US warns on political 'fairness

The first senior US envoy to visit Thailand since the May 22 coup last year voiced grave concerns Monday over the political situation in the country, "a long-time friend and an important ally" of his own country.

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Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn was given the task of trying to convince US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel that Thailand is on the path to democracy. APICHART JINAKUL

US warns on political 'fairness

Ariane Kupferman-Suthavong, Prangthong Jitcharoenkul & Patsara Jikkam

The first senior US envoy to visit Thailand since the May 22 coup last year voiced grave concerns Monday over the political situation in the country, particularly judicial standards, curbs on freedom, and martial law.

Speaking at a conference on US engagement in Asia held at Chulalongkorn University, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel raised worries about judicial fairness, which is part of the process to promote political reconciliation.

Mr Russel said the perception of fairness, or lack thereof, would affect Thailand's position in the international community.

"When an elected leader is deposed from office, then impeached by the authority that implemented the coup — and is being targeted with criminal charges while basic democratic processes and institutions are interrupted, the international community is left with the impression that these steps could, in fact, be politically driven," he said, without identifying any leader in particular but clearly referring to former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra who was impeached by the coup-installed National Legislative Assembly (NLA) last week.

Mr Russels listens to a long list of complaints from former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra whose government was deposed by the May 22 coup and then she herself was retroactively removed from office by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). US State Department photo.

However, Mr Russel insisted the US does not take sides in Thai politics but it is concerned about restraints on freedom of speech and public gatherings.

"I understand that this is a very sensitive issue, and so I bring it up with humility and respect for the Thai people.

"The US does not take sides in Thai politics. We believe it is for the Thai people to determine the legitimacy of their political and legal processes. But we are concerned about significant restraints on freedoms since the coup, including restrictions on speech and assembly," he said.

Ending martial law throughout the country and removing restrictions on speech and assembly would be important steps towards a genuinely inclusive reform process which would reflect the broad diversity in the country, he said.

Mr Russel said the US administration hopes to see a political process which would reinforce the confidence of the Thai people in its government as well as judicial institutions that build confidence internationally. These moves would show that Thailand is moving towards a stable and participatory democracy.

The US envoy, however, reaffirmed the nations' long-standing relations, even though they were affected by last year's coup. "Our relationship with Thailand has been challenged by the military-coup that removed a democratically-elected government eight months ago," Mr Russel said.

Mr Russel meets Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. US State Department photo.

However, Thailand is a long-time friend and an important ally of the US and both countries have a long-standing history of broad cooperation in a wide range of issues, he said.

"We care deeply about this relationship and we care deeply about our friendship with all the Thai people," he said.

The US has a huge interest in Thailand's success, he added.

Earlier in the day, Mr Russel and Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, the foreign minister, held a meeting where Mr Tanasak, under instructions from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, tried to convince the US that Thailand is on the path to democracy.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Sek Wannamethee, said after the meeting that Gen Tanasak explained to the US envoy that martial law is still necessary to maintain peace and order. Gen Tanasak also maintained that the country is following its democratic roadmap.

"The US envoy reaffirmed the US-Thai diplomatic relationship and engagement in several issues which have received international concern such as transnational crime, terrorism and deadly epidemics," Mr Sek said.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said the impeachment of Ms Yingluck was not discussed in the meeting.

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