EU criticism brings government back to reality

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
EU criticism brings government back to reality
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Warning on rights abuses is a sharp reminder for the government, that it needs to respect international norms and differences of opinion

Just when the junta was floating on cloud nine from the recent trip to the United Nations, where Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha rubbed shoulders with world leaders - although some have claimed the snapshot of him chatting with US President Barack Obama was somehow staged - the European Union Parliament brought the country's rulers back to harsh reality this week with a critical resolution slamming Thailand's human rights abuses.

The non-binding resolution also called on the military government to return the country to civilian rule. The motion was passed 581-to-35 with 35 abstentions.

The resolution said Thailand's human rights situation had deteriorated since the military seized power in May 2014 through a coup and demanded that the government "lift repressive restrictions on the right to liberty and the peaceful exercise of other human rights".

"Thailand must hear very clearly a strong demand on part of the European Parliament that democracy must be reinstated there, which the country deserves," said Polish Vice President of the EU Parliament Ryszard Czarnecki.

"We should not only monitor the situation in Thailand up close, we should indicate that our economic cooperation may actually be hinged on Thailand's cooperation with human rights," he said.

As expected, the Thai Foreign Ministry expressed disappointment, with the usual spin that sounded like a broken record - that the EU parliamentarians misunderstood Thailand's commitment to preserving international norms and protecting human rights.

"Thailand respects and is committed to international obligations on human rights, as well as clings to the road map toward an election," Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said.

These were more or less the points that Prayut reiterated at the recently concluded UN General Assembly.

They sound good on paper or when spoken by a national leader - although some would argued that Prayut can work on how to better deliver a speech or just basic communication skills.

Like it or not, the future between Thailand and the EU will be somewhat uncomfortable in the coming months as Thailand takes up the position as Asean-EU Coordinator.

But what irritates Thai government officials the most is that the EU parliamentarians have a point. Thailand's talk of respecting human rights is not matched by actions on the ground.

Our leaders talk a good game in the international setting. But all good foreign policy begins at home. This means match your words with deeds.

The EU Parliament called on the government to lift repressive restrictions on the right to liberty and called on Thai authorities to overturn convictions and sentences for politically charged crimes - to release individuals and media operators who have been sentenced or charged for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression or assembly.

These exercises are your basic building blocks of democracy. And if the the military regime can't understand this very simple notion, there isn't much hope for Thailand's democracy.

Just think about it. The people who are writing the ground rules for the future of Thailand's democracy can't even tolerate simple criticisms from the public and the media, much less a group of student activists.

Going after a Thai Rath cartoonist and Matichon reporters for citing a report by the BBC about an allegedly staged photo op between Prayut and Obama is just plain absurd.

The excuse for summoning these individuals is that their attitude needed to be adjusted.

But the people in the EU Parliament, as well as many free-loving folks in Thailand, don't see it that way.

And if the Thai bureaucrats and diplomats are unable to make these foreign lawmakers understand or see things their way, then there will be consequences.

Our trade representatives should note the point about how these ongoing abuses could damage Thailand's trade relations with the EU.

All of these potential hazards could be avoided if junta leaders just put their egos aside, and if our diplomats and bureaucrats can find the courage the tell these top brass that their mindset is outdated - that they need to grasp a few things such as international norms and respect for differences of opinion.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/EU-criticism-brings-government-back-to-reality-30270617.html

-- The Nation 2015-10-11

[NongKhaiKid]

EU criticism brings government back to reality ?

Who are the Nation trying to kid ?

Edited October 10, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[jgriff]

Just the other day didn't it get reported that the PM was going to write letters to other world countries govt heads about what the Thai Govt is doing because the other countries didn't understand the Thai way.

I suggest to this govt that other countries do understand the Thai way totally and it will only get worse if the Thai Govt keeps thinking other countries are children

[Thailand]

Criticism falls on deaf ears if from overseas.Retribution if local.

[terryp]

lets all not forget that this so called government is ILLEGAL

[speedtripler]

lets all not forget that this so called government is ILLEGAL

Anything the general decides to do is legal if article 44 can override laws

[chainarong]

Like pouring water of a duck's back , they have two options on how to approach international recognised problems , either go with the flow or be dragged kicking & screaming into submission, the ball is in the Government of Thailand's court.

[MZurf]

""Thailand respects and is committed to international obligations on human rights, as well as clings to the road map toward an election," Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said."

Well, you can't have both. You can't commit to human rights obligations and stick to the road map as the road map's ultimate destination is a society where the military/old elite rule in perpetuity.

[wow64]

Not sure which reality.. The EU should sort out its own problems.. No refugee problems here.

Whats that saying dont throw stones if you live in a bunker.

Sent from my c64

Edited October 11, 2015 by wow64

[jonclark]

I think the EU maybe summoned for some attitude adjustment soon.

[CaptHaddock]

Maybe the Nation could start by apologizing for supporting Suthep's anti-democracy mob and the coup itself.

[MZurf]

Not sure which reality.. The EU should sort out its own problems.. No refugee problems here.

Whats that saying dont throw stones if you live in a bunker.

Sent from my c64

Another saying goes like this; "Don't post if on the p!ss.

[Orac]

EU criticism brings government back to reality ?

Who are the Nation trying to kid ?

Probably themselves.

There seem to be increasingly stronger worded editorials coming out of The Nation recently - wonder if this has anything to do with Meechai being appointed to head up the new drafting committee as they are locked in a legal battle with him at the moment. Must be like like the mia noi finding out that her boyfriend doesn't really love her and was just using her for sex and now the mia luang wants the gold back.

[NCC1701A]

I don't understand why Thailand cares what the EU thinks. Thailand is one of the most powerful countries in the world. Just look at Thailand's military. The EU should back off if it knows what is good for it. Maybe those bouncers from the Phuket night club will be sent to the UN to sort things out.

Edited October 11, 2015 by NCC1701A

[waldroj]

If you don't walk the talk you are nothing more than a hypocrite! Actions always prove why words mean nothing, but who is going to tell him? At least the EU has tried, but the message seems to have been unheeded.

Just like the story “The Emperor’s new clothes”, Thailand's leadership appear to be vain, unwilling to accept any criticism, and lacking the ability or desire to foster genuine reform and reconciliation. Compounding this, they have surrounded themselves with pandering unctuous lackeys whose superficial lip service is reminiscent of an earlier authoritarian state.

Unfortunately, it seems many Thais choose not to acknowledge this, preferring instead to allow the current situation to continue because it’s the easy option.

Attitudes certainly need to be adjusted so the naked truth can be exposed for what it is!

[Jimlove]

Oh Thailand, you are so moving backwards to the stoneage in Warp speed ...

Do as Panasonic - get the hell out ...

[phutoie2]

Not sure which reality.. The EU should sort out its own problems.. No refugee problems here.

Whats that saying dont throw stones if you live in a bunker.

Sent from my c64

spot on there, towed out sea by the Navy, sent packing back to China, jungle grave yards. No refugee probs, Perhaps the EU should be getting advice from Thailand.

[LomSak27]

So the EU and the US has dinged them, big deal. North Korea hasn't, either has China

[oneday]

Let me guess...581 members, representing who knows how many countries, do not understand Thailand. Not one member voted against this resolution. That is a very powerful statement.

[deeks]

Plenty of other countries on the planet with extreme human rights abuses mainly aimed at women just look at Saudi Arabia, but we wont point the finger at them now will we ,no we'd have too much to lose, hypochrites.

[Muirton]

The United nations. What a joke. Only a handful of the hundreds of countries represented there have democracy. Laced with dictators and corrupt politicians. I would rather live here than in many of the poverty stricken rat holes the U N represents. Just look at what happens to citizens of many of these counties from amputations, stonings, beatings and outright murder. The U N has a real gall complaining about Thailand.

"I would rather live here ..."

Allow me to ask a hypothetical question.

What if "here" some day in the distant future was to be "laced with dictators and corrupt politicians". Would you then leave the LOS?

[razer]

If I recall correctly, there were a lot more civil rights abuses under civilian government.

Does calling the rigged elections of friends and family a democracy? China has elections for that matter.

Does such a democracy have exemption from civil rights abuses?

[Reigntax]

lets all not forget that this so called government is ILLEGAL

Anything the general decides to do is legal if article 44 can override laws

Only if you assume section 44 is a legal act by the granting of absolute power to yourself by yourself. Judgement on that will have to wait for another time and by other people. Edited October 11, 2015 by Reigntax

[Mister Fixit]

Just the other day didn't it get reported that the PM was going to write letters to other world countries govt heads about what the Thai Govt is doing because the other countries didn't understand the Thai way.

I suggest to this govt that other countries do understand the Thai way totally and it will only get worse if the Thai Govt keeps thinking other countries are children

Especially when it's the Thais who behave like children - it's riddled throughout the entire culture from top to bottom..

'Khit mahk, mai dee'. If it ain't 'sanook', no-one wants to know.

[trainman34014]

Words will never hurt them but Sanctions and outright Import bans would. Stop the money and watch things change...otherwise forget the useless talk . The only way to change anything in Thailand is deprive them of their sacred God....MONEY !!

[jesimps]

The United nations. What a joke. Only a handful of the hundreds of countries represented there have democracy. Laced with dictators and corrupt politicians. I would rather live here than in many of the poverty stricken rat holes the U N represents. Just look at what happens to citizens of many of these counties from amputations, stonings, beatings and outright murder. The U N has a real gall complaining about Thailand.

As for the E U? Another joke . Not elected by the people of the E U countries yet able to dictate the fate of nations. Another bunch of power seaking polies no better than the mob running the U N.

Say goodnight to the folks Gracie.

[fred Kubasa]

These nations + the US, Australia, Japan actually keep Thailand running and

some provide foreign aid, support Thai charities, offer overseas education, and on, and, on. They don't have to do anything bad to seriously affect Thailand, simply stop doing the totally volutarily offered, free, good things.

Even here foreign fraternities/clubs/individuals/companies combined give

more expertise/time/money/food then all Thai charities combined.

[johnmcc6]

To use one example. The United states in its first hundred years of democracy suffered through civil war, slavery, rampant corruption untill it finally got most of its act together through constutional amendments and generational change to its laws and culture. It took until the 1960's to finaly give the blacks civil rights.

Thailands democracy movement is less than 75 years old. It is now much like the U S going through enormouse change. This coupled with Asian culture makes for many difficult challenges. Rather than ridicule Thai's trying to improve their lot perhaps we should give pause to all the bad things that happened in our own countries prio to getting our act together. Thailand managed even with all its faults to avoid the things that killed millions in neighbouring countries under Pol Pot and the communist dictatorships of Vietnahm and forced military rule of Cambodia. I recon that in spite of what is going on here things are heading in the right direction. Nation building takes time.

[hugh2121]

lets all not forget that this so called government is ILLEGAL

Anything the general decides to do is legal if article 44 can override laws

Is article 44 valid if it was invoked by an illegal PM and government?

[Hawk]

Reality does not exist in Thailand.