Thailand is never neutral

Postbag

Published: 21 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Thitinan Pongsudhirak says, ''The Thai foreign policy genius is about playing all sides to an optimised mix.''

First I doubt whether ''playing all sides'' can be considered as ''genius''. It could be considered as self-serving.

Actually, modern Thai foreign policy has never been neutral. We sided with Japan during World War II and then when Japan began to lose we changed governments and switched over to the Allies. From there, Bangkok became the headquarters of Seato and Thailand is still a non-treaty Nato ally.

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oldairman
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Discussion 7 : 21 Nov 2012 at 19.257
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D3@barryw
Refresh my memory of how the Democrats got into power after the coup?
AFAIR the PPP won the election under Samak who lost a court case for clearly breaking the laws at the time.
He could have been re-elected but Thaksin wanted his brother in law Somchai in power. That government was dissolved for breaking the election laws and could not get a coalition together. The Democrats could and did and were returned to power LEGALLY through that coalition just as PPP were legally in power through their coalition. What did I get wrong there?
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loong
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Discussion 6 : 21 Nov 2012 at 13.536
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What happened to the motto ''We believe in the parliamentary system?'' Or do you believe it only when you are in government?

Khun Somsak, Yingluck and Thaksin seldom participate in the parliamentary meeting. So, your motto apply double standard!
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tu-whit
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Discussion 5 : 21 Nov 2012 at 12.435
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Well said Somsak.
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pjt
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Discussion 4 : 21 Nov 2012 at 09.204
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Khun Somsak Pola - why should the Democrats do something the government has not? If as you say this rally infringes S68 of the Constitution why has the government and police not taken appropriate steps through the Constitutional court to stop it? This is left to a few individual senators and MPs. Meantime the government is facilitating the rally provided it is peaceful, including meetings between government ministers, law enforcement and rally leaders
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barryw
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Discussion 3 : 21 Nov 2012 at 09.123
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Dis#2 - thanks for conveniently forgetting that the Democrats were in power purely as a result of the coup, after the Reds had been democratically re-elected. As they have been again. If you have democratically elected a government, and it has been removed by force, what would you do I wonder? And before anyone mentions it, the fact that Thaksin was corrupt is totally irrelevant - nearly all politicians in Thailand are.
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oldairman
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Discussion 2 : 21 Nov 2012 at 07.452
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Somsak, where were yoy in 2010 when the Red Shirts were occupying Bangkok, threatening to burn it down, defying the government and calling for the violent overthrow of the Democrats?
Just brushing up on your dougle standards skills I suppose.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 1 : 21 Nov 2012 at 06.121
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Somsak: I suggest you don't listen to or believe what politicians of any colour or party say. Just watch what they do. Politics has little if anything to do with matters of honesty, integrity, altruism, wanting to help, educate, and develop the people (the so called "pee norng") from the heart, etc. Do you believe a word that the government and their Boss say? I hope not.
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Thailand is never neutral | Bangkok Post: opinion