US envoy voices hopefulness Thailand will return to democracy

Bangkok, 29 January 2016 (NNT) - The United States Ambassador to Thailand has relayed the nation’s wish to thoroughly study Thailand’s new draft charter before providing an opinion while affirming it wants to see the Kingdom hold general elections as planned in the national roadmap.

US Ambassador to Thailand Glyn T. Davies has met with Prime Minister’s Office Minister ML Panadda Diskul to discuss Thailand’s progress according to its roadmap. During their discussion, the envoy said the US is hopeful that general elections will take place as planned.

The diplomat said that the US will review the new Thai constitution once it is complete and give its view of the document, noting that the US, along with many other countries, wants to see Thailand return to democracy in a timely manner.

ML Panadda assured the ambassador that Thailand will hold elections in the year 2017 as scheduled and that it will achieve a state of democracy acceptable to all.

The two refrained from discussing the matters of human rights and movements by student groups.


-- NNT 2016-01-29

Until the next time.

How can you "return" to something you've never had???

21 military coups in 80 + years, if the wrong people win the next election there will just be another one- to restore 'peace'.

Somebody should run a Luk Thep doll for PM in the next election.

I bet it would win.

"ML Panadda assured the ambassador that Thailand will hold elections in the year 2017 as scheduled and that it will achieve a state of democracy acceptable to all."

I thought elections were scheduled for some time ago?

"ML Panadda assured the ambassador that Thailand will hold elections in the year 2017 as scheduled and that it will achieve a state of democracy acceptable to all."

Acceptable to all?? Strange definition of all.

"ML Panadda assured the ambassador that Thailand will hold elections in the year 2017 as scheduled and that it will achieve a state of democracy acceptable to all."

Acceptable to all?? Strange definition of all.

he is lying.

Just hopefulness, no demands, no criticism, no pressure, that's it.

21 military coups in 80 + years, if the wrong people win the next election there will just be another one- to restore 'peace'.

Dear J.

You said it right in 10 words or less.

You and I and every expat that KNOW if we were in control could do better and make our new country the best.

Dr. Martin Luther King had the same dream.

I am hopeful for a decent English language translation of the Charter.

I am not hopeful for a change in the role of the military in Thailand.

How can you "return" to something you've never had???

Well, they had it, but when they had it, the powers-that-be didn't like it... [And if you think the system that brought Thaksin, etc., into power was not democratic because there was corruption, I suggestion you read about the nature of democracy in ancient Greece].

What do they mean by "return" ?

Don't bet on it happening until the mid 2020's !

Mr Ambassador, although I am not a citizen of your country, you can't tell me that you or Secretary of State Kerry have not discussed over secure network and diplomatic talks with your counterparts in immediate area of Oceania that you know fully well know the situation, perhaps Presidential hopeful Mr Trump might forget political speak and say entirely what's on his mind to Junta leader Prayut - O if he becomes the next president of the USA, because that will be the only language Prayut - O -Cha would understand..........................................................................................

How can you "return" to something you've never had???

Well, they had it, but when they had it, the powers-that-be didn't like it... [And if you think the system that brought Thaksin, etc., into power was not democratic because there was corruption, I suggestion you read about the nature of democracy in ancient Greece].

Democracy - Switzerland operates close to one. The rest of us put up with some variation with flaws, pros and cons and in reality get little more than the chance to vote for a national government and local governments every few years.

The system that brought Thaksin to power was democratic. There was undoubtedly corruption within that system but the governments they delivered did not operate in a democratic way.

314-0 - one hell of a party whip system that gets all MPs to vote unanimously for something a very very large slice of the electorate had made clear they didn't want; and an illegally amended bill at that.

It's refreshing to see the most powerful nation on earth is also full of wide-eyed optimism.

Keep on believing, Uncle Sam, and your wishes might come true!

"The diplomat said that the US ..., along with many other countries, wants to see Thailand return to democracy in a timely manner."

Says the representative of a country which has been busy toppling one democratically elected country after another across the world over the past decades. What hypocrisy! Not to mention attacking, invading and occupying sovereign nations under false pretexts, for geopolitical ends. As far as I am concerned, the US government is the world's biggest terrorist organisation. It would in my opinion be far better if the US Ambassador to Thailand was to <deleted>.

Why is Vietnam's economy booming even without democracy...while the Japanese are pulling out of Thailand, even though Thailand has traditionally been the most democratic nation in Southeast Asia?

How can you "return" to something you've never had???

Well, they had it, but when they had it, the powers-that-be didn't like it... [And if you think the system that brought Thaksin, etc., into power was not democratic because there was corruption, I suggestion you read about the nature of democracy in ancient Greece].

Democracy - Switzerland operates close to one. The rest of us put up with some variation with flaws, pros and cons and in reality get little more than the chance to vote for a national government and local governments every few years.

The system that brought Thaksin to power was democratic. There was undoubtedly corruption within that system but the governments they delivered did not operate in a democratic way.

314-0 - one hell of a party whip system that gets all MPs to vote unanimously for something a very very large slice of the electorate had made clear they didn't want; and an illegally amended bill at that.

Yes we all know that, but why punish the people by taking away their democratic rights? They aren't responsible for the governments actions once in power. That's what democracy's about, if the govt's no good, you vote them out when their term of office expires.

Of course, there are always those who want to take the short cut into govt, I'm just surprised that people like you can't see through them.

Why is Vietnam's economy booming even without democracy...while the Japanese are pulling out of Thailand, even though Thailand has traditionally been the most democratic nation in Southeast Asia?

Traditionally the most democratic nation in SE Asia, with 19 coups to it's credit!

Hate to see the one which traditionally is the least democratic.

Edited January 29, 201610 yr by jesimps

Why is Vietnam's economy booming even without democracy...while the Japanese are pulling out of Thailand, even though Thailand has traditionally been the most democratic nation in Southeast Asia?

Traditionally the most democratic nation in SE Asia, with 19 coups to it's credit!

Hate to see the one which traditionally is the least democratic.

I'm not sure who's the worst, but one of the least democratic nations in SEA ( hint: right next door ---> ) had the only leader in world history to commit genocide on his own people.

Oh no! Will we have another demonstration in front of the US Embassy?

"The diplomat said that the US ..., along with many other countries, wants to see Thailand return to democracy in a timely manner."

Says the representative of a country which has been busy toppling one democratically elected country after another across the world over the past decades. What hypocrisy! Not to mention attacking, invading and occupying sovereign nations under false pretexts, for geopolitical ends. As far as I am concerned, the US government is the world's biggest terrorist organisation. It would in my opinion be far better if the US Ambassador to Thailand was to <deleted>.

I have to say Thanks for the correct and true statement, it is refreshing to find some one else who can see through the smoke screen and reconize a bully country for what it is, i for one would not give a brass button to what the U.S.A. has to say, if it is not to their advantage, they do nothing, just look at the wars over the years to see that, i would go on but i am a busy person, and this letter, would be toooooo long.

"The diplomat said that the US ..., along with many other countries, wants to see Thailand return to democracy in a timely manner."

Says the representative of a country which has been busy toppling one democratically elected country after another across the world over the past decades. What hypocrisy! Not to mention attacking, invading and occupying sovereign nations under false pretexts, for geopolitical ends. As far as I am concerned, the US government is the world's biggest terrorist organisation. It would in my opinion be far better if the US Ambassador to Thailand was to <deleted>.

I have to say Thanks for the correct and true statement, it is refreshing to find some one else who can see through the smoke screen and reconize a bully country for what it is, i for one would not give a brass button to what the U.S.A. has to say, if it is not to their advantage, they do nothing, just look at the wars over the years to see that, i would go on but i am a busy person, and this letter, would be toooooo long.

It sure seems like Thailand continues to worry about what the US thinks, feels and says. Perhaps they should focus on their own issues rather than on the opinion of other countries.

Everyone can dream....

A post containing comments in violation of the UPDATED NOTICE TO MEMBERS POSTING IN THAILAND NEWS has been removed:

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

Someone in the Thai government might want to ask Mr. Davies if the U.S.A. is a Democracy.

No it is not, it is a Republic not a pure democracy.

How can you "return" to something you've never had???

Well, they had it, but when they had it, the powers-that-be didn't like it... [And if you think the system that brought Thaksin, etc., into power was not democratic because there was corruption, I suggestion you read about the nature of democracy in ancient Greece].

Democracy - Switzerland operates close to one. The rest of us put up with some variation with flaws, pros and cons and in reality get little more than the chance to vote for a national government and local governments every few years.

The system that brought Thaksin to power was democratic. There was undoubtedly corruption within that system but the governments they delivered did not operate in a democratic way.

314-0 - one hell of a party whip system that gets all MPs to vote unanimously for something a very very large slice of the electorate had made clear they didn't want; and an illegally amended bill at that.

Just curious... Do you think Ford's decision to pardon Nixon had the support of the majority the American population?

voices hopefulness

In diplomatic terms: he is really really worried