Public criticism of US ambassador worrying, says PM Prayut

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THAI-US RELATIONS
Public criticism of US ambassador worrying, says PM
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed concern over the public criticism of US Ambassador to Thailand Glyn T Davies after pictures of him with red-shirt leaders went viral on social media.

One of the pictures is of Davies and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leader Weng Tojirakarn.

Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday almost every country had shown support for the government after the Foreign Ministry explained the government was exercising limited power to keep peace and order in the country.

He said the government respects the opinions of international organisations and its allies who expressed concern over the situation in the country with sincerity. However, if they express opinions with discrimination, this could adversely affect their relations with Thailand, he said.

"The PM does not want this to happen, regardless of the country [involved],'' Sansern said. He said Thailand had in-depth knowledge of which groups had caused political turmoil in the country.

"This may be new knowledge to the [uS] ambassador. If he wishes to know anything related to Thailand, the government is ready to provide complete details. He should not seek information by himself without sounding out an understanding of the country's background, since ill-intentioned groups could mislead him."

Meanwhile a group calling itself the Federation Monitoring the Thai State yesterday filed a police petition calling on the authorities to investigate whether Davies has committed lese majeste.

The group led by Sonthiya Sawasdee submitted the petition to Colonel Nos Sawetlek, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division. The group also asked the CSD to get a transcript of Davies's speech at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Bangkok last week in which he expressed concern about the "unprecedented" prison terms handed down under the lese majeste law.

CSD deputy commander Nos has launched an investigation.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Public-criticism-of-US-ambassador-worrying-says-PM-30274297.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-04

[Jingthing]

Yes, this is worrying.

I would say more ... but you know ... can't really.

[NongKhaiKid]

Almost EVERY country has expressed support for the govt after the Foreign Ministry explained the govt was exercising limited powers ... !

' Almost every country ' ! Isn't that claim well over the top even for Thai officialdom ?

[Rocceao]

the [uS] ambassador. If he wishes to know anything related to Thailand; does this sound some what familiar of an ex priminister asked to go to the EU parliarment to provide information relating to Thailand?

Meanwhile a group calling itself the Federation Monitoring the Thai State yesterday filed a police petition calling on the authorities to investigate whether Davies has committed lese majeste. if he is a diplomat wouldn't he just be given a slap on the wrist ?

[Somtamnication]

" If he wishes to know anything related to Thailand, the government is ready to provide complete details". Arai wa?

Even the yanks don't provide complete details about anything so don't expect their student, Thailand, to do the same.

[Snig27]

"Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday almost every country had shown support for the government after the Foreign Ministry explained the government was exercising limited power to keep peace and order in the country."

It's quite bizarre how in this day and age a supposedly educated man can somehow think that blatantly lying in the face of voluminous evidence that contradicts the lie will somehow cut it. The Internet, and the almost complete impossibility of shutting down the flow of information has made people like this spokesman a dinosaur. I guess it sums up the junta-from-another-age, although one is aware that they have no inkling of this.

[wangsuda]

He should not seek information by himself without sounding out an understanding of the country's background,

The ambassador probably knows Thai history and the current events in Thailand better than any government spokesman.

[This Thing of Darkness]

There attempted intimidation and manipulation of a US ambassador , must be lovely when they go after ordinary people, is that picture who I think it is

?

[kannot]

like bloody sheep all in their pink t shirts baaaaaaaaa baaaaaaaaa baaaaaaaaaaaa

[kannot]

Almost EVERY country has expressed support for the govt after the Foreign Ministry explained the govt was exercising limited powers ... !

' Almost every country ' ! Isn't that claim well over the top even for Thai officialdom ?

Geography isnt their strong point you know

[NongKhaiKid]

the [uS] ambassador. If he wishes to know anything related to Thailand; does this sound some what familiar of an ex priminister asked to go to the EU parliarment to provide information relating to Thailand?

Meanwhile a group calling itself the Federation Monitoring the Thai State yesterday filed a police petition calling on the authorities to investigate whether Davies has committed lese majeste. if he is a diplomat wouldn't he just be given a slap on the wrist ?

I suppose if LoS wants a real scrap they could demand Washington remove him from his post which could provoke all sorts of fun.

[arthurboy]

Perhaps the protesters should listen to what Davies actually said.

This brouhaha is just junta psych ops.

[jaywalker]

"This may be new knowledge to the [uS] ambassador. If he wishes to know anything related to Thailand, the government is ready to provide complete details..."

= If we want your opinion, we will tell you what it should be.

[craigt3365]

Every country has their ultra nationalists. Thailand is no exception. Unfortunately.

[SaamBaht]

the [uS] ambassador. If he wishes to know anything related to Thailand; does this sound some what familiar of an ex priminister asked to go to the EU parliarment to provide information relating to Thailand?

Meanwhile a group calling itself the Federation Monitoring the Thai State yesterday filed a police petition calling on the authorities to investigate whether Davies has committed lese majeste. if he is a diplomat wouldn't he just be given a slap on the wrist ?

Diplomats have diplomatic immunity.

[NeverSure]

C'mon. Let's have some fun. I want to see them lock Davies up for lese majeste.

[JAG]

Oh dear, pink joins the list of colours which seemingly can't be worn without revealing support for one or other faction!

They look a fun bunch don't they - smiles all round!

Edited December 4, 2015 by JAG

[scorecard]

" If he wishes to know anything related to Thailand, the government is ready to provide complete details". Arai wa?

Even the yanks don't provide complete details about anything so don't expect their student, Thailand, to do the same.

Maybe the ambassador could discuss it with yingluck and get a balanced and clear view?

[scorecard]

Perhaps the protesters should listen to what Davies actually said.

This brouhaha is just junta psych ops.

Well I guess you have a copy, please share.

[JAG]

There attempted intimidation and manipulation of a US ambassador , must be lovely when they go after ordinary people, is that picture who I think it is

?

Yes, you would have thought, given where their, umm, "political sympathies lfall" this bunch would have used a picture featuring a different colour!

Edited December 4, 2015 by JAG

[pmarlin]

the [uS] ambassador. If he wishes to know anything related to Thailand; does this sound some what familiar of an ex priminister asked to go to the EU parliarment to provide information relating to Thailand?

Meanwhile a group calling itself the Federation Monitoring the Thai State yesterday filed a police petition calling on the authorities to investigate whether Davies has committed lese majeste. if he is a diplomat wouldn't he just be given a slap on the wrist ?

Can't touch him as he has diplomatic immunity.

[GinBoy2]

I don't think the government can actually ask for the removal or censure of a Diplomat. Remember in Thailand the Ambassador is to the Court of Chraki, not to the government. In point of fact any critism of a Diplomat accredited to the Court is in many ways grounds for a charge of LM

[arthurboy]

Perhaps the protesters should listen to what Davies actually said.

This brouhaha is just junta psych ops.

Well I guess you have a copy, please share.

Here you are:

[oneday]

They arrest two red shirts leaders before they even reach a park they were going to, but can't manage to do one thing about 200 people protesting in front of the US Embassy.

Yeah, he's all broken up, when in fact it's very likely it was quietly approved by or even organized by...

[GinBoy2]

Perhaps the protesters should listen to what Davies actually said.

This brouhaha is just junta psych ops.

Well I guess you have a copy, please share.

Here you are:

Trouble is as logical and reasoned as his talk was, there are those who choose to see any critism or even disagreement, as tantamount to heresy. If saner minds were to prevail in these troubled times, this speech would go down as a beacon of reason

[Langsuan Man]

Not surprising that these so called protesters don't even know what the US Ambassador said, mention lese majeste and they go crazy and their ears close up

All he said was that the punishments for the crime were too harsh and that enforcement needs to be limited to actual cases of the crime, not much different than what His Royal Majesty himself has stated many times

Hardly enough for the government to declare him persona non grata

[stoli]

He should not seek information by himself without sounding out an understanding of the country's background,

The ambassador probably knows Thai history and the current events in Thailand better than any government spokesman.

Based on the Ambassador comments so far, he seems to know little about Thailand. And I am an American. Ambassadorships are given out to friends of the President, not based on any knowledge of any country. I do believe that this Ambassador, being a friend of our President, an admitted "Social Activist", thinks he was sent here to teach Thailand how to act within their own government. He could not be more wrong about his mission here. Someone in the states needs to help him understand what his job involves, because he has been way out of line. Send him back to the states to be taught the role of an Ambassador. He is not going to make it any easier for us expats, that is for sure.

[craigt3365]

He should not seek information by himself without sounding out an understanding of the country's background,

The ambassador probably knows Thai history and the current events in Thailand better than any government spokesman.

Based on the Ambassador comments so far, he seems to know little about Thailand. And I am an American. Ambassadorships are given out to friends of the President, not based on any knowledge of any country. I do believe that this Ambassador, being a friend of our President, an admitted "Social Activist", thinks he was sent here to teach Thailand how to act within their own government. He could not be more wrong about his mission here. Someone in the states needs to help him understand what his job involves, because he has been way out of line. Send him back to the states to be taught the role of an Ambassador. He is not going to make it any easier for us expats, that is for sure.

He's a career diplomat, and quite smart. I'm sure he knows more about what's going on in Thailand than any of us.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyn_T._Davies

Career

Prior to his current assignment as US Ambassador to Thailand, Glyn Townsend Davies recently served as a Senior Advisor in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State, a position he has held since 2014.^[2] Prior to that, Davies served as the Special Representative of the U.S. Secretary of State for North Korea Policy from January 2012 to November 2014. In this capacity he was responsible for coordinating U.S. involvement in the Six-Party Talks process, as well as all other aspects of U.S. security, political, economic, human rights, and humanitarian assistance policy regarding North Korea.^[3]

Other senior-level diplomatic assignments: Permanent Representative (with the rank of ambassador) to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Office in Vienna from 2009-2012; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2006 to 2009; Acting Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in 2005, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs from 2004 to 2005; Political Director of the U.S. Presidency of the G-8 (with the rank of ambassador) from 2003 to 2004; Deputy Chief of Mission (with the rank of minister) at the U.S. Embassy in London, United Kingdom from 1999-2003; Executive Secretary of the White House National Security Council Staff from 1997 to 1999; Deputy Spokesman and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs from 1995 to 1997; and Director of the State Department Operations Center from 1992 to 1994.^[2]

Davies began his diplomatic career with postings to the U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia from 1980 to 1982, and the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Congo) from 1982 to 1984. He was Special Assistant to Secretary of State George Shultz from 1986 to 1987. From 1987 to 1992, Davies served in the State Department’s Office of European Security and Political Affairs working primarily on NATO nuclear and disarmament issues, followed by an assignment as Political-Military Affairs Officer, and then as Deputy Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Paris.^[4][5]

Personal life and education

Davies earned a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1979.^[2] He later earned a Master of Science, with distinction, in National Security Strategy from the National War College at Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.^[4] He and his wife Jacqueline M. Davies, a lawyer, have two daughters and two granddaughters.

[GinBoy2]

He should not seek information by himself without sounding out an understanding of the country's background,

The ambassador probably knows Thai history and the current events in Thailand better than any government spokesman.

Based on the Ambassador comments so far, he seems to know little about Thailand. And I am an American. Ambassadorships are given out to friends of the President, not based on any knowledge of any country. I do believe that this Ambassador, being a friend of our President, an admitted "Social Activist", thinks he was sent here to teach Thailand how to act within their own government. He could not be more wrong about his mission here. Someone in the states needs to help him understand what his job involves, because he has been way out of line. Send him back to the states to be taught the role of an Ambassador. He is not going to make it any easier for us expats, that is for sure.

I'm also an American, and what basis do you even have to suggest that his appointment is due to him being 'friends of the President'?

Glyn Davies has been a career diplomat for over 30 years, spanning many Administrations. His service to the United States has been above reproach and idiots like you you try to in some way diminish his service and loyalty to the Republic are beyond reproach. Here is a man who has dedicated his life to service, regardlessly of political affiliations and whether or not you agree, to try to demean him is incorrigible

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyn_T._Davies

Edited December 4, 2015 by GinBoy2

[chrisrazz]

He should not seek information by himself without sounding out an understanding of the country's background,

The ambassador probably knows Thai history and the current events in Thailand better than any government spokesman.

Based on the Ambassador comments so far, he seems to know little about Thailand. And I am an American. Ambassadorships are given out to friends of the President, not based on any knowledge of any country. I do believe that this Ambassador, being a friend of our President, an admitted "Social Activist", thinks he was sent here to teach Thailand how to act within their own government. He could not be more wrong about his mission here. Someone in the states needs to help him understand what his job involves, because he has been way out of line. Send him back to the states to be taught the role of an Ambassador. He is not going to make it any easier for us expats, that is for sure.

I'm also an American, and what basis do you even have to suggest that his appointment is due to him being 'friends of the President'?

Glyn Davies has been a career diplomat for over 30 years, spanning many Administrations. His service to the United States has been above reproach and idiots like you you try to in some way diminish his service and loyalty to the Republic are beyond reproach. Here is a man who has dedicated his life to service, regardlessly of political affiliations and whether or not you agree, to try to demean him is incorrigible

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyn_T._Davies

Stoli seems to have applied the Thai method of appointment of official positions.