Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANGKOK2536
2007-05-04 10:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
how-toVZCZCXRO2072 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHBK #2536 1241018 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 041018Z MAY 07 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6682 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 4175 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 7094 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 9216 RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 3515 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002536
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
NSC FOR MORROW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON TH
SUBJECT: SURAYUD DOWN IN THE DUMPS
Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce. Reason 1.4 (a and d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002536
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
NSC FOR MORROW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON TH
SUBJECT: SURAYUD DOWN IN THE DUMPS
Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce. Reason 1.4 (a and d)
1. (C) During a telephone conversation on May 4, PM Surayud
replied to the Ambassador's question of "how are you doing"
by saying "you should pity me." While the PM did not explain
the reasons for his low spirits, the Ambassador noted that
the PM was not well-served by his ministers. Surayud agreed
with this assessment.
2. (C) The reason for the call was to explain to Surayud the
reasons behind Thailand's elevation to Priority Watch List
(PWL) status under USTR's Special 301 process. The Ambassador
explained that while compulsory licensing was a contributor
to the new designation, long-standing and decreasing
protection of intellectual property in general had been the
major impetus for the enhanced designation. The PM did not
argue the point and was pleased that the USG and his Ministry
of Commerce would work together on a plan that would set
targets for improving Thailand's record of protecting IP and
hopefully remove Thailand from PWL next year.
3. (C) Comment: For a man proud of his asceticism who joined
the Buddhist monkhood for a time following his retirement
from the Army, to complain about his situation indicates the
depths of his unhappiness. Surayud has long been a
high-achiever and recipient of plentiful praise from his
colleagues and superiors. Since becoming PM, he has been
repeatedly accused of being a failure as Prime Minister; a
group of underperforming, competing ministers have failed to
accomplish much and been a source of embarrassment; and a
group of generals constantly peer over his shoulder looking
to criticize. These are all factors which have clearly taken
a toll on Surayud's spirit. Surayud has many times said that
he would gladly quit his post except for his duty to see the
job through to the planned elections in December. We believe
him.
BOYCE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
NSC FOR MORROW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON TH
SUBJECT: SURAYUD DOWN IN THE DUMPS
Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce. Reason 1.4 (a and d)
1. (C) During a telephone conversation on May 4, PM Surayud
replied to the Ambassador's question of "how are you doing"
by saying "you should pity me." While the PM did not explain
the reasons for his low spirits, the Ambassador noted that
the PM was not well-served by his ministers. Surayud agreed
with this assessment.
2. (C) The reason for the call was to explain to Surayud the
reasons behind Thailand's elevation to Priority Watch List
(PWL) status under USTR's Special 301 process. The Ambassador
explained that while compulsory licensing was a contributor
to the new designation, long-standing and decreasing
protection of intellectual property in general had been the
major impetus for the enhanced designation. The PM did not
argue the point and was pleased that the USG and his Ministry
of Commerce would work together on a plan that would set
targets for improving Thailand's record of protecting IP and
hopefully remove Thailand from PWL next year.
3. (C) Comment: For a man proud of his asceticism who joined
the Buddhist monkhood for a time following his retirement
from the Army, to complain about his situation indicates the
depths of his unhappiness. Surayud has long been a
high-achiever and recipient of plentiful praise from his
colleagues and superiors. Since becoming PM, he has been
repeatedly accused of being a failure as Prime Minister; a
group of underperforming, competing ministers have failed to
accomplish much and been a source of embarrassment; and a
group of generals constantly peer over his shoulder looking
to criticize. These are all factors which have clearly taken
a toll on Surayud's spirit. Surayud has many times said that
he would gladly quit his post except for his duty to see the
job through to the planned elections in December. We believe
him.
BOYCE