Thailand’s Military Junta Tells U.S. to Mind its Own Business

 

BANGKOK– Thailand’s Military Led Government summoned the U.S. charge d’affairs, Patrick Murphy for talks on after US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel roiled the junta during a visit by calling for an end to martial law and saying the impeachment of a former prime minister could be politically motivated.

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.

Mr.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”.

According to Reuters the comments from Daniel Russel, the highest-level U.S. official to visit Thailand since the coup, came a few days after ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was banned from politics for five years and indicted on criminal charges over a state rice buying scheme.

Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said “We don’t agree with the Assistant Secretary of State talking about politics at Chulalongkorn University. It hurt many Thais,” Thai deputy foreign minister Don Pramudwinai told reporters after summoning the U.S. charge d’affaires, Patrick Murphy. The meeting was held at the order of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-och

“If we comply with (Washington’s wish) and lift martial law and it leads to problems, how will those people who are asking for the lifting of martial law take responsibility?” he then stated. “In reality, Thais don’t even know there is martial law.”

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-och said he hoped that the latest flare-up would not affect bilateral trade, adding that economic ties were continuing as normal.

Gen Prayut said he felt sorry because the US had been a friend for over a century and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would inform it that Thailand had its own steps to a solution.

“Do not forget that our people, our lifestyle and our political leaders of the past are different from theirs. The US must also consider these contexts. In the past their representatives listened to the other side and we gave them freedom and did not oppose that. But they should double-check what they heard. They cannot listen to one-sided accounts,” the prime minister said.

As Thailand’s leader, Gen Prayut said he would not let any country intervene in its affairs as every nation had its dignity.

“I feel sorry for some expressions of opinion that are not right. It is not right to listen to that side and make such comments. I feel sorry for we have been friends for a long time,” Gen Prayut said.

He urged concerned parties to be rational and said his government adhered to a system of justice.