Should you be 'surprised' at all at the reaction of the Thai
military govt? Does it not in any way mirror the typical response
from our ruling party when it suits them? The way our govt lacks
the human touch when providing a response to its own people, is a
clear reflection of the mannerism our govt conducts itself,
answerable to no one save their own.
Given the already political atmosphere and animosity between the
current Thai govt and Thaksin, it should come as no surprise that
Singapore's preceived belligerence bellies the arrogance in their
actions. Could it be that our learned ministers and leaders failed
to take into account the political repercussions of such a 'social
visit'?
Surely after Temaesk's buyout of Shin Corp sparking dismay among
the Thais, arguably the indirect cause of the military coup, along
with the friendly nature Thakin enjoys with our govt, how could
anyone expect the current Thai administration to consider his
recent 'social vist' to be little more than a house call and
private get-together?
Has our govt, coupled by many of the responses in this thread,
failed to consider the insensitivity of our govt's 'learned'
actions, despite their claims to sovereign rights as a
nation?
Singapore is "saddened" with
Thailand's action over Thaksin's meeting with Jayakumar
It regrets Thai government's decision to cancel exchange programme
and rescind invitation to Foreign Minister George Yeo to attend a
joint meeting
By Irene Ngoo
Jan 16, 2007
AsiaOne
Singapore says it is "saddened" that Thailand had decided to cancel
a civil service exchange programme with Singapore and rescind its
invitation to Foreign Minister George Yeo to attend the joint
meeting in Bangkok at the end of this month, in what is seen as a
protest against a meeting between ousted Thai Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra and Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar last
weekend.
The latest Thai diplomatic retaliation came shortly after
Singapore's ambassador to Thailand, Mr Peter Chan, was summoned by
the Thai Foreign Ministry permanent secretary earlier today to
explain why Mr Thaksin was allowed to meet such a top government
figure in the city-state.
The Singapore Foreign Ministry had said Mr Thaksin was in Singapore
for a private visit and had requested to meet Professor Jayakumar,
who is an "old friend."
"We expressed dissatisfaction with the incident and the explanation
made by Singapore authorities," Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman
Kitti Wasinondh said today, explaining why the Thai government was
suspending the Thailand-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme
(CSEP) and cancelling the CSEP coordinating meeting that was
scheduled to be held from Jan 29 to 31. Bangkok also rescinded an
invitation to Minister Yeo to attend the joint meeting.
"Singapore should be more cautious about allowing such movements
since we have already revoked Thaksin's diplomatic passport," added
the spokesman, who said Singapore's ambassador was informed of the
Thai government's decision during his meeting with foreign ministry
permanent secretary Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn.
The Singapore Foreign Ministry, in response to media queries on
Thailand's action, said in a statement tonight: "The Singapore
Government hopes that Thailand can appreciate Singapore's position
on the visit.
"The Thai Government did not notify us that Dr Thaksin has been
charged for any offence. There is also no restriction on where he
can travel to. He had chosen to make a visit to Singapore on his
own. Dr Thaksin had asked to meet Deputy Prime Minister Professor S
Jayakumar, who is an old friend.
"It was purely a social and private meeting. No official calls or
meetings were arranged. Thai nationals do not require visas to
visit Singapore. There is no reason for Singapore to turn Dr
Thaksin away. Prior to Singapore, Dr Thaksin had also visited
several other countries without any protest by the Thai
Government."
The statement said Singapore was "saddened" that the Thai
government had chosen to take this course of action."
"We hope Thailand will respect Singapore's position as that of a
sovereign country. We value the longstanding friendly relations
with Thailand," it added.
Since his removal in a military coup on Sept 19, Mr Thaksin has
spent most of his time travelling to London, Beijing, Hong Kong,
Bali and now Singapore, where he is expected to stay for a couple
more days before leaving for China, said an AFP report.
He also used his Singapore visit to give his first televised
interview since his ouster, telling the American media that he had
no intention of returning to Thai politics and had nothing to do
with the bomb blasts in the capital on New Year's Eve, which the
military has blamed on his political supporters. He also warned
that the Thai public would not tolerate military rule in the
kingdom for long.
Thai military government muzzling media coverage on Thaksin
AP reports: The military council that removed Thaksin has renewed
attempts to muzzle the media and its coverage of Thaksin. The
generals asked broadcasters last week to limit coverage of comments
by Thaksin and his representatives in the name of national unity,
prompting a media outcry. But the government succeeded in blocking
certain broadcasts.
A CNN interview with Thaksin broadcast elsewhere on Monday evening
was not shown in Thailand.
Cable TV provider UBC decided "not to broadcast the interview,"
said a UBC official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of
the sensitivity of the subject. The official said there had been no
particular order from coup leaders not to air the interview.
CNN spokeswoman Yvonne Yuen at the network's Asian headquarters in
Hong Kong had no immediate comment.
"We are unable to comment on the action taken by affiliates," she
said.
Since the coup, the military and the temporary government it
installed have blamed Thaksin and his supporters for trying to
cause unrest to destabilize the country. Thaksin has denied the
allegations, for which no evidence has been produced.
Thaksin has been barred from returning to the country since the
coup.
In the CNN interview, Thaksin repeated that he has retired from
politics.
"Enough is enough," he said, adding that it was time to "contribute
to the Thai society outside the political arena."
In a separate interview published Monday in The Wall Street
Journal, Thaksin said he would not try to return to power.
"I reassure them they shouldn't feel worried about me," he said,
adding that he will not seek to regain his old job, but will remain
a member of his political party.
Reader's comment
An AsiaOne reader, Mr Eng Frank, who read this story, immediately
posted his comments on AsiaOne, saying: "The new Thai government
appointed after the coup is practising strong arm bullying tactic
as far as the recent visit by the ousted former PM to Singapore is
concerned.
"Why don't they summon the Chinese High Com,US High Com,British
High Com and Indonesian High Com to give an account as to why their
governments provide free travel and freedom for Mr Thaksin to
stay?"
