Tillerson in Thailand as U.S. ties improve

[webfact]

Tillerson in Thailand as U.S. ties improve

By Amy Sawitta Lefevre

 

U.S. State Secretary Rex Tillerson arrives at the ASEAN-U.S. Ministerial meeting of the 50th Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, Philippines August 6, 2017. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in Thailandon Tuesday in the highest level visit by a U.S. official since a military coup in 2014 soured relations with the United States and brought the ruling junta closer to China.

 

Tillerson's visit follows his attendance at a regional security forum in Manila at the weekend.

 

One of Tillerson's top priorities has been urging Southeast Asian countries to do more to help cut funding streams for North Korea, with which he has held open the door for dialogue if it halts its recent series of missile tests.

 

But Thailand's own politics and human rights record will also be in focus, as Washington strengthens relations with its oldest ally in the region after they were downgraded following the coup.

 

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks highlighted the importance of the visit for Thailand. She told Reuters there were "many issues which we will cover, including the tight relationship and friendship".

 

U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken to the leader of Thailand's military junta, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, and invited him to the White House, but no date has been set yet.

 

Human rights groups have voiced concern about the re-establishment of normal relations between the United States and Thailand while the junta continues to crack down on critics of the monarchy and the military.

 

"It would be a practical mistake for Tillerson to not condition positive diplomatic relations on improvements in the protection of human rights," Matthew Smith, of the Fortify Rights group, told Reuters.

 

Thailand's military seized power in May 2014 after months of street protests with a promise to eventually restore democracy, but elections will not happen before next year and a new constitution retains a powerful political say for the army.

 

Since the coup, Thailand has since aligned itself more closely with Beijing.Thailand this year has approved Chinese submarines, tank and helicopter purchases worth more than $500 million as well as construction of a new rail link.

 

Another source of friction with the Trump administration is Thailand's trade surplus over the United States. It was the 11th largest last year at nearly $19 billion, although Thai officials expect a sharp rise in U.S. imports to reduce it.

 

(Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Matthew Tostevin and Clarence Fernandez)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-08-08

[khwaibah]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

Tillerson in Thailand as U.S. ties improve

 

Take him to Sin City and the ties will get seriously stroked.

Edited August 8, 2017 by khwaibah

[Jingthing]

The trump regime doesn't care about human rights unless there is a partisan ideological message in it. For example, they sanction Venezuela but sword dance with the Saudis.

I'd expect no morality lectures to Thailand from this lot. They have no credibility to give such lectures. 

[tonray]

Perhaps they can take him to the North Korean restaurant in Bangkok ?

[Orac]

Would love to be a fly on the wall at that meeting:

RexT: We need help with N Korea nuclear weapons.
Prayuth: Ok, I can take three - how much?


Seriously though, it needs to be remembered that there are ties between Thailand and N Korea that could be of use here with one of the major family owned businesses involved which including setting up N Koreas first gsm network and an ISP there along with being caught shipping parts for nuclear centrifuges from Japan disguised as telecom equipment back in 2003.


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[scotchonrocks]

Two hypocritical nations facing each other off.  Edward Snowden is a good example.  An American hero who did what he did not for the fame but for change.  Yet there are some in the administration that want him executed.  Thailand full of gracious platitudes but at the end of the Thailand has it's price and they will piss in each other's pockets.  America needs pals again and if they want to stand up against the Chinese over the South China Sea Nine Dash issue, they will need Thailand and the other SE Asian nations onside.  The NK issue is just a smoke screen cover for deeper matters relating to China.

[webfact]

Tillerson in Thailand presses for more action on North Korea

By Amy Sawitta Lefevre

 

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson walks with Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand August 8, 2017. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday pressed Thai leaders for more action on North Korea during the highest level visit to Thailand by a U.S. official since a military coup in 2014 soured relations with the United States.

 

Tillerson's top priority has been urging Southeast Asian countries to do more to cut funding streams for North Korea.

 

The United States believes North Korean front companies are active in Thailand and is trying to encourage the Thais to shut them down, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton told reporters aboard Tillerson's plane.

 

The companies are using Bangkok as a regional hub and change their names frequently, she said.

 

Before meeting Tillerson, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said Thailand would support a U.N. resolution on new sanctions on Pyongyang over its missile tests. But he made no mention of specific action.

 

The United States was encouraging Thailand to take as many North Korean refugees as it can handle, Thornton said. Reuters reported exclusively last week that the number of North Koreans slipping illegally into Thailand has surged in recent months.

 

Thailand's own politics and human rights record were also in focus, as Washington strengthens relations with its oldest ally in the region after they were downgraded following the coup.

 

"We want Thailand to emerge as a strengthened democracy that respects and guarantees human rights and fundamental freedoms at home and plays a leading role in advancing regional security and prosperity," a US embassy spokesman said.

 

"UPS AND DOWNS"

 

Tillerson offered no specific message on human rights when he spoke to the American community at the ambassador's residence and highlighted the 200-year-old relationship.

 

"We want to continue to grow that relationship, even in its ups and downs," he said.

 

Tillerson met Thailand's foreign minister, Don Pramudwinai, before junta chief Prayuth. Don also emphasised support for the U.N. resolution on North Korea.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken to Prayuth by telephone and invited him to the White House, but no date has been set yet.

 

Human rights groups have voiced concern about the re-establishment of normal relations while Thailand's junta continues to crack down on critics.

 

"It would be a practical mistake for Tillerson to not condition positive diplomatic relations on improvements in the protection of human rights," Matthew Smith, of the Fortify Rights group, told Reuters.

 

Thailand's military seized power in May 2014 after months of street protests with a promise to eventually restore democracy, but elections will not happen before next year and a new constitution retains a powerful political say for the army.

 

Since the coup, Thailand has aligned itself more closely with Beijing, and this year approved purchases of more than $500 million worth of Chinese submarines, tanks and helicopters, besides construction of a new rail link.

 

Another source of friction is Thailand's trade surplus over the United States. It was the 11th largest last year, at nearly $19 billion, although Thai officials expect a sharp rise in U.S. imports to reduce it.

 

During his five-hour visit to Bangkok, Tillerson signed a condolence book for the revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose death after seven decades on the throne was felt deeply in Thailand.

 

Tillerson's visit follows his attendance at a regional security forum in Manila at the weekend.

 

(Additional reporting by Aukkarapon Niyomyat and Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Matthew Tostevin and Clarence Fernandez)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-08-08

[ujayujay]

USA and human rights same as Fire and Water.......................

[canopus1969]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

"We want Thailand to emerge as a strengthened democracy that respects and guarantees human rights and fundamental freedoms

Errr seems he's wasted his journey  

[pattayadon]

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

The trump regime doesn't care about human rights unless there is a partisan ideological message in it. For example, they sanction Venezuela but sword dance with the Saudis.

I'd expect no morality lectures to Thailand from this lot. They have no credibility to give such lectures. 

Cool hat Jingthing!

Edited August 8, 2017 by pattayadon

[Dave67]

Caption to Picture

 

Watch where you are going P-man there's dog shit on the carpet

[Jonmarleesco]

10 hours ago, Jingthing said:

The trump regime doesn't care about human rights unless there is a partisan ideological message in it. For example, they sanction Venezuela but sword dance with the Saudis.

I'd expect no morality lectures to Thailand from this lot. They have no credibility to give such lectures. 

The Trump regime? The US has been lap dancing with the Saudis for years, as have numerous others.

[Jingthing]

9 minutes ago, Jonmarleesco said:

The Trump regime? The US has been lap dancing with the Saudis for years, as have numerous others.

There are levels. trump's level of sucking up to the Saudis was over the top. 

[Srikcir]

9 minutes ago, Jonmarleesco said:

The Trump regime?

With regard to foreign affairs, it's more like the Tillerson, McMaster and Mattis regime.

The Child has been told to go play with his domestic toys while the adults deal with the fate of nations.

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

With regard to foreign affairs, it's more like the Tillerson, McMaster and Mattis regime.

The Child has been told to go play with his domestic toys while the adults deal with the fate of nations.

In this case, perhaps so. trump wouldn't know enough about Thailand to even tweet about it. 

[yellowboat]

Sounds like Tillerson wants a few (North) Korean restaurants closed down.  Could have sent that in an email.   

[blankagain]

Wonder what Visas the N.K refugees are on and how they're managing dialogue with immigration. .

[craigt3365]

15 hours ago, ujayujay said:

USA and human rights same as Fire and Water.......................

The US is far from perfect.  But far from the worst with regards to human rights.

[Muhendis]

5 hours ago, blankagain said:

Wonder what Visas the N.K refugees are on and how they're managing dialogue with immigration. .

I read a report recently that north Koreans are coming into Thailand as illegal immigrants via China/Laos and being shipped out again, to south Korea. Visa not required for this.

https://www.voanews.com/a/north-korean-refugees-seek-freedom-via-thailand-136370353/150081.html

[TKDfella]

Politicians are the only people that I know who are allowed to eat their cake and have it too. No doubt the the USA doesn't like the stronger ties of Thailand & China yet the USA surely needs China to come down hard on NK. So why not have Thailand to make suggestions to China about NK. Don't think it will work though, because I think NK would rather die fighting than yield to the USA via some back door method, the NK government may be fanatical but they are idiots.

About rights, expression and democracy...why do these politicians continue to insult our intelligence. 

[speckio]

haha 

 

USA: hey, Thailand whats up?  we are having a problem with North Korea since we are such good friends I expect you to take action to help us out.

 

Thailand: soo basically you are telling me your problem just became our problem? and you want us to provoke and pick a fight with country that has nukes capable of reaching our country?

[craigt3365]

5 minutes ago, speckio said:

haha 

 

USA: hey, Thailand whats up?  we are having a problem with North Korea since we are such good friends I expect you to take action to help us out.

 

Thailand: soo basically you are telling me your problem just became our problem? and you want us to provoke and pick a fight with country that has nukes capable of reaching our country?

That's what partners do.  Help each other out.  Maybe the US should have never entered WW2 and Thailand would be part of Japan now. LOL

[tbthailand]

On 8/8/2017 at 6:49 AM, webfact said:

Donald Trump has spoken to the leader of Thailand's military junta, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, and invited him to the White House, but no date has been set yet.

Trump has an affinity for dictators.

[Grumpy Duck]

On 8/8/2017 at 10:18 PM, Jonmarleesco said:

The Trump regime? The US has been lap dancing with the Saudis for years, as have numerous others.

Perhaps, but the trumpalumpas are the only regime banning entry to the US from other Muslim nations. Where the Saudi's have been proven to be extreme. Remember, Bin Laden was of an extremely wealthy & powerful Saudi family. 

[Grumpy Duck]

17 hours ago, tbthailand said:

Trump has an affinity for dictators.

His ultimate desire is to become a dictator himself!

[JimGant]

Quote

The trump regime doesn't care about human rights unless there is a partisan ideological message in it. For example, they sanction Venezuela but sword dance with the Saudis.

Venezuela is a Communist tragedy playing out in our hemisphere. The human rights being trampled on here are those of the entrepreneurs -- the capitalists -- who would rescue Venezuela from its abyss, but won't be allowed to, 'cause of an ignorant bus driver, whose mantra is Marx's slogan -- somewhat rephrased -- about 'from those who can, to those who can't.' China tried this repression of entrepreneurship -- and look at the dark decades that got them. Fortunately, the "jews of the orient" were allowed, finally, to proceed on the journey in their DNA.

 

Yeah, the Middle East has some "human rights" problems -- but much of that is due to Islamic teachings. That Trump would choose realpolitik in this situation is gratifying, particularly since it's the only thing he seems to have done right so far.

 

Thus, including Thailand in his realpolitik foreign policy is refreshing -- as the only apparent lashings under this current regime have been by the tongue. The question of human rights is, I'm afraid, highly overrated -- and much too subjective.

[IAMHERE]

I find it interesting that there is so much hatred of the USA that some, if not many, seem to be supporters of North Korea. I just don't get it.