US-Thailand relations on a razor's edge

[Thai at Heart]

Last Saturday I had lunch with a group of Thais who all agreed that they could care less about the US and what they think or do. There was open hostility towards the US and it's interference in Thai internal affairs. The consensus was that Thailand was far better off with Prayut running the show than either the Yellow or Red shirts. These Thais were quite happy to let the NCPO run the country for as long as the NCPO wanted to.

The Thais I was with are all university educated, many educated outside Thailand and some hold down influential government/quasi government positions. They all speak English fluently. Granted maybe not your average under educated Thai, yet it does show that there are people who think for themselves and don't believe everything in the news or on the net.

And they don't give a rat's arse what the US says. I heard the word hypocrite used more than once (referring to the USA).

Just imagine what would have happened in Thailand if the USA hadn't given a rats as about this part of the world.

They would have been given a little red book long before prayuths 12 pillars

[bangarang]

If only the US would divert the money it gives to thailand and keep it for its own citizens...

[rijb]

Last Saturday I had lunch with a group of Thais who all agreed that they could care less about the US and what they think or do. There was open hostility towards the US and it's interference in Thai internal affairs. The consensus was that Thailand was far better off with Prayut running the show than either the Yellow or Red shirts. These Thais were quite happy to let the NCPO run the country for as long as the NCPO wanted to.

The Thais I was with are all university educated, many educated outside Thailand and some hold down influential government/quasi government positions. They all speak English fluently. Granted maybe not your average under educated Thai, yet it does show that there are people who think for themselves and don't believe everything in the news or on the net.

And they don't give a rat's arse what the US says. I heard the word hypocrite used more than once (referring to the USA).

I think you made this up. But, just in case...

How does all this 'enlightenment' make a difference in their country?

What metrics are they using to determine that Thailand is better off with Prayut? The economy? The corruption? Human trafficking? Education reforms? Election reforms? Safety and standards? World respect? etc. etc.

What 'junta initiatives' are these highly educated, influential experts working on?

Speaking of hypocrites, did you ask any of these questions? Or did you just cheer on their ignorance?

[Usernames]

Thailand decided to side with China, and now the United States is going to make Thailand pay. As for those who "don't care" what the US thinks, let's see exactly what tune they're whistling after economic sanctions and maybe an embargo are put in place.

[Benmart]

On a Razors edge !! ..... ... Oh Crispin you crack me up ! .....

A Somerset Maugham(ism) perhaps.

[Benmart]

Ludicrous headline, who gives a good god damn about the US.

They already did their worst, They won't invade or risk further tensions for the sake of I told you.

They put Thailand on tier 3- so now Thailand makes efforts to trade with every country on the US embargo list.

USA have no legitimacy in dictating about human rights abuses. They ignore human rights when it suits them, turn a blind eye to other countries abuses (whatever happened to the stick they used to routinely beat China with) and turn the hose on other countries if they feel so obliged.

However, when ASEAN is in full swing, things are going to shift. The USA better start looking to ensure their own democratic processes are in good order then.

Or the ASEAN dragon will be making exclusive deals with China.

Hehehehe well said.

The opening crude sentence validates the decision to stop reading.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

OMG! The headlines are getting more and more hilarious by the day... Thailand and the US in my opinion are a very good match when it comes to the level of hypocrisy. It's just hot air blowin' and soft punches throwin' in front of cameras, while intimate butt fondling continues behind the curtain. Who are you trying to fool?

[Thai at Heart]

OMG! The headlines are getting more and more hilarious by the day... Thailand and the US in my opinion are a very good match when it comes to the level of hypocrisy. It's just hot air blowin' and soft punches throwin' in front of cameras, while intimate butt fondling continues behind the curtain. Who are you trying to fool?

Well, at least one of the two can claim to be so big and important that when they throw a tantrum the world worries.

When Thailand has a strop, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos don't even give a damn.

[ggt]

The present US Government seems to take great pride in slapping sanctions on Russia, causing China to loose face in the world by leading the fight to keep China's currency from being included with the US dollar as an important world currency...so the US would have no problem acting as if Thailand has stolen their step-child and the US has to give the appearance it want the child back...

Normal posturing for a US government which leads by reacting to world events...rather than showing quality leadership...this could change dramatically if a new Repub President is elected in 2016...

[lostoday]

Is the topic, "the US is really bad so any relations it has with any country will be bad" or "US-Thailand relations on a razor's edge?" One topic concerns a relationship between two different countries and the other is; lets think of all the bad things about Thailand and the USA.

[keemapoot]

As usual, this is much ado about nothing. Thailand is relatively unimportant to US strategic interests and geopolitical ambitions. It has much more substantial relationships in the area.

Having said that, Thailand remains a legacy "ally" and good friend of America. I don't think either side would like to see that eroded, in spite of all the noise about the General courting N. Korea, and China. Thailand will and should balance its interests between China and the US, with China having somewhat more weight, given geography and other factors.

[metisdead]

A post containing links to articles blocked in Thailand has been removed. Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[NCFC]

Actually it's well known the US supports Thaksin and Yingluck because both were democratically elected. They've never had any love for military governments.. just look at Cuba or Myanmar.

So unless Thailand wants to go the economic route of Myanmar and Cuba, Prayuth had better listen.

In a way it's good though.. the baht has already started sliding.. and now they're coming up with multiple visas for all nationalities. So obviously something must really be wrong behind the scenes. If Prayuth stays in power.. the worse for thailand but the better for our farang money vs the baht.

Yes true. You get more bang for your buck but what a sh!t hole Thailand has become in recent years.

[LomSak27]

Article after article, day after day, month after month, the media desperately attempts to ratchet up the pressure. Thailand might, could, almost, any time now, be driven into China’s arms. Relations with the US hang by a thread, a razors edge. Please pull back, please, please, please.

The problem; The US has downgraded relations because of the coup and suspension of the democratic institutions. (They also put out reports on people trafficking that while true hurt Thailand’s feelings) The “Nation” we are allowed to hear, cries out please accept our coup. Please accept are Junta As we do not want to go back to having elections we cannot win ... er, um.

The Nation, Monk guy Suthep, Yellows and The Monarchists desperately hunt around for something, anything to change this. The China Embrace seems the best one they got going right now. For all their talk about the US being supplanted by China, they sure seem desperate as heck to get US recognition for their coup.

Sadly Thailand is just not seen as an indispensable ally in Washington. Shock, Gasp, Horror.

Obama and crew are likely having beers, watching the replay of the Hall of Fame Game. Vikings and Steelers. Teddy Bridgewater looking pretty good in his season debut.For the rest of the US, preseason starts in earnest this weekend. No not the “beautiful game” which Sepp Blatter and cronies have taken a giant dump on. This is football.

“Thai?, sure we can get some Thai food for halftime.”

Edited August 12, 2015 by metisdead
Font.

[lostoday]

Actually it's well known the US supports Thaksin and Yingluck because both were democratically elected. They've never had any love for military governments.. just look at Cuba or Myanmar.

So unless Thailand wants to go the economic route of Myanmar and Cuba, Prayuth had better listen.

In a way it's good though.. the baht has already started sliding.. and now they're coming up with multiple visas for all nationalities. So obviously something must really be wrong behind the scenes. If Prayuth stays in power.. the worse for thailand but the better for our farang money vs the baht.

Yes true. You get more bang for your buck but what a sh!t hole Thailand has become in recent years.

Do your part to improve the country.

[Baerboxer]

Actually it's well known the US supports Thaksin and Yingluck because both were democratically elected. They've never had any love for military governments.. just look at Cuba or Myanmar.

So unless Thailand wants to go the economic route of Myanmar and Cuba, Prayuth had better listen.

In a way it's good though.. the baht has already started sliding.. and now they're coming up with multiple visas for all nationalities. So obviously something must really be wrong behind the scenes. If Prayuth stays in power.. the worse for thailand but the better for our farang money vs the baht.

Well known - by who? You?

The USA and EU for that matter always shout about supporting democracy. Even though their own brands of democracy are sometimes questionable.

But, I've never seen either issue statements that actually support Thaksin and Yingluck. If you have links to where they did then please share them with us,

Thaksin, Yingluck, Amsterdam and the Shin PR machine would love that to be the case and no matter how hard they tried they never managed, AFAIK, to get a statement that supported them personally or directly issued. Maybe because the US knows they're really a bunch of thieving crooks.

[LannaGuy]

If only the US would divert the money it gives to thailand and keep it for its own citizens...

it should

[phoenixdoglover]

China exports (%) by country:

1) United States (19%),

2) Hong Kong (11%),

3) Japan (8.3%),

4) Germany (4.4%),

5) South Korea (3.7%)

.....

16) Thailand (1.6%)

This idea that the US would be highly concerned over a closer Thai-Chinese relationship is an unconvincing idea.

[LannaGuy]

Actually it's well known the US supports Thaksin and Yingluck because both were democratically elected. They've never had any love for military governments.. just look at Cuba or Myanmar.

So unless Thailand wants to go the economic route of Myanmar and Cuba, Prayuth had better listen.

In a way it's good though.. the baht has already started sliding.. and now they're coming up with multiple visas for all nationalities. So obviously something must really be wrong behind the scenes. If Prayuth stays in power.. the worse for thailand but the better for our farang money vs the baht.

Well known - by who? You?

The USA and EU for that matter always shout about supporting democracy. Even though their own brands of democracy are sometimes questionable.

But, I've never seen either issue statements that actually support Thaksin and Yingluck. If you have links to where they did then please share them with us,

Thaksin, Yingluck, Amsterdam and the Shin PR machine would love that to be the case and no matter how hard they tried they never managed, AFAIK, to get a statement that supported them personally or directly issued. Maybe because the US knows they're really a bunch of thieving crooks.

I'm sure you're right I have never seen the US support Thaksin or Yingluck etc. but what's your point? this is NOT about Thaksin or Yingluck it's about a Military Junta taking over for this reason : censored and it was planned long, long ago because censored will happen one day

[phoenixdoglover]

Thailand exports (%) by country

1) China (14%),

2) Japan (10%),

3) United States (9.7%),

4) Indonesia (5.2%),

5) Malaysia (5.0%)

Thailand already has a close and somewhat dependent relationship with China. A little bit more wont matter much.

As an aside, what do you think is the main purpose of the new Thai-Chinese rail arrangements?

I think it is to streamline the flow of food and raw materials from Thailand to China.

Around the world, China has been slowly and persistently establishing their hold on raw materials and food. This is what they need.

If China doesn't keep their manufacturing economy expanding, what happens inside China?

[Thai at Heart]

Article after article, day after day, month after month, the media desperately attempts to ratchet up the pressure. Thailand might, could, almost, any time now, be driven into China’s arms. Relations with the US hang by a thread, a razors edge. Please pull back, please, please, please.

The problem; The US has downgraded relations because of the coup and suspension of the democratic institutions. (They also put out reports on people trafficking that while true hurt Thailand’s feelings) The “Nation” we are allowed to hear, cries out please accept our coup. Please accept are Junta As we do not want to go back to having elections we cannot win ... er, um.

The Nation, Monk guy Suthep, Yellows and The Monarchists desperately hunt around for something, anything to change this. The China Embrace seems the best one they got going right now. For all their talk about the US being supplanted by China, they sure seem desperate as heck to get US recognition for their coup.

Sadly Thailand is just not seen as an indispensable ally in Washington. Shock, Gasp, Horror.

Obama and crew are likely having beers, watching the replay of the Hall of Fame Game. Vikings and Steelers. Teddy Bridgewater looking pretty good in his season debut.For the rest of the US, preseason starts in earnest this weekend. No not the “beautiful game” which Sepp Blatter and cronies have taken a giant dump on. This is football.

“Thai?, sure we can get some Thai food for halftime.”

Because unlike many on here, the USA diplomatic Corp don't fall for the idea that installing a right wing junta is a good way to develop democracy.....

Everyone knows this mess has nothing to do with developing democracy or furthering freedoms. And then even more stupidly, these junta numpties consider jumping into china's bed a good idea because they can't bear to sleep alone.

And they actually worry about selling the country to foreigners? Don't make me puke.