Obama Offered Handshake to Prayuth, Govt Says

[Lite Beer]

Obama Offered Handshake to Prayuth, Govt Says

By Teeranai Charuvastra

Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha and U.S. President Barack Obama shake hands on 29 Sept. at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

BANGKOK — The military government yesterday disputed a media report alleging U.S. officials asked junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha’s entourage not to publish photos of the moment he shook hand with President Barack Obama last week.

The debate arose from a 29 Sept. photo that showed Gen. Prayuth shaking hand with Obama, presumably taken during his recent trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The photo appeared to have been candidly snapped on a mobile phone and shared on social media, leading to speculation among internet users whether the photo was authorized by Thai and American officials.

According to a report Friday from BBC Thai, a Facebook-based platform of the BBC in Thailand, the photo was taken at the request of Thai officials, who expended great effort to have Gen. Prayuth meet with Obama in New York to show that the United States government views Thailand’s military regime favorably.

A handshake with the president of the United States is a much-sought opportunity for world leaders during the assembly, and the president’s handlers deftly seek to manage contact based on the state of international relations.


Junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha and his wife Naraporn Chan-ocha pose for a formal photo with U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama in New York City. Photo: United Nations

Citing an anonymous source, BBC Thai reported the Thai delegation secured the photo-op “after a long negotiation” on the condition from the American side that the Thai official photographer not take the photo, that it not be published through formal channels, and that it could only be released informally on social media.

Government spokesman Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak disputed that account in a news conference yesterday.

It was Obama who first noticed Prayuth in the room where nation leaders were mingling with each other and approached him to offer personal greetings, Weerachon said.

He said Obama then thanked Prayuth for coming to the UN General Assembly. A personal aide of Gen. Prayuth then snapped the photo, to which American officials raised no objections, Weerachon said.

Read More: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1444027138

-- Khaosod English 2015-10-05

[Bluespunk]

'It was Obama who first noticed Prayuth in the room where nation leaders were mingling with each other and approached him to offer personal greetings, Weerachon said.'

So what is all the fuss about then? Why is this proving such a big issue?

Edited October 5, 2015 by Bluespunk

[baboon]

Why so touchy? The Agitprop department is once again making the whole thing look more suspect than it perhaps needs to be. I suppose they will never learn.

Next will be a poll confirming 89.27% of Thais believe Obama did indeed shake hands with the General.

[losworld]

Doesn't Michael look lovely or is it Michelle?

[Bluespunk]

Doesn't Michael look lovely or is it Michelle?

What?

[scorecard]

'It was Obama who first noticed Prayuth in the room where nation leaders were mingling with each other and approached him to offer personal greetings, Weerachon said.'

So what is all the fuss about then? Why is this proving such a big issue?

Further, If the US didn't want the other photo published then why would there be a formal photo of Obama and wife and Prayuth and wife taken and available for publication?

Edited October 5, 2015 by scorecard

[ldiablo]

I can imagine it now.

Oh Prayuth Oh Prayuth it's your good buddy bama baby here. How's that wonderful coup going my man. I was so excited all week just knowing i was going to get to see you. Forget this UN crap, lets get in 18 holes before dinner my friend.

[phoenixdoglover]

This is a tempest in a teapot.

[LannaGuy]

to show that the United States government views Thailand’s military regime favorably.

really? anyone believe that BS? oh wait...

[CWMcMurray]

So the U.S. President is polite ... Sometimes a hand shake is just a hand shake

I don't think it was meant as an endorsement of all the general has done or will ever do..

Of course it is also a sign that the U.S. Does not completely condemn the general and consider him 'persona non grata' either

Just seems a normal polite greeting between the President / PM... Just what one would expect given the situation

[eldragon]

'It was Obama who first noticed Prayuth in the room where nation leaders were mingling with each other and approached him to offer personal greetings, Weerachon said.'

So what is all the fuss about then? Why is this proving such a big issue?

I don't get this story either, mate. Sounds like a case of trying to read Thainess in western culture.

[Thai at Heart]

Obama who first noticed..... Oh right ho. Sorry, have to go, got to shake the hand of a very important man....

[EnglishJohn]

So the U.S. President is polite ... Sometimes a hand shake is just a hand shake

I don't think it was meant as an endorsement of all the general has done or will ever do..

Of course it is also a sign that the U.S. Does not completely condemn the general and consider him 'persona non grata' either

Just seems a normal polite greeting between the President / PM... Just what one would expect given the situation

Quite wrong. A handshake in this environment is very significant.

All the fuss is because we have been bombarded by the Thai media with claims that Thailand is an outcast in world politics after the coup.

It has clearly touched a nerve of some people here : another small part of their lies and hypocrisy has been exposed for what it is and they respond like a schoolboy in a tantrum.

To the rest of us, it has been quite clear all along. The USA have done the exact minimum they have to do by law when dealing with a military Junta. They know full well what a bunch of dirty scumbags Thailand had before.

[NeilSA1]

'It was Obama who first noticed Prayuth in the room where nation leaders were mingling with each other and approached him to offer personal greetings, Weerachon said.'

So what is all the fuss about then? Why is this proving such a big issue?

I don't get this story either, mate. Sounds like a case of trying to read Thainess in western culture.

Agreed, why would the US act like Thailand and try to control what the media publishes?

[TheCruncher]

Looks as if Obama and his wife have a good laugh.

[off road pat]

Obama who first noticed..... Oh right ho. Sorry, have to go, got to shake the hand of a very important man....

Man,...You haven't got clue about protocol and diplomacy....!?!?!

Edited October 5, 2015 by off road pat

[NovaBlue05]

I suppose the US interest in Thailand, and some other SE Asian countries, probably begins and ends with the extent of their usefulness for stagng US military assets to annoy the Chinese. The whole "Democracy" for the Thai people thing sounds better in the media however

[LannaGuy]

So the U.S. President is polite ... Sometimes a hand shake is just a hand shake

I don't think it was meant as an endorsement of all the general has done or will ever do..

Of course it is also a sign that the U.S. Does not completely condemn the general and consider him 'persona non grata' either

Just seems a normal polite greeting between the President / PM... Just what one would expect given the situation

Quite wrong. A handshake in this environment is very significant.

All the fuss is because we have been bombarded by the Thai media with claims that Thailand is an outcast in world politics after the coup.

It has clearly touched a nerve of some people here : another small part of their lies and hypocrisy has been exposed for what it is and they respond like a schoolboy in a tantrum.

To the rest of us, it has been quite clear all along. The USA have done the exact minimum they have to do by law when dealing with a military Junta. They know full well what a bunch of dirty scumbags Thailand had before.

Dream on...

[ikke]

He was waiting like a 12 year old boy, just like a kid waiting at the grand slam, to get a signature from Nadal on a tennis ball.

Sure Obama sees that kid and shakes hands. He loves kids !

[curtklay]

For Christ's sake...have you guys ever heard of good manners?

[TheCruncher]

The military government yesterday disputed a media report alleging U.S. officials asked junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha’s entourage not to publish photos of the moment he shook hand with President Barack Obama last week.

The more correct version probably is that US officials told mister P's entourage that if they wanted to publish the pictures they had to add that they paid for it.

[puukao]

[baboon]

So the U.S. President is polite ... Sometimes a hand shake is just a hand shake

I don't think it was meant as an endorsement of all the general has done or will ever do..

Of course it is also a sign that the U.S. Does not completely condemn the general and consider him 'persona non grata' either

Just seems a normal polite greeting between the President / PM... Just what one would expect given the situation

Quite wrong. A handshake in this environment is very significant.

All the fuss is because we have been bombarded by the Thai media with claims that Thailand is an outcast in world politics after the coup.

Which "the Thai media" would that be? Edited October 5, 2015 by baboon

[Snig27]

So the U.S. President is polite ... Sometimes a hand shake is just a hand shake

I don't think it was meant as an endorsement of all the general has done or will ever do..

Of course it is also a sign that the U.S. Does not completely condemn the general and consider him 'persona non grata' either

Just seems a normal polite greeting between the President / PM... Just what one would expect given the situation

Quite wrong. A handshake in this environment is very significant.

All the fuss is because we have been bombarded by the Thai media with claims that Thailand is an outcast in world politics after the coup.

It has clearly touched a nerve of some people here : another small part of their lies and hypocrisy has been exposed for what it is and they respond like a schoolboy in a tantrum.

To the rest of us, it has been quite clear all along. The USA have done the exact minimum they have to do by law when dealing with a military Junta. They know full well what a bunch of dirty scumbags Thailand had before.

I'm bemused that someone would be actually dim enough to put what you have just typed to this page. One assumes you are taking the piss, right?

[Baerboxer]

Bet Michelle wouldn't have been smiling if flirty Yingluck was in that photo

[elgordo38]

to show that the United States government views Thailand’s military regime favorably.

really? anyone believe that BS? oh wait...

Be a long time before he washes his right hand again. Wrap it with plastic at shower time.

[bendejo]

Bet Michelle wouldn't have been smiling if flirty Yingluck was in that photo

Michelle grew up working class, in Chicago. Do you really think she'd let a hiso Chinese Thai princess get under her skin?

Notice that in the pic of the four of them Michelle is standing a little toward the back so as to not make Prayut look so short. Very nice of her to do that.

The important thing to Prayut is that foreigners respect him as the legit leader of Thailand. A few months back he was being interviewed on Al Jaz, most of the questions regarded statements he made, and nearly every reponse was "that was a joke, you don't understand Thai sense of humor." After hearing that a few times I would have asked "are you a stand-up comedian or PM?" The interviewer (not one of their best) looked like he was getting frustrated but did not get up in his face, I think maybe the translator was cleaning up the questions. When it was over, Prayut told him "thank you for respecting me" (per the translator).

Hey, y'know, I don't get no respect. The other day I get in a taxi and the tell the driver Government House. He says to me "which government would that be?"

[NovaBlue05]

Obama no doubt wondering what happened to the hottie he met on his last trip to Thailand

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--iamSBLun--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/185t9vmalkv63jpg.jpg

[NongKhaiKid]

All this over the common courtesy of a handshake.

Just as well it wasn't a wai otherwise LoS would be pointing out Obama did ii first and had his hands in the wai position of someone acknowledging a person of higher and more important standing.

[ksamuiguy]

Protocol.