PM receives US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights

[webfact]

PM receives US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights



BANGKOK, 28 March 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has been visited by the US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Sarah Sewall as part of her official visit to Thailand.

Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha reportedly welcomed the under secretary and remarked that Thailand the United States’ maintaining of high level relations was a good sign they would continue to cooperate for mutual benefit. He reminded Ms. Sewall that Thailand and the US have had diplomatic relations for 182 years and maintain many strategic partnerships that are important for the Southeast Asian region.

Ms. Sewall assured the premier that the US acknowledges the importance of its relations with Thailand in all dimensions and is ready to support its return to democracy. She commended the nation for its work in remedying human trafficking and noted the diligent work of authorities, which she visited over the weekend.

Gen Prayuth gave the under secretary further information on Thailand’s efforts, stating that all of its work against human trafficking was done on the basis of benefit to the public. He spoke of encouraging a respect for the law in Thailand while also assuring he wants to allow for all opinions and viewpoints to be voiced.

Discussing joint work with the US on aiding migrants, Ms. Sewall said Thailand has an important role to play in working with the UNHCR to handle irregular migration and refugees. The two sides also discussed the mattering of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing with the PM stating his government is seeking sustainable solutions and the US representative affirming her country's understanding and support in the matter.

The PM stated his administration has made good progress in its fight against corruption in line with its Roadmap and thanked US President Barack Obama for his encouragement of the Kingdom’s reforms.

Ms. Sewall ended her meeting by relaying that President Obama is looking forward to meeting Gen Prayuth again at the Nuclear Security Summit, taking place in Washington DC this March 31 to April 1.

-- NNT 2016-03-28

[phoenixdoglover]

The double whammy of diplomatic posturing and Thai posturing is almost too much to bear.

[jaltsc]

"The Prime Minister has been visited by the US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Sarah Sewall as part of her official visit to Thailand."

I would think the North Korean Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights would better meet the Prime Minister's needs.

[jamesbrock]

Hopefully she gives him some attitude adjustment...

[Encid]

Why is she the only person in the photo not wearing shoes?

[Hawk]

Did they discuss the human rights issue? No!

[chainarong]

Hypocrite.................................

[55Jay]

I'm sure she's very good at her job, but in this photo, all others dressed in dark business suits, she looks like your Aunt Margaret. Just finished cooking dinner in a hot kitchen, badly in need of a mid-life crisis make over.

[ldiablo]

Why is she the only person in the photo not wearing shoes?

By the look of her colleague at the end who looks like he's wearing sneakers (trainers) one must assume the economy in the US is much worse than what is being reported as it appears neither can afford a pair of shoes. Edited March 28, 2016 by ldiablo

[Squeegee]

In other news, Jack Frost is visiting the Sahara.

An onion has less layers of skin than this news has of irony.

[jayboy]

Compare and contrast the US version of the discussion with the Thai version.

The latter Thai version of the meeting somehow contrives to miss out altogether any reference to the Under Secretary's urging the Government to restore democratic governance as well as her stressing the importance of ensuring full respect for freedom of expression and other human rights and fundamental freedoms..

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/032816_undersec_sewall_visit_thailand.html

[Hedghog]

Why is she the only person in the photo not wearing shoes?

Take a closer look.

[kimamey]

Why is she the only person in the photo not wearing shoes?

She's also the only woman which may or may not be relevant.

It might be because taking off their shoes would entail them putting them back on again with all the dangerous unpredictability of them trying to tie the laces. Can't do it so look an idiot. Can do it but someone else can't so they look an idiot and lose face. A bloody diplomatic minefield. If only someone had thought to bring gifts of slip-ons.

[kimamey]

Why is she the only person in the photo not wearing shoes?

By the look of her colleague at the end who looks like he's wearing sneakers (trainers) one must assume the economy in the US is much worse than what is being reported as it appears neither can afford a pair of shoes.

Maybe the trainers were made in Thailand and he was trying to create a good impression?

[Plutojames88]

The Thai version starts with deep impressions of co-operation and understanding , progress ( on amending perceived wrongs) and historical importance of the Nations friendship and practical examples of that for the reader.

The facts are that the detention of opposition and attitude adjustment is not seen lightly by the US.

This isn't mentioned on the Thai side.

Nor the freedom of speech limits or peaceful protest.

These issues are always raised .

The blurred lines of what is essentially a propaganda statement does little to reflect the meeting and what's being requested.

From elections to rights of civilians and apprehension of them for expression of opinion.

Forums are subjected increasingly to versions that only comply with their reality.

Lets hope the messages get out.

And the pretension that all is just ""fine"" isn't allowed to take seed when the truth is objections are being stated.

The future of Thailand depends on the truth being told.

I admire the people on any political side willing to do so.

Media included

[greenchair]

Why is she the only person in the photo not wearing shoes?

Lol, she's wearing flipflops.

??????

[joebrown]

Until I read the OP I thought my 'BS Tolerance' level was high. I'm sorry to say it has just been exceeded and I'm about to puke!

[wabothai]

Plain diplomatic horse/hog/bull shit.

[bark]

Why is she the only person in the photo not wearing shoes?

And why is the guy on the end wearing Nike ?

[Junkyarddog]

Blow the picture up she is wearing shoes.

[TKDfella]

Did they discuss the human rights issue? No!

According to the Bangkok Post the USUSSCS apparently reiterated the US stance on Free Speech and rights and the return to democratic rule.

[klauskunkel]

The PM stated his administration has made good progress in its fight against corruption in line with its Roadmap and thanked US President Barack Obama for his encouragement of the Kingdom’s reforms.

he then told Ms. Sewall that he will have her attitude adjusted at an undisclosed military base.

[mtls2005]

Ms. Sewall appears to be wearing footwear, flats so she does not appear taller than Prayut? (At least she was wearing yellow on a Monday.)

The chap on the end is wearing white bucks, although before Memorial Day is a bit of a faux-pas. Have you heard the term "a white shoe firm"?

The picture of Prayut showing Ms. Sewall the "roadmap" (that Junta-financed advertorial from a few weeks ago) was quite entertaining.

[craigt3365]

Hypocrite.................................

How's that?

[Emster23]

"...Thailand and the US have had diplomatic relations for 182 years..." Thailand did a bang up job on human rights and trafficking during that 1941-45 period.

[Lupatria]

I estimate a talk about Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights could’ve not taken more than 5 minutes. Good! That saved his time for songwriting and creating scripts of patriotic soap operas.

Edited March 29, 2016 by Lupatria

[Eric Loh]

Got to love the picture of Prayuth with the large colourful road back to democracy map and trying to explain to a bewildered secretary of state in Thai pidgin English in the Nation. Probably a photo op for the domestic audience to demonstrate the General has her attention although she looks very disinterested.

[Srikcir]

Thailand and the US have had diplomatic relations for 182 years

Well, except for the period during which Thailand declared war on the USA and its Allies in WW2 as a collaborator in the German-Japanese Axis.

The USA has had formal diplomatic relations with the USSR since 1933, throughout the Cold War years and to the present. So diplomatic relations can have very broad meaning.

[tuanku]

Diplomacy - the art of there appearing to be a dialogue between two representatives who have nothing to say to one another that the other is prepared to listen to. It takes Wikileaks to expose the real thought processes behind this impenetrable facade.

[kinmaew]

Why don't these foreign dips ask stuff like "Why is your country so corrupt and anti foreign"? "Why are your police so corrupt and incompetent"? "Why do you make it almost impossible for a foreigner to do business here while Thais do as they please abroad?" "Why do you throw people in prison for 15 years for merely expressing an opinion?"

But these meetings are all a waste of time, all smiles and handshakes and nothing else..Life of a diplomat while the dog on the ground suffers relentlessly day by day