US wants Thailand to again play strong role

[webfact]

US wants Thailand to again play strong role
THE NATION


Daniel Russel

CONTROVERSIAL DIPLOMAT RUSSEL URGES GOVT TO RESTORE FULL RIGHT OF EXPRESSION

BANGKOK: -- THE United States yesterday emphasised its desire to see Thailand "successfully" reform itself so the country can once again play a strong role in the region.

Daniel Russel, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, conveyed that message during a meeting with Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai at the Foreign Ministry.

Russel led a US delegation to Bangkok to attend the 5th Thailand-US Strategic Dialogue on Wednesday.

In January, he became the first senior US official to visit Thailand after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha took over power in a May 2014 coup while serving as Army chief.

At the time, he criticised the Prayut government, the administration's reform road map and legal actions against former PM Yingluck Shinawatra, labelling the latter politically driven.

The government responded by summoning the US charge d'affairs and voicing its disapproval over the comments.

Speaking at a press briefing after the meeting with Don yesterday, Russel said the government should provide people with full right of expression in the name of basic human rights.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry revealed that Don and Russel discussed bilateral relations this year, which they agreed had improved as a result of frequent meetings between both sides.

These include a close cooperation with the new US Ambassador to Thailand, Glyn Davies, and the visits to Thailand by high-level US officials, particularly in the second half of this year, it said.

The Foreign Ministry said both sides were determined to cooperate on various issues and enhance Thai-US relations in all dimensions, whether in security, economically or people-to-people relations.

It said the US wanted to see Thailand return to being a democracy and successful in order to fully realise the "extraordinary potential of this great relationship".

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/US-wants-Thailand-to-again-play-strong-role-30275170.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-18

[Somtamnication]

Thailand is playing a strong role. Strong arm role. Next!

[oneday]

Thailand has lost its way and may never find its way back to what it was.

[trogers]

What is a strong role? What has that to do with a country's political system?

Should 'Democracy' be an essential element before a strong role can be achieved, Indonesia and the Philippines would both be leaders.

[MaxLee]

The US and the rest of the developed world would just be wasting their time................

[chainarong]

There is an unfortunate trend to try an claw back lost ground within the military since the Student uprising and while this might suit some it doesn't suit Thailand's used to be good allies , Thailand is about to discover that if you run with the hounds and the fox as well you will get bitten big time , the first thing the US and its allies need to discuss is the exchange of sensitive security information to Thailand , that alone is important , not only is the issue of freedom of speech and rights a topic it is important that Thailand doesn't do a debriefing with China in any allied military matters............................

[chainarong]

Thailand has lost its way and may never find its way back to what it was.

Since 1997 it sure has deteriorated into a budding basket case and no end in sight.

[JingerBen]

The US doesn't want Thailand to play a strong role.

The US wants Thailand to play an obedient role.

[Rancid]

The US has a long history of enthusiastically sponsoring and engaging dictatorial regimes. The only problem they ever have with them is when they don't follow US policy. Iraq, Libya and Panama are well known examples of what happens to those that get out of line.

As such the problem isn't the coup government rather the policies it is pursuing, China comes immediately to mind. One wonders if some recent events weren't a warning.

[Pinot]

I'm an American and I think the US government should stay out of Thailand business.

The last thing I ever want to see is a return to the bad old times of Democracy under the likes of Thaksin and Yingluck. I fully support PM Prayuth and hope he rules forever.

Democracy is overrated in Asia.

[DrTuner]

I am surprised US is not bombing Thailand and arming the the red shirts , after all this is what US does to bring democracy to other countries .

Last time they did that Thailand was governed by a military junta allied with US enemies. Getting closer by the day.

[2fishin2]

Oh i see this is going to be a strong junta thread. People are not happy with the junta they just dont express it for FEAR of reprisal. Exactly what is going on everyday right now arresting anybody who speaks out against them.

[Nowisee]

Thailand has lost its way and may never find its way back to what it was.

No doubt.

[Srikcir]

Judging by Russel's unwaving reiteration of Davies' previous stern language on Thailand returning to a democratic governance, I expect a more expansive anti-junta policy will be elevated to the USA Secretary of State. Then it becomes a question of degree of USA response but in any case not a complacent or reticent reaction. In a POTUS election year the Democrats want to demonstrate a patriotic foreign policy.

Thailand may find USA will no longer be its second largest trading partner. Or worst.

If Prayut has any sense of national security for the Thai nation, he needs to immediately conduct a more pragmatic engagement with the USA. And that may start with abolishment of Article 44 from the Interim Charter. Just think of the USA as another Japanese conquest and move on.

[Baerboxer]

I am surprised US is not bombing Thailand and arming the the red shirts , after all this is what US does to bring democracy to other countries .

Edit. My apology , I forget US is running short on bombs, not producing fast enough to feed the demand

Nope, that's not the reason.

The US is well aware that the Shin clan are about as democratic as Attila the Hun. Sure, they'll play with an election, and support one, providing the result suits.

US doesn't want another failed attempt at putting in their version of democracy, the do as we say, not as we do sort,

[Baerboxer]

"At the time, he criticised the Prayut government, the administration's reform road map and legal actions against former PM Yingluck Shinawatra, labelling the latter politically driven."

Why do the media insist on misquoting Mr. Russell. He never said that. He said the government needed to take more care in how they handled that situation as the way they were doing it could be perceived as being politically motivated.

Wise words from an experienced senior diplomat - and of course. totally ignored, twisted and distorted.

Mr. Russell is wise enough to know how the expensive Shin PR. legal and lobbying teams would try to divert any attention away from the facts of the actual case and try to shroud them in a fog by claiming "politically motivated" as they do all the time.

He was warning them about that, which of course is happening, and they were too blind to see it.

[Ulic]

Thailand is left scratching its head. We accepted CIA extraordinary rendition prisoners

for extra "enhanced interrogation" and this is the love you give us. No understanding

of "Thainess" what so ever.

[727Sky]

The US has a long history of enthusiastically sponsoring and engaging dictatorial regimes. The only problem they ever have with them is when they don't follow US policy. Iraq, Libya and Panama are well known examples of what happens to those that get out of line.

As such the problem isn't the coup government rather the policies it is pursuing, China comes immediately to mind. One wonders if some recent events weren't a warning.

Yep every time some U.S. diplomat opens their mouth about the subject I think of Saudi Arabia and other Mid-East regime allies that make this place look like heaven on earth.

[bimmerbob]

...they're just trying to boost egos!

KEEP IT SIMPLE.........of more primary concern is education, education, education....++....get shot of blatant corruption / bureaucracy / censorship & soi dogs, lol........a start on these will lead to merited democracy thereafter....

[JimGant]

His picture says it all -- he's a supercilious dickweed. And why is he picking on Thailand, who's been our friend since elephants were offered to General Grant?

"Russel said the [Thai] government should provide people with full right of expression in the name of basic human rights."

Part of his territory, as Asst Sec'y of State for East Asian affairs, is Malaysia -- who's only offered the US elephant droppings. Yet, Russel chooses to single out Thailand for free speech impingement, when our never-good-buddy Malaysia has a worst record on closing newspapers and throwing protesters in jail. But, apparently Mr. Supercilious chooses to overlook that fact -- instead finding Thailand easier to pick on.

...the ruling coalition pushed through legislation that has been denounced by rights and legal advocates, after it on Tuesday passed an anti-terrorism law that allows authorities to detain people without charge....The amendments to the Sedition Act extend the maximum jail term to 20 years from the current three years and establish a minimum three-year jail term for certain cases.

.... introduced by the British to curb opposition against colonial rule. The act criminalises “hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against any ruler or against any government."

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/10/malaysia-strengthens-sedition-law-in-a-black-day-for-free-speech

For us military types, the State Department has always been a pain. Just look at how their actions in Iraq -- i.e., relegating the Sunnis to virtual exile -- worked out. The State Department's idealistic actions in Vietnam were equally unhelpful.

Anyway, go home Russel and let Thailand work out its own problems. I just hope your unhelpful civilian meddling hasn't soured the strong bond between Thai and US military leaders.

[Sandy Freckle]

Considering the changing balance of power in the Asia/Pacific..., US is shoring up support in the region.