Assistant Secretary of State Russel to visit Thailand Dec 16
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel will travel to Bangkok on December 16 and 17, the US embassy announced.

The visit will be part of his trip to Bangkok, Vientiane and Tokyo December 13 - 21.

In Bangkok, Russel will lead his delegation to the 5th US-Thai Strategic Dialogue on December 16, in addition to viewing an Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation project at Wat Suthat Thepwararam.

The Strategic Dialogue, last held in Washington in 2012, covers the full range of the political, security, and economic cooperation with Thailand.

Russel will also meet with Thai government officials, civil society, and political leaders on December 17.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Assistant-Secretary-of-State-Russel-to-visit-Thail-30274709.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-11

Has he already got the "what not say" list?

Has he already got the "what not say" list?

Sadly, that list seems to be growing by the day!

Will he meet the monk and his goons?

Will he meet the monk and his goons?

Well that sort of depends ... !

Welcome to LoS Mr, Assistant Secretary and the rule here is quite simple if you have anything remotely negative on your mind, ' think it but don't say it '.

Don't worry about being complimentary as the Foreign Ministry will issue a statement on your behalf about how impressed you are with the roadmap and the job the government, PM etc are doing.

Self-edit.

Edited December 11, 201510 yr by TheAppletons

Last time he visited Thailand the PM was "very disappointed" with his comments on the rulers. Wonder if the US ambassador again will be called for a meeting for "better understanding".

I hope Mr. Russel has diplomatic immunity...

Although I'm sure this trip was planned months ago, no doubt the agenda has been expanded given the Prayut government's continued violation of international human rights conventions, delay in return to democracy, use of LM and aggressive crackdown on freedom of speech. Also on the agenda might be Prayut's lack of commitment to membership.

Both Davies and Russel are veteran officers who understand what is and is not happening in Thailand. The question becomes whether concern for Thailand's future goverance as it relates to USA foreign policy needs to be officially elevated to Secretary of State Kerry for a possible strategic shift in USA-Thailand relations. Any change in USA's foreign policy towards Thailand must have POTUS approval.

I hope Mr. Russel has diplomatic immunity...

won't stop a protest though

Will he meet the monk and his goons?

No but the monks and his goons will meet Davis with signs and banners and the gathering will be more than 5 people for sure.

They might even present him with a large hammer and you know what the engraving will be.

I remember that Mr. Russells said in his Chula speech that the government needed to work on their image. The need to be seen in a certain way.

Luckily the government didn't take up this advise.

I remember that Mr. Russells said in his Chula speech that the government needed to work on their image. The need to be seen in a certain way.

Luckily the government didn't take up this advise.

Inclusive and participative politics are what Davis spoke. Those are uiversal values you grow up with Rubi.

I would surrender my last remaining 9 teeth to witness what I hope/wish/beg for a collsal,

but diplomatic ass kicking !

I remember that Mr. Russells said in his Chula speech that the government needed to work on their image. The need to be seen in a certain way.

Luckily the government didn't take up this advise.

Certainly it will help shorten their tenure in office I would have thought, given how useless their current P.R. team is.

I remember that Mr. Russells said in his Chula speech that the government needed to work on their image. The need to be seen in a certain way.

Luckily the government didn't take up this advise.

Inclusive and participative politics are what Davis spoke. Those are uiversal values you grow up with Rubi.

Actually him being a native (American) English speaker he used 'perception' and the need for the Thai government to work on that.

Kick-ass Mr. Russell

I remember that Mr. Russells said in his Chula speech that the government needed to work on their image. The need to be seen in a certain way.

Luckily the government didn't take up this advise.

Certainly it will help shorten their tenure in office I would have thought, given how useless their current P.R. team is.

They ain't politicians, they are senior, very senior, military officers. Big difference, as being demonstrated.

The haven't even twigged the advantages of hiring expensive foreign lawyers and lobbyists to market their version of history and what's going on. Somewhat naive.