webfact Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 US ‘encouraged by Thailand’s return to democracy’ as elections delayed By WASAMON AUDJARINT THE NATION US Ambassador Glyn Davies THE US remains encouraged by the Thai junta government’s commitment to return the country to democracy amid shifting factors that make it very possible, even quite likely, that the election will be further postponed. A commitment to ongoing mutual democratic values will also continue to cement the relationship of “great and good friends” and will soon see its bicentennial anniversary later this year. Or at least that’s the way that the US Ambassador is talking this week. “American policy remains much as it has been. We believe that democracy is the great way to keep working together,” said US Ambassador Glyn Davies yesterday. “[Between] old and new administrations there will be a different emphasis put on issues,” Davies said, “but I think for the most part, our relationship and priority will be balanced on strategic interests … and on our principles that will continue under any administration.” Davies spoke during a press conference concerning the “Great and Good Friends” exhibition of friendship to be held from March 21 to June 30 at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles to celebrate the 200th anniversary of bilateral relations. Trump also chose to not give public prominence to democracy during PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s visit to the White House last October. Instead, the US leader emphasised a range of issues regarding trade deals and US exports to the Kingdom, which enjoys a trade surplus. However, the US Embassy in Bangkok expressed an expectation for “Thailand’s return to a democratic government via free and fair elections as soon as possible” not long after the junta-appointed legislators voted to delay promulgation of the MP election bill draft. General Joe Dunford, the US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also said that he was “very encouraged” about the country’s return to democracy following his meetings with Prayut and Deputy PM and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan on Wednesday. “This would allow us to deepen our relationship in the years ahead,” Dunford was quoted as saying by Department of Defence-based reporter Jim Garamone. Dunford has been on tour to strengthen military ties with Asia-Pacific countries amid the looming situation in the |Korean peninsula. The topic was also touched upon during a meeting with Thai leaders. Dunford also spoke of deepening exercises and expanding educational opportunities in the future. Around 6,800 American service members will take part in Thailand-based Cobra Gold joint military exercise to begin next Tuesday. Prayut, meanwhile, said yesterday that Dunford did not express concerns about Thailand’s democratic development and merely gave encouragement. “I insisted that we would move forward to democracy. The US also understands our necessity,” Prayut said. “I also told the US that Thailand has its own problems. We’ll have to have measures to ensure the country becomes firmly democratic in the timelines,” he continued. “That could be designated by either me or by laws.” Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30338353 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smedly Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 US ‘encouraged by Thailand’s return to democracy’ as elections delayed anyone see anything wrong with this headline I have read it and read it ......................... 10 words I did not read the article that followed because that is likely just as confusing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailand Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 28 minutes ago, smedly said: US ‘encouraged by Thailand’s return to democracy’ as elections delayed anyone see anything wrong with this headline I have read it and read it ......................... 10 words I did not read the article that followed because that is likely just as confusing Even more so, this is a spin that doesn't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonray Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 If you look at what elections have brought the USA, perhaps a delay is not such a bad idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pieeyed Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 The U.S will get Articall 44. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven100 Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 “American policy remains much as it has been. We believe that democracy is the great way to keep working together,” said US Ambassador Glyn Davies yesterday. go blow your trumpet somewhere else ..... !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 39 minutes ago, tonray said: If you look at what elections have brought the USA, perhaps a delay is not such a bad idea There would have been quite a fuss had they been 'put off' for 4-5 years though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaiyen Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Read what Dunford said and you can see that it is all about having friendly countries in Asia so USA can have military bases in their countries and be close to N.Korea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumbleweed Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 6 minutes ago, steven100 said: “American policy remains much as it has been. We believe that democracy is the great way to keep working together,” said US Ambassador Glyn Davies yesterday. go blow your trumpet somewhere else ..... !! Careful, you'll have people believing you're a Junta supporter While the new constitution essentially ends all possibility of democracy., the junta could take note on how Uncle Sam handles spin. They have, after all, convinced over 300 million people that even with a second rate education system, third world health stats, having the Ruskies choose their president, ranking behind most of Europe on personal freedom and borrowing money from Chine to protect the world from....China, they are part of the greatest show on earth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowboat Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 All very diplomatic and non substantive. There is nothing encouraging about military appointed MP's. They should have just said we hope to see Thailand return to a representative government sometime in the future. 2 hours ago, webfact said: “That could be designated by either me or by laws.” "me" says it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinsdale Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 20 minutes ago, jaiyen said: Read what Dunford said and you can see that it is all about having friendly countries in Asia so USA can have military bases in their countries and be close to N.Korea I think you'll find it's not N.Korea they're worried about. It's China. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonray Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 28 minutes ago, jacko45k said: There would have been quite a fuss had they been 'put off' for 4-5 years though. With gerrymandering Congressional seats are really not contested in many districts. When Congress has a 35% approval rating and yet more than 90 % can win reelection.. Something is wrong with the fake election Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lungstib Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 If you can believe Trump will drain the swamp its easy to accept that dictatorship and election delays cam promote democracy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thailand49 Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 This isn't rocket science, Thailand isn't a democracy in the true sense of the word whatever that means? Anyone living here can see and read the articles the fix is on! Election November right? Whenever it happens the result will be the same puppet man will still end up on top! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YetAnother Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 3 hours ago, webfact said: “American policy remains much as it has been. We believe that democracy is the great way to keep working together,” said US Ambassador Glyn Davies yesterday. “[Between] old and new administrations there will be a different emphasis put on issues,” Davies said, “but I think for the most part, our relationship and priority will be balanced on strategic interests … and on our principles that will continue under any administration.” guess that one of the requirements of being an ambassador is that you say a lot of generalized words and say absolutely Nothing of substance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakeupplease Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Who writes this >rap, other things to worry about right now, but the day will come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lupatria Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 3 hours ago, webfact said: … and on our principles that will continue under any administration.” Shouldn't it read: even under any unlawful and anti democratic administration, as long as it serves our interest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFishman1 Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Elections Democratic Ideals lol TIT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isaanbanhou Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 11 minutes ago, Lupatria said: Shouldn't it read: even under any unlawful and anti democratic administration, as long as it serves our interest? I wouldn t call Trumps administration " unlawful " but it certainly is anti democratic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lupatria Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 1 minute ago, isaanbanhou said: I wouldn t call Trumps administration " unlawful " but it certainly is anti democratic My post was not about Trump's administration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NextStationBangkok Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Encouraged , Advised, Recommended, all same same, but different. Thai reaction for all : 555.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isaanbanhou Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 2 minutes ago, Lupatria said: My post was not about Trump's administration. mine was Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NextStationBangkok Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 The major problem in Asia is China. They can only work with dictators. Best example now is Maldives. The parliament is run by Chinese influenced proxies, while all the opposition leaders are either in jail or exiled. China is working hard to keep their grip on all the small countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emster23 Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Thailand is playing US like a bargirl who promises to pay you back a loan "next week". "A commitment to ongoing mutual democratic values..." I could imagine ambassador saying "Thailand and US are moving closer together in implementing our vision of democracy"... except US is doing all the moving. Overall, I'd say Thailand is just what Trump group wishes US was like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack61 Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 1 hour ago, jacko45k said: There would have been quite a fuss had they been 'put off' for 4-5 years though. But this exactly where it’s heading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gk10002000 Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 1 hour ago, jaiyen said: Read what Dunford said and you can see that it is all about having friendly countries in Asia so USA can have military bases in their countries and be close to N.Korea I don't think the USA knows what it wants. But this ambassador sure blew a lot of sunshine. He seems to assert that the Thais are committed to democracy. The saying "same same but different " comes to mind. Define committed. Define democracy as understood by westerners or as Thais. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukeleto Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 What he meant to say was: "As long as we have access to Thai bases and airstrips to refuel and maintain our military aircraft, we don't really give a turd what government is in control, thank you very much" Last bit using an Elvis accent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvavin Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 It’s amusing when the word, “democratic value” popped up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamahele Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 1 hour ago, grumbleweed said: Careful, you'll have people believing you're a Junta supporter While the new constitution essentially ends all possibility of democracy., the junta could take note on how Uncle Sam handles spin. They have, after all, convinced over 300 million people that even with a second rate education system, third world health stats, having the Ruskies choose their president, ranking behind most of Europe on personal freedom and borrowing money from Chine to protect the world from....China, they are part of the greatest show on earth Actually the US government hasn't convinced 300 million people they are part of the greatest show on earth because the U.S. actually is the greatest show on earth despite its many weaknesses which includes the current government in power. One hopes that future elections will produce leaders that right the wrongs as former elections have done over the past 2.5 centuries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamiman123 Posted February 9, 2018 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Aaaahhh Democracy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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