Deals with US really of benefit to Thais?
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Thailand sent a pair of linguistically challenged representatives to an international meeting.
The result is that the prime minister has agreed to two US initiatives, neither of which may be in Thailand's best interests. Admittedly the foreign minister backtracked on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, saying it needed further consideration. With the secretary-general of Asean putting the view that the TPP takes economic cooperation among its members further than Asean is prepared to go, the government should take some time to reconsider the PM’s position.
The agreement on nuclear weapons, the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), is a mistake. The US controls what goes on in the nuclear field. The PSI is just a badge of allegiance brought about by George “are you for me or against me?” W Bush to carry out war crimes in the invasion of sovereign states with trumped up charges. Iran is the current target.
Acquiescence to all of the US’ wishes has earned Yingluck a visit to the United States, but at what price to a proudly independent Thailand?
Richard Bowler
Bangkok
