Interview with US Ambassador to Thailand: 'We don't choose sides, we choose principles'

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EXCUSIVE INTERVIEW
'We don't choose sides, we choose principles'
THE NATION


New US Ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies gives an exclusive interview to Veenarat Laohapakakul from Nation TV at his residence yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- THE LONGER it takes to hold a general election, the more difficult it will be for Thailand to achieve the objective of returning to the democratic path, new US ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies yesterday said in an exclusive interview with Nation Group.

The ambassador also said the Thai government needs to open up more public space for people, civil society, non-governmental organisations and others to discuss and debate the country's political future.

The US, however, does not see itself as the judge or jury to decide Thailand's political direction, as it's a matter for Thais, he said. The US sees Thailand as an important ally in this region and is confident it could return to democracy and political stability as well as serve as a model for others in the Asean grouping, Davies added.

When asked to comment on the government's current 6-4-6-4 plan for the election to take place in 20 months from now until around mid-2017, Davies declined to be specific. The US envoy, who is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today, said the US believes the best path for Thailand is to return to democratically elected governance.

This will allow the country to return to its former role as one of the leaders in the Asean grouping, he said, adding that Thailand is in fact the second-largest economy in Asean and one of the oldest US allies in Asia. He hoped that Thai people would understand the US position.

Davies said the US government does not take sides in Thailand's politics. "We do not choose sides but we choose principles," he said, adding the US supports Thai people's aspiration to achieve the goal of democracy. Davies said it was not true that the US government talked to only the red shirts; in fact it wants to talk to everyone.

While the May 2014 coup was a setback for Thailand, he said the US continues to have security, political, economic cultural relations with Thailand but there have been some limits due to US laws and it could not be said that "It's business as usual".

He said the 11-month absence of a US |ambassador to Thailand is not something unusual because the appointment process in the US political system is quite complicated and rather time-consuming.

Having been in Thailand for about a month, Davies said his mission here is to work out matters important in Thailand's and the US' interests. As a friend of Thailand, the US will help Thais to achieve the objective of returning to the democratic path, Davies said.

Reacting to Thailand's warmer relations with China and Russia, he said the US is not worried about such a development and is assured that Thailand is an independent country that will not be a colony of anybody.

- Full interview in The Nation tomorrow

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/We-dont-choose-sides-we-choose-principles-30271843.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-29

[sirineou]

what happens when two sides have opposing principles?

[Somtamnication]

Good to know they will get along, then. LOL

[Bender]

in others words, uncle Too will not be invited for thanksgiving...

[trogers]

what happens when two sides have opposing principles?

We choose the principles that would benefit us the most...?

Democracy is just a cover. Remember how we supported Saddam Hussein of very democractic Iraq? He won every elections since he came to power.

Wondering what happened to him though...

[sirineou]

what happens when two sides have opposing principles?

We choose the principles that would benefit us the most...?

Democracy is just a cover. Remember how we supported Saddam Hussein of very democractic Iraq? He won every elections since he came to power.

Wondering what happened to him though...

Yes but wouldn't this also be choosing sides?

When I was in school , I was a outstanding student and well acquainted with principals

I was always out standing in the hallway when I should be in class, and was often send to the principals office.

I Guess one could say I had no class

Drum-roll please!

[lovelomsak]

I really like the title of this article. I feel that is what most TV posters do here discuss principle . As the old saying goes " Its the principle of the thing"

[halloween]

It seems with this 'christian' nation, "thou shall not steal" has gone the same way as "thou shall not kill".

[retarius]

"Principles?" Hypocrisy more like. Coup against democratic government in Egypt, more US aid for the Egyptian army; coup in Thailand, nasty comments from ambassadors.

[waldroj]

Despite what one thinks of the US and its principles, at least its citizens have a democratically-elected government, and they will get to vote on that government again long before Thai citizens will be able too.

[sirineou]

"Principles?" Hypocrisy more like. Coup against democratic government in Egypt, more US aid for the Egyptian army; coup in Thailand, nasty comments from ambassadors.

Democracy with the US is like Henry Ford and the colors of the Model T car.

You can have any color car as long as it is black

[trogers]

what happens when two sides have opposing principles?

We choose the principles that would benefit us the most...?

Democracy is just a cover. Remember how we supported Saddam Hussein of very democractic Iraq? He won every elections since he came to power.

Wondering what happened to him though...

Yes but wouldn't this also be choosing sides?

When I was in school , I was a outstanding student and well acquainted with principals

I was always out standing in the hallway when I should be in class, and was often send to the principals office.

I Guess one could say I had no class

Drum-roll please!

You need to read between lines...

We choose the principles that benefit us the most...irregardless of the character of the people in power nor how they bought themselves into power, nor should the election be rigged.

As long as there is an election and the adopted principles are to our benefit, you have our full support.

But should your principles have negative impact on us, there could be suspicion that you are developing WMDs, elections or no elections...

[sirineou]

what happens when two sides have opposing principles?

We choose the principles that would benefit us the most...?

Democracy is just a cover. Remember how we supported Saddam Hussein of very democractic Iraq? He won every elections since he came to power.

Wondering what happened to him though...

Yes but wouldn't this also be choosing sides?

When I was in school , I was a outstanding student and well acquainted with principals

I was always out standing in the hallway when I should be in class, and was often send to the principals office.

I Guess one could say I had no class

Drum-roll please!

You need to read between lines...

We choose the principles that benefit us the most...irregardless of the character of the people in power nor how they bought themselves into power, nor should the election be rigged.

As long as there is an election and the adopted principles are to our benefit, you have our full support.

But should your principles have negative impact on us, there could be suspicion that you are developing WMDs, elections or no elections...

Read between the lines? I am still having problems reading the lines, never mind reading between the lines, a couple of pictures would be helpful.

Actually I agree with you and made a similar point one reply before this. others are also making the same point so we are in good company.

[chainarong]

I think what can be gleaned from this topic is there are principles and then there is a principle, both country can be accused of breaching one or the other at sometime, indeed , like all other countries , what the US say's today of Thailand can tomorrow be something entirely different some place else, so it is that old chestnut, do what I say not what I do , just like all countries do , particularly China, not a good choice of words Mr Ambassador , however to let you off the hook , there is not to many principles in Thailand when it comes to the Military being able to take over at any given time , principles seem to belong some where else , in another country.

[Eric Loh]

Any democracy even as broken as USA or soft repressive like Singapore is better than a coup junta government.

[SaamBaht]

It's great to hear somebody talking about principles in a country where few are found. It's great to hear the mantra: return to democracy. It must drive the PM batty. Thank you Ambassador.

[kennw]

" Principle" Mr. Ambassador - your stand on Saudi ? A convicted criminal refusing to stand trial?

[soalbundy]

what happens when two sides have opposing principles?

you side with the one who has the most oil or has atomic weapons.

[Yann55]

Quote : Davies said the US government does not take sides in Thailand's politics. "We do not choose sides but we choose principles," he said, adding the US supports Thai people's aspiration to achieve the goal of democracy.

Diplomatic bs at its peak.

1/ Choosing principles is choosing sides.

2/ 'Thai people's aspiration to achieve the goal of democracy' ? How can he be so sure that Thai people want 'democracy' ? Having lived in Asia for a good many years, my experience is that most people here, aside from a few scholars whose thinking is heavily influenced by the West, don't give a damn about democracy, whether we like that or not. It is a Western concept that means nothing to them, and does not in the least carry the emotional charge that it has in Western people's minds and hearts. So when this guy says that Thai people aspire to democracy, he is being totally delusional, or worse, hypocritical. It is not what they want, it is what he wants them to want.

And what kind of democracy anyway ? What Thai people want is peace, wealth, health, loving and being loved, having friends and having fun, which basically is what all human beings want. Democracy is not the goal. Democracy may be the means, but is it ? Does it apply everywhere and anytime ? And then again, what kind of democracy ?

Mr Ambassador, I like to think that you have studied political science. If you have, you are surely aware that what defines democracy is not only the fact that people can vote. Elections are a part of the democratic process, but that process implies something much more important than elections : the separation of powers. If anything can be said to define democracy, this is it. Elections are just a technical aspect. If the three main powers (legislative, executive and judiciary) are not truly separate, or if they are separate only on paper but not in reality, then elections are a farce. And that's what they've been ever since they were introduced in this country. Why ? Because forcing democratic techniques into a terrain that is not ready for it is like trying to plant salads in the desert.

After their experience in Iraq, one might think that Americans finally have a clue that democracy cannot be force-fed into a totally different culture. But no, they keep advertising their magic potion with all the gusto and naivety that is so typical of them. It's touching in a way, but also, frankly, very stupid.

[soalbundy]

The gulf of Tonkin resolution ring a bell ambassador.

[nodomino]

The Ambassador's speech was what is described in political terms as 'Boilerplate'.

[JingerBen]

Quote : Davies said the US government does not take sides in Thailand's politics. "We do not choose sides but we choose principles," he said, adding the US supports Thai people's aspiration to achieve the goal of democracy.

Diplomatic bs at its peak.

1/ Choosing principles is choosing sides.

2/ 'Thai people's aspiration to achieve the goal of democracy' ? How can he be so sure that Thai people want 'democracy' ? Having lived in Asia for a good many years, my experience is that most people here, aside from a few scholars whose thinking is heavily influenced by the West, don't give a damn about democracy, whether we like that or not. It is a Western concept that means nothing to them, and does not in the least carry the emotional charge that it has in Western people's minds and hearts. So when this guy says that Thai people aspire to democracy, he is being totally delusional, or worse, hypocritical. It is not what they want, it is what he wants them to want.

And what kind of democracy anyway ? What Thai people want is peace, wealth, health, loving and being loved, having friends and having fun, which basically is what all human beings want. Democracy is not the goal. Democracy may be the means, but is it ? Does it apply everywhere and anytime ? And then again, what kind of democracy ?

Mr Ambassador, I like to think that you have studied political science. If you have, you are surely aware that what defines democracy is not only the fact that people can vote. Elections are a part of the democratic process, but that process implies something much more important than elections : the separation of powers. If anything can be said to define democracy, this is it. Elections are just a technical aspect. If the three main powers (legislative, executive and judiciary) are not truly separate, or if they are separate only on paper but not in reality, then elections are a farce. And that's what they've been ever since they were introduced in this country. Why ? Because forcing democratic techniques into a terrain that is not ready for it is like trying to plant salads in the desert.

After their experience in Iraq, one might think that Americans finally have a clue that democracy cannot be force-fed into a totally different culture. But no, they keep advertising their magic potion with all the gusto and naivety that is so typical of them. It's touching in a way, but also, frankly, very stupid.

Exceptionally good post.

Well considered and well expressed.

[rethaier]

Despite what one thinks of the US and its principles, at least its citizens have a democratically-elected government, and they will get to vote on that government again long before Thai citizens will be able too.

BS. As Mark Twain said: "If voting made a difference we would not be allowed to do it." The US citizens do not elect their leaders, the super rich do.

[rethaier]

Any democracy even as broken as USA or soft repressive like Singapore is better than a coup junta government.

A bold statement care to give your reason for making it. Where in the world is there a working democracy? The US though calling itself a republic, is, like Russia, an Ogliarchy, most of Europe are either socialist or Monarchies.

[Joe Reality]

The principles of US politicians have been plain to see for well over a hundred years now.

They feather their own nest and couldn't give a hoot about those they are supposed to represent.

Democracy is the best system that money can buy. It's two wolves and sheep sitting down to decide what's for dinner.

[TheCruncher]

I wonder how long before the US is gonna supply weapons to the rebels as they do in almost every other country in the world.

Edited October 29, 2015 by TheCruncher

[JingerBen]

Despite what one thinks of the US and its principles, at least its citizens have a democratically-elected government, and they will get to vote on that government again long before Thai citizens will be able too.

BS. As Mark Twain said: "If voting made a difference we would not be allowed to do it." The US citizens do not elect their leaders, the super rich do.

Ambrose Bierce, Mark Twain, and a little later H.L.Mencken, among others...

They saw through the fog - without rancor and with wit and humor.

[FangFerang]

"We don't choose sides, we choose principles," ???

That is an outright lie. The US has always chosen sides and declared their choice to be one of principle, and the side always chosen is whichever side the money is on. Like Malaysia being removed from Tier 3 in human trafficking because they signed the TPP, and like China being left off entirely (both of which ran against the recommendations of the researchers involved altogether)...and what about the Shah of Iran, and the economic attacks against Venezuala, and the Plain of Jars in 1969, Saudi Arabian moral immunity, Israelui moral immunity, Palestinian moral immunity...and and and....

The list is really quite long.

I hope this yahoo lies better in Thai than he does in English.

Edited October 29, 2015 by FangFerang

[LukKrueng]

Any democracy even as broken as USA or soft repressive like Singapore is better than a coup junta government.

I am not really sure about that.

[LannaGuy]

what happens when two sides have opposing principles?

elections happen