Prayut regime 'moderate', says new French Ambassador

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Prayut regime 'moderate', says new French Ambassador
NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN
THE NATION


Gilles

BANGKOK: -- GILLES GARACHON, the newly appointed French ambassador to Bangkok, has expressed sympathetic views on Thailand's ongoing political transition towards a democratic path, saying the current regime led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was considered "moderate".

The envoy, previously French ambassador to the Philippines, told The Nation in an interview he had observed some restraint in the use of power by the Prayut government over the past year and a half.

The military took over the country's administration following the May 22, 2014 coup.

Garachon, who first visited Thailand as a tourist back in 1972, said France cared about human rights, but he had not noticed events that were worrisome during this transition period.

"We respect the Thai choice [the 20-month-long road map to return to democracy under which the general election would be held in mid-2017]," he said.

According to the envoy, the current Thai political situation is not "too bad" when compared to that of other countries in Asean.

He said he had seen several regimes take over Thailand's governance since the 1970s and witnessed the country's successful return to social stability following serious domestic political conflict.

"Thais had a good sense of balance in dealing with tough times. The country always found the right solutions for national and international conflict," he said, referring to those involving neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, Burma and Vietnam's boat people back in the 1970s.

On the economic front, Garachon said the prolonged economic slump in the 28-country European Union, of which France is a key member, has led to negative consequences for the Thai, Chinese and other Asian economies.

However, he was still upbeat about the growth prospects for bilateral trade between Thailand and France, which totalled 3.7 billion euros in 2014.

He noted that the French economy, the second largest euro-zone economy after Germany, was recovering from the euro-zone crisis and expected to grow |by 1-2 per cent this year.

On tourism, the envoy expected the number of French tourists to Thailand to top 1 million in the next 1-2 years after reaching an annual 800,000 recently.

"French companies such as Bouygues, L'Oreal, Accor, Michelin and Total want to gain more market share in Thailand and the Asean Economic Community. We hope the EU and Thailand will resume negotiations on the Free Trade Area agreement as soon as possible," he said.

On last week's 2015 UN Climate Change Conference or COP 21 in Paris, which was attended by Prayut, he said: "We're the first generation of humankind to witness the impact of economic development on the environment. If we don't change, the price [of environmental damage] will be paid by our children."

Experts have urged the world community to take action to reduce CO2 and other emissions from the use of fossil energy so as to keep the average global temperature from rising by more than two degrees Celsius over the next several decades.

The envoy called for the adoption of a new economic development model which is more sustainable - by abandoning the "use and throw-away" consumption style and embracing the "recycled" economic and consumption model. In the process, there will be numerous business opportunities for green products and services, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Prayut-regime-moderate-says-new-French-Ambassador-30274438.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-07

[silverado]

Lick bottom

[Jingthing]

He saw the protests against the new American dude.

[dbrenn]

He saw what happened to the US Ambassador, or anyone else who dares to criticise the power that be.

[Somtamnication]

Well, eat a habanero. Sometimes they are mild, moderate or hot. Depends on where it was grown and soil used. Oh sorry, we are talking politics. Silly me.

[NongKhaiKid]

Diplomatic nicety and if he hadn't said it the Thais would have for him !

[greenchair]

---- kisser.

[aussieinthailand]

"Not to bad" isn't quite a comment worth crowing about, but I guess after the US uses slightly stronger language then they'll take what they can get???

And also comparing Thailand to "other Asian countries" and their governments then yeah I suppose one could be justified in using the term "Not to bad"

considering the governments of two border nations and the corruption levels freedoms of the people, yeah again "not to bad",

But I guess if you went too hospital here and they cut the wrong leg off but you still lived you could still say yeah they're "not to bad". I'm just saying

Talk about clutching at straws man...

[Aussieroaming]

Quite simple really, Thailand had a democracy and now they have a military junta ruling. So a transition to a democracy "again" is meaningless if the military feel that they call pull the reigns whenever it suits them.

[ratcatcher]

Lickspittle. There, I said it.

[waldroj]

Looks like the French are hoping to sell some fighter-jets to the RTAF!

[LannaGuy]

so french

[shirtless]

He looks honest but then again he is full of it,

[arrowsdawdle]

so french

Yeah, big plate and little food.

[arrowsdawdle]

Well, eat a habanero. Sometimes they are mild, moderate or hot. Depends on where it was grown and soil used. Oh sorry, we are talking politics. Silly me.

Habaneros and politics are the same. At the end of the day, they both burn your arse.

[Puwa]

The junta probably is moderate compared to the reactionary political movement gaining momentum in France.

[Felipesed]

The junta probably is moderate compared to the reactionary political movement gaining momentum in France.

That is democracy in action. Don't you like it now because you disagree with the results?

[Eric Loh]

Anything to keep the mad monk and his misguided sheeps away from the embassy.

[Rykbanlor]

What a . Why does he have to go and encourage them!!!

Comparative moderation I don't care for. They're moderate compared to, lets say, the Taliban, that doesnt make it <deleted> ok.

[Rykbanlor]

The junta probably is moderate compared to the reactionary political movement gaining momentum in France.

That is democracy in action. Don't you like it now because you disagree with the results?

No it's not democracy in action Rainman. Duh!!

[Rykbanlor]

The junta probably is moderate compared to the reactionary political movement gaining momentum in France.

That is democracy in action. Don't you like it now because you disagree with the results?

No it's not democracy in action Rainman. Duh!!

Ohhhhm you mean in France, my bad!!! Looks like I'm the Rainman, unless you were talking about Thailand of course, Sorry.

[Puwa]

The junta probably is moderate compared to the reactionary political movement gaining momentum in France.

That is democracy in action. Don't you like it now because you disagree with the results?

I don't agree or disagree, just making an observation. Another observation is that your grammar is atrocious.

[Emster23]

Compared to Egypt, he is right. Please pass the sweet and sour shrimp.

[phantomfiddler]

Quite simple really, Thailand had a democracy and now they have a military junta ruling. So a transition to a democracy "again" is meaningless if the military feel that they call pull the reigns whenever it suits them.

Are you serious ! Thailand had a democracy ? When a total crook bribes the nation then proceeds to pillage it you call that a democracy ? Shame on you ! The sad fact is that true democracy can only exist in a country filled with intelligent middle class citizens who are capable of understanding the important issues and casting a sensible vote to try and make conditions better for all. Here in Thailand this is not the case, and in my opinion the military, though not perfect, are doing a much better job than their predecessors.

[AGareth2]

French!

[klauskunkel]

scared of the monk

[DrTuner]

The scale is benign, moderate, oppressive, right?

[maoro2013]

So he's the French ambassador to Bangkok!!!

What about the rest of the country??

[dageurreotype]

Quite simple really, Thailand had a democracy and now they have a military junta ruling. So a transition to a democracy "again" is meaningless if the military feel that they call pull the reigns whenever it suits them.

Are you serious ! Thailand had a democracy ? When a total crook bribes the nation then proceeds to pillage it you call that a democracy ? Shame on you ! The sad fact is that true democracy can only exist in a country filled with intelligent middle class citizens who are capable of understanding the important issues and casting a sensible vote to try and make conditions better for all. Here in Thailand this is not the case, and in my opinion the military, though not perfect, are doing a much better job than their predecessors.

How so? They're becoming more authoritarian by the day. The economy is in the toilet and people are becoming more fearful. The level of corruption hasn't changed and no 'reforms' have been implemented under this tenure. So, please do enlighten us as to just how they are better. Cue 'Well at least they're not rioting in the streets'. Yet.

[mike324]

Well he did say compare to the Thailand's neighbors, Thailand is still pretty good. Thai economy is effected by the world economy. So what he says is pretty accurate other than he did not want to talk about Thailands human rights record or free speech.