THAI MFA ON BURMA, CHINA VIEWS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005234 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BM TH SUBJECT: THAI MFA ON BURMA, CHINA VIEWS REF: STATE 137644 Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador made reftel points to MFA Permsec Virasakdi Futrukul on October 3. Permsec Virsakdi took note of the points but offered no direct response. ¶2. (C) Virsakdi told the Ambassador that he had spoken to a Chinese diplomat recently, who had said that "there was evidence the US is behind" the demonstrations, through providing financing and perhaps other assistance. Virasakdi, commenting on China's concerns, drew a parallel to the Russian response to its neighbors' "color revolutions," noting that China is also concerned about its 'soft underbelly." The Ambassador dismissed the allegations of a US hand in the demonstrations. Virsakdi said he wasn't sure if the Chinese were simply "buying the Burmese line" or whether they actually believed it. ¶3. (C) Virsakdi also speculated on the whereabouts of Than Shwe's family, currently believed to be in Laos. Virsakdi said that he had learned of a recent request by the Burmese government for a VVIP flight clearance to Singapore. He suggested that this flight carried Than Shwe's family. (Note: Virasakdi did not specify the exact date of the flight. We note that, according to press reports, PM Soe Win returned to Burma from Singapore right before his reported death today. This could be another explanation for the VVIP flight. End note.) BOYCE