Thais have reason to be disappointed with US

Kavi Chongkittavorn was right in saying that after the latest coup, Thailand has pursued a foreign policy to seek more new friends. As China has been able to merge economic and security interests to fit into the region as the opportunity arises, an adverse impact on the US plan to build a regional order looks inevitable. Thai people are disappointed at the lack of respect for Thailand from the US government.

First, the US government, by leaving the post of ambassador to Thailand open until now – after former ambassador Kristie Kenney left in November – makes it appear Thailand is unimportant as far as the US is concerned. Second, during her mission in Thailand, Kenney made the diplomatic error of openly siding with people who represent only one side of Thailand’s political conflict. This was an apparent show of bias that aggravated Thailand’s domestic conflict.

Third, CIA operatives stationed in Bangkok have been paying regular visits to the “Red Villages” in the Northeast. These villages are designed and run by former members of the Communist Party of Thailand – and are off-limits to even prominent Thai politicians such as former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva. This clearly shows an intrusion into Thailand’s internal affairs.

These are only three of the many questions that need satisfactory explanations.

What has Thailand done to be relegated to a second-rate friend and ally of the US?

Vint Chavala