FM explains human rights report for UN

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs has assured Thailand’s submission of a human rights report to the United Nations was routine and will not impact perceptions of its human trafficking situation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Poramudwinai has explained that Thailand’s human rights report to the UN was a Universal Periodic Review or UPR, which is a requirement of all UN member nations every 4 and a half years. He affirmed it was not specifically requested of Thailand.

On whether or not the report will affect Thailand’s status in the US Trading in Persons (TIP) report, the minister said he could not yet say but gave his opinion that it should not be factored in. He assured the government has continually worked to remedy its human trafficking problem and should be removed from the reports Tier 3.

On recent remarks on the human rights situation in Thailand made by the US Ambassador to the Kingdom, Don said he has not yet discussed the comments but does not want them to become a cause for unneeded concern.


-- NNT 2016-05-17

"Thailand’s submission of a human rights report to the United Nations ... will not impact perceptions of its human trafficking situation."

That is correct.

What human rights ?

"On recent remarks on the human rights situation in Thailand made by the US Ambassador to the Kingdom, Don said he has not yet discussed the comments but does not want them to become a cause for unneeded concern.'

Fair enough. How about needed concern? Fish or cut bait.....

On whether or not the report will affect Thailand’s status in the US Trading in Persons (TIP) report, the minister said he could not yet say but gave his opinion that it should not be factored in.

Most likely, the US State Department will agree, and will rely on other sources.

For a more fulsome explanation perhaps the UN delegates could attend the attitude adjustment courses now being conducted by the Thai government.

I believe Thailand has made some efforts regards the illegal fishing activities within its waters.

Those that included slave labour and unregulated boats .

However to hope for Thailand to be removed from tier 3 (the lowest level ) of human rights abuses , is unrealistic .

With regard to saying we are not as refined and civilised in our understanding of LM laws might not suffice.

The issues are broad ranging from AA and also silencing of opposing viewpoints.

Recent arrests for a variety of reasons , charges and jailing.

The US ambassador has been gracious and nice and tries hard to ""understand "...but sadly it's becoming so much more dark in that nation regards citizen rights, there is very little expectation Thailand will be taken off the rating.

The UN has been critical and we know this contrasts with Thailand's claims to the contrary .

My opinion in this forum is sanctions are being now considered with behind the scenes formulations of time frames.

Too many trespasses have recently been committed.

The year may come and go without any.

But unless changes occur I can envision a hard stance ahead.

The language of diplomacy might still be desirable .

But this can alter at any time.

The only thing in the military rulers favour is no guns haven taken citizen life's so far.

But keeping a lid on protests and protecting their power is such a tricky affair.

Observers predict it's unlikely this can be maintained indifferently.

So for now press releases requesting Thailand be taken off Tier 3 is perhaps amusing and it's never going to happen.

The saying one step forward two steps back springs to mind.

The fugitive must be enjoying the show from a far.

Ahem, somebody hasn't read the report yet. I'll say no more. I don't like attempts at "attitude adjustment".