The one-day visit by Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop is aimed at getting a better understanding of the progress made in the government’s political “road map” but also sent the signal that Canberra supports Thailand’s return to democracy.
During her visit on Friday, Ms Bishop not only met with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn but also former prime ministers Yingluck Shinawatra and Abhisit Vejjajiva.
It has been nearly 12 months since the coup and “we recognise that countries like Australia need to support Thailand in its return to democracy”, Ms Bishop told the Bangkok Post Sunday in an interview on Friday night.
In view of 60 years of diplomatic ties and wide cooperation: “We believe it is time to send the message that Australia values our relationship with Thailand and we want to work with Thailand to help her restore democracy.
“That’s part of my reason for being here — to reaffirm the value we place on the bilateral relationship but we stand, really, to assist in ways we can so Thailand again is a beacon of democracy in this region.”
But another reason for the visit is for Australia to “better understand the progress” being made on the political road map, namely the drafting of the new charter, electoral changes and the reform process and objectives as announced by Gen Prayut.
Ms Bishop said: “There are obviously differences of opinion but I wanted to get an overview on how likely it is that we will see Thailand return to democracy.
“Obviously there are issues around the constitution and there are other issues as to whether there would be a referendum. But these are matters for the Thai people. These are not matters for Australia lecturing or dictating. We want to see the Thai people embrace a return to democracy.”
Asked whether an election is the bottom line for a return to normal ties, Ms Bishop said: “There seems to be different views as to whether elections should be held as soon as possible or whether more focus should be made on getting the steps right so that it’s sustainable. Obviously this is the debate that is going on in Thailand now.”
Shortly after the coup, Australia expressed “grave concerns” about the actions of the military in Thailand. Canberra reduced its engagement with the Thai military and lowered its “interaction” with the military leadership.
A mechanism was put in place to prevent leaders of the coup from travelling to Australia. This applied to the leaders of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order.
Ms Bishop said this mechanism remained in place and Australia’s position on democracy remains unchanged.
“We made our concerns known and I believe it was appropriate for us to do so. We stand for supporting democracy in our region. We seek to project open and liberal democracy. And we certainly stand up for those values,” she said.
But whether this mechanism continues to apply to Gen Prayut and Foreign Minister Tanasak in their capacity as ministers, Ms Bishop said this was still under review.
Ms Bishop said Australia’s position has been consistent with respect to military coups that have occurred in the region. She cited, for example, the 2006 coup in Fiji.
Australia’s response at the time was to “disengage” but when Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama named an election date and guaranteed that Fiji would stick to it Australia was able to “review some of the sanctions” that had been put in place in anticipation of the elections.
So as far as the mechanism for Thai leaders is concerned, Ms Bishop said: “We are keen to gain whatever momentum is under way here towards democracy and be part of the solution. What we want to do is ensure that sufficient progress is made so we can keep this under review.
“I am not drawing an absolute comparison [between Thailand and Fiji] but if there are positive steps then we can act on, all these matters are being considered,” she said.
Ms Bishop said Australia’s desire to support Thailand to return to democracy is not mere words.
The Australian Electoral Commission has visited Thailand since the coup and spent time with relevant institutions. Thai delegations have observed state elections in Victoria and New South Wales.
Prominent Australians such as former chief justice of the High Court Michael Kirby and former attorney-general and foreign minister Gareth Evans have held discussions with members of the Constitution Drafting Committee and the National Reform Council.
Ms Bishop added that ties with Thailand continue in many areas, in particular efforts for Australians to get a better understanding of its neighbours in the region. During her visit to Bangkok, Ms Bishop presided over a ceremony launching the New Colombo Plan in Thailand.
The plan was launched in the 1950s to provide scholarships for Asian students to study in Australia. The New Colombo Plan reverses the process and Australian undergraduate students will study and be interns in Indo-Pacific universities and institutions for several months to a year.
This year, 160 Australian students are studying short courses in Thailand.
Ms Bishop added: “This new plan also gives students an opportunity to undertake an internship and work experience so they actually see real-life situations and gain a better understanding and perspective of social, political, economic and cultural parts of the country they are studying. I want young Australians to better understand the region in which we live.”