Thailand MUST NOT GIVE UP THE UNSC BID

[webfact]

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thailand MUST NOT GIVE UP THE UNSC BID

BANGKOK: -- Despite all the odds and dysfunction - including the latest bomb carnage to hit Bangkok - Thailand must not give up its bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (2017-2018). In fact, we should go all out for it.

After all, it is not about winning or losing any more. There are three good reasons to gain it — a new foreign minister, an excellent team at the UN headquarters, plus new and more sensible Thai diplomatic thinking.

First of all, the long overdue removal of General Tanasak Patimapagorn from the foreign affairs portfolio was Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's best decision in the Cabinet reshuffle last week. Indeed, media attention was misplaced over the much-hyped incoming economic team. Lo and behold, they would soon learn that either group led by Somkid Jatusripitak now - or ML Pridiyathorn Devakula then - will make no major difference. Buddha knows.

Truth be told, Prayut took months of manoeuvring to edge out Tanasak, his good friend, from the Saranrom Palace in May. After the prime minister returned from the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur at the end of April, he realised that a lot more could be done to integrate Thailand into the emerging Asean Community and turn the country into a multi-purpose hub for Asean trade, tourism and logistics.

In early May, he abruptly demoted Tanasak as the chair of the preparation centre for the Asean Community and took his place. It was done quietly without fanfare — this marked the beginning of his fall. Subsequently, Tanasak's repeated diplomatic blunders, including the poor handling of irregular migrant crises at home and abroad, numerous inappropriate comments on diplomatic activities and ties, have slowly sealed his coffin.

Worse still was his highly authoritative way of management and controls of diplomatic discourse and policy-making that demoralised officials at all levels and degraded the Thai diplomatic tradition. Rubbing more salt into the wounds, Tanasak's ministerial lifestyle also caused widespread uneasiness among his peers. Prayut even wrote a personal note warning him on this.

With Don Pramudwinai as the new Foreign Minister, it is expected the country's foreign policy will be more professional, dynamic and consultative — not just for photo opportunities as in the case of his predecessor. As Tanasak's deputy, he was gagged and back-benched. Now, he has a new lease of life to prove his mettle and show his vision. His first task: a clear instruction on the UNSC bid.

In New York, Thailand has Virachai Plasai as the Thai-UN ambassador heading the campaigning team for the UNSC. Virachai is no stranger to diplomatic and international law circles. His stellar performance at The Hague during the Thai-Cambodia border dispute two-years ago remains an excellent affidavit proving Thailand should not give up the fight for the non-permanent seat. Well, unless he does so - and that is not going to happen. This veteran diplomat has a knack for bringing out the best in Thai hidden qualities when it is least expected.

In retrospect, it was 30 years ago, in 1986, when Thailand served on the UNSC - a steep learning curve for Thai diplomacy. Bangkok understood for the first time to condemn "with a heavy heart" the US, its ally, over the Tripoli bombing. Since then the world has changed so much - with new international environment, with friends becoming foes and vice versa, among the 193 UN members. It was no longer black or white under the Cold War cloud.

So, with the bid, Thailand can update it lists of friends or others.

The current playground is a far cry from 2008 when former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made known the country's twin candidatures - at the UN Human Rights Council for 2014 (short by four votes) and the UNSC non-permanent seat for 2017-2018 - in his UN General Assembly speech in New York. He was confident that Thailand would win as the region's longest established albeit rocky democracy. Sadly, his plans turned out very differently.

Finally, the current UN effort has allowed all Thai top-diplomats and political makers to dig deep into their nation's past diplomatic practices, identifying weaknesses and strengths that have shaped the country's diplomatic profile and imprints on international relations for over two centuries.

As a moderate, Thailand has pursued a middle of the road diplomacy, which from time to time raised eyebrows among Western friends, especially the US. By comparison with other US allies, Thailand's UN voting patterns were not US-oriented ones at all.

Now Thailand views itself as a bridge builder for small and medium size countries - not only South-South but North-South as well - which is willing to take up global issues on their behalf.

No wonder Thailand has been intensifying its engagement with the Group of 77. Bangkok might compete for chair of the 134-member group for 2015-2016.

Nuclear disarmament, sustainable development, gentle equity and peace-keeping and post-conflict peace-building are some key issues with which Thailand could resonate well with the majority of UN members. From now on, there will be less recalcitrance - or rather fence-sitting as in the past - in Thai diplomacy to vote on sensitive issues.

The cruel bomb at Erawan Shrine last week has given the Thais a sense of purpose and solidarity that, as a nation, we have to unite and overcome unknown challenges. Within this spirit, the Thai team should take pride to proceed with the UN bid.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Thailand-MUST-NOT-GIVE-UP-THE-UNSC-BID-30267260.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-24

[davehowden]

Serious question anybody:

What contribution could Thailand possibly make to the UN Security Council ?

[NeverSure]

LOL.

[Seastallion]

Of course Thailand should try hard for the seat. It's a position of power and a strong bargaining chip with trading partners such as Myanmar and North Korea.

It's also a bargaining chip with the big players who want to sway things their way, even if the issue at hand is something Thailand has no interest in.

A simple vote in the UNSC can bring dollars into the country. That's how it works.

[toybits]

Is these for real? A hardly used "aircraft carrier" and a bid to purchase 3 submarines doesn't make one a regional military power. I guess, they are trying to punch above their weight here.

[Just1Voice]

Serious question anybody:

What contribution could Thailand possibly make to the UN Security Council ?

Gee, I don't know. I think they could provide excellent comic relief for all the other members.

[oneday]

"...Thailand must not give up its bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (2017-2018)..."

Fat chance of that ever happening any time soon.

[Orac]

Is these for real? A hardly used "aircraft carrier" and a bid to purchase 3 submarines doesn't make one a regional military power. I guess, they are trying to punch above their weight here.

It is a misprint - it was suppose to read 'military in power'.

[yellowboat]

Serious question anybody:

What contribution could Thailand possibly make to the UN Security Council ?

Exactly. For them, it is a bright shiny new toy. A country that just deposed an elected government is not a good symbol for security.

[MZurf]

Funny. The article starts off by saying that Thailand should work flat out for a seat on the UNSC and then it basically lists a number of very good reasons why this is not such a good idea (to put it mildly)

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

A distraction from reality.

[NongKhaiKid]

In general the UN is a pretty inefficient organisation that talks a lot and that's about it. Wouldn't LoS be right at home ?

[fatfather]

Didn't know that a military junta can apply for a seat at the UNSC.

Fatfather

[klauskunkel]

Didn't know that a military junta can apply for a seat at the UNSC.

Fatfather

maybe Som Tam gift baskets would do the trick?

[Kannikapor88]

Serious question anybody:

What contribution could Thailand possibly make to the UN Security Council ?

+1 ... Have they any idea exactly what UNSC is or maybe again its all show and nothing inside ... ?

[MobileContent]

They will once again faily, however it might be different story in 3-4 years time

[baboon]

Didn't know that a military junta can apply for a seat at the UNSC.

Fatfather

Indeed. Why shouldn't Zimbabwe give it a whirl too?

[Baerboxer]

Serious question anybody:

What contribution could Thailand possibly make to the UN Security Council ?

Just about the same as any other non permanent member without the power of veto.

But they could win favor from one or some of the permanent members by voting certain ways. So yes, they think membership has its advantages.

[Baerboxer]

Didn't know that a military junta can apply for a seat at the UNSC.

Fatfather

Russia and China aren't exactly bastions of democracy and people power. And they've got permanent seats.

Look at some of the other nations who've had no permanent seats and then nothing will surprise you.

[retarius]

Can you be on the UNSC if you have just had a military coup?

[GinBoy2]

Sometimes all one can do is roll the eyes, have a smile, pat yourself on the back and remind yourself thats its the idiosyncrasies, actions beyond belief, total nonsense and actions resulting in nose bleeding laughter that brought you to Thailand in the first place.....unless it was the sex, temples and food hehehe

[Dap]

Serious question anybody:

What contribution could Thailand possibly make to the UN Security Council ?

+1 ... Have they any idea exactly what UNSC is or maybe again its all show and nothing inside ... ?

See Post #4 @ Seastallion

[DrTuner]

I couldn't get past the first two paragraph without laughing so hard I can't see the text from the tears in my eyes. I'll try to calm down and continue, but it might take me a week and cause my stomach muscles to cramp permanently.

[DrTuner]

Serious question anybody:

What contribution could Thailand possibly make to the UN Security Council ?

Gee, I don't know. I think they could provide excellent comic relief for all the other members.

Indeed! (at 1min 27sec, the preview link doesn't support timestamp)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYOM4AGTRSg&feature=youtu.be&t=87

Edited August 24, 2015 by DrTuner