AMBASSADOR AND KING'S PRIVATE SECRETARY DISCUSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 000429 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PREF PHUM TH BM SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND KING'S PRIVATE SECRETARY DISCUSS BURMA, REFUGEES, BILATERAL TIES BANGKOK 00000429 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reason 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) The King's Principal Private Secretary (PPS) welcomed the lifting of Section 508 restrictions imposed after the coup, and was hopeful that high-level USG visitors would visit Thailand and meet with the Crown Prince and other Thai dignitaries. In a February 8 meeting with PPS Arsa Sarasin, the Ambassador noted the long-standing assistance Thailand has provided to refugees, announced plans to resettle several thousand Burmese refugees to the U.S., and expressed a desire to increase U.S. economic investment in Thailand. Arsa criticized the USG approach on Burma and urged the USG to refrain from publicly criticizing the Burmese regime. Arsa hoped the new Thai government would work with ASEAN, China and India to "quietly" help resolve the crisis to its west. He vaguely implied King Bhumibol may have had a role in ending former Prime Minister Surayud's public criticism of the Burmese junta. The Ambassador urged that Thailand engage proactively and publicly to help end the crisis in Burma. End summary. DEMOCRACY, CONGRESSIONAL TRAVEL, AND THE CROWN PRINCE -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Arsa Sarasin, the King's Principal Private Secretary, on February 8 at the offices of the King's Privy Council. The Ambassador praised Thailand's return to democratic governance, expressed pleasure that the recent swearing-in of the new cabinet allowed the USG to lift restrictions imposed after the 2006 coup d'etat, and told Arsa he looked forward to celebrating in March 175 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the U.S. Arsa, a former Thai Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the U.S., spoke fondly of his close associates in Washington such as Senator Lisa Murkowski, former Senator Sam Nunn, and former Secretary of State George Shultz. Arsa said he hoped to see increased Congressional and official travel to Thailand in the future. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador said he looked forward to presenting his credentials to Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, acting as the King's representative, in the near future. The Ambassador noted the Crown Prince appeared to be taking on increased formal responsibilities, and suggested that the Crown Prince consider hosting official functions for visiting U.S. dignitaries. Arsa agreed the proposal was a "good idea," and offered to arrange such meetings to cultivate a forward-looking Thai-U.S. relationship. BURMA AND REFUGEES -------------- ¶4. (U) The Ambassador expressed appreciation for Thailand having provided sanctuary for tens of thousands of refugees, noted that Thailand's willingness to host refugees enhanced the country's international image, and said the USG planned to resettle about 16,000 Burmese refugees this coming fiscal year. Arsa explained that a permanent solution to the refugee problem was dependent on peace and economic stability in Burma and other countries, and noted that Thai efforts to end the conflict in Cambodia eventually facilitated the departure of hundreds of thousands of Cambodian refugees from Thailand. ¶5. (C) Turning to Burma, Arsa criticized the USG approach, explaining that isolation, strong rhetoric, and public attacks "will not work" to end the crisis. The USG should be more discreet in its criticism, and quietly work with ASEAN, China and India. Arsa said he suspected the outspoken USG criticism of the Burmese regime was for domestic U.S. consumption. Arsa told the Ambassador he was disturbed when former Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont publicly criticized the Burmese regime's targeting of monks following 2007 pro-democracy protests. Arsa noted that after he brought Surayud's comments to the King's attention, the former PM's BANGKOK 00000429 002.2 OF 002 public criticism of the regime stopped. The Ambassador explained that the SPDC was bringing criticism upon itself by its actions, and that the United States and many other nations -- including most ASEAN members -- had no choice but to publicly castigate the regime. The USG would look to the new democratically-elected government in Thailand to be more vocal in advocating for democracy. ¶6. (C) Continuing the discussion, Arsa explained that the lengthy Thai-Burma border and the presence of over one million Burmese living in Thailand hamstrung the RTG's public position on Burma. The Ambassador said he understood, but urged Thailand to also be cognizant of its relationship with the U.S. and issue public statements criticizing Burma in line with those issued by neighboring ASEAN countries. Arsa explained he hoped to see Thailand work more closely with ASEAN, China, and India to "quietly discuss" concerns with the Burmese regime. ECONOMIC LINKS -------------- ¶7. (C) The Ambassador explained his desire to expand American investment in Thailand, noting that there was substantial room for such additional investment. Arsa agreed with the Ambassador that an important element of strengthening bilateral relations would be a corresponding increase in economic ties between the U.S. and Thailand. COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) A close friend of the United States, Arsa is in a unique position to provide valuable insights on Palace developments. Arsa's personal position on Burma, while disappointing, is not out of line with mainstream Thai government opinion on the subject; newly-inaugurated Foreign Minister Noppadol Pattama yesterday publicly characterized democratization and human rights as the "internal affairs of Burma." The Ambassador and other Embassy officials will continue to engage officials throughout the top tier of the political class in an effort to move Thai views on Burma closer to those of the international community. JOHN