers the own financial mismanagement?

such as NOT letting a fugitive criminal rule the country?

Anyway, luckily the topic is on Kasit

[Bodene]

"Every practice exercised by the government should have a legal basis."

Such as NOT abolishing a constitution approved by the majority of Thai people?

Such as NOT suspending right and liberties of the Thai people?

The Prayut regime only operates on the basis of armed force. Every practice exercised by it has no legal basis.

Such as NOT pushing through a blanket amnesty bill which covers the own financial mismanagement?

such as NOT letting a fugitive criminal rule the country?

Anyway, luckily the topic is on Kasit

I really don't see what the problem is.

If the elected government of the day can push through a blanket amnesty without regard to your personal opinion of it then salut.

such as NOT letting a fugitive criminal rule the country?

Oh dear, I'm not even going near that one. Are you sure that's what you meant and you intended to write? How do you define fugitive? How do you define criminal?

Edited August 8, 2015 by Bodene

[rubl]

"Every practice exercised by the government should have a legal basis."

Such as NOT abolishing a constitution approved by the majority of Thai people?

Such as NOT suspending right and liberties of the Thai people?

The Prayut regime only operates on the basis of armed force. Every practice exercised by it has no legal basis.

Such as NOT pushing through a blanket amnesty bill which covers the own financial mismanagement?

such as NOT letting a fugitive criminal rule the country?

Anyway, luckily the topic is on Kasit

I really don't see what the problem is.

If the elected government of the day can push through a blanket amnesty without regard to your personal opinion of it then salut.

such as NOT letting a fugitive criminal rule the country?

Oh dear, I'm not even going near that one. Are you sure that's what you meant and you intended to write? How do you define fugitive? How do you define criminal?

Oh dear, did I upset you? I'm terribly sorry.

criminal - found guilty and sentenced in court

fugitive - running away from justice, bail jumper.

BTW all a bit off topic, but having a democratically elected government try to push through their own amnesty isn't fine nor gains a salute, not even from Thai. I think you knew that though.

[englishoak]

I have more time for barking soi dogs than I do for Kasit............

[rubl]

I have more time for barking soi dogs than I do for Kasit............

I must admit that at times I'm seriously wondering if shooting would be a solution, the soi dogs that is.

Edited August 8, 2015 by rubl

[billd766]

Jonathan Head of the BBC has just tweeted that now Kasit has crawled into bed with Suthep the chances of him selling anything are precisely zero.That's JH's view.My view is <deleted> was that little fool thinking.

If you were talking about Jonathon Head, I don't think he does, think I mean.

[billd766]

"Every practice exercised by the government should have a legal basis."

Such as NOT abolishing a constitution approved by the majority of Thai people?

Such as NOT suspending right and liberties of the Thai people?

The Prayut regime only operates on the basis of armed force. Every practice exercised by it has no legal basis.

Such as NOT pushing through a blanket amnesty bill which covers the own financial mismanagement?

such as NOT letting a fugitive criminal rule the country?

Anyway, luckily the topic is on Kasit

I really don't see what the problem is.

If the elected government of the day can push through a blanket amnesty without regard to your personal opinion of it then salut.

such as NOT letting a fugitive criminal rule the country?

Oh dear, I'm not even going near that one. Are you sure that's what you meant and you intended to write? How do you define fugitive? How do you define criminal?

I would define a criminal as someone who has broken the law in a country (whether I agree with that law or not), was charged, taken to court and givien a trial, found guilty and given a prison sentence.

A fugitive is a criminal who has either escaped from prison while serving a sentence or someone who skipped bail and fled, either with or outside the country and who has no intention of going back to jail to complete the sentence.

Now if you know of a different way to describe a criminal or a fugitive then please do so or believe that I am wrong then explain why I am wrong.

I am not commenting on the offence or the law that was broken because any comment would only be my opinion and no-one elses.

I am sure that there are many laws in Thailand and in the UK that I probably don't agree with but that doesn't give the right to ignore or break them as they are still the laws of the land.

[jayboy]

Jonathan Head of the BBC has just tweeted that now Kasit has crawled into bed with Suthep the chances of him selling anything are precisely zero.That's JH's view.My view is <deleted> was that little fool thinking.

If you were talking about Jonathon Head, I don't think he does, think I mean.

Thank you for this well thought out intelligent response.

[billd766]

Jonathan Head of the BBC has just tweeted that now Kasit has crawled into bed with Suthep the chances of him selling anything are precisely zero.That's JH's view.My view is <deleted> was that little fool thinking.

If you were talking about Jonathon Head, I don't think he does, think I mean.

Thank you for this well thought out intelligent response.

You're welcome.