In defence of the US embassy
Re: "Pramote's embarrassment a lesson for US embassy", Letters, June 29.
It seems there are a couple of Thais out there who enjoy conversation and an exchange of ideas with foreigners so long as the foreigners don’t say anything that makes them uncomfortable. It is true that the American embassy made a stupid mistake, but what does an embassy do in a foreign country if not protecting its citizens in that country? And how can it do that if it doesn’t become involved in or emotional about the issues taking place in the host country?
The embassy was simply trying to be supportive of the incumbent government. Its mistake was misreading the politics of an individual citizen, not one of basic protocol. Further, it did not issue yet another warning for farang to mind their business based on chauvinist zeal. Keep it up and you will have no foreigners contributing letters to the newspaper.
John Arnone
