THAILAND: AMBASSADOR ENGAGES PRIVY COUNCILORS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 001166

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS, NSC FOR PHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/13/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND: AMBASSADOR ENGAGES PRIVY COUNCILORS ON
THAKSIN, POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reason 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: Ambassador hosted a lunch for Privy Council
Chair Prem Tinsulanonda, Privy Councilor Surayud Chulanont,
and Deputy Principal Private Secretary to the King Krit
Garnjana-Goonchorn May 11. The conversation centered around
former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, his motivations behind
launching the mid-April violence by redshirts supporters, and
whether he would now bide his time abroad until after King
Bhumibol passes from the scene. GEN Prem reiterated his
endorsement of current PM Abhisit as the right man at the
right time to move Thailand forward. GEN Surayud and former
Ambassador to the U.S. Krit thanked the U.S. for publicly
condemning the mid-April violence and indicated most members
of the Thai political class viewed the USG as credible and
balanced in its statements on Thai domestic politics.
Ambassador reiterated the importance of Thai political actors
resolving political disputes through legal and non-violent
democratic means. End Summary.

Thaksin planned the April violence, not going away
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2. (C) GEN Surayud predicted that Thaksin would continue his
efforts to return to Thailand as soon as possible, not
waiting for the fall of the current government or the passing
of the King. Surayud asserted that the redshirt violence in
mid-April was well-thought out beforehand and was not an
emotional response in the spirit of the moment; Thaksin had
mistakenly thought he had more support than was the case.
All three Thai interlocutors professed not to know where
Thaksin was currently or how many resources he had at his
disposal (Note: Thai authorities froze 76 billion baht, over
$2 billion, in Thaksin's domestically held assets after the
2006 coup).

Prem on Abhisit: not the best, but the man of the moment
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3. (C) For his part, GEN Prem reiterated his previously
expressed support for current PM Abhisit as the right man at
the right time for Thailand. While suggesting that Abhisit
might not be the best or most talented Premier Thailand has
had in comparison to his predecessors (note: Prem served as
PM from 1980-88, Surayud from 2006-08. End note),Prem viewed
Abhisit as among the best in terms of integrity and
commitment to move the nation forward. Abhisit, moreover,
was genuine in his current efforts to promote political
reconciliation.

USG credible, balanced when weighing in on Thailand
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4. (C) Surayud and Krit both expressed significant
appreciation to the Ambassador for the State Department
Acting Spokesman's April 13 condemnation of street violence
by pro-Thaksin protesters. They stated that the U.S. public
stance had made a meaningful contribution to the RTG's
efforts to end the mob actions. They acknowledged that, over
the past year, the USG had taken an even-handed approach in
its public remarks regarding both pro-Thaksin and
anti-Thaksin demonstrations, indicating that they and other
members of the Thai political class viewed the USG as
credible and balanced in its statements on Thai domestic
politics. The statements drew a clear line between peaceful
protest and violence.


5. (C) Ambassador reiterated the importance of resolving
political disputes through legal and non-violent democratic
means. Functioning democratic tools were readily available
to Thai politicians, he emphasized, and they needed to avail
themselves of those means.
JOHN