Thailand praises John McCain as a good friend and strong supporter of Thai-US relations
Thailand has expressed condolences following the passing of John McCain, who died at the age of 81 on August 25, praising the late US senator as “a good friend of Thailand and strong supporter of Thai-American relations”.
“Senator McCain was recognised for his selfless service to his country,” reads a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. “His legacy and patriotic service to his country will serve as an inspiration and example for many around the world.”
The Cold War veteran made a noted contribution to US-Southeast Asia relations, and especially to relations with Vietnam, where he was held as a prisoner of war during 1967 to 1973.
After his return to the US, when he started engaging in politics, he was among the first to normalise US-Vietnam relations through promoting humanitarian assistance in the post-Cold War era to the country in which he had suffered.
He represented the Republican Party in the 2008 US presidential campaign, but lost to the Democrats’ Barack Obama.
Later, he became one of only a few prominent critics in his party of the current Republican president, Donald Trump – criticism which he continued until his death.