Trump-Prayut phone call: Closer ties begin
First time Thai Prime Minister invited to make state visit to US White House since 2006. Focus change from human rights to regional & economic issues.
First time Thai Prime Minister invited to make state visit to US White House since 2006. Focus change from human rights to regional & economic issues.
US-THAI RELATIONS
Trump-Prayut phone call: Closer ties being
Invite marks change in Obama human rights focus
2/05/2017
Kornchanok Raksaseri
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has accepted an invitation to visit the United States made by US President Donald Trump on Sunday night (that is an official state visit to the White House to meet with President Trump).
Local observers say this is an important sign of stepped-up security cooperation between the two countries.
FIRST THAI PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT THE US SINCE 2006 COUP
Mr Trump extended the offer by phone.
General Prayut suggested the newly elected US leader reciprocate with a similar trip to Bangkok, the government said Monday.
This would make Gen Prayut the first Thai prime minister to make an official visit to the US since 2006, when a Royal Thai Army coup ousted Thaksin Shinawatra from power.
Until now General Prayut has only attended international meetings in the US, including the UN General Assembly and the US-Asean Summit.
DRAMATIC CHANGE FROM OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
The offer marks a dramatic change in tone from the former administration of Barack Obama.
The Obama administration, despite giving much attention to Asia, refused to afford such prestige to the leader of a non-elected government.
THOUGH ELECTED, YINGLUCK WAS NEVER INVITED TO WHITE HOUSE
Gen Prayut's predecessor, elected premier Yingluck Shinawatra, never received a similar offer from the US.
Mr Trump and Gen Prayut "underscored their commitment to the longstanding alliance between the United States and Thailand, which actively contributes to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region", the White House said in a statement after Sunday's call.
The US President's Office added: "President Trump affirmed the commitment of the United States to playing an active and leading role in Asia, in close cooperation with partners and allies like Thailand, and invited Prime Minister Prayut to the White House."
TRUMP PHONE CALLS TO THAILAND, PHILLIPPINES & SINGAPORE AFTER SUMMIT
Mr Trump reportedly made phone calls to the leaders of Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore shortly after the 30th Asean Summit wrapped up in Manila on Saturday.
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte chaired the summit and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was also in attendance.
FOCUS SHIFTED FROM HUMAN RIGHTS TO ECONOMIC & REGIONAL ISSUES
Assoc Prof Panitan Wattanayagorn, adviser to the minister of defence and a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University expects to see more security collaboration.
There have been numerous bilateral exchanges and joint meetings of high-ranking security officials in recent months.
They are preparing for new strategic policies on both sides, he said.
"Some governments are [fixated] on democracy and human rights."
When the Trump administration shifts its focus from those issues, it can be seen as a change in policy," he said.
REGIONAL ISSUES & ECONOMIC TIES DISCUSSED
A source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two leaders also touched on regional issues during the phone call.
Mr Trump praised Gen Prayut for his leadership skill in bringing progress to Thailand and expressed interest in sending teams to the country to foster stronger economic ties, the source said.
Meanwhile, US ambassador to Thailand Glyn T Davies met General Prayut on Thursday evening seeking Thailand's support in helping resolve tensions on the Korean Peninsula before the premier left to attend the regional summit. Asean ministers on Friday issued a statement expressing "grave concern over the escalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea's two nuclear tests in 2016 and subsequent ballistic missile launches". The urged self-restraint and a de- escalation of tension.
STRENGTHENING US TIES WITH ASIA & ASEAN
Thammasat University director of Asean Studies Prapat Thepchatree said Mr Trump may have been advised to strengthen ties with Asia, Asean and particularly Thailand in light of dropping Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deals.
Washington appears to be carefully reshaping its overall strategy to maintain its dominance in the region, limit the influence of China and cement ties with its Asian allies, Mr Prapat said.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to meet Asean foreign ministers on Thursday in Washington.
Media reports claim Mr Trump may attend the next Asean Summit in November.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1242010/trumps-call-signals-closer-ties
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/01/donald-trump-rebuilds-us-relations-with-thailand-and-philippines
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-04-30/trump-invites-leaders-of-thailand-singapore-to-the-white-house
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2017/05/01/thai-prime-minister-accepts-trump-invitation-visit/he9O44n9I45w1DwIx6tSjJ/story.html
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