Thailand to use 'quiet diplomacy' to make Myanmar democratic

Mar 20, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Thailand pledged Thursday to help transform Myanmar into a democracy through quiet diplomacy, but said that change has to come from within and Western sanctions against its military-ruled neighbor would fail. (I hope Noppadon or his boss Thaksin talks to the U.S. like this (for their country, Thailand) when the U.S. and EU put up so many barriers and sanctions against Thailand since Sep 19, 2006 coup, instead of made a World tour and giving shit to his country. Yet, during U.S.-U.K. Iraq invasion, Thaksin has done nothing but agreed with them by sending Thai troops into Iraq. Yet again, don't for get to include the CIA secret prison in Thailand rumor in your considerations.)

Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said, as a start, his country would help Myanmar organize a May constitutional referendum preceding elections, both of which he emphasized should be "inclusive and credible."

"Quietly though slowly, we aim to turn this burden of proximity into a pragmatic opportunity for the sake of the people of Myanmar, our next door neighbour," he said at a forum of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Speaking after talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, where Myanmar was a key subject, Noppadon said the issue should not be a stumbling block to relations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"As things now stand, we should be frank the ASEAN-US partnership has been kept from developing to its full potential in no small part by the issue of Myanmar," said the foreign minister of the newly elected Thai government.

"In fact, this issue has unfortunately even spilled over into the discussion on Thai-US relations. My question is: is this worth it for both of us?."

Noppadon emphasized that imposing sanctions or putting pressure on Myanmar "would not work," saying that economic engagement with the state, as well as technical assistance and infrastructure development to it, could help lay the foundation for a successful democracy.

"As a friend, Thailand can give Myanmar neighborly advice and as a friend, we will be in better position to persuade them to see the merit of democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law," he said. (This is so funny. Respect for human rights? Somchai the lawyer is still missing!! and again democracy or capitalism?)

"Indeed, if Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines could be taken as examples, democratic change has to come from within and not from outside."

Noppadon also said that he had conveyed the concerns of the international community to Myanmar's ruling military junta during Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's visit to Yangon last week.

World powers condemned Myanmar's military general for their bloody crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protests in September last year.

At least 31 people died in the unrest, according to the United Nations, although Human Rights Watch put the toll at more than 100. (Last year, the number of innocent died in the Southern unrest was more than 2,000)

Noppadon said he also informed Myanmar's military rulers of "our wish to see continued momentum towards democratization and national reconciliation, the need for credible and inclusive referendum and elections, and importance of Myanmar's continued cooperation with the United Nations.

"As a first step, the Myanmar authorities have been receptive to our offer to share Thailand's experiences on holding a national referendum for the constitution," he said. (We are in the conflict again due to current constitution's strong penalty for committed unlawful election activities)

The referendum is meant to pave the way for multiparty elections in 2010.

But pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party's sweeping victory in 1990 elections was not recognized by the military, is barred from participating in the vote under the newly drafted constitution because she had been married to a foreigner. (Noppadon has never mentioned about Aung San Suu Kyi. Looks like he doesn't care about the people who fights for democracy.)

The Nobel peace prize winner has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest.

Noppadon stressed the political limitations in ASEAN, where member states cannot interfere in each other's internal affairs.

"That is a line we cannot cross but we (Thailand) will, as the new chairman of ASEAN, engage more actively with Myanmar. I am a pragmatist and optimist and hope that one day there would be change in Myanmar."

Thailand will take over this summer from Singapore as chairman of the 10-member ASEAN grouping, which also comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Thai FM Wants Engagement With Myanmar

Mar 20, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thailand's new foreign minister said Thursday that sanctions favored by the United States and other powers are not spurring change in Myanmar and urged engagement with Myanmar's military leaders instead.

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, who represents the first elected Thai government since a 2006 military coup, said he discussed Myanmar and the need for a greater U.S. role in Southeast Asia with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday.

The Bush administration favors a harsh sanctions policy against Myanmar's junta. After a violent crackdown by the junta in September against pro-democracy demonstrators, Western countries tightened sanctions against Myanmar, also called Burma, but Southeast Asian countries have done little to increase pressure. Thailand, Myanmar's neighbor to the west, is a major trading partner.

"Sanctions hardly work," Noppadon told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. "If you impose more sanctions, those who will suffer are ordinary people."

Speaking on the 175th anniversary of relations between the United States and Thailand, Noppadon said "true economic engagement" would help improve the lives of Myanmar's people and would allow those countries engaged with Myanmar to push for democracy and human rights changes.

"Democratic change has to come from within and not from outside," he said.

Last month, Thailand returned to an elected government as a Cabinet packed with politicians tied to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was sworn in by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej leads a coalition government assembled after his People's Power Party won the most parliamentary seats in a December election. The party, formed by Thaksin loyalists, is regarded as a vehicle for the former leader.

Thaksin was toppled by a Sept. 19, 2006, coup after months of demonstrations demanding that he step down because of alleged corruption and abuse of power.

My Take: "Democratic change has to come from within and not from outside," <--- That hit Bush and his administration right in the face. Everything sounds good, but wait!! The southern unrest is still going on and U.S. troops are still in Iraq making peace :D One more question, any hidden agenda with making peace with Myanmar? Noppadon

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j3in4goLN6WM82-KeIoWUGTNndbgD8VHFCPG0

JUDICIAL NOMINEES

Samak cries foul over choice of thaksin critics

Says judges should not be openly critical of ex-PM

March 26, 2008

THAILAND, Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday questioned the nomination of four judges with critical views of the former Thaksin Shinawatra government, while the Constitution Court selection committee insisted the process was proper and unbiased.

"I have doubts about Constitution Court judges who openly opposed the previous government," he said in reference to the upcoming litigation involving Thaksin and his allies.

Samak also said he viewed it as unusual to nominate only hostile judges ahead of the electoral-fraud cases linked to three coalition parties, including his People Power Party, punishable by party dissolution.

The four-member selection committee voted to nominate four candidates for vetting by the Senate before submitting their names for royal command of appointment.

Picked for their expertise in the law are Justice permanent-secretary Jaral Phakdeethanakul and Appeal Court Senior Judge Wasant Soipisut.

Nominated for their expertise in political science and public administration are two retired diplomats: Supot Kaimook and Chalermphol Ek-uru.

Responsible for the four nominations are Supreme Court president Virat Limvichai, Supreme Administrative Court president Ackaratorn Chularat, National Counter Corruption Commission chairman Panthep Glanarongran and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat is an ex-officio member of the committee and has been on a leave of absence, due to his trial for electoral fraud.

Jaral and Wasant won their nominations in the first round of open balloting with three and four votes, respectively.

Jaral secured less than a unanimous endorsement, because Virat cast his vote for another candidate.

Supot received his nomination in a unanimous decision in the first round of voting.

Chalermphol went through three rounds of voting before securing three votes for his endorsement.

The four, if appointed, will sit on the nine-judge bench for a term of nine years. The five ex-officio judges comprise three from the Supreme Court and two from the Supreme Adminis-trative Court.

The Supreme Court is expected to convene its full bench meeting on April 4 to elect three judges for the high court in a peer vote.

"Each selection-committee member has exercised his individual discretion to the best of his ability to nominate the most qualified and capable candidates for the job," Virat said in his capacity as leader of the selection process.

He said he had no reply to criticism the four successful candidates were seen as critical of the government.

"I can only say each candidate is suitable for the job, but I cannot vouch for future performance," he said.

Ackaratorn said the selection process was free and fair and that each committee member cast votes independently without any outside pressure.

"I don't think people in such senior positions would allow themselves to be dictated about what to do. If these people could be ordered around, then there would be no hope for the country," he said.

He said there was no linkage between the selection process for judges and an alleged plot to undermine or overthrow the government via the judicial process. "The speculation has gone overboard, as no one is capable of taking the entire country into own hands," he said.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/26/politics/politics_30069193.php

My take: If you are not Thaksin's nominee and were not engaged in illegal acctivities then you have nothing to worry about.....................But TOO BAD, YOU ARE!!!

EC has no script to destroy PPP: Prapun

THAILAND, Electon Commission member Prapun Naigowit on Tuesday ruled out the allegation that the EC was bent on destroying the People Power Party by citing the electoral fraud as a pretext.

"There is no written script nor conspiracy to fault any party and the EC is doing its job strictly in accordance with the law," he said.

Prapun was reacting remarks by coalition leaders raising concern on the leeway to dissolve a party.

Although it was up to political parties to decide whether to amend Article 237 of the 237 Constitution, this provision on party dissolution was nothing new as it was enforced since the suspended 1997 Constitution and its organic laws, he said.

The leeway allowed under the present charter was about the party's linkage to the fraud, he said, adding that not every case of campaign violations linked to the party would lead to disbandment.

He said the EC would not link its work to the ongoing move to amend the charter.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30069137

My Take:  Doesn't want the dissolution? then why didn't they stop buying votes and engaging in illegal acts in the first place!!   The new constitution was designed to stop dirty political parties and corrupted politicians.

Singapore Bans PM Salary Hike Talking

SINGAPORE 2007 -- Singapore has banned seven foreigners, including three members of the European Parliament, from speaking at an opposition party debate on Friday on a big pay hike for ministers and civil servants.

The government said this week that ministers and senior civil servants would enjoy a 60 percent pay increase, giving them an average salary of S$1.9 million ($1.25 million).

The prime minister's pay is set to jump to S$3.1 million -- five times what the president of the United States earns.

The announcement has drawn widespread criticism from ordinary Singaporeans given the country's widening income gap and the fact the city-state's ministers were already among the highest-paid in the world.

The police told the Singapore Democratic Party it could not hold a public forum on Friday to discuss the increases, and the immigration authority rejected applications for professional visit passes for the seven foreigners the SDP invited to speak.

"Singapore's politics are reserved for Singaporeans. As visitors to our country, foreigners should not abuse their privilege by interfering in our domestic politics," the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement issued on its Web site late on Thursday.

"Foreigners who abuse the privileges that Singapore accords to guests and visitors, and meddle in Singapore's domestic politics, are not welcome here," the Ministry said.

The barred speakers include European parliament members Graham Watson of the United Kingdom, Anders Samuelsen of Denmark, and Lydie Polfer of Luxembourg, a former deputy prime minister of that country.

Under Singapore's Public Entertainments and Meetings Act, public speaking is generally prohibited unless it has been licensed by the government.

Singaporeans who wish to speak indoors do not need to be licensed, but forums featuring foreign speakers require a permit, the ministry said.

Chee Siok Chin, sister of party leader Chee Soon Juan and a senior party member herself, said the SDP would go ahead with the forum with local speakers.

"You have this autocratic government coming down and showing utter disrespect for our international peers. I'm ashamed," she said on Friday.

She said the seven foreigners barred from speaking at the forum are currently in Singapore.

According to the SDP Web site, Chee Soon Juan plans to speak at the forum and rebut remarks made by Lee Kuan Yew, modern Singapore's first prime minister, about the ministers' pay hike.

Lee said earlier this week that Singapore should pay ministers competitive wages because the city-state needs an "extraordinary government with extraordinary government officers".

Military MID-YEAR RESHUFFLE

MID-YEAR RESHUFFLE

Officers close to junta on way out and allies of Thakin back in

Thailand, The royal command for the mid-year military reshuffle was released on Thursday involving 383 positions in the Defence Ministry, the Supreme Command and the three wings of the armed forces.

Many officers seen as close to the junta were kicked upstairs to fill ceremonial positions while those seen as close to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to key assignments. The majority of Thaksin's military allies are Pre-Cadet Class 10 graduates.

General Somjet Boonthanom, director general of the Defence Finance Department, was appointed chief adviser to the Defence Ministry. He used to serve as head of the Secretariat of the Council for National Security

Maj General Prin Suwanthat, a staunch supporter of Thaksin, would be an aide of Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej. He was transferred from the position of commander of the 1st Infantry Division to an inactive post following the seizure of power.

Lt General Sunai Sappatawanit, commander of the Special Warfare Command, was sidelined to an advisory position in the Army. He was handpicked by junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin in September to lead the crack troops.

General Ninnart Beowkaimuk, an aide to former interim prime minister Surayud Chualanont, received his new assignment as Army expert.

The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/20/politics/politics_30068694.php

Sutha faces scrutiny over his qualifications

Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat promised further examination into the educational credentials of Social Development and Human Security Minister Sutha Chansaeng if that would clear any suspicion, said yesterday.

Published on March 20, 2008

Somchai, who is also deputy prime minister, said Sutha's educational background was checked by the Cabinet Secretariat when he was appointed to the Cabinet.

"We can do the checking again if there is any suspicion. We will make things clear and there will be no attempt to hide anything," Somchai said. He said the Education Ministry would work with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in any further probe about Sutha's educational background.

Sutha, who insisted that he had graduated with a bachelor's degree, said that he was "glad" to be examined. "I am ready to cooperate to allow the truth to be known," he said.

The Constitution requires members of the Cabinet to have at least a bachelor's degree, compared to the 1997 charter, which also required Members of Parliament to have minimum university education.

A recent document by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security stated that the minister graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce (Management) from Republican College, Philippines, in 1984.

Sutha has never specified the information in previous official documents about his educational background.

In 1985, his campaign flyer for Bangkok's City Council election stated his maximum education as Grade 12. In his campaign flyer for last year's general election, it was specified as an Advanced Diploma and Certificate in Logistics and Transport. The CSC secretary-general, Preecha Watcharaphai, yesterday said the agency had made an initial investigation and discovered that the Republican College is an institution of higher education that is certified by the CSC.

However, the agency has not investigated whether Sutha actually graduated from the college as that would infringe on his personal right.

Hassaya Chartmontri

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/20/politics/politics_30068667.php

My Take: Yeah! Something is not right!! Lots of discrepancies.

FIRE TRUCKS SCANDAL

Apirak is a true Democrat : Abhisit

BKK City Governor Apirak Kosayodhin suspended his duty on Thursday after anti-graft committee linked him to fire truck scandals.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said City Governor Apirak Kosayodhin is a true Democrat after he announced to suspend his duty to show accountability for the fire trucks scandal.

"Apirak has done his best to consult with relevant agencies about the legality of the contract but he was told to comply with it. He had no other options," Abhisit said.

He was referring to Apirak's involvement in making downpayments inspite of irregularities which led to the graft ruling against him.

The job suspension happened a day following the ruling by the Assets Examination Committee to suspect foul play involving Apirak and three other senior officials relating to the purchase contract for fire trucks signed when Prime Minister Samak Sunadaravej was the city governor.

Samak has been singled out among the first batch of suspects and is rebutting charges in the pre-trial preparations.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/13/politics/politics_30068043.php

FIRE TRUCKS SCANDAL: Nathanon "doesn't have to quit": Sutha

FIRE TRUCKS SCANDAL

Nathanon "doesn't have to quit": Sutha

The boss of Nathanon Thavisin on Thursday insisted he would not suspend her from the position of adviser to the Social Development and Human Security Ministry inspite of her involvement in irregularities relating to the fire trucks scandal.

Minister Sutha Chansaeng said Nathanon's present job had no bearing on the case which happened when she was the city clerk of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

"Nathanon is advising me on the affairs of women and children and I don't think this has anything to do with the charges raised against her," he said.

Nathanon is among the second batch of suspects which include Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin and former commerce minister Watana Muangsuk from the Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

The naming of additional suspects is the fallout from the graft indictments against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej who approved the suspicious deal when he was the city governor.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/13/politics/politics_30068045.php

Abhisit praises Apirak for showing accountability

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said Apirak Kosayodhin is a true Democrat after the Bangkok governor announced to suspend his duty in order to show accountability for the fire trucks scandal.

"Apirak has done his best to consult with relevant agencies about the legality of the contract but he was told to comply with it and had no other options," Abhisit said in reference to Apirak's involvement in making downpayments inspite of irregularities which led to the graft ruling against him.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30068041

My Take:
It's a good example for all Thai politicians. Even though this can be looked as making his image (or Democrat Party) looks better than PPP's people including Samuk S. the P.M. The bar has been raised.

FOURTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY - Missing Lawyer Somchai

FOURTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Missing Lawyer Somchai

Angkhana Neelaphaichit delivers a statement at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on the fourth anniversary of the disappearance of her husband, Somchai, on Wednesday

While this statement is read, I am at the United Nations' Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Switzerland, to present a report on the human rights situation in Thailand and also to report on the latest developments and obstacles in the investigation of the disappearance of Mr Somchai Neelapaichit, which was taken up by the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (UNWGED) four years ago.

"The first trial implicating five police officers in the disappearance of Somchai Neelapaichit, who were charged with coercion and robbery, ended two years ago and the First Court's verdict stated that there was a police officer together with another three to five persons who forced Somchai into a car before he disappeared on March 12, 2004.

"This court case is now under the consideration of the Court of Appeal. The Department of Special Investigations has been in charge of investigating the case and pressing further charges. In addition, the DSI has requested that the Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission investigate police officers who were allegedly torturing Somchai's clients in January 2004.

"It is believed that Somchai was abducted because of his complaint against the torture allegations.

"The present government of Samak Sundaravej sacked Mr Sunai Manomai-udom and appointed Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong as acting director of the Department of Special Investigations, and Police General Sombat Amornwiwat as an advisor to the Ministry of Justice. Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong stated in an interview to the media that he will give priority to the Somchai Neelapaichit case.

"In commemoration of Somchai's disappearance four years ago, I would like to make the following appeal to the Thai government and the DSI:

"1. To request that the Thai government and the DSI be sincere in bringing justice to this case and prosecuting the wrongdoers, including high-ranking police officers, as it is my belief that his enforced disappearance is a heinous crime against humanity.

"2. To request that the DSI be courageous and to call Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand, to give testimony as a witness in this case. Information has been received that a close colleague of Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra went to search for information and a picture of Mr Somchai Neelapaichit at the Government Identification Information Centre. In addition, Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin, himself, stated in an interview to all media on January 13, 2006, the day after the verdict of the First Court, that he knows "that Somchai has passed away because evidence suggests so…"

"As Thaksin was prime minister at that time, this interview must be credible and he must have had enough evidence before saying this.

"3. Contained in the verdict of the First Court, the testimony of a plaintiff witness reveals that "...Police Major General Krisada Phankongchuen received information from Police Lieutenant Colonel Wannaphong Kotcharath that Police Lieutenant Colonel Charnchai Likhitkhanthasorn had met with a known group of people in front of the Crime Suppression Unit, who informed him that they were going to abduct a corrupt lawyer. Later, Police Lieutenant Colonel Charnchai informed Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong about this information..."

"Therefore, Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, who is now the acting director of the DSI, has the responsibility to clarify whether he knew of Somchai Neelapaichit's disappearance.

"4. To request that the DSI be very careful in this case and to try to compile strong evidence so that the wrongdoers will be prosecuted. The DSI should not hurry to pursue the case in court without relevant and strong evidence. A lack of strong evidence means that the real culprits will not be prosecuted, or that innocent people will be punished for crimes they did not commit.

"5. To request that the Thai government ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, in order to guarantee the safety and protection of everyone from enforced disappearance.

"I strongly believe that the success of the Somchai Neelapaichit case will be determined by the sincerity of the government and the effectiveness of the DSI. Of particular concern is the fact that Police General Sombat Amornwiwat, who was the former supervisor of the five accused persons standing trial in the case before, is now an advisor to the Ministry of Justice. "At the same time, I would like to give my support to every officer who works under the rule of law and tries to bring to justice those people who have either committed crimes or give shelter to human rights violators.

"Lastly, I would like to thank my Thai sisters and brothers who continue to give warm support while facing these obstacles to justice.

"I and my family are constantly receiving friendship from various people in society. This gives me the strength to keep fighting for justice.

Thank you.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/12/national/national_30067968.php