Former US President Bush To Visit Thailand

[Jai Dee]

Former US President Bush to visit Thailand to honor king's 60th year on throne

BANGKOK, Thailand: Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush will dine with Thailand's king on Monday as a special envoy of Bush's son, the current U.S. president, to celebrate the monarch's 60th year on the throne, officials said.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, will hold an audience with Bush and then host a dinner for him at the Grand Palace, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Bush and his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, will be escorted to the dinner by military-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, the statement said.

Surayud became Thailand's interim prime minister after a Sept. 19 coup that Washington criticized as a setback to democracy.

The coup ousted elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was widely accused of corruption and abuse of power.

The statement did not say whether Bush would hold an official meeting with Surayud. The U.S. Embassy said no meetings with government officials were planned during the two-day visit.

Thailand's King Bhumibol celebrated his 79th birthday on Tuesday, an occasion marked with nationwide prayers and fireworks in Bangkok, where streets and shop fronts are decorated with larger-than-life posters of the revered monarch.

This year marks Bhumibol's 60th anniversary on the throne, a milestone celebrated in mid-June with festivities attended by royalty from around the world.

Bush's visit is the third by a former U.S. president to Thailand in a month.

Bill Clinton visited the Thai island of Phuket in early December as part of a regional tour of countries battered by the Indian Ocean tsunami of Dec. 26, 2004. Jimmy Carter visited Phuket in early November, also as part of a humanitarian mission.

Source: International Herald-Tribune - 7 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Former US president Bush to dine with Thai king

BANGKOK - Former US president George H.W. Bush will dine with Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej on a visit here early next week, less than three months after its coup, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Songphol Sukchan, director of the foreign ministry’s press division, said Bush, father of current President George W. Bush, and his wife Barbara would visit from December 10 to 12.

The function is on December 11, Songphol said.

“He will make a tour of the palace ... and he will be granted an audience with the king (who) will give a dinner.”

“He is a special envoy of Bush junior,” he added, referring to the current White House incumbent.

The United States has been one of the harshest critics of the September 19 coup that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and has been pressuring the new government to lift martial law, imposed a day after the putsch.

However the US leader greeted military-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont with a handshake at a recent international summit, and said that he “understands” the situation there.

Songphol said Surayud would return from a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in the Philippines to greet Bush Sr. and attend the dinner.

Bush is the third former president to visit Thailand this year. Jimmy Carter came in November, and Bill Clinton was in Phuket on Saturday in his role as special United Nations envoy for the tsunami.

The visit by Bush is timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol’s coronation, which was formally celebrated in June this year.

Source: AFP - 7 December 2006

[londonthai]

not much time to organise - but I do expect anti-american demo close to the kings palace. Might be a noisy place

[younghusband]

not much time to organise - but I do expect anti-american demo close to the kings palace. Might be a noisy place

I'm assuming you are joking.Just in case you are not any such demo would quite rightly be regarded by the palace as an appalling breach of good manners to a distinguished friend.

Out of interest what would be the point of such a demo?

[Siripon]

Khun Surayud could ask for a meeting with the USA President's father and express concern about the situation of democracy in Iraq, namely did they have a democratic vote in Iraq, and indeed in the UN, before the Americans invaded leading to the civil war of today with massive loss of Iraqi civilian life?

[ColPyat]

Khun Surayud could ask for a meeting with the USA President's father and express concern about the situation of democracy in Iraq, namely did they have a democratic vote in Iraq, and indeed in the UN, before the Americans invaded leading to the civil war of today with massive loss of Iraqi civilian life?

Now that's gonna be fun...pot calling the kettle black.

[PeaceBlondie]

The elder Bush was a statesman long before he was president. Except perhaps in Panama, he always used the standard international methods of diplomacy (even in the first Gulf war). His role as chief of the CIA was very minor compared to being the first US envoy to China and the US ambassador to the UN.

As a father of erring sons, I can only imagine Papa Bush's anguish at his elder son's disregard of international protocol. I feel the elder Bush is a good man to represent my country in Thailand, compared to his son.

[younghusband]

Khun Surayud could ask for a meeting with the USA President's father and express concern about the situation of democracy in Iraq, namely did they have a democratic vote in Iraq, and indeed in the UN, before the Americans invaded leading to the civil war of today with massive loss of Iraqi civilian life?

It's unlikely to happen because:

1 General Surayud has extremely good manners, and would be unwilling to allow even the possibility of embarrassment to his host or his host's guest.

2.George Bush senior has no executive authority, and therefore would be the inappropriate recipient of any such remarks

3.It's not a subject frankly in which there's any particular interest.

All of us on this forum should remember from time to time that there's a real world out there.

[londonthai]

I don't care what the palace might or might not think - I know what I and many others think about all the politicians and especially those responsible for murders and genocides.

Unfortunately I am failing to recognise and accept politicians as my representatives - my idea of democracy is without them. As bad as the real world is around as - we all have the power to change it.

[Sing_Sling]

The elder Bush was a statesman long before he was president. Except perhaps in Panama, he always used the standard international methods of diplomacy (even in the first Gulf war). His role as chief of the CIA was very minor compared to being the first US envoy to China and the US ambassador to the UN.

As a father of erring sons, I can only imagine Papa Bush's anguish at his elder son's disregard of international protocol. I feel the elder Bush is a good man to represent my country in Thailand, compared to his son.

I'd have to disagree, Blondie. You minimise his influence both as a President who flouted international law as well as in his role as CIA chief. The biggest problem is that he is still pulls the strings for his demented son . . . you simply need look at the dozen mongrels around W to see who really has the influence.

[Scott]

These are essentially pointless arguments. There are, worldwide, probably more candidates for sainthood than there are untainted politicians--in almost every country.

He is a FORMER President and is extending greetings to the King. It would be improper (and probably illegal in Thailand), to have protests anywhere near the events.

[Jai Dee]

US President Bush’s Father to Visit CNS

US President George W. Bush will lead a U.S. delegation next week to post-coup Thailand for celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne.

The decision announced by President Bush to send his father to the December 11 Bangkok festivities reflected continued close ties with the country despite the September 19 bloodless coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

After the coup Washington had called for a quick return to democratic elections and suspended nearly 24 million dollars in aid, but the U.S. ambassador to Thailand was among the first foreign diplomats to meet the new prime minister.

HM King Bhumibol, 79, the world's longest-reigning monarch, has tried to stand above politics. He said on Monday he backed the post-coup government and that the country would be run effectively by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who replaced Thaksin and has promised to step aside after elections next year.

George Bush senior was chosen by the president, along with former president former US President Bill Clinton to lead a drive to raise private sector funds to help victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and has visited Thailand in connection with that mission.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 December 2006

[Sing_Sling]

These are essentially pointless arguments. There are, worldwide, probably more candidates for sainthood than there are untainted politicians--in almost every country.

He is a FORMER President and is extending greetings to the King. It would be improper (and probably illegal in Thailand), to have protests anywhere near the events.

I fail to see how it would be improper to to protest Bush sr in one's country . . . how about Bush Jr, Noriega, Saddam, Amin . . . please do explain your version of morality.

[younghusband]

These are essentially pointless arguments. There are, worldwide, probably more candidates for sainthood than there are untainted politicians--in almost every country.

He is a FORMER President and is extending greetings to the King. It would be improper (and probably illegal in Thailand), to have protests anywhere near the events.

I fail to see how it would be improper to to protest Bush sr in one's country . . . how about Bush Jr, Noriega, Saddam, Amin . . . please do explain your version of morality.

Your post is rather hard to understand but I don't think he's making a point about morality, simply and correctly underlining good manners and respect for HM the King.

[Sing_Sling]

Good manners vis-a-vis geopolitics? Naivety is another word that comes to mind on Scott's post.

[Bottlerocket]

I hope they have a righteous time together.

[younghusband]

Good manners vis-a-vis geopolitics? Naivety is another word that comes to mind on Scott's post.

Sorry you have lost me altogether now.

[jing jing]

not much time to organise - but I do expect anti-american demo close to the kings palace. Might be a noisy place

Who would attend? There's not much anti-American sentiment in Thailand with the exception of a few expat malcontents.

Sorry to disappoint you but Thailand and the United States have an excellent diplomatic relationship, and I've never heard a Thai person speak negatively of Americans... although I've heard quite a bit of vitriol expressed towards other nationalities which shall go unmentioned.

That said, if Dubya himself were to make the visit there might be some possiblity of a few angry Muslims getting themselves arrested on the streets of Bangkok...

[londonthai]

it's not about nationalism and anti-Americanism - it's about the american state militaristic policies all around the world.

yes, I do know thai who are not happy with that

[Sing_Sling]

Good manners vis-a-vis geopolitics? Naivety is another word that comes to mind on Scott's post.

Sorry you have lost me altogether now.

Not to worry, then.

[jing jing]

it's not about nationalism and anti-Americanism - it's about the american state militaristic policies all around the world.

yes, I do know thai who are not happy with that

I'm sure once you've lectured your Thai friends on the evils of the American military state's world domination scheme they'd be hard pressed to refute your arguments, so I'll just take your word on that account... nevertheless, I somehow doubt they'll be taking to the streets in protest. The occasion is a celebration for the King, ferchrissakes...

[lomatopo]

I am under the impression that the King and George H.W. Bush have a long friendship. Also, it was reported in the Thai press/radio that the former President was asked to help stop a certain book from being published by the Yale University Press this year.

[britmaveric]

Nice gesture for former president to honour HRM bday!! Well done - wish more former/current world leaders would do as much.

[khunbill]

it's not about nationalism and anti-Americanism - it's about the american state militaristic policies all around the world.

yes, I do know thai who are not happy with that

There is NO American State militaristic policies worldwide...We Americans are very slow to enter a war..history so provides such evidence...and we are very impatient with loss of innocent lives particularly American lives... Your sophomoric rants are truelly indicative of third world mentality...do nothing let facism and terrorism run free then cry your little eyes out when it affects you and plead for American help...here's hoping that we let you all reap the rewards you so justly deserve.

[calibanjr.]

it's not about nationalism and anti-Americanism - it's about the american state militaristic policies all around the world.

yes, I do know thai who are not happy with that

There is NO American State militaristic policies worldwide...We Americans are very slow to enter a war..history so provides such evidence...and we are very impatient with loss of innocent lives particularly American lives... Your sophomoric rants are truelly indicative of third world mentality...do nothing let facism and terrorism run free then cry your little eyes out when it affects you and plead for American help...here's hoping that we let you all reap the rewards you so justly deserve.

Uh, Bill, life is tough enough as an American out here in the world without people such as yourself posting such syntactically awkward and wildly inaccurate drivel while actually calling someone else sophomoric! I'd appreciate it if you'd be a little more diplomatic, less childish.

Then again, that post is so lame, it might just be somebody taking the piss on us to make Americans look as idiotic as they wish we all were, which is always a possibility.

Edited December 16, 2006 by calibanjr.

[deathmetalxxx]

Former US president Bush to dine with Thai king

BANGKOK - Former US president George H.W. Bush will dine with Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej on a visit here early next week, less than three months after its coup, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Songphol Sukchan, director of the foreign ministry's press division, said Bush, father of current President George W. Bush, and his wife Barbara would visit from December 10 to 12.

The function is on December 11, Songphol said.

"He will make a tour of the palace ... and he will be granted an audience with the king (who) will give a dinner."

"He is a special envoy of Bush junior," he added, referring to the current White House incumbent.

The United States has been one of the harshest critics of the September 19 coup that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and has been pressuring the new government to lift martial law, imposed a day after the putsch.

However the US leader greeted military-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont with a handshake at a recent international summit, and said that he "understands" the situation there.

Songphol said Surayud would return from a summit of Southeast Asian leaders in the Philippines to greet Bush Sr. and attend the dinner.

Bush is the third former president to visit Thailand this year. Jimmy Carter came in November, and Bill Clinton was in Phuket on Saturday in his role as special United Nations envoy for the tsunami.

The visit by Bush is timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol's coronation, which was formally celebrated in June this year.

Source: AFP - 7 December 2006

i feel sorry for thailand

[Johpa]

it's not about nationalism and anti-Americanism - it's about the american state militaristic policies all around the world.

yes, I do know thai who are not happy with that

There is NO American State militaristic policies worldwide...We Americans are very slow to enter a war..history so provides such evidence...and we are very impatient with loss of innocent lives particularly American lives... Your sophomoric rants are truelly indicative of third world mentality...do nothing let facism and terrorism run free then cry your little eyes out when it affects you and plead for American help...here's hoping that we let you all reap the rewards you so justly deserve.

Khun Bill, I suggest you read the recent books by that young firebrand radical, Chalmers Johnson ( ) , to get an entry level description of the American State's military empire.

Edited December 17, 2006 by Johpa

[Viking]

it's not about nationalism and anti-Americanism - it's about the american state militaristic policies all around the world.

yes, I do know thai who are not happy with that

There is NO American State militaristic policies worldwide...We Americans are very slow to enter a war..history so provides such evidence...and we are very impatient with loss of innocent lives particularly American lives... Your sophomoric rants are truelly indicative of third world mentality...do nothing let facism and terrorism run free then cry your little eyes out when it affects you and plead for American help...here's hoping that we let you all reap the rewards you so justly deserve.

You funny! You just ignorant or full of lies and evil as your present administration?

Viking

[Scott]

Sorry to cause so much misunderstanding. A FORMER president comes to wish the KING a Happy Birthday. So why would there be demonstrations at the U.S. Embassy (where the former president) is going to be. I doubt very much that Thai people are going to be demonstrating anywhere near the King and I am sure the gov't isn't going to let foreigners have a demonstration.

This whole thing has little to do with the U.S. and has a lot more to do with wishing the King well. I have no particular reason to believe there is something wrong with demonstrating, it just doesn't seem like a particularly worthwhile time.

[fxm88]

Not even a week after the announcement of an oil find in northern Thailand (and another in Cambodia), and this "former advisor" to the Carlyle Group arranges an impromptu trip to come celebrate the King's 60th (6 months late). Am I missing something?