Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BANGKOK1723
2008-06-05 10:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
SCENESETTER FOR ADMIRAL TYSON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBK #1723/01 1571023 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 051023Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3274 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHFJSCC/COMMARFORPAC PRIORITY RHHMUNS/COMSOCPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 001723
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PTER MARR MOPS PINS PHUM TH
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR ADMIRAL TYSON
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James F. Entwistle, reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 001723
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PTER MARR MOPS PINS PHUM TH
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR ADMIRAL TYSON
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James F. Entwistle, reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary. Admiral Tyson, your visit to Thailand will
afford you a chance to see the importance of Thailand to our
regional security interests as the United States and Thailand
celebrate 175 years of relations. You will also have an
opportunity to underscore the United States Government's
commitment to working with a democratically elected Thai
government.
THE POLITICAL SITUATION
--------------
2. (U) Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his People's Power
Party (PPP) received a substantial plurality in Thailand's
December 23 national legislative election. The new
constitution, approved by the Thai public in an August 19,
2007 referendum, differs from the 1997 version by, among
other aspects: creating term limits for the Prime Minister;
establishing a partially-appointed / partially-elected
non-partisan Senate; and creating multi-member electoral
districts and regional party lists for the House of
Representatives.
3. (C) Samak and PPP campaigned in the December 2007 election
as allies and followers of former Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra. The substantial plurality that PPP won reflected
not only the effectiveness of the party's machinery, but also
Thaksin's continuing appeal in much of Thailand, as well as
widespread dissatisfaction with the interim government
installed by the coup leaders. Samak and his cabinet took
their oath of office before King Bhumibol February 6 and the
inauguration marked both the return to power of a
democratically elected government and a return to influence
for Thaksin.
4. (C) Samak eagerly presented himself as Thaksin's follower
during the campaign; post-election he has taken a more
independent line. Local media have reported that Samak and
Thaksin clashed over cabinet appointments but it remains
unclear whether those stories were accurate or were planted
to enhance Samak's credibility.
UNDERLYING POLITICAL TENSIONS REMAIN
--------------
5. (C) Despite Thailand's peaceful transition back to an
elected government, underlying tensions remain unresolved.
Thaksin won an overwhelming majority in the parliament in the
2005 election, but he was accused of abuse of power,
corruption, and disrespect for the monarchy. In 2006, months
of political protests and legal battles led to a political
stalemate over charges against Thaksin and his party. The
Royal Thai Army launched a coup d'etat in September 2006
after months of political conflict and many Thais accepted
the coup as a means to resolve the protracted political
crisis. However, most Thais soured on the interim
administration as it was unable to solve underlying political
problems. While PPP's victory last December was a setback
for supporters of the coup, it failed to resolve the
underlying political conflicts in Thai society. Tensions
over fundamental questions, such as the balance of power
between urban elite and the rural
population, could lead to further conflict and calls for
military intervention.
THE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
--------------
6. (C) Prior to the coup, bilateral relations with Thailand
were very good and we are optimistic that this will be the
case going forward. Sanctions were lifted February 6 and the
RTG has signaled its willingness to return to a close mil-mil
rela
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PTER MARR MOPS PINS PHUM TH
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR ADMIRAL TYSON
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission James F. Entwistle, reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary. Admiral Tyson, your visit to Thailand will
afford you a chance to see the importance of Thailand to our
regional security interests as the United States and Thailand
celebrate 175 years of relations. You will also have an
opportunity to underscore the United States Government's
commitment to working with a democratically elected Thai
government.
THE POLITICAL SITUATION
--------------
2. (U) Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his People's Power
Party (PPP) received a substantial plurality in Thailand's
December 23 national legislative election. The new
constitution, approved by the Thai public in an August 19,
2007 referendum, differs from the 1997 version by, among
other aspects: creating term limits for the Prime Minister;
establishing a partially-appointed / partially-elected
non-partisan Senate; and creating multi-member electoral
districts and regional party lists for the House of
Representatives.
3. (C) Samak and PPP campaigned in the December 2007 election
as allies and followers of former Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra. The substantial plurality that PPP won reflected
not only the effectiveness of the party's machinery, but also
Thaksin's continuing appeal in much of Thailand, as well as
widespread dissatisfaction with the interim government
installed by the coup leaders. Samak and his cabinet took
their oath of office before King Bhumibol February 6 and the
inauguration marked both the return to power of a
democratically elected government and a return to influence
for Thaksin.
4. (C) Samak eagerly presented himself as Thaksin's follower
during the campaign; post-election he has taken a more
independent line. Local media have reported that Samak and
Thaksin clashed over cabinet appointments but it remains
unclear whether those stories were accurate or were planted
to enhance Samak's credibility.
UNDERLYING POLITICAL TENSIONS REMAIN
--------------
5. (C) Despite Thailand's peaceful transition back to an
elected government, underlying tensions remain unresolved.
Thaksin won an overwhelming majority in the parliament in the
2005 election, but he was accused of abuse of power,
corruption, and disrespect for the monarchy. In 2006, months
of political protests and legal battles led to a political
stalemate over charges against Thaksin and his party. The
Royal Thai Army launched a coup d'etat in September 2006
after months of political conflict and many Thais accepted
the coup as a means to resolve the protracted political
crisis. However, most Thais soured on the interim
administration as it was unable to solve underlying political
problems. While PPP's victory last December was a setback
for supporters of the coup, it failed to resolve the
underlying political conflicts in Thai society. Tensions
over fundamental questions, such as the balance of power
between urban elite and the rural
population, could lead to further conflict and calls for
military intervention.
THE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
--------------
6. (C) Prior to the coup, bilateral relations with Thailand
were very good and we are optimistic that this will be the
case going forward. Sanctions were lifted February 6 and the
RTG has signaled its willingness to return to a close mil-mil
rela