REACTIONS TO PRESS REPORT ON US TRAINING FOR THAI

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002247 SIPDIS SIPDIS PACOM FOR FPA HUSO NSC FOR MORROW E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2016 TAGS: MOPS MASS PREL TH SUBJECT: REACTIONS TO PRESS REPORT ON US TRAINING FOR THAI SOUTH Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) MFA Permanent Secretary Virasakdi Futrakul called Ambassador on April 20 to discuss the recent press report quoting MGEN Fridovich on possible USG training assistance for Thai military operations in the South. The Permsec noted that this report was being used for political purposes by a former prime minister, GEN Chavalit Yongchaiyut, who wanted to create problems for the current government. GEN Chavalit, who hopes to be prime minister again soon, apparently drew on these press reports to warn that the UN would soon be involved in southern Thailand, and that international peacekeepers would be deployed. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador reassured the Permsec that our policy had not changed, and we recognize the problems in the South as an internal Thai matter. The article appeared to be the product of an overzealous reporter with his own agenda. ¶3. (C) Earlier on 4/20, the Ambassador made the same points to GEN Winai Phattiyakul, Permsec at the Ministry of Defense, in response to his question. GEN Winai appreciated the explanation and said he would pass it along to RTA Commander GEN Sonthi. BOYCE