US statement 'wounded' Thailand, Deputy Foreign Minister says
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Thailand on Wednesday expressed disappointment at the recent comments made by a US top official, saying the US is interfering with its domestic political situations.
Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said the statements made by US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel during his visit in Bangkok had caused “wounds” to Thais.
He was speaking after meeting with Patrick Murphy, charge d’affairs of the US Embassy in Thailand at the Foreign Ministry. The meeting was held at the order of Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha.
Don said Murphy was “invited” to the meeting as Bangkok wanted to explain the facts of the political situations in Thailand.
However, observers said the nature of the meeting could be considered as a protest as it took place early in the morning and just hours after the prime minister’s order.
Russel visited Thailand on Monday and met with former premiers Yingluck Shinawatra and Abhisit Vejjajiva as well as Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapagorn.
He implied during an address at Chulalongkorn University that the impeachment of Yingluck was “politically driven”.
"The perception of fairness is important. I'll be blunt here: When an elected leader is deposed, impeached by the authorities that implemented the coup, and then targeted with criminal charges while basic democratic processes and institutions are interrupted, the international community is left with the impression that these steps could be politically driven".
Don told a press conference that Thais felt that Russels’ statement at Chulalongkorn University and his visit were wounding.
“Instead of taking opportunity to say something good particularly the promotion of good bilateral relations, he (Russel) talked about domestic politics which is not useful and tarnished Thailand’s images,” Don said.
“It is very disappointing and we regard it as interfering with Thailand’s domestic political affairs,” the deputy minister said.
Don insisted that the impeachment of Yingluck was political but was implemented according to the law.
“We assume that the US does not understand Thai politics, particularly when it talks about the martial law, saying it wished Thailand lifted it,” he said.
If the law were lifted, Don said, he wanted to ask whether the US would be able to assume responsibility were something to happen.
While not ignoring the concerns of the US, he said that the country is stepping towards democracy with dignity. The current situation in Thailand has no impact on US society or its economy. On the contrary, the US received better cooperation during the political chaos.
“Maybe the US disagrees in principle only,” Don said.
