Controversial US diplomat to return

[rooster59]

Controversial US diplomat to return

BANGKOK: THE US diplomat who criticised the coup and lack of democracy during a visit in Thailand early this year will return to Bangkok next week to co-chair a bilateral strategic dialogue. Daniel Russel, assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the US State Department, will be at the 5th US-Thai Strategic Dialogue on Wednesday.

The visit is part of a three-nation tourby Russel that includes Laos and Japan between tomorrow and December 21. The strategic dialogue between Thailand and the US was last held in Washington in 2012 and covers the full range of political, security, and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Russel will meet with Thai government officials, civil society representatives, and political leaders on Thursday.

He visited Bangkok in January, becoming the first high-ranking US official to do so since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha staged a coup last year when he was the Army chief. In a speech during that visit, Russel said the nations' excellent and long-standing bilateral ties had been affected by the coup as it resulted in the removal of a democratically elected government.

Insisting that the US did not take sides in politics, he criticised the trial against ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra, labelling it politically driven."When an elected leader is deposed, impeached by the authorities that implemented the coup, and then targeted with criminal charges while basic democratic processes and institutions are interrupted, the international community is left with the impression that these steps could be politically driven," he said.

His statements angered Prayut and the government. The US Charge d'affaires in Bangkok met with then-Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and was informed that the criticism hurt Thai sentiments and were tantamount to "interference" in Thailand's internal affairs.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Controversial-US-diplomat-to-return-30274762.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-12

[tbthailand]

welcome back, Dan.

Go for it...

[MZurf]

Looking forward to this. It's important that some of the untouchables speak out and that this is spread on social media since the opposition to the junta is increasingly being stifled.

[gandalf12]

Did anyone read Anand's comments in the Nation? If not suggest you take a look, very interesting

[Caveat Emptor]

Thailand's position on the international stage is very clear, don't say anything we don't like or we will react and on the other hand we will happily issue positive statements on your behalf.

[MZurf]

Did anyone read Anand's comments in the Nation? If not suggest you take a look, very interesting

Could you please post the link (I cannot find it)?

[DKUNPUTAF713]

I would like to pass along my deep appreciation to the US Department of State

in considering my requests for the past 3 plus months in taking notice of the dire

situaion in Thailand.

Daniel Russel, assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the US State Department,

welcome and hope your visit to Thailand will result in better pospectives and give some hope

for the future for the Thai people!

[does]

Yes, welcome back, Dan. After your visit, could you stop off in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Quatar, Egypt, Lybia, and Ukraine. That would be great.

welcome back, Dan.

Go for it...

[Suradit69]

"When an elected leader is deposed, impeached by the authorities that implemented the coup ..."

As opposed to when a superpower foments a coup and installs/maintains a puppet in another country or engineers a regime change??

[SOTIRIOS]

...trying to provoke a reaction by making it headline news....hmmm...

[oneday]

"When an elected leader is deposed, impeached by the authorities that implemented the coup, and then targeted with criminal charges while basic democratic processes and institutions are interrupted, the international community is left with the impression that these steps could be politically driven,"

Dah, ya think?

Good on you Mr. Russel...well said.

[Lupatria]

I wonder if there will be a welcome committee lead by a man in orange at the airport on his arrival.

[Eric Loh]

Yes, welcome back, Dan. After your visit, could you stop off in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Quatar, Egypt, Lybia, and Ukraine. That would be great.

welcome back, Dan.

Go for it...

Just wondering what those countries you mentioned got to do with Thailand or rather what's happening in Thailand. Sir, what's your point.

[thesetat2013]

Did anyone read Anand's comments in the Nation? If not suggest you take a look, very interesting

If you really wanted people to look and it was that interesting you would have provided a link.

[EnglishJohn]

"Russel said the nations' excellent and long-standing bilateral ties had been affected by the coup as it resulted in the removal of a democratically elected government."

Someone should educate Russel so he has some clue what he was talking about. Thailand had no government and was spiraling downwards. Pheu-Thai tried to hold an election while mass protests were on the streets, emergency law was in force and protesters were being murdered by government terrorists and the main opposition was boycotting the poll because Pheu-Thai refused any sort of compromise for reform after that amnesty bill disgrace. Even with no opposition, Pheu-Thai only polled about 30% (and over 90% of the polling booths were open before you spin some more lies red-shirts). If that is not a clear mandate that the people wanted change, I don't know what is.

It was only AFTER all of this with Thailand under a caretaker government, the PM removed by the court for abuse of power (she was certainly guilty of what she was accused of) and the murder of protesters was continuing that the Army stepped in.

So Russel is quite wrong. I would have expected better.

[derator01]

Please stick to the topic.

[jesimps]

"Russel said the nations' excellent and long-standing bilateral ties had been affected by the coup as it resulted in the removal of a democratically elected government."

Someone should educate Russel so he has some clue what he was talking about. Thailand had no government and was spiraling downwards. Pheu-Thai tried to hold an election while mass protests were on the streets, emergency law was in force and protesters were being murdered by government terrorists and the main opposition was boycotting the poll because Pheu-Thai refused any sort of compromise for reform after that amnesty bill disgrace. Even with no opposition, Pheu-Thai only polled about 30% (and over 90% of the polling booths were open before you spin some more lies red-shirts). If that is not a clear mandate that the people wanted change, I don't know what is.

It was only AFTER all of this with Thailand under a caretaker government, the PM removed by the court for abuse of power (she was certainly guilty of what she was accused of) and the murder of protesters was continuing that the Army stepped in.

So Russel is quite wrong. I would have expected better.

There goes that broken record rant again. All of it blx as usual.

[elgordo38]

Dan's the man. The captain of the good ship "HONESTY"

[mrrizzla]

EnglishJohn. I think this US diplomat is well aware of the REAL goings on for the reasons of the (19th in 75 years) coup. Not your official party line claptrap (some of which is true, huge portions of it are not)

Do you ever get bored spouting your manure? Your precious junta is now drowning in scandal and yet you seemingly refuse to comment on it.

[ratcatcher]

Did anyone read Anand's comments in the Nation? If not suggest you take a look, very interesting

You obviously did, and found it interesting. It would have been more polite to post the link on here as it was "supposedly" in The Nation and not the other rag.

[heybruce]

"Russel said the nations' excellent and long-standing bilateral ties had been affected by the coup as it resulted in the removal of a democratically elected government."

Someone should educate Russel so he has some clue what he was talking about. Thailand had no government and was spiraling downwards. Pheu-Thai tried to hold an election while mass protests were on the streets, emergency law was in force and protesters were being murdered by government terrorists and the main opposition was boycotting the poll because Pheu-Thai refused any sort of compromise for reform after that amnesty bill disgrace. Even with no opposition, Pheu-Thai only polled about 30% (and over 90% of the polling booths were open before you spin some more lies red-shirts). If that is not a clear mandate that the people wanted change, I don't know what is.

It was only AFTER all of this with Thailand under a caretaker government, the PM removed by the court for abuse of power (she was certainly guilty of what she was accused of) and the murder of protesters was continuing that the Army stepped in.

So Russel is quite wrong. I would have expected better.

There goes that broken record rant again. All of it blx as usual.

True. We point out repeatedly that:

There is no evidence that the government was in any way involved in the violence.

It was clearly in the PTP government's best interest to avoid violence that would be used to justify a coup.

There was clear evidence of Suthep's supporters committing violent acts to disrupt elections and everyday government functions

Suthep never considered any compromise, he demanded abdication of the elected government in order for an un-named committee to implement unspecified reforms. Those reforms are still unspecified.

However reality doesn't agree with EnglishJohn's beliefs, so he ignores reality.

[Thai at Heart]

Seems like they are ramping up the pressure just a notch or two.

[Eric Loh]

"Russel said the nations' excellent and long-standing bilateral ties had been affected by the coup as it resulted in the removal of a democratically elected government."

Someone should educate Russel so he has some clue what he was talking about. Thailand had no government and was spiraling downwards. Pheu-Thai tried to hold an election while mass protests were on the streets, emergency law was in force and protesters were being murdered by government terrorists and the main opposition was boycotting the poll because Pheu-Thai refused any sort of compromise for reform after that amnesty bill disgrace. Even with no opposition, Pheu-Thai only polled about 30% (and over 90% of the polling booths were open before you spin some more lies red-shirts). If that is not a clear mandate that the people wanted change, I don't know what is.

It was only AFTER all of this with Thailand under a caretaker government, the PM removed by the court for abuse of power (she was certainly guilty of what she was accused of) and the murder of protesters was continuing that the Army stepped in.

So Russel is quite wrong. I would have expected better.

There goes that broken record rant again. All of it blx as usual.

True. We point out repeatedly that:

There is no evidence that the government was in any way involved in the violence.

It was clearly in the PTP government's best interest to avoid violence that would be used to justify a coup.

There was clear evidence of Suthep's supporters committing violent acts to disrupt elections and everyday government functions

Suthep never considered any compromise, he demanded abdication of the elected government in order for an un-named committee to implement unspecified reforms. Those reforms are still unspecified.

However reality doesn't agree with EnglishJohn's beliefs, so he ignores reality.

There really no room for Khun Suthep to compromise when you already laid out the coup plan as early as 2010. There's only one single objective that is to set up a situation that warrants a coup. We all know that from his infamous boast at his military style party. Sadly the previous government was foolish enough to provide the exact reason for the plan.

[bangrak]

Yes, welcome back, Dan. After your visit, could you stop off in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Quatar, Egypt, Lybia, and Ukraine. That would be great.

welcome back, Dan.

Go for it...

Just wondering what those countries you mentioned got to do with Thailand or rather what's happening in Thailand. Sir, what's your point.

And that for a man of your 'integrity', Khun Eric... As if it didn't come up to you that these are all countries under 'regimes' the US of A seems to have little or nothing to say against, while being at the antipodes of 'Democracy' and where human rights are about inexistant... But when it doesn't fit your clients' interests you remain blind to what is normally your major argument... Being critical towards the foreign policy of a country the PR and lobbying services working for your clients have so successfuly manipulated in favour of their interets, would not be a good idea, I agree. You could of course also not have reacted on 'does'' post...

[bangrak]

"Russel said the nations' excellent and long-standing bilateral ties had been affected by the coup as it resulted in the removal of a democratically elected government."

Someone should educate Russel so he has some clue what he was talking about. Thailand had no government and was spiraling downwards. Pheu-Thai tried to hold an election while mass protests were on the streets, emergency law was in force and protesters were being murdered by government terrorists and the main opposition was boycotting the poll because Pheu-Thai refused any sort of compromise for reform after that amnesty bill disgrace. Even with no opposition, Pheu-Thai only polled about 30% (and over 90% of the polling booths were open before you spin some more lies red-shirts). If that is not a clear mandate that the people wanted change, I don't know what is.

It was only AFTER all of this with Thailand under a caretaker government, the PM removed by the court for abuse of power (she was certainly guilty of what she was accused of) and the murder of protesters was continuing that the Army stepped in.

So Russel is quite wrong. I would have expected better.

There goes that broken record rant again. All of it blx as usual.

True. We point out repeatedly that:

There is no evidence that the government was in any way involved in the violence.

It was clearly in the PTP government's best interest to avoid violence that would be used to justify a coup.

There was clear evidence of Suthep's supporters committing violent acts to disrupt elections and everyday government functions

Suthep never considered any compromise, he demanded abdication of the elected government in order for an un-named committee to implement unspecified reforms. Those reforms are still unspecified.

However reality doesn't agree with EnglishJohn's beliefs, so he ignores reality.

There really no room for Khun Suthep to compromise when you already laid out the coup plan as early as 2010. There's only one single objective that is to set up a situation that warrants a coup. We all know that from his infamous boast at his military style party. Sadly the previous government was foolish enough to provide the exact reason for the plan.

Khun Eric, had it been too long for you since you had the opportunity to attack Suthep? For you to jump on this wagon? Low, Eric!

[bangrak]

"Russel said the nations' excellent and long-standing bilateral ties had been affected by the coup as it resulted in the removal of a democratically elected government."

Someone should educate Russel so he has some clue what he was talking about. Thailand had no government and was spiraling downwards. Pheu-Thai tried to hold an election while mass protests were on the streets, emergency law was in force and protesters were being murdered by government terrorists and the main opposition was boycotting the poll because Pheu-Thai refused any sort of compromise for reform after that amnesty bill disgrace. Even with no opposition, Pheu-Thai only polled about 30% (and over 90% of the polling booths were open before you spin some more lies red-shirts). If that is not a clear mandate that the people wanted change, I don't know what is.

It was only AFTER all of this with Thailand under a caretaker government, the PM removed by the court for abuse of power (she was certainly guilty of what she was accused of) and the murder of protesters was continuing that the Army stepped in.

So Russel is quite wrong. I would have expected better.

There goes that broken record rant again. All of it blx as usual.

True. We point out repeatedly that:

There is no evidence that the government was in any way involved in the violence.

It was clearly in the PTP government's best interest to avoid violence that would be used to justify a coup.

There was clear evidence of Suthep's supporters committing violent acts to disrupt elections and everyday government functions

Suthep never considered any compromise, he demanded abdication of the elected government in order for an un-named committee to implement unspecified reforms. Those reforms are still unspecified.

However reality doesn't agree with EnglishJohn's beliefs, so he ignores reality.

'heybruce' I should have your post framed. For me it is, to date, the most clear and concise way to explain why there cannot and will not be a 'reconciliation' in this country. As long as there are elements in Thai society, from any side or, alas, colourcode, who will go on denying the evidence of facts, and go on refusing to admit their responsibility! Compromise, hmm...

By the way, shame on you 'heybruce' to write such stuff, still hoping you won't call this trash your 'opinion'...

[Alration]

I would like to pass along my deep appreciation to the US Department of State

in considering my requests for the past 3 plus months in taking notice of the dire

situaion in Thailand.

Daniel Russel, assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the US State Department,

welcome and hope your visit to Thailand will result in better pospectives and give some hope

for the future for the Thai people!

So this event has been organised as a result of your lobbying the US State Dept, you really think that? Talk about delusions of grandeur.

[Nobb]

Right on Mr. Russel. No freedom of speech for either party. Election keep getting backed up farther and farther. No political problems so what are the reasons for delaying the Democratic Elections. Every thing is worse in Thailand since the Junta took over!

[Eric Loh]

Yes, welcome back, Dan. After your visit, could you stop off in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Quatar, Egypt, Lybia, and Ukraine. That would be great.

welcome back, Dan.

Go for it...

Just wondering what those countries you mentioned got to do with Thailand or rather what's happening in Thailand. Sir, what's your point.

And that for a man of your 'integrity', Khun Eric... As if it didn't come up to you that these are all countries under 'regimes' the US of A seems to have little or nothing to say against, while being at the antipodes of 'Democracy' and where human rights are about inexistant... But when it doesn't fit your clients' interests you remain blind to what is normally your major argument... Being critical towards the foreign policy of a country the PR and lobbying services working for your clients have so successfuly manipulated in favour of their interets, would not be a good idea, I agree. You could of course also not have reacted on 'does'' post...

A worldly and educated guy like you must surely know that USA and other super powers have different policies in critizing other countries; much depend on geopolitics and economics. We all know that.

That USA chose to critique Thailand may just show that Thailand has little significance to her foreign policy or perphaps a veiled warning at the China posturing by the junta. Perhaps when Vietnam war was raging, USA will be more careful with her criticism. Which is why I ask "what has all these countries got to do with Thailand". Thailand can chose to ignore the criticism and move on with her own plans but they decided foolishly to engage with a tit for tat and even with the 112 threat. Wrong foreign relationship move.

[AGareth2]

any idea when this visit was planned?