The coup-installed National Legislative Assembly has invited the US charge d’affaires in Bangkok to explain his country’s involvement in Thai politics.
Kitti Wasinont, deputy chairman of the NLA’s foreign affairs committee, said the committee has invited W Patrick Murphy to a meeting on Feb 11. He has yet to respond.
The committee wants to hear Mr Murphy’s opinion on recent remarks by Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel, the top US diplomat for East Asia and the Pacific, who visited Thailand on Monday.
Mr Russel caused outrage when he called on the military-led government to lift martial law and ensure national reform is “inclusive”. He also said the impeachment of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra could be seen as “politically driven”.
Mr Kitti said the committee also wants to ask Mr Murphy if he or representatives of the US Embassy have met red-shirt leaders in the Northeast, as reported in the media.
“Thailand is currently in special circumstances,” he said. “Such a meeting could affect Thai politics. I find the move inappropriate at the moment. Personally, I’d like them to review the plan because it will hamper the ongoing reconciliation process.”
However, Mr Kitti said the current “difference of opinion” with the United States will not damage longer-term bilateral ties.
“The US still wants to nurture the relationship, but it might have made a wrong move by saying something inappropriate in public,” he said.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said yesterday US embassy officials are free to meet red-shirt leaders, but the government hopes they will not meddle in internal Thai affairs.
American diplomats from the embassy reportedly travelled to the northeastern province of Udon Thani on Thursday to seek a meeting with Kwanchai Praipana, a key figure in the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship. However, they failed to meet him since Mr Kwanchai was not at home.
Media reports also said US diplomats sought meetings with local red-shirt leaders in Northeastern provinces at least three times last year.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha subsequently asked the army to keep tabs on embassy staff.
Gen Anupong said the US diplomats likely wanted to gather first-hand information about political conditions in the northeast.
“It is permissible to have meetings and collect information but what the government is trying to do now is address problems in the country and create national reconciliation. The government has no intention of abusing its power,” said Gen Anupong, a former army chief.
“I would like the US embassy staff to understand the government's work, its law enforcement duties and the work of the NLA on the impeachment of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
“The Thai economy is improving and the tourism sector is recovering. We don't want turmoil again.”
On Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry called in Mr Murphy, the most senior official at the US embassy in Bangkok, to express disappointment over Mr Russel’s remarks.
“His [Mr Russel’s] speech made Thais feel uneasy and ‘wounded Thai hearts’, to quote the deputy foreign affairs minister,” Mr Kitti said.
In his weekly televised address on Friday night, Gen Prayut said he does take into account the opinions of representatives from “friendly nations”.
“But how much consideration I pay to each comment is something I must deliberate by myself. I do not deny how this administration came into office. However, I would like everybody to understand that it was done for the country that we all love, in order to prevent further problems,” he said.
He urged foreign representatives not to jump to conclusions about the situation in Thailand after discussions with only some political groups.
“Why not ask Thai people nationwide about what they want. Be fair to Thais, and to Thailand.”