Abhisit and Ambassador Davies suggest more space for political expressions

US Ambassador Glyn T. Davies and Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed in unison that the government should open up more space to allow people of all levels to express their political views before the referendum in August.

The ambassador paid a courtesy call on Mr Abhisit on Wednesday morning and both had a discussion for about an hour. Emerging from the meeting, Mr Abhisit said that the US envoy was confident that there would be an election in accordance with the political roadmap next year and the US would closely monitor the political developments in Thailand.

Ambassador Davies said he discussed with Mr Abhisit on a wide range of issues from economic and political situations to reform and democracy.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/168885-2/

-- Thai PBS 2016-06-15

I can see where Abhisit and Ambassador Davies are coming from a share their views , however to be realistic in the present climate unless you share the Junta's view it will probably fall on deaf ears , remembering whilst you have a junta, and all junta's or totalitarian Governments world wide only like to hear good things said about them and cannot face reality if it bit them on the behind, the challenge is there for un-elected Prime Minister Prayut - O - Cha , to prove us all wrong.................

Will never happen under the current regime, opinions and personal thoughts will not be tolerated. Prayuth is going to be absolutely furious that these two even discussed the thought. Can he drag the U.S ambassador away and incarcerate him for adjustment. Bloody westerners again mentioning freedom and trying to corrupt the minds of his Subjects.

"more space for political expression".... Is US embassy going to open up grounds at ambassadors residence to general Thai public for chit chats, as that is considered US territory? Would be a good use.

'agreed in unison that the government should open up more space to allow people of all levels to express their political views'

It's nice to hear Foreign diplomats and politicians echoing what the Thai public have been asking for but the problem is .... it aint gonna happen.

Didn't the head honcho say just last week that nothing will change because to many politicians still have opinions?

Good luck with this one!

Will never happen under the current regime, opinions and personal thoughts will not be tolerated. Prayuth is going to be absolutely furious that these two even discussed the thought. Can he drag the U.S ambassador away and incarcerate him for adjustment. Bloody westerners again mentioning freedom and trying to corrupt the minds of his Subjects.

They could always use attitude adjustment or go to the extreme and grant an Amnesty........................... This place is a joke .............Right.

I see, they smartly kept the amount of people at the meeting below 5...

'more space'? that assumes there is 'some' space already

When an unelected prime minister is unhappy with political reform and lack of free expression, there must be a serious problem.

Will never happen under the current regime, opinions and personal thoughts will not be tolerated. Prayuth is going to be absolutely furious that these two even discussed the thought. Can he drag the U.S ambassador away and incarcerate him for adjustment. Bloody westerners again mentioning freedom and trying to corrupt the minds of his Subjects.

' Prayuth is going to be absolutely furious that these two even discussed the thought...' Oh Boy!

The ambassador has been in the crosshairs every since his trip to Trang to talk to the sardine (I think) fisherman. Perhaps his agreement with Abhisit is an attempt at some sort of inoculation? There were reports when his appointment was announced that he was coming to Thailand to shake thing up a bit. What the PM's office seems to fail to understand is that the Ambassador's activities may be an attempt to give the government some cover to do what needs to be done. But after five years, I am coming to better understand that there is more of a fundamental difference in the thinking process.

I feel a protest coming on. The only legal ones are in front of the US embassy

Consider the following:

As best I can ascertain, there is no English language translation of the current draft Charter.

I'm guessing nobody inside Thailand has the balls to create one, and nobody outside Thailand considers it worthwhile.

Brave men, we could do with more like them.

"more space for political expression".... Is US embassy going to open up grounds at ambassadors residence to general Thai public for chit chats, as that is considered US territory? Would be a good use.

No he is NOT opening up his residence place grounds all he is trying to do is get Abhisit in hotwater by being foolish to open his front door and let Davies come in and have a talk. Davies can't get anywhere with the present government which just recent came back from ASEAN - Russia business conference (if you like them or not makes no difference) so Davies tries to use Abhisit to pull Davies' night soil wagon for him. Rest assured Abhisit who received his political education in the UK and speaks English as a mother tongue including idioms is smarter than to fall into Davies' Made in America trap.

Davies is well advised to go back to DC and ask his boss and the boss of the boss, when they bring out the real candidates for their own upcoming elections.

What I've seen sofar is not even a real soap opera; it is a disgrace for any "democracy" as of the 17th century - oh, the US did not exist then.

When does the official America understand when to shut up its big, huge foul-smelling mouth and care for their own business. A country chasing its Miss from 50 candidates while electing its President from two - does not qualify, sorry!

Thailand will be doing what is good for Thailand in the long run and it is up to the Thai people (and only up to the Thai people) to decide, if, when, what, how and where.

Davies is well advised to go back to DC and ask his boss and the boss of the boss, when they bring out the real candidates for their own upcoming elections.

What I've seen sofar is not even a real soap opera; it is a disgrace for any "democracy" as of the 17th century - oh, the US did not exist then.

When does the official America understand when to shut up its big, huge foul-smelling mouth and care for their own business. A country chasing its Miss from 50 candidates while electing its President from two - does not qualify, sorry!

Thailand will be doing what is good for Thailand in the long run and it is up to the Thai people (and only up to the Thai people) to decide, if, when, what, how and where.

It was only the matter of a short time before the US bashing came out. The incoherence is deafening.

It is asserted: "Thailand will be doing what is good for Thailand in the long run and it is up to the Thai people (and only up to the Thai people) to decide, if, when, what, how and where. "

Let's contrast the two countries with respect to the "people" deciding:

- In the US, for the past 230 years or so, the people vote every 2, 4 or 6 years for their local, State and national leaders. The military has never seized control and abrogated the Constitution.

- In Thailand, the people are about the vote on a Constitution that grants them the privilege of electing half of their representatives in government, and gives the military control for at least 5 years more. On a regular basis, the elected representatives are tossed out of office by the military, Constitutions are torn up, and elections are nullified.

On the basis of all evidence, those decisions by the Thai people are rarely honored, and it seems certain this sorry state will continue.

I don't mind the bashing of politics in the US; it is crazy at times. But let's not be deceitful about the status of Democracy in Thailand. Thai democracy continues to be a matter of killing the infant, over and over again.