Thai opinion: Diplomatic test for 2016: avoiding contradiction, inconsistency

[webfact]

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Diplomatic test for 2016: avoiding contradiction, inconsistency
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s diplomats will face a tough time this year due mainly to contradiction and inconsistency manifested by the government, especially on abuses of civil and political rights.

Although Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has made good promises on respecting human rights and democratic values, somehow implementation is still short of satisfactory, which has undermined his do-gooder image and intent. Major international human rights groups have placed the country on their watch lists.

In the middle of this year, Thailand will have a reality check when the 193 UN members vote for new members to fill non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2017-18. At least 129 votes are needed to ensure a seat - a Herculean task at this particular moment. When the Abhisit government decided in 2009 to run for it, the PM was confident Thailand would stand as a successful democratic nation. Nobody would have imagined the kind of political turmoil we have encountering since then.

The plan was also supported by the Yingluck government, which launched an early UNSC campaign with much fanfare in 2013. The current government went ahead with the bid.

At the year-end press conference, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai highlighted the country's diplomatic achievements with an 11-page report, which covered the whole gamut of Thai external relations. He reiterated Thailand has overcome hard times and become more peaceful and moved toward reform and strengthened national resiliency. He also gave some interesting statistics - Prayut made official visits to 10 countries, attended 15 summits and top-level meetings.

Most notably, he held discussions six times with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, three times with Chinese President Xi Jinping and four times with Prime Minister Li Keqiang. He also met twice in bilateral talks with South Korean President Park Geun-hye. In a nutshell, the country's diplomatic activities last year were concentrated on the so-called Asean plus three countries.

Therefore, the UNSC decision is indicative of Bangkok's strong desire to "go international" with a broader global diplomatic outlook, which used to be regional in scope, focusing on Asia and Asean with some specific outreach programmes. Whatever the outcome, Thailand hopes to learn and earn new respect from fresh diplomatic experience in initiating and forging existing and new ideas among the developing world.

Becoming more active

Furthermore, Bangkok also wants to demonstrate that the political upheaval and power seizure of May 2014 has not interrupted its international responsibility or marred its actions. After the coup, Thailand has become more active with issues related to irregular migration, nuclear safety, as well as disarmament, gender equality and sustainable development.

For example, the UN Sustainable Development Goals have a special meaning here as this economic approach has been practised for more than three decades. Thailand has been one of the strong advocates of such economic sufficiency. Thailand was recently been elected to the chair of Group 77, which has 135 UN members. Eventually, Thailand hopes the current effort could serve as a bridge-builder between North-South and South-South.

Obviously, critics would argue otherwise, citing numerous violations of human rights. The recent repatriation of Uighurs and two Chinese dissidents, which caused uproar internationally, were cases in point. Worse still, the Thai Journalists' Association listed 18 violations of press freedoms in the last 18 months under the current government — the worst record of press intimidation and suppression since 1992. It is a shameful record that will have a negative impact on the country's international standing. If there are similar actions again in the first half of this year, it will be hard for the country to get more support from UN members.

In fact, Thailand has already begun 2016 with a bad omen. The World Economic Forum at Davos has just given up its invitation to Prayut as a keynote speaker at its annual event, opting for other more recognised regional leaders such as Indonesian President Widodo Jokowi and Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Razak Najib. The WEF change of heart serves as a weather vane of strong storms ahead.

So far, the UNSC campaign team has been wise in picking eminent Thai personalities and diplomats as special envoys. They include Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi, former deputy prime minister and director-general of the World Trade Organisation and UNTACD, as well as Dr Surin Pitsuwan, the former foreign minister and secretary-general of Asean.

Over the past several months, a Thai team has visited developing countries in Africa and the Pacific islands. Since the middle of last year several dozen fact-finding trips were arranged for UN permanent representatives from developing countries to visit Thailand — the number could reach 100 UN developing members by May.

While these efforts are commendable and must be intensified, the Prayut government's most urgent task now is to rid itself of contradiction and inconsistency, as well as figures that only erode the country's diplomatic credentials.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/British-exit-from-European-Union-Are-there-lessons-30276060.html


-- The Nation 2016-01-04

[NongKhaiKid]

They also have the impossible task of making officials think before they speak, to stop talking at cross purposes and making statements on behalf of other countries, international organisations etc.

[jaywalker]

"Seven dangerous days: Road toll worse than last year on fifth day"

"Road accidents drop substantially due to no drink driving campaign"

"Thai opinion: Diplomatic test for 2016: avoiding contradiction, inconsistency"

Off to a roaring start w/ the 'avoiding contradiction and inconsistency'!

Edited January 4, 2016 by jaywalker

[Nbarch]

"Although Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has made good promises on respecting human rights and democratic values, "

I got to that line, then stopped reading the article...

[davehowden]

The whole structure of Thai politics is that of a group of "Robber Barons", each operating there own feudal turf for the betterment of themselves and their cronies.

It is complete "Silo" management, cooperation infers lose of face and power.

There really is little hope for improvement in this country whilst the existing power structures remain, and it will take a far far stronger man than the the one in charge this week to change things.

"Cometh the hour cometh the man", but he has not come yet!

[Emster23]

"Although Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has made good promises on respecting human rights and democratic values, somehow implementation is still short of satisfactory,"

This smacks me as a contradiction. Can some apologist explain to silly me how one can make good yet still be unsatisfactory?

[alant]

"Although Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has made good promises on respecting human rights and democratic values, somehow implementation is still short of satisfactory,"

This smacks me as a contradiction. Can some apologist explain to silly me how one can make good yet still be unsatisfactory?

My explanation;

"the cheque is in the post"

[Nicki D]

"Although Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has made good promises on respecting human rights and democratic values, somehow implementation is still short of satisfactory,"

This smacks me as a contradiction. Can some apologist explain to silly me how one can make good yet still be unsatisfactory?

My explanation;

"the cheque is in the post"

My explanation: It said "made good promises"...it didn't say "made good on the promises"

[oneday]

"...Diplomatic test for 2016: avoiding contradiction, inconsistency..."

How about temper tantrums and complete loss of control by a certain leader.

Edited January 4, 2016 by oneday

[candide]

Sorry wrong post

Edited January 4, 2016 by candide