Handshake Heralds More Tactical US Approach to Junta

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Handshake Heralds More Tactical US Approach to Junta

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

Senior Staff Writer

U.S. Ambassador Glyn Davies uses both hands to engage junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha on Oct. 29 at Government House.

BANGKOK — Activists and academics say they are confident that U.S. policy toward the military government of Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha will be adjusted but not drastically changed after what appeared to be a cordial meeting late last month between Prayuth and the new U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, Glyn Davies.

Following the Oct. 29 meeting, some observers are seeing in the American gesture a more tactful or calculated handling of ties, while one called for more “concrete” measures against the military regime.

Thailand Just Not That Important

Suthachai Yimprasert, a Chulalongkorn University history professor, said he doubts the United States will turn a blind eye to democracy, human rights, free expression and free assembly like it did during the Cold War to prop up successive Thai military dictators to counter perceived communist threats.

“Thailand is not that important to America’s interests, as compared to Egypt where the [u.S.] government is worried about Islamists and decided to stick with military dictators,” Suthachai said. Should Washington gravitate closer toward the Thai junta, he added, it would be counterproductive to its national interests.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1446965918

-- Khaosod English 2015-11-08

[GinBoy2]

Oh the dirty horrible truth... Yes Thailand has little or no strategic advantage to the US os general western interests.

There are many Thai's and the TVF acolytes that like to believe that Thailand has some special relationship with Washington and the West in general that somehow the 'west' is destroying by their anti Junta stance.

As the article well points out, diplomacy is based on self interest. Governments are absolutely willing to suspend their moral imperatives if it serves their own interests...Saudi Arabia, Egypt to name but a few.

But if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of Thailand, with a statregic advantage which has long since evaporated with the demise of communism, and the Vietnam conflict, then expect to be subject to a more 'pragmatic' relationship which can be a whole lot more painful to listen to!

[cmsally]

Interesting body language in that photo. "The elbow grip"

[thesetat2013]

Interesting body language in that photo. "The elbow grip"

Don't put too much into that. You have a new representative who is not only trying to make himself look good to P but also to the Americans. Photo ops like this are a dime a dozen.

[55Jay]

PM's facial expression is amusing, and looks like he's struggling to maintain distance as this US Ambassador leans in ever so slightly to grab an elbow; which is a subtle power move a superior might do to a subordinate in the military.

A bit different than Kristie Kenney I suspect.

Edited November 8, 2015 by 55Jay

[Usernames]

I really think that Thailand may have overplayed its China hand. Too much game playing and the US may finally have just had enough. Let'em go.

[cmsally]

Interesting body language in that photo. "The elbow grip"

Don't put too much into that. You have a new representative who is not only trying to make himself look good to P but also to the Americans. Photo ops like this are a dime a dozen.

As another poster mentioned you often see this kind of body language with Thais . But lets guess how many Thais could pull this one on Prayuth.

[Skywalker69]

Interesting body language in that photo. "The elbow grip"

Greeting Handshake

As the other person approaches, move to left side, extend your arm horizontally, palm down (be first to do this). Grab their palm firmly, pull them in and hold their elbow with your left hand.

The horizontal arm is an unmissable signal. Palm on top is being dominant, putting yourself on top. Holding the elbow further controls them.

The royal handshake is outstretched arm to keep the other at their distance. A limp hand, palm down, stops them doing a power shake.

Touching

Touching is power symbol. Touching people can be threatening, and is used by leaders to demonstrate power.

The handshake is, of course, a touch, and can lead to further touching, such as the elbow grip and patting shoulders and back.

Guide people with a palm in the small of the back. Greet them with a hand on the back. Touch them on the elbow or other 'safe' areas.

http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/power_body.htm

[NeverSure]

Interesting body language in that photo. "The elbow grip"

Don't put too much into that. You have a new representative who is not only trying to make himself look good to P but also to the Americans. Photo ops like this are a dime a dozen.

As another poster mentioned you often see this kind of body language with Thais . But lets guess how many Thais could pull this one on Prayuth.

You and other posters are correct. That is a controlling gesture not done to a superior. It is a statement with body language that says "I am in control." It is reeking of that language in hands and body position. The ambassador has pulled the G's hand clear to him and has his hand on top of the G's. He has used his other hand to control at the elbow. It is shouting control and superiority. The G is being put into his place.

Below top is a pic with one of his superiors - the US Secretary. The Secretary has pulled the hand to him and has his hand on top - minor but telling.

Below that is a pic of equals - Junichi Ihara, Japanese minister of foreign affairs. No one's hand is covering the other from on top and no one is controlling distance.

Edited November 8, 2015 by NeverSure

[Srikcir]

"Egypt where the [u.S.] government is worried about Islamists and decided to stick with military dictators"

The current president of Egypt is former general Abdel Fattah el-Sisi who was elected in 2014 by more than 90% of the vote. There is no "sticking with military dictators" there. When compared to General Prayut who elected himself PM, the USA is showing "measured restraint" with Prayut and "not sticking" with him.

[pinkpanther99]

Oh the dirty horrible truth... Yes Thailand has little or no strategic advantage to the US os general western interests.

There are many Thai's and the TVF acolytes that like to believe that Thailand has some special relationship with Washington and the West in general that somehow the 'west' is destroying by their anti Junta stance.

As the article well points out, diplomacy is based on self interest. Governments are absolutely willing to suspend their moral imperatives if it serves their own interests...Saudi Arabia, Egypt to name but a few.

But if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of Thailand, with a statregic advantage which has long since evaporated with the demise of communism, and the Vietnam conflict, then expect to be subject to a more 'pragmatic' relationship which can be a whole lot more painful to listen to!

You're exactly right.

And regarding the point highlighted above, hasn't this actually been the case for hundreds of years, going back to when the British and French were heavily involved in this part of the world?

Basically, Thailand was deemed to never have anything that couldn't already be taken from Burma, Malaysia etc, which was why it was never colonized.

Edited November 9, 2015 by pinkpanther99

[bluebluewater]

"Activists and academics say they are confident . . . "

As we know these kinda guys here in Thailand are very clever and always spot on with their assessments.

[LomSak27]

Handshake Heralds More Tactical US Approach to Junta

The PR department for the Junta; AKA The Nation, is starting the new week trying to put a good spin on things, after weeks of sneering and being catty about the new US ambassador. No new news and Nothing different from last week of course, BUT Good News IS Needed!!

Go Team !

[anon4546543]

I did several trips to Vietnam. On one occasion, I clinked a beer glass with a local. At the last second this man raised his glass so that his glass was above mine. I learned a lot then about face and the Asian version of respect. Not that I really give a rats, symbols of power are such that I can punch someone in the guts and bring them back down to earth if they insulted me beyond the norm. Not that this is a tactic I choose to employ. But the thing is, Thailand is strategic, especially to China and access to the Indian Ocean. The US has stated since 2013 that it is now interested in Asian affairs. One thing that the junta has had success at is the decreased violence of the political powers. And political violence is one thing that Thailand does not need. The rural people, the backbone of Thailand were/are confused by everything that is against the basic Buddhist culture of Thailand. I hope that the US can encourage but not bully Thailand back to democracy. I hope the US can say, you needed to do this, but let it be the last time. I hope the US can help to broker an arrangement between the political parties that excludes violence and outright corruption. ( Maybe dreams)

[HenryB]

Yes Obama loves Thailand and within 3 weeks shall send over billions of money

[fred Kubasa]

Or the bowing/smiling/handshake are just more diplomatic BS while the US,

covertly makes new realtionships with other then

"Fair weather friends " !

[55Jay]

Yes Obama loves Thailand and within 3 weeks shall send over billions of money

Naw, he'll send over a US Dollar ATM card, and make them withdraw the billions 20,000 Baht at a time, paying 200 Baht for each transaction.

[GinBoy2]

Or the bowing/smiling/handshake are just more diplomatic BS while the US,

covertly makes new realtionships with other then

"Fair weather friends " !

I don't think their is much covert friendship making going on, I think the latest rapprochement between Hanoi & Washington is been pretty open.

Washington, along with all governments has no 'friends', they have countries and regimes that that further their own ends. To describe any inter country relationship as 'friendship' is naive at best.

Thailand at one time had it's uses to Washington, now not so much. The focus is now on the South China Sea and Thailand has no use there.

Washington looks to Vietnam, South Korea, Philippines, Japan & Singapore as it's allies to contain China.

Bangkok needs to get use to this new reality, and remember that it's new BFF is even more fickle in it's 'special relationship'. The phrase 'dropped faster than a pair of dirty underwear' is certainly in Beijing's playbook

[digibum]

I did several trips to Vietnam. On one occasion, I clinked a beer glass with a local. At the last second this man raised his glass so that his glass was above mine. I learned a lot then about face and the Asian version of respect. Not that I really give a rats, symbols of power are such that I can punch someone in the guts and bring them back down to earth if they insulted me beyond the norm. Not that this is a tactic I choose to employ. But the thing is, Thailand is strategic, especially to China and access to the Indian Ocean. The US has stated since 2013 that it is now interested in Asian affairs. One thing that the junta has had success at is the decreased violence of the political powers. And political violence is one thing that Thailand does not need. The rural people, the backbone of Thailand were/are confused by everything that is against the basic Buddhist culture of Thailand. I hope that the US can encourage but not bully Thailand back to democracy. I hope the US can say, you needed to do this, but let it be the last time. I hope the US can help to broker an arrangement between the political parties that excludes violence and outright corruption. ( Maybe dreams)

I don't agree. Thailand is a "nice to have" partner in the region rather than a "must have" partner that it was for the last 40 years.

Thailand, really, serves a limited role in the US plan in Asia. Thailand's government has shown its willingness to cuddle up to China if the need arises so the US will extend a token gesture here and there but every single day the US is making itself less and less dependent on Thailand.

Unless Thailand radically changes course, not just in terms of US policy but really comes to term with the fact that the world has changed since the 1940's, they're going to find themselves at risk of becoming the Myanmar of the region.

Let's face it . . .

Thailand has the slowest growing economy in the region.

Thailand no longer holds any strategic influence in the war against heroin smuggling into the US.

Most of Thailand's major exports could be sourced in another country in the region

Within a decade or two, Thailand will not have the mostly highly-skilled labor in the region

Thailand is willing to buy its military equipment off of eBay (an exaggeration but . . . ) so there is less and less military strategic reason to keep them happy as buyers of military equipment.

Thailand has shown not only minimal loyalty to maintaining good US relations (constantly fighting the US on IP protections, human rights, human trafficking, etc) but has shown that they are willing to burn bridges at the drop of a dime and cuddle up with China.

Bottom line is that Thailand is a nice to have ally but the US would not be greatly harmed if that relationship ceased. For the US, the writing is on the wall and they're putting distance between the US and Thailand (cancelling joint military training, withholding military assistance, etc).

[ravip]

Jeeeze, just let the US control the whole world.

We could experience heaven here on earth!

The simple truth!!!!!

Give a couple of more years... and lets see the picture then!

[ravip]

Yes Obama loves Thailand and within 3 weeks shall send over billions of money

He will have to start printing very fast!!!

[ravip]

Interesting body language in that photo. "The elbow grip"

Don't put too much into that. You have a new representative who is not only trying to make himself look good to P but also to the Americans. Photo ops like this are a dime a dozen.

As another poster mentioned you often see this kind of body language with Thais . But lets guess how many Thais could pull this one on Prayuth.

You and other posters are correct. That is a controlling gesture not done to a superior. It is a statement with body language that says "I am in control." It is reeking of that language in hands and body position. The ambassador has pulled the G's hand clear to him and has his hand on top of the G's. He has used his other hand to control at the elbow. It is shouting control and superiority. The G is being put into his place.

Below top is a pic with one of his superiors - the US Secretary. The Secretary has pulled the hand to him and has his hand on top - minor but telling.

Below that is a pic of equals - Junichi Ihara, Japanese minister of foreign affairs. No one's hand is covering the other from on top and no one is controlling distance.

Glen-Davies-right.jpg

131125.jpg

Lets see how they do it with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.

Would be a little bitty different!!!

[anon4546543]

didibum, I agree, 1. Thailand growth has slowed dramatically. Mostly due to the weather and lack of rain. 2 Then you rant about heroin imports into US. If you breed your children to want to settle down to a life of brown sugar injections, that is your concern, not Thailand. ( Comes from Afghanistan anyway, another brilliant intervention)3. Then you can only import what Asia has to offer. Thailand contributes to exports of rice, vehicles and other commodities. You could isolate them as you did Cuba, it will be to your overall strategy. 4. Thailand, like many developing economies needs hi tech skills. So does your institutions that are constantly hacked. 5. Thailand buys its military equipment from Ebay. Now you degenerate into farce. Idiot post, another amer troller

[digibum]

Bangkok needs to get use to this new reality, and remember that it's new BFF is even more fickle in it's 'special relationship'. The phrase 'dropped faster than a pair of dirty underwear' is certainly in Beijing's playbook

It's not about being fickle. It's about utility.

Let's not pretend that Thailand's BFF wouldn't have been Thailand's BFF if that BFF didn't serve a purpose for Thailand too.

Or to put it another way, if you're like most people, you have an entirely different set of friends today than you did in grade or even high school. Why? Because you're cynical or fickle? No. Your interests probably drifted apart. Bob became an investment banker and you decided to take over your parents family business that was never going to go public. Party girl Sally "found god" and can't start a sentence without "I feel so blessed . . . "

The US has been a pretty steady friend for about 40 years now. And instead of stepping up to the plate, Thailand has decided that it needed to overthrow its government every 4 - 6 years and stay only a hair above more f'd up countries like Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Now, all of those countries are stepping up to the plate. The US has new friends.

But Thailand is still stuck in high school and wants to go out and get blackout drunk every Saturday even though you've sort of moved on and have a wife and kids now.

Are you fickle because you find it increasingly disinteresting to hang out with your old buddy? Or has time simply put you on two different paths and the two of you relate?

[digibum]

didibum, I agree, 1. Thailand growth has slowed dramatically. Mostly due to the weather and lack of rain. 2 Then you rant about heroin imports into US. If you breed your children to want to settle down to a life of brown sugar injections, that is your concern, not Thailand. ( Comes from Afghanistan anyway, another brilliant intervention)3. Then you can only import what Asia has to offer. Thailand contributes to exports of rice, vehicles and other commodities. You could isolate them as you did Cuba, it will be to your overall strategy. 4. Thailand, like many developing economies needs hi tech skills. So does your institutions that are constantly hacked. 5. Thailand buys its military equipment from Ebay. Now you degenerate into farce. Idiot post, another amer troller

I think you may have missed my point. Even in personal relationships, people are only as useful as what they can provide. Back in high school, I'm sure you have many friends who you thought were your best friends in the world and now, today, you haven't spoken to them since your last reunion. That is the nature of relationships.

My point was that in the past, the US really needed the help of Thailand to get things they wanted so they afforded Thailand a lot of room that they might not have given to other countries.

But now many of those things that the US relied on Thailand for can be found elsewhere and can be found cheaper. It's not just the US. Many other countries are shifting their production from Thailand to other countries better able to supply them at a price they find satisfactory.

Let's just take a look at rice. Thailand used to be the world's largest exporter of rice. Very admirable.

But Thailand slipped. Several years back there was a worldwide shortage of rice and in many Asian countries where rice is a staple product it nearly led to revolts.

That caused many countries to boost their own domestic capabilities so they would't get caught short. And other countries, like Vietnam and India, saw that rice production had become too dependent on a few countries and they ramped up their own rice production.

Today Thailand is not the largest rice producer in the world.

They fell back on their laurels expecting the world to simply allow them to control the world rice market. That was the whole plan behind Yingluck's rice scheme. They would withhold rice from the market, drive up the price, and that would allow them to pay more for rice than the current market prices.

But Thailand totally misjudged how much rice India and Vietnam could produce and not only did they not drive up the price of rice, they drove it down because they were sitting on so much of it that they couldn't possibly ever sell all the rice they had purchased.

So what does that have to do with the OP?

Well, it demonstrates Thailand's total misread of its importance in the world. Their economy is in the toilet. The heroin problem that the US had in the 80's has now shifted to Afghanistan so they no longer need to pump millions into Thailand's military and police to stop poppy seed farmers. Thailand is less strategic militarily than it was before so the US has no need to give them training and money to prop up their military.

The point being is that the entire democratic world went from having only one stable country in the region they could deal with to several. All of a sudden Thailand's bulls** didn't need to be put up with.

And if you look at Thailand's current economic situation, Thailand's two choices are to turn the the wesit or to the east.

Thailand being Thailand decided they could try to be in the middle and play the two sides against each other to its own advantage. What Thailand is finding out, the hard way, is that in today's world, Thailand needs the US and the west than they need Thailand.