News Forum - Thailand confirms neutral stance, encourages ‘dialogue’ on Russia-Ukraine

[Thaiger]

A government spokesman confirmed yesterday that Thailand will remain neutral on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The spokesman said due to the threat by Covid-19, Thailand doesn’t want any international conflict to worsen the public health crisis. He also restated what foreign ministers have said, that all parties should excersise “maximum restraint”. He stressed that PM Prayut has supported a policy of ‘dialogue’ to achieve peace. The director-general of Thailand’s Department of Employment said there are currently 441 Thai workers in Russia. He said most of them are spa workers and massage therapists. He said some of them are paying travel expenses […]

The story Thailand confirms neutral stance, encourages ‘dialogue’ on Russia-Ukraine as seen on Thaiger News.

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[Shade_Wilder]

"A government spokesman confirmed yesterday that Thailand will remain neutral on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "

I try to be sympathetic to Thailand about this as I do recognize that Thailand does have commercial interests at stake.

However, when a children's hospital gets bombed in a war caused by the ego of one man, I can't.

Thailand; there are ethical situations which transcend economics, and this is one of them.

Neutrality in this case is an immoral act.

[Changnam43]

I think the best you can say is that they are consistent.

Consistently weak and spineless.

[Totoro]

Hard, very hard to digest this "statement". How cynical is it to use Covid-19 as an excuse. .......to worsen the public health crises. Thailand denouncing the killing of children, mothers,fathers, pregnant women, the bombing of a maternity ward will worsen the public health crises in Thailand???

Certainly my blood pressure is sky rocketing right now.

[Rocco]

Cowards

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

  On 3/11/2022 at 2:49 AM, Thaiger said:

A government spokesman confirmed yesterday that Thailand will remain neutral

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So it shouldn’t need a navy, airforce or an army of green then. All it will need is to increase the number of politicians to spread the manure around as thick as it can.

[Sparks]

For most small countries, declaring to be neutral, is pragmatic. We did see Thailand vote for the UN resolution against the invasion, as most countries did (India and China abstaining), so that is good. However, stating you are 'neutral' becomes awkward when we see the devastation happening in Ukraine by an attacking force. These countries just want to hide on the issue and hope it goes away, saying things like we support "dialogue." Neutrality in action/response is one thing but neutrality in morality and criminality is another. Thailand needs to understand that differentiation and I would advise it to be more vocal in the condemnation of what is occuring inside Ukraine's borders, even if it chooses to remain neutral in its response to that cruelty. 

[Fanta]

What % of tourists are Russians? There’s your answer. 

[totes]

One more reason not to travel & spend my monies in Thailand.  Neutral!?

Thailand's spineless leadership is one w/ the likes of North Korea, Myanmar regimes now?

yikes.  very sad to hear this.

[oldschooler]

  On 3/11/2022 at 3:10 AM, Shade_Wilder said:

"A government spokesman confirmed yesterday that Thailand will remain neutral on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "

I try to be sympathetic to Thailand about this as I do recognize that Thailand does have commercial interests at stake.

However, when a children's hospital gets bombed in a war caused by the ego of one man, I can't.

Thailand; there are ethical situations which transcend economics, and this is one of them.

Neutrality in this case is an immoral act.

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Neutrality here is effectively supporting the bigger aggressor.

asking  “both sides” to “cease violence & “ deescalate” is just absurd….

just as the “ neutral “ WW2 European countries effectively supported nazism by selling them goods & services….

[Soidog]

A new meaning to LOS

Land Of Spineless 

[EdwardV]

  On 3/11/2022 at 3:01 PM, oldschooler said:

Neutrality here is effectively supporting the bigger aggressor.

asking  “both sides” to “cease violence & “ deescalate” is just absurd….

just as the “ neutral “ WW2 European countries effectively supported nazism by selling them goods & services….

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There is an op-ed in the BP which put it well: 

Thailand's failure to champion international law would signal something else entirely: that we lack faith in the very institutions designed to protect countries like ours from the depredations of greater powers. By extension, weaker countries would have to put themselves under the protection of powerful patrons. The post-war rules-based international architecture, already under attack, would weaken further, opening the door to a more anarchic regime where might once again makes right.

Thailand must take stand on Ukraine (bangkokpost.com)

In remaining neutral, Thailand is helping the world return to a time when large powerful countries would attack and swallow up smaller countries for selfish reasons with little to no repercussions. 

[oldschooler]

  On 3/11/2022 at 3:08 PM, Soidog said:

A new meaning to LOS

Land Of Spineless 

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Land of Sellout

[Soidog]

  On 3/11/2022 at 3:10 PM, EdwardV said:

In remaining neutral, Thailand is helping the world return to a time when large powerful countries would attack and swallow up smaller countries for selfish reasons with little to no repercussions. 

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Great point. 
 

In every conflict you need to decide which side you support. That choice should hopefully be guided by universal principles and the principles of internationally agreed laws and norms. Remaining neutral is a total cop out. Given the intellect rial capacity of the Thai government it is little wonder they can’t decide. Let’s hope the world remembers this should Thailand find itself being pushed around. 

[oldschooler]

  On 3/11/2022 at 3:10 PM, EdwardV said:

There is an op-ed in the BP which put it well: 

Thailand's failure to champion international law would signal something else entirely: that we lack faith in the very institutions designed to protect countries like ours from the depredations of greater powers. By extension, weaker countries would have to put themselves under the protection of powerful patrons. The post-war rules-based international architecture, already under attack, would weaken further, opening the door to a more anarchic regime where might once again makes right.

Thailand must take stand on Ukraine (bangkokpost.com)

In remaining neutral, Thailand is helping the world return to a time when large powerful countries would attack and swallow up smaller countries for selfish reasons with little to no repercussions. 

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In principle yes but in reality , no. The 35 countries abstaining from condemning Russia are all insignificant (except India). The 6 countries declining are all brutal dictatorships with only China significant. The 140 nations condemning Russia include ALL Developed / Democratic / Significant Countries.

[EdwardV]

  On 3/11/2022 at 3:20 PM, oldschooler said:

In principle yes but in reality , no. The 35 countries abstaining from condemning Russia are all insignificant (except India). The 6 countries declining are all brutal dictatorships with only China significant. The 140 nations condemning Russia include ALL Developed / Democratic / Significant Countries.

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Fair enough, but that get to another point in the BP op-ed:

It must rid itself of its unduly humble self-image as a small country that should be seen and not heard. With its long tradition of shrewd diplomacy, Thailand was a key Asean player from the beginning. It has the potential to be a regional player, but only if we have the courage of our convictions and punch above our weight. Respect from big powers can be earned only when we dare to say no and do the right thing.

Thailand must take stand on Ukraine (bangkokpost.com)

[oldschooler]

  On 3/11/2022 at 4:46 PM, EdwardV said:

Fair enough, but that get to another point in the BP op-ed:

It must rid itself of its unduly humble self-image as a small country that should be seen and not heard. With its long tradition of shrewd diplomacy, Thailand was a key Asean player from the beginning. It has the potential to be a regional player, but only if we have the courage of our convictions and punch above our weight. Respect from big powers can be earned only when we dare to say no and do the right thing.

Thailand must take stand on Ukraine (bangkokpost.com)

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Thailand incredibly “lightweight” with zero international leverage or credibility and no real interest in the outside world. 

Just the way it is. Thais generally interested only in family / materialism / status / food/ business; all day to day stuff. That and everything else here will never change due to a Culture unable to reform & grow. No potential no courage no convictions no respect ; all highlighted by their recent neutrality nonsense …… silly high school level politics …..no criticism just reality.

[joelg69]

Ha ha ha Ho ho ho And a couple of tra-la-la's That's how we laugh the day away In the Merry Old Land of Oz!

[Dialemco]

Looks familiar same statement that emanated from Bejing who has been actively supporting Russian War

[Grant]

Any country that does not condemn a takeover of a sovereign country is complicit in the takeover?

Money!

Thailands greatest Love

Its all about the money honey!!

[Fortuner]

Hey there!

this is not a question about right or wrong!

use your common sense any attacking country is the aggressor period!

[Guphz]

  On 3/11/2022 at 6:40 AM, Fanta said:

What % of tourists are Russians? There’s your answer. 

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I think China Cash is more important to Thailand, to be honest.

[Shark]

  On 3/11/2022 at 3:10 AM, Shade_Wilder said:

"A government spokesman confirmed yesterday that Thailand will remain neutral on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "

I try to be sympathetic to Thailand about this as I do recognize that Thailand does have commercial interests at stake.

However, when a children's hospital gets bombed in a war caused by the ego of one man, I can't.

Thailand; there are ethical situations which transcend economics, and this is one of them.

Neutrality in this case is an immoral act.

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And if you want todo something about it;

- Start with changing Russia; (please go there and just pronounce something like stop the war)

- Go-to Myanmar afterwards and when you done with these;

- Remove the coop from Thailand perhaps?

[Cabra]

Thai foreign policy is and has always been pragmatic in its aim of securing national survival based on a long-cherished, philosophical approach "flexible enough to bend whichever way it had to in order to survive". Thailand merely reacts. It is not a recipe for leadership or proactive policy. Thailand simply follows China's lead while seeking to preserve its own autonomy. 

[Guevara]

  On 3/13/2022 at 9:50 AM, Cabra said:

Thai foreign policy is and has always been pragmatic in its aim of securing national survival based on a long-cherished, philosophical approach "flexible enough to bend whichever way it had to in order to survive". Thailand merely reacts. It is not a recipe for leadership or proactive policy. Thailand simply follows China's lead while seeking to preserve its own autonomy. 

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They should follow Chinas lead role. After all Xi is the 'real' President of Thailand, he just allows Chan-o-cha to use the title.