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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08BANGKOK2303 |
PREAH VIHEAR: THAI MFA BRIEFS ON TALKS WITH [...] (SBU) Summary: In a July 30 briefing, a Thai senior MFA official discussed with a select group of diplomats the Thai-Cambodian dialogue on the Preah Vihear temple. (DCM and Poloff attended.) The Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand was present and, in a show of harmony, echoed many of the Thai p [...] |
2008-07-30 10:07:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MOPS ASEC CASC UNESCO SCUL PBTS |
| 08BANGKOK2327 |
WIFE OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER THAKSIN CONVICTED, [...] (U) A three-judge panel of the Criminal Court on July 31 convicted Potjaman Shinawatra, wife of former Prime Minister Thaksin, on charges of tax evasion and providing false statements to the government. Potjaman's step-brother (Bannapot Damapong) and her secretary (Kanchanapa Honghern) were a [...] |
2008-07-31 10:32:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM KJUS TH |
| 08BANGKOK2337 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for the individuals listed below, which have been selected to attend the course [...] |
2008-08-01 08:11:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK234 |
STAFFDEL GROVE TRAVELS TO SOUTHERN THAILAND [...] (S/NF) Summary: On January 15, a Senate Appropriations Committee staff delegation lead by professional staff member Paul Grove traveled with Poloff and USAID representatives to Hat Yai in southern Thailand for discussions on the violence in the South. Thai government and security officials, a [...] |
2008-01-24 06:47:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET//NOFORN | EAID PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK2343 |
AMBASSADOR AND THAI FM TEJ DISCUSS POTUS VISIT, [...] (C) The Ambassador and newly-appointed Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag agreed in a July 31 courtesy call that all arrangements were proceeding smoothly for the upcoming visit to Thailand of President Bush. Tej expressed appreciation for USG assistance in preventing the UN Security Council from fo [...] |
2008-08-01 10:25:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR PREF PARM KJUS UNSC UNGA ASEAN |
| 08BANGKOK2344 |
FURTHER LESE MAJESTE ACCUSATIONS IN THAILAND [...] (C) Three high-profile political activists, including two co-leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), have been recently charged with lese majeste. The two PAD figures were not detained; the third, an anti-PAD activist, was arrested for making strikingly blunt comments against the [...] |
2008-08-01 10:53:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO TH |
| 08BANGKOK2357 |
RESHUFFLED CABINET UNLIKELY TO ALTER TONE OF THAI [...] (C) In a cabinet reshuffle announced on August 2, Prime Minister Samak, among other moves, demoted his Commerce Minister, returned to the cabinet a Minister who had been forced from office by a recent court ruling, appointed a former Police Chief as Interior Minister, and retained three offici [...] |
2008-08-04 09:16:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM KJUS TH |
| 08BANGKOK2359 |
AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES LAO HMONG, BURMA, SOUTH, AND [...] (C) The Ambassador paid an introductory call on National Security Council Secretary General Surapol Puanaiyaka on August 4, in advance of Surapol's participation in the upcoming POTUS visit. Surapol appeared receptive to points the Ambassador made on Lao Hmong migrants, Burmese refugees, Prea [...] |
2008-08-05 04:45:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINS PREF SCUL UNESCO UNGA BM TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK2394 |
EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING [...] (U) EXBS held a Technical Introduction to Licensing Workshop in Hanoi, July 9-11, and a National Control List Workshop in Bangkok, July 22-24. EXBS donated six Toyota Landcruisers to the Vietnamese Border Guards on July 10. EXBS coordinated with the Defense Attache Office (DAO) to send a Thai [...] |
2008-08-08 08:10:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN |
| 08BANGKOK2405 |
TENSIONS ESCALATE AT THAI STREET PROTESTS [...] (C) Summary and Comment: Increased tension at ongoing People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rallies across Thailand resulted in numerous clashes between PAD supporters and pro-government groups in July. Following the recent outbreak of violence at a July 24 rally in Udon Thani province, the R [...] |
2008-08-11 07:27:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINS ASEC TH |
| 08BANGKOK2410 |
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: FEWER CASES OF ABUSE REPORTED, [...] (C) Summary and comment: Thai security officials who are working to curb alleged human rights abuses committed by members of security units fighting the insurgency in Thailand's deep south may be seeing some success; embassy contacts working with victims of abuse reported in July that the num [...] |
2008-08-11 09:29:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK2415 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individuals listed below, which have been selected to attend the course sche [...] |
2008-08-11 10:11:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2416 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individuals listed below, which have been selected to attend the courses sc [...] |
2008-08-11 10:11:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2418 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individuals listed below, which have been selected to attend the course sche [...] |
2008-08-12 23:52:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2419 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individuals listed below, which have been selected to attend the courses sc [...] |
2008-08-12 23:52:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2427 |
FORMER PM THAKSIN FLEES TO ENGLAND [...] (C) Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced on August 11 that he had traveled to the U.K. in order to avoid victimization by unfair legal proceedings in Thailand. Thaksin's move will stave off further trials on various charges, although an ongoing prosecution will continue. It rema [...] |
2008-08-13 08:57:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM KJUS TH |
| 08BANGKOK2428 |
THAI-CAMBODIAN DISPUTE OVER PREAH VIHEAR: [...] (C) Summary and Comment: Meetings between Thai and Cambodian regional military commanders in Thailand's Surin Province August 13 and between Foreign Ministers planned August 18-19 in Hua Hin indicate bilateral efforts to reduce tensions in the spat over the territory near the Khmer Preah Vi [...] |
2008-08-13 10:30:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK2443 |
NEW IIP PRINT PUBLICATION: "AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC (NEW [...] Public Affairs Bangkok would like to order two hundred (200) copies in English of stock number V0537-E "American Popular Music (New Edition)." The cost of the copy is $3.00 (three dollars) per copy. Total for the above item is $600.00. Post has obligated $50.00 for shipping/handling (Grand [...] |
2008-08-14 08:14:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OIIP OPRC AFIN |
| 08BANGKOK2458 |
63RD UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: THAILAND PLANNED [...] No summary [...] |
2008-08-15 07:34:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP UNGA |
| 08BANGKOK2460 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for units and commanders listed below, which have been selected to attend the c [...] |
2008-08-15 08:48:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2461 |
THAILAND'S ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP BEGINS WITH MODEST [...] (SBU) Thailand assumed the ASEAN chairmanship on July 24. Comments from senior Thai officials since indicate the Thai plan to focus on increasing ASEAN's relevance to the region's citizens, food security, disaster relief, and the formation of an ASEAN human rights body authorized in the new ASE [...] |
2008-08-15 09:03:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV ASEAN TH |
| 08BANGKOK2463 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individuals listed below, which have been selected to attend the seminar sch [...] |
2008-08-15 09:39:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2481 |
THAI COURT FLEXES MUSCLE, CONVICTS NOTORIOUS [...] (SBU) Summary: Thailand's Supreme Court convicted former Deputy Interior Minister Vatana Asavahame of corruption charges in the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant scandal on August 18 and sentenced him in absentia to 10 years of imprisonment. Anticipating the verdict earlier this summer, Va [...] |
2008-08-19 09:21:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINS ASEC TH |
| 08BANGKOK2487 |
THAI CAMBODIAN BORDER DISPUTE: FOREIGN MINISTERS [...] (C) Summary: In a August 19 meeting the Thai and Cambodian Foreign Ministers agreed on measures designed to provide for a way forward in dealing with the disputed Preah Vihear temple. As previewed by Thai MFA officials last week, the two sides agreed to reduce the number of troops in the area [...] |
2008-08-20 10:34:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK2488 |
PEOPLE'S POWER PARTY DISSOLUTION: NOT YET [...] (C) Summary and comment: On a day when Thailand was anticipating two legal decisions on issues of national political significance, nothing happened. The long awaited ruling by the Election Commission (EC) on possible dissolution of the People's Power Party was deferred until September 2, and [...] |
2008-08-20 10:36:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR TH |
| 08BANGKOK251 |
TIMELINE TO A NEW GOVERNMENT [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 6. 2. (C) SUMMARY: The new government may be sworn in as early as next week, although the timing is still not certain. The Prime Minister must first be elected by the Parliament and endorsed by the King; this should happen by early nex [...] |
2008-01-24 12:11:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2536 |
RUSSIA-GEORGIA: THAIS POSITIVE ON HUMANITARIAN [...] (C) We delivered reftel demarche to MFA Director for Central and Eastern Europe Pachuen Phornmongkol on August 22. Pachuen said that the MFA and RTG had not formed a position on the Russia-Georgia conflict. She reacted positively to points about facilitating humanitarian assistance to Georgia [...] |
2008-08-25 10:15:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV UNSC GG RU MARR |
| 08BANGKOK2545 |
RUSSIA-GEORGIA CONFLICT: THAIS NONCOMMITTAL [...] (SBU) We conveyed ref A points on Russia's position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia to MFA Director for Central and Eastern Europe Pachuen Phornmongkol on August 26, following up the previous demarche (ref B). Pachuen assured us that the RTG viewpoint on the conflict would be in line with past [...] |
2008-08-26 10:08:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV UNSC GG RU MARR TH |
| 08BANGKOK2546 |
PAD PROTESTS CHALLENGE PM SAMAK'S AUTHORITY, PATIENCE [...] (C) Prime Minister Samak's coalition government on August 26 faced one of the biggest challenges to its authority since it took over the reins of power last January, not from the formal parliamentary opposition or the courts, but from the streets. As of late afternoon, large crowds of demonstr [...] |
2008-08-26 14:16:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR TH |
| 08BANGKOK2554 |
RUSSIAN RECOGNITION OF ABHAZIA/SOUTH OSSETIA: [...] (SBU) We discussed ref A points on Russia's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia with MFA Director for Central and Eastern Europe Pachuen Phornmongkol on August 27, following up on the previous demarche on August 26 (ref B). Pachuen reiterated that Thailand was not a stakeholder in the co [...] |
2008-08-27 09:30:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV UNSC RU TH |
| 08BANGKOK2555 |
THAI PROTEST UPDATE: POLICE AND PAD PEACEFULLY [...] (SBU) One day after demonstrations and the seizure of government buildings by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) shook the Thai political scene (Ref A), Prime Minister Samak and the Thai police reached an uneasy temporary accommodation August 27 with the anti-government demonstrators s [...] |
2008-08-27 10:23:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR TH |
| 08BANGKOK2570 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individual listed below, which have been selected to attend the course sched [...] |
2008-08-28 08:23:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2571 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individual listed below, which have been selected to attend the courses sche [...] |
2008-08-28 08:23:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2572 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individuals listed below, which have been selected to attend the courses sch [...] |
2008-08-28 08:23:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2575 |
THAI PROTEST UPDATE: WARRANTS BUT NO ARRESTS [...] (C) The tense stand-off between the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the administration of Prime Minster Samak Sundaravej continued for the third straight day August 28 with no clear end in sight. PM Samak reiterated publicly and privately to the Ambassador (septel) that the use of fo [...] |
2008-08-28 10:25:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL TH |
| 08BANGKOK258 |
DAS MARCIEL PRESSES MFA PERMSEC ON BURMA [...] (C) SUMMARY: Burma remained a complicated issue for the RTG, and the Thais shared China's concerns about the potential impact on its borders if the situation in Burma were to destabilize, MFA Permanent Secretary Virasakdi Futrakul told Deputy Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel over lunch on Jan [...] |
2008-01-25 08:45:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PREF KDEM KPAO TH BM |
| 08BANGKOK2588 |
EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING [...] (U) Three Thai officials and EXBS FSN attended the Export Control Academy, August 11-15 in Athens, GA. Commonwealth Trading Partners (CTP) conducted Tracker User Training in Hanoi, August 11-14. Advisor represented ISN Bureau at a Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) [...] |
2008-08-29 09:30:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN |
| 08BANGKOK2591 |
SCENESETTER FOR GENERAL BOONSRANG'S COUNTERPART [...] (C) Summary. Embassy Bangkok is extremely appreciative that General Boonsrang Niumpradit will be able to conduct a counterpart visit with CJCS Admiral Mullen. The visit will reinforce the importance of Thailand to our regional security interests as the United States and Thailand celebrate 175 [...] |
2008-08-29 09:41:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER MOPS PINS PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2592 |
THAILAND PROTESTS: A PAD PRIMER [...] (SBU) Summary: The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) behind the ongoing street protests against PM Samak's government first surfaced in 2005 in reaction to growing discontent over the alleged corruption of then-PM Thaksin. It largely disappeared following the September 2006 coup that ended [...] |
2008-08-29 10:14:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL TH |
| 08BANGKOK2593 |
THAI PROTEST UPDATE: POLICE UNABLE TO TAKE CONTROL [...] (C) The stand-off between the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the administration of Prime Minster Samak Sundaravej continued for the fourth day August 29, with the dynamics changing dramatically during the day. The police, which continued to refrain from using force, seemed by mid- [...] |
2008-08-29 10:32:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK2610 |
MIDNIGHT BANGKOK CLASH LEADS TO EMERGENCY DECREE [...] (C) Summary: After a desultory 12 hour parliamentary debate on the ongoing political crisis ended without resolution after midnight early on September 1, action returned to the streets in the early hours of September 2. Violence erupted between pro and anti government street factions near th [...] |
2008-09-02 12:25:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK2616 |
THAI COURT RULINGS DELIVER FURTHER BLOWS TO SAMAK [...] (C) Summary: Thailand's independent Electoral Commission (EC) voted unanimously September 2 to seek a Constitutional Court order to dissolve the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) due to vote buying by red-carded former deputy party leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat in the December 2007 election. Thi [...] |
2008-09-03 08:24:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL TH |
| 08BANGKOK2618 |
THAILAND: TRILATERAL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE CT [...] (SBU) On August 20 we met with representatives from the embassies of Australia and Japan to discuss counterterrorism efforts under the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue (TSD), and whether southern Thailand should be part of the discussion under the TSD. We agreed that the extensive bilateral coop [...] |
2008-09-03 09:48:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK2619 |
THAILAND: SENIOR STATESMEN SEEKING THE KING'S [...] (S) Summary: Ambassador saw Privy Councilor ACM Siddhi Savetsila September 3 to discuss the current political impasse and Siddhi's views on the way forward. Siddhi laid out a scenario which he said he would present to King Bhumiphol in an audience at the Hua Hin Palace later in the evening S [...] |
2008-09-03 10:14:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET | PGOV PREL TH |
| 08BANGKOK2621 |
THAI MFA DG ON THE THAI ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP, [...] (SBU) Summary: Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Department of ASEAN Affairs Director General Vitavas Srivihok shared his views on the Thai chairmanship of ASEAN and prospects for Thai ratification of the Charter August 29. Vitavas expected Thailand would pass necessary implementation an [...] |
2008-09-04 02:04:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ASEAN TH |
| 08BANGKOK2643 |
THAI POLITICAL DEADLOCK: PM SAMAK DEFIANT [...] (C) Thailand,s political crisis ground on September 4 with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej defiant in the face of apparently eroding support. In a one-two punch late September 3, Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag resigned from Samak,s cabinet, and Army Commander Anupong Paochinda told Samak he woul [...] |
2008-09-05 00:01:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK2644 |
THAIS STILL FORMULATING STANCE ON KOSOVO ICJ [...] (C) We discussed ref A points on Serbia's proposal for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Kosovo's declaration of independence with MFA First Secretary for Central and Eastern Europe Nabhasporn Bhuttarichval on September 4. Nabhasporn told us that Thail [...] |
2008-09-05 00:08:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UN UNGA KV TH |
| 08BANGKOK2655 |
THAI POLITICAL DEADLOCK: BANGKOK QUIET AS SAMAK [...] (C) Summary: Bangkok was mostly quiet September 5, despite a motorcycle gunfire attack on university students marching on Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's house during the evening of September 4, as the House focused on passing a budget, and the Senate moved the national referendum bill forwa [...] |
2008-09-05 10:10:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK266 |
REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE ON NEW REFUGEE PROCESSING [...] This is an action request. Please see paragraph 8. 2. Summary: Post has been informed that new legislation may affect the need for material support waivers for some Burmese and Lao-Hmong refugee populations, and could permit formerly-excluded combatants to be considered for resettlement a [...] |
2008-01-25 10:33:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PREL TH BM LA |
| 08BANGKOK2662 |
FY09 ENGLISH TEACHING FORUM ORDER [...] No summary [...] |
2008-09-08 06:01:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OIIP OPRC AFIN SCUL |
| 08BANGKOK2674 |
THAI UNION LEADER STANDS ALONE AMID THREATS AND [...] (C) Summary: The abrupt dismissal of labor union leader Jitra Kongdej by garment maker Triumph International on July 29 for alleged slights to the monarchy, and the subsequent prolonged protest by union members, is symptomatic of the ongoing wider battle between pro and anti-Thaksin groups and [...] |
2008-09-08 11:05:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KPAO TH |
| 08BANGKOK2677 |
THAI UPDATE: QUIET SEPTEMBER 8, LOOKING TOWARDS [...] (C) After two weeks of rolling political crisis, the pace of events in Thailand slackened over the September 6-7 weekend. Senior political leadership in the House and Senate appeared to re-engage in an attempt to reach some common political ground on which the crisis could be settled; the par [...] |
2008-09-08 11:42:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK2691 |
THAI UPDATE: AND THE VERDICT IS . . .GUILTY [...] (SBU) The Thai Constitutional Court decided late September 9 that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had violated the constitution's ban on ministerial involvement in outside business activities by hosting cooking programs on television. The decision against Samak will force him to step down as [...] |
2008-09-09 10:49:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK2720 |
AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH THAI POLITICAL AND BUSINESS [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador John met with political and business leaders in the wake of the September 9 Constitutional Court decision against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to ascertain developments and to continue to urge for a peaceful and legal resolution of the current standoff. A consensus [...] |
2008-09-10 10:44:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK2722 |
2008 ASEAN LECTURE: SAMAK UNSCRIPTED, ADVOCATES UN [...] (C) Summary: Then Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaraej delivered a brief keynote address, "ASEAN: A New Era with a People Agenda," at the annual ASEAN Lecture on September 8 to an audience of Ambassadors and high-level officials. After reading his speech from teleprompters, Samak followed with [...] |
2008-09-10 11:08:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ASEAN TH BM |
| 08BANGKOK2745 |
DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL IRANIAN ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS [...] (U) Post delivered non-paper per reftel on September 5, 2008. Among the relevant offices notified were the Anti-Money Laundering Organization (AMLO),the National Coordinating Center for Combating Terrorism and Transnational Crime (NCC-CTTC)and the International Security Unit at the Ministry of [...] |
2008-09-11 01:54:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | KNNP MNUC IR GM PREL PARM EFIN TH |
| 08BANGKOK276 |
BIO OF THAI PRIME MINISTER SAMAK SUNDARAVEJ [...] No summary [...] |
2008-01-28 09:14:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR TH |
| 08BANGKOK2764 |
THAILAND YET TO ADDRESS UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE ISSUES [...] (C) We delivered reftel points on UNGA Third Committee issues to MFA Director General of International Organizations Vipawan Nipatakusol on September 11. Vipawan responded that Thailand would maintain its past voting record, but acknowledged she and her division were distracted by Thailand's [...] |
2008-09-11 11:30:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL UN TH |
| 08BANGKOK2778 |
SAMAK UNDERCUT FOR REELECTION AS THAI PM [...] (C) One day after the People's Power Party (PPP) decided to support former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for reelection as Prime Minister, leading PPP figures engineered a postponement (to September 17) of the vote. These PPP officials sought to buy time to persuade Samak that he should dec [...] |
2008-09-12 09:22:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2782 |
THAILAND BUSINESSES TO WAIT OUT POLITICAL CRISIS BUT WORRY [...] (SBU) Summary: Thailand's political stalemate has had a somewhat expected immediate impact on certain segments of the Thai economy. Of greater concern to the entire business community, however, is the stalemate's potential long-term economic implications. Prominent business leaders in Thailand [...] |
2008-09-14 23:55:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ELAB PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK2791 |
PPP ENDORSES SOMCHAI AS SAMAK DROPS BID FOR [...] (C) Thailand's ruling People Power Party (PPP) announced September 15 that it would nominate former judge and current acting Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, brother-in-law of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, as prime minister in the upcoming September 17 parliamentary vote. The decision came i [...] |
2008-09-15 10:13:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2797 |
U.S. ELECTION 2008 MATERIALS [...] Public Affairs Bangkok would like to order the following U.S. Election 2008 Materials: - Package 1: 1 set [Election Starter Kit, $500.00 per set], total $500.00; - Package 2: 3 sets [Extended, Extended,50.00 per set], total $450.00; - A La Carte: 3 Banners [Banner (72" x 24") $6.59 per Banne [...] |
2008-09-16 08:21:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | AINF AFIN |
| 08BANGKOK2800 |
CHART THAI PARTY LEADER BANHARN PRAISES PM NOMINEE [...] (C) The Ambassador called on former Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-Archa, leader of the Chart Thai Party (the second largest member of the governing coalition) September 16 just after the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) met to reconfirm plans to nominate Somchai Wongsawat as Prime Minister. B [...] |
2008-09-16 10:23:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2804 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JIATF West Bangkok has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for the unit and the commander listed below, which have been selected to a [...] |
2008-09-17 06:18:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2805 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JIATF West Bangkok has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for the unit and the commander listed below, which have been selected to a [...] |
2008-09-17 06:18:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2808 |
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: MEDIATOR HAS GOOD NEWS AND BAD [...] (S) Michael Vatikiotis from the Henri Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HDC) provided the Ambassador and DCM an update on September 11 on the status of the secret peace process between the Royal Thai Government (RTG) and southern Thai insurgents. While upbeat about the enthusiasm of man [...] |
2008-09-17 08:17:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK2810 |
SOMCHAI WONGSAWAT ELECTED AS THAILAND'S NEXT PRIME [...] (U) The House of Representatives elected Somchai Wongsawat as Thailand's next Prime Minister in a September 17 vote along partisan lines. Somchai received the support of his People's Power Party (PPP) and the other members of the governing coalition that had backed his predecessor, Samak Sund [...] |
2008-09-17 09:42:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2813 |
AMBASSADOR WOLCOTT DISCUSSES CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION [...] (SBU) Summary. On August 25, Ambassador Jackie Wolcott led an interagency delegation to discuss civil nuclear cooperation with officials from Thailand's Nuclear Power Plant Development Office (NPPDO, responsible for overseeing the introduction of nuclear power) and the Office of Atoms for Peac [...] |
2008-09-17 10:27:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG ECON PARM TRGY KNNP TH |
| 08BANGKOK282 |
THE THAKSIN RESTORATION: SAMAK SUNDARAVEJ ELECTED [...] (C) The House of Representatives elected People's Power Party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej as Prime Minister on January 28, and he will likely receive his formal appointment by King Bhumibol in a few days, forming a cabinet soon thereafter. Samak received full support from all political part [...] |
2008-01-29 01:37:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PHUM KDEM KJUS TH |
| 08BANGKOK2836 |
TIP UPDATE: ANOMA FACTORY INVESTIGATION CONCLUDES; CASE NOW [...] (SBU) Summary: The Thai police confirmed September 2 that the investigation into the Anoma factory trafficking in persons case was completed and filed August 19 with the office of Attorney General of Samut Sakhon province. Twenty civil and criminal charges were filed against two Thai citizens [...] |
2008-09-18 07:24:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB PHUM KTIP TH |
| 08BANGKOK2837 |
DAS MARCIEL DISCUSSES ASEAN, BURMA AND BORDER [...] (C) Summary. Thai MFA Permanent Secretary Virasakdi Futrakul told visiting EAP DAS Scot Marciel and the Ambassador September 9 that the RTG viewed recent Cambodian border actions as contradictory to progress achieved during recent discussions by the two nations' Foreign Ministers. Virasakdi s [...] |
2008-09-18 07:34:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PINR KDEM PREF TH |
| 08BANGKOK2854 |
THAI CAMBODIAN BORDER DISPUTE: THAI CLAIM [...] (C) Summary: MFA Permanent Secretary Virasakdi Futrakul engaged the Ambassador September 16 regarding the Thai-Cambodian border dispute and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's September 15 reported comments that Thailand should give up the chair of ASEAN. Virasakdi claimed that border tension [...] |
2008-09-19 07:46:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK2856 |
PAD DEFIANCE CONTINUES AS THE PAD HIGHLIGHTS [...] (C) The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) -- the group currently occupying and befouling the formal seat of government -- has shown no sign it intends to end its protest in the near future, despite having achieved its initial rationale for occupying the Government House compound in the fir [...] |
2008-09-19 10:01:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2871 |
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: PEACE TALKS IN INDONESIA CATCH [...] (S) Summary: Announcements by the Indonesian government that it was mediating peace talks between the Royal Thai government (RTG) and southern Thai insurgent groups, reported in the Thai press September 22, caught the Thai government by surprise. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Thai Ar [...] |
2008-09-22 11:01:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK2885 |
Financial Turmoil: Limited Impact on Thailand [...] (SBU) Summary: The financial turmoil in the United States has had a limited impact on the Thai economy, most notably on share prices in the Thai stock market. The Thai banking sector's exposure to Lehman Brothers was not significant and thus its solvency is not in question. AIG (through AIA) [...] |
2008-09-23 10:16:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ECON EINV ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK2899 |
CABINET APPOINTMENTS WILL SIGNAL CONTINUITY AND [...] (C) Ambassador's meetings and media reports this week indicate that PM-elect Somchai Wongsawat's cabinet -- poised to receive endorsement by King Bhumibol at the time of writing September 24 -- appears unlikely to change the tone of Thai politics in the short term, and likely will not last in [...] |
2008-09-24 10:38:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2927 |
NEW THAI CABINET RECEIVES ROYAL ENDORSEMENT [...] (C) Prime Minister-elect Somchai Wongsawat's cabinet lineup -- scheduled to be sworn in late in the day on September 25 by King Bhumibol -- consists primarily of partisan political figures associated with the administration of Samak Sundaravej. Following Samak's example, Somchai will concurre [...] |
2008-09-25 10:00:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2940 |
ENGAGING NEW THAI FM SOMPONG AT UNGA: THE CURRENT [...] (C) Newly-inaugurated Deputy Prime Minister Sompong Amornwiwat, who serves concurrently as Foreign Minister, will make a short visit to UNGA/New York, arriving late September 27 with meetings on September 29-30. Post recommends an appropriate USG high-level interlocutor meet with Sompong in N [...] |
2008-09-26 09:46:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM KDEM KJUS ETRD UNGA TH |
| 08BANGKOK2942 |
THAI PLANS ON DEPLOYMENT TO DARFUR [...] (SBU) Pattarat Hongtong, Deputy Director of the Peace, Security and Disarmament Division at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told us September 25 that the MFA had recently received word that Sudan was close to agreeing to allow Thai troops to join UNAMID. The RTG still planned to deploy a battali [...] |
2008-09-26 10:05:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KPKO TH SU |
| 08BANGKOK2943 |
MIXED REVIEWS FOR NEW PM SOMCHAI'S ECONOMIC TEAM [...] (SBU) Summary: Prime Minister Somchai's selections for his Cabinet's economic team have come under attack from the local press and business community. Controversial appointments include the placement of former Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung at the Ministry of Public Health, former Police [...] |
2008-09-26 10:35:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV PINR TH |
| 08BANGKOK297 |
PROPOSALS ON BURMA FROM ASSK CONFIDANT DE [...] (C) Leon de Riedmatten (Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue representative and former International Committee of the Red Cross head of delegation in Burma during which he acted as a liaison between ASSK and SPDC) viewed the prospects for change in Burma as growing weaker every day unless the inte [...] |
2008-01-30 05:51:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM KPAO KDEM BM TH |
| 08BANGKOK2977 |
AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES WITH FORMER PM SAMAK HIS [...] (C) Summary: Former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resigned from his position as Party Leader of the People's Power Party (PPP) September 30. He remains free on bail as he continues to appeal a years-old defamation conviction. Samak told the Ambassador September 26 that he believed Queen Sirikit, [...] |
2008-10-01 10:48:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KJUS PINR TH |
| 08BANGKOK2999 |
THAI GOVT CONCERNED ABOUT SHRIMP CONTINUOUS BONDS [...] (C) Summary: Thailand is concerned over the USG's implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling on anti-dumping duties and continuous bonds, Apiradi Tantraporn, Director-General (DG) of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce, told Econoff on October 2. DG Ap [...] |
2008-10-02 10:53:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD EFIS TH |
| 08BANGKOK300 |
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: DAS MARCIEL HEARS CONTRASTING [...] (S/NF) Summary: In meetings to discuss the situation in southern Thailand on January 23 and 24, Deputy Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel received widely contrasting views on SIPDIS Thai government efforts to end the violence. Dr. Mark Tamthai, National Reconciliation Committee member and adv [...] |
2008-01-30 09:26:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET//NOFORN | EAID PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK3004 |
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: IMPLEMENTING UN SECURITY [...] (U) Pursuant to reftel action request, Embassy Bangkok provided the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of International Organizations Peace, Security and Disarmament Division and Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, Iran Desk copies of the United Nations Securit [...] |
2008-10-03 09:19:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | KNNP IR MNUC PARM PREL TH |
| 08BANGKOK3006 |
THAI LEADERS AND ACTIVISTS CONTEMPLATING POLITICAL [...] (C) Leading figures from the Thai administration and parliament appear to be moving towards considering ways to reform the Thai political system, although it is unclear when and precisely how they might proceed with constitutional amendments. PM Somchai Wongsawat, opposition leader Abhisit Ve [...] |
2008-10-03 09:26:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KJUS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3020 |
THAI POLICE ARREST TWO PAD DEMONSTRATION LEADERS [...] (C) Thai Police arrested two leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) outside of the Government House compound over the October 3-5 weekend. One of the two, retired Major General Chamlong Srimuang, is widely seen as PAD's leading strategist. While Chamlong's arrest was not unexpe [...] |
2008-10-06 10:58:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KJUS ASEC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3021 |
MINOR CLASHES ERUPT ALONG THAI BORDERS WITH [...] (C) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told us October 6 that the Cambodian military had violated the August 13 agreement between Thailand and Cambodian by digging a trench in the disputed territory near the Preah Vihear temple. This violation led directly to the October 3 clash that left two T [...] |
2008-10-06 11:11:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TH CB BM |
| 08BANGKOK3032 |
THAILAND: POLITICAL CRISIS RETURNS TO THE STREETS [...] (C) Summary: Thailand's political crisis returned to the streets in chaotic fashion overnight October 6-7, as several thousand People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators blockaded the Thai parliament to prevent the new government from presenting its policies to a joint House-Senate ses [...] |
2008-10-07 11:12:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3033 |
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: CHAVALIT REENTERS GOVERNMENT [...] (S) Then-deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyuth told Ambassador on October 1 that his primary focus in returning to government was to bring resolution to the conflict in southern Thailand. He outlined an approach that focused on achieving buy-in from community representatives in the south [...] |
2008-10-07 11:18:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK3034 |
THAILAND LIKELY TO ABSTAIN OR VOTE AGAINST KOSOVO [...] (C) Ambassador raised ref A points on the Serbia's UNGA resolution on Kosovo and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with MFA PermSec Virasakdi Futrakul October 7, underscoring the U.S. interest in like-minded votes. Virasakdi said that Thai policy on Kosovo recognition remained unchanged [...] |
2008-10-08 02:14:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UN UNGA KV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3042 |
THAILAND POLITICAL CRISIS: BANGKOK QUIET IN [...] (C) Summary. The streets of Bangkok's government district were quiet October 8 after a day and evening of violence left a large number of demonstrators and police injured and two dead. Thai police told us that a number of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators had been armed with [...] |
2008-10-08 11:22:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KJUS ASEC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3059 |
THAILAND POLITICAL CRISIS: CHARGES AGAINST PAD [...] (C) Summary. The streets of Bangkok remained quiet October 9. The major development came in the courts, when the Appeal Court threw out the most serious charges (of insurrection/treason) against the nine leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). The two arrested PAD leaders then [...] |
2008-10-09 10:04:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KJUS ASEC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3066 |
MEDIA COVERAGE OF THAI CRISIS, OCTOBER 7-10: BLACK [...] (SBU) Summary: Media coverage of Thailand's worst street violence in 16 years has been extensive and pervasive. Print media, televised news coverage and internet blogs each have their own spin on the October 7 violence as they join in the "blame game" that has played out in the public arena. [...] |
2008-10-10 09:23:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KPAO TH |
| 08BANGKOK3067 |
LAO HMONG: THAI MILITARY PROMISES FIRST [...] (C) Summary. Senior Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) officials have offered new transparency on the 6,000 remaining Lao Hmong at the army-run camp in Petchabun province. In separate meetings with Ambassador and DCM, newly-appointed Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jaggabartra and Chief of [...] |
2008-10-10 09:23:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM TH LA |
| 08BANGKOK3068 |
EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING [...] (U) Advisor conducted meetings with embassy and Vietnamese officials in Hanoi, Sept. 22-23. Advisor met with Royal Thai Customs officials on Sept. 25. New EXBS Program Assistant in Vietnam started work on Sept. 3. Upcoming events include an Enterprise Outreach Seminar and a regional UN 1540 W [...] |
2008-10-10 09:27:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN |
| 08BANGKOK3069 |
THAILAND BELIEVES CAMBODIA RECENTLY PLACED MINES [...] (C) Two Thai soldiers were severely injured October 6 by landmines that the Thai government believes were recently placed by the Cambodian military in disputed territory near the Preah Vihear temple. The Thai government is analyzing fragments from the landmines in hopes of proving whether the [...] |
2008-10-10 09:40:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK3070 |
THAI BANKS BEGIN TIGHTENING CREDIT FOR FOREIGN FIRMS [...] (SBU) Concerned about the creditworthiness of foreign business entities in Thailand, Thai banks are reportedly tightening lines of credit for U.S. firms. The Bangkok Post reported October 9 that Thai banks are cutting back funding lines to U.S. companies "as credit risks have jumped sharply in [...] |
2008-10-10 10:07:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3071 |
THAILAND OCTOBER 10: COURTS ACTIVE, STREETS QUIET, [...] (SBU) Summary: The streets of Bangkok stayed quiet October 10 for the third day after the October 7 violence. As on October 9 (reftel), the primary action occurred in the Thai courts, with seven remaining Peoples' Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders turning themselves in to police authorities [...] |
2008-10-10 10:14:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3080 |
THAI QUEEN SHOWS SUPPORT FOR ANTI-GOVERNMENT [...] (C) Bangkok was calm October 14 as as Queen Sirikit sent the strongest public signal to date of her support for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) when she presided over the October 13 funeral ceremony of an anti-government protestor, Angkhana Radappanyawut. Shortly after the funeral c [...] |
2008-10-14 10:55:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ASEC CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3081 |
Nomination for the Department of Labor's Iqbal Masih Award [...] Embassy Bangkok in coordination with Consulate General Chiang Mai enthusiastically nominates TRAFCORD for the Department of Labor's Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labor. Nomination Package -- Data Summary ---------------------------------- 2. Organization Name: Anti-Traffi [...] |
2008-10-14 11:03:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB PHUM KTIP TH |
| 08BANGKOK3082 |
TENSIONS FLARE WITH CAMBODIA AFTER HUN SEN DEMANDS THAI WITHDRAWAL FROM DISPUTED BORDER AREA NEAR PREAH VIHEAR [...] (C) Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia flared again October 13 after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said during the new Thai FM's visit to Phnom Penh that Thai troops would have to withdraw from a disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple because the area was a ""life and death battle zone." [...] |
2008-10-14 11:41:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK3087 |
JUSTICE DELAYED, NOT JUSTICE DENIED? FAMOUS THAI [...] (SBU) Thailand's Criminal Court convicted Rangsan Torsuwan, one of Thailand's most famous architects and influential developers, on charges related to attempted murder on September 29, and sentenced him to 25 years' imprisonment. Three other defendants also received lengthy sentences, ranging [...] |
2008-10-15 08:45:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KJUS PREL PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3094 |
THAI AND CAMBODIAN TROOPS CLASH NEAR DISPUTED [...] (C) Despite initial indications that tensions surrounding the Preah Vihear border dispute had eased (ref A), Thai and Cambodia troops exchanged fire mid-afternoon October 15 in the area near the temple. Initial media reports indicated that at least four Thai soldiers had been injured in the [...] |
2008-10-15 11:28:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CASC ASEC TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK3099 |
THAILAND COMMITS TO PARTICIPATE IN ASIA PACIFIC [...] (SBU) Summary: On October 13 DRL Senior Advisor Christopher N. Camponovo and poloff met with Thai MFA International Organizations Deputy Director-General Ittiporn Boonpracong and Social Division Director Nadhavathna Krishnamra to discuss Thai participation in the Asia-Pacific Democracy Partne [...] |
2008-10-16 03:11:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL TH |
| 08BANGKOK3100 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for Units and commanders listed below, which have been selected to attend the co [...] |
2008-10-16 03:14:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3119 |
THAI KING'S SECRETARY ASSURES AMBASSADOR: NO COUP; [...] (C) Summary: The streets of Bangkok remained calm October 16; Royal Thai Army (RTA) commander Anupong Paojinda went on live TV late in the day to reiterate that political actors should resolve their differences and that military intervention was not the solution. The King's Principal Private [...] |
2008-10-16 11:32:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ASEC CASC MOPS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3120 |
SITUATION CALM OCTOBER 16 AROUND DISPUTED PREAH [...] (C) The situation in the Preah Vihear temple area appeared calm October 16 as the two sides reportedly agreed to conduct joint patrols in the disputed area. The Thai MFA asserted in a briefing for the diplomatic corps that Cambodia had recently placed mines in the disputed area and presented w [...] |
2008-10-16 11:52:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK3126 |
Financial Turmoil: Limited Impact on Thailand [...] (U) Econoff passed reftel points to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ministry of Commerce, and Finance Ministry (FinMin) on October 3. According to Director General Krit Kraichitti of the MFA's Department of International Economic Affairs, his Department's Division of International Econo [...] |
2008-10-17 05:12:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3142 |
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE IN THAILAND: VIEWS OF THE [...] (C) In a rare meeting with representatives from the Malaysian embassy to discuss southern Thailand, Minister Counselor Roslan A. Rahman told us in late September that Malaysia saw the multiple tracks of negotiations for a resolution of the conflict in southern Thailand as a positive developmen [...] |
2008-10-17 10:17:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK3143 |
THAI PRIME MINISTER SOMCHAI DISREGARDS ARMY [...] (C) Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat on October 17 declined to resign, called for public unity in advance of upcoming events of national importance, and he called for the public to await an independent commission's report on the violent confrontation between police and protesters on October 7. [...] |
2008-10-17 10:20:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ASEC CASC MOPS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3144 |
THAI GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO FINANCIAL CRISIS [...] (SBU) Summary: The RTG agreed October 14 to a series of measures aimed at helping offset the impact of the global financial crisis and shoring up economic growth. The plan calls for expanding of tax exemptions for long-term personal investments; accelerating budget disbursements and increase [...] |
2008-10-17 10:52:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3154 |
PEACEFUL PROTEST IN BANGKOK; EX-COP THREATENS [...] (SBU) Summary: The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) held a peaceful protest in central Bangkok on October 20. A former high-ranking police official, Salang Bunnag, threatened publicly to lead ex-police officers in a move to clear PAD protestors from the Government House c [...] |
2008-10-20 10:00:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM ASEC CASC MOPS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3158 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individual listed below, which have been selected to attend the course sched [...] |
2008-10-21 03:59:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3167 |
THAI FORMER PRIME MINISTER THAKSIN CONVICTED [...] (U) A panel of Supreme Court Justices on October 21 convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in connection with his wife's 2003 purchase of land from the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF). (Ref D provides further background on this case.) The court sentenced Thaksin to [...] |
2008-10-21 11:59:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KJUS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3188 |
Thai Finance Minister says Baht should be Weaker [...] (SBU) Summary: Thai Finance Minister Suchart told the Ambassador October 21 that he would prefer a "weaker" baht to promote exports, given Thailand's high dependence on export growth to keep its economy expanding. He also has proposed extending deposit protection guarantees to maintain invest [...] |
2008-10-22 09:12:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3191 |
THAI PM SOMCHAI AIMS FOR CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT; [...] (C) Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat told the Ambassador he was committed to a peaceful resolution of political disputes. He welcomed the Ambassador's expression of USG support for democracy and the rule of law, and Somchai said the way forward entailed a fact-finding commission's report on t [...] |
2008-10-22 10:11:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM KJUS TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK3192 |
PRIVY COUNCILORS TELL AMBASSADOR: NO COUP, KING IN [...] (C) Privy Councilors Prem Tinsulanonda and Siddhi Savetsila separately told the Ambassador on October 22 that the Thai Army would not launch a coup. The Ambassador welcomed this assurance and explained the USG could not accept a coup or coup-like action. Prem spoke well of Prime Minister Som [...] |
2008-10-22 10:25:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KDEM ASEC MOPS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3207 |
ORIGIN OF THAI RUBY EXPORTS HARD TO DOCUMENT [...] (SBU) Summary. Thai jewelry dealers say that while African rubies are increasingly imported for processing in Thailand, the rubies headed for the U.S. market have traditionally been higher quality stones that are likely to have come from Burma. Rubies are typically shipped to the United States [...] |
2008-10-24 10:02:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN ETRD PGOV PREL BM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3208 |
THAILAND COMMITTED TO PEACEFUL RESOLUTION FOR [...] (C) Summary. Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jaggabartra October 24 told the Ambassador that Cambodia recently had reinforced troops near Preah Vihear temple. Nevertheless, the Thai government remained committed to a peaceful resolution to the dispute. Songkitti said the United Nations ha [...] |
2008-10-24 10:16:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK3209 |
THAI SUPREME COMMANDER ASSURES AMBASSADOR THAT [...] (C) Summary. Thai Armed Forces Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jaggabartra told the Ambassador on October 24 that the Thai military would not stage a coup. The military was committed to working with Prime Minister Somchai and to helping the country through constitutional means. Songkitti [...] |
2008-10-24 10:20:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KDEM ASEC MOPS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3210 |
THAILAND: APEC FOOD DEFENSE PILOT PROJECT [...] (SBU) Embassy Bangkok believes that Thailand is a strong candidate to host an APEC Food Defense pilot project in 2009, per criteria provided in ref C. Our Economic Section and the Foreign Agricultural Service reviewed Thailand's suitability for the project and also discussed the pilot project [...] |
2008-10-24 11:31:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO PTER EAGR APEC |
| 08BANGKOK3211 |
SHRIMP: THAI GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY CAUTIOUS [...] This message is Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) and is not intended for use outside the U.S. Government. 2. (SBU) Summary: Thailand continues to be anxious about the USG's implementation of the August 1 World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body decision on anti-dumping duties and cont [...] |
2008-10-24 11:31:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIS ETRD WTO TH |
| 08BANGKOK3220 |
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND NEW [...] (C) On an early October trip to southern Thailand, we observed a robust but low profile security presence and an atmosphere that subjectively appeared less tense. The Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police in Yala told us that the number of insurgents willing to conduct operations in Yala [...] |
2008-10-27 07:20:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK3226 |
THAKSIN ASSOCIATE HOPES FOR MEDIATION OF POLITICAL [...] (C) Yongyuth Tiyapairath, a close ally of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, told the Ambassador on October 28 that a neutral Thai figure should mediate between Thaksin and Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, whom Yongyuth considered the principal leaders of the two sides in the [...] |
2008-10-28 07:07:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM ASEC MOPS CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3227 |
AMBASSADOR ENGAGES THAI FM SOMPONG ON CAMBODIA, [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador, accompanied by DCM and PolCounselor, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat late October 27. Fresh from the ASEM meetings in Beijing October 23-25, FM Sompong described the positive atmosphere of Thai-Cambodian meetings and highlighted [...] |
2008-10-28 08:42:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PREF BMGT CB TH |
| 08BANGKOK3229 |
THAI STOCKS PLUNGE. AGAIN. [...] (U) The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) dropped approximately 10.5 percent October 27, prompting an automatic 30 minute halt in trading for the second time in one month, and only the third time since the circuit-breaker mechanism was implemented in 1975. The main SET index closed at 387.43, [...] |
2008-10-28 10:03:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3232 |
BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON [...] (U) POL FSN October 22 visited the Royal Thai Navy's (RTN) Department of Naval Ordnance in the Sattahip District of Chonburi Province and met with Lt. Cdr. Somporn Phethai, the Department's Administrative Officer. Somporn confirmed that Royal Defence had offered to deliver 1,055 hand grenade f [...] |
2008-10-29 06:32:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KOMC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3234 |
THAI PARLIAMENT APPROVES FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT TO [...] (C) Summary. The Thai Parliament October 28 approved the August 19 Thai-Cambodian Foreign Ministers' Agreement that provides an interim framework to address the border conflict prior to final resolution. Thailand can now legally proceed through the Foreign Ministry-led Joint Border Commission [...] |
2008-10-29 09:40:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PBTS TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK3236 |
THAI HUMAN RIGHTS BODY BLAMES POLICE FOR OCTOBER 7 [...] (C) Summary: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) released a report on October 17 blaming the RTG for excessive use of force during the October 7 clash between People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protestors and the police. The clash resulted in two fatalities and numerous injuries, i [...] |
2008-10-29 10:53:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3249 |
REVISED - THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This revised cable is to correct the subject line on Bangkok 2804. No action requests for Para. 2. 2. (U) JIATF West Bangkok has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for the unit and the commander listed below, which have been selected to at [...] |
2008-10-30 05:35:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3251 |
PRIVY COUNCILOR PREM SAYS SITUATION CALM; ARMY TO [...] (C) Summary: Privy Council Chair Prem Tinsulanonda told the Ambassador October 29 that the political situation was getting calmer and that he was not worried about a planned November 1 rally by pro-Thaksin supporters. In a separate October 29 meeting, Deputy Army Commander General Jiradej Kot [...] |
2008-10-30 06:16:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR PBTS TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK3252 |
SOUTHERN THAILAND: PM VISITS; CROWN PRINCESS [...] (C) Summary: Crown Princess Sirindhorn told the Ambassador October 27 that she was concerned with how the Thai government was utilizing the already abundant educational resources that the RTG directed towards the South. During an October 28 visit to southern Thailand, Prime Minister Somchai W [...] |
2008-10-30 06:16:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK3255 |
THAILAND,S UDD LEADERS DISMISS CONCERNS ABOUT [...] (C) Leaders of the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) assured us that a major UDD rally on November 1, at which former PM Thaksin is expected to speak via phone, would be non-violent. A leading UDD figure stressed UDD's role as the primary obstacle to future c [...] |
2008-10-30 11:20:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO TH |
| 08BANGKOK3268 |
EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING [...] (U) Officials from Thailand and Vietnam attended the Ninth International Export Control Conference in Croatia, Oct. 20-22. The EXBS program co-sponsored an Industry-Government Outreach Seminar with the Ministry of Commerce on Oct. 22. The ASEAN regional UN 1540 Workshop in Bangkok, scheduled f [...] |
2008-10-31 09:51:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN |
| 08BANGKOK3273 |
THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR STAFFDEL [...] Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Mr. Paul Grove, Minority Clerk, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, to lead a Congressional Staff Delegation on official business to Thailand, Burma, Singapore, Australia and Malaysia from November 05-22, 2008. [...] |
2008-11-03 01:12:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT OREP TH |
| 08BANGKOK3275 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individual listed below, who has been selected to attend the course schedule [...] |
2008-11-03 02:02:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3280 |
EX-PM THAKSIN ADDRESSES LARGE, PEACEFUL RALLY IN [...] (SBU) Loyalists of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra organized a pro-Thaksin/anti-coup peaceful gathering of tens of thousands of people wearing red shirts in Bangkok on November 1. From overseas, Thaksin addressed the crowd by phone, denouncing the "injustice" associated with his rece [...] |
2008-11-03 09:12:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3288 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for the officers listed below, who have been selected to visit with the United S [...] |
2008-11-04 05:59:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3289 |
THAILAND IN TRANSITION: POLITICAL AND SOCIAL [...] (C) Immediate concerns of a threat of a coup d'etat in Thailand have ebbed for now, but we see no viable course of action that appears likely in the near term to heal the deep political divisions in contemporary Thai society and the body politic. There are street fighters on both sides willing [...] |
2008-11-04 07:57:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM KJUS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3298 |
THAI PRIME MINISTER'S CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO [...] (U) On November 5, the Embassy hosted a gathering for Thai contacts and students to watch television coverage of the U.S. presidential election, engage with the Ambassador and Embassy officers, and learn more about the U.S. democratic system. (Septel will report on the election watch event in [...] |
2008-11-05 08:36:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3302 |
DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL IRANIAN ENTITIES AND [...] (C) On October 28 and 29, Econoff passed ref a points (regarding the United States' designation of the Export Development Bank of Iran and three affiliated entities under E.O. 13382) and ref b points (regarding the UN 1267 Committee's addition of three Gulf-based Al-Qaida financiers to its lis [...] |
2008-11-06 01:20:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | KNNP KTFN PTER PREL UNSC PINR MNUC PARM EFIN |
| 08BANGKOK3317 |
PALACE INSIDER TELLS AMBASSADOR OF THE KING’S [...] (C) King Bhumibol explicitly told Army Commander Anupong Paojinda not to launch a coup, XXXXXXXXXXXX, an advisor to Queen Sirikit, told Ambassador November 4. XXXXXXXXXXXX also claimed that the Queen had not meant to signal support for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government agend [...] |
2008-11-06 07:30:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV KDEM MOPS ASEC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3331 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individual listed below, which has been selected to attend the course schedu [...] |
2008-11-07 08:20:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3332 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individual listed below, which has been selected to attend the course schedu [...] |
2008-11-07 08:20:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3336 |
THAILAND, ENERGIZED BY FINANCIAL CRISIS, PUSHES [...] (SBU) Summary: A senior Ministry of Finance official explained November 4 that the Thai government hopes to build consensus among the ASEAN plus three nations, in time for the December ASEAN Summit, on the creation of a multilateral currency pool based on the bilateral swap agreements of the C [...] |
2008-11-07 10:25:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3341 |
SCENESETTER FOR ADMIRAL KEATING'S MEETING WITH [...] (C) Summary. Admiral Keating, your brief meeting with Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) Chief of Joint Staff General Ratchakrit Kanchanawat at the Chiefs of Defense conference affords a chance to affirm the United States Government's commitment to working with a democratically elected Thai gove [...] |
2008-11-10 09:51:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER MARR MOPS PINS PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3342 |
U.S. ELECTION WATCH IN THAILAND DRAWS RECORD CROWD [...] Summary: U.S. Mission Thailand directly engaged over 2,000 members of the public through three simultaneous Election Watch events held in Bangkok and Chiang Mai on November 5. Media interest was intense and Post estimates that approximately 25-35 million Thais were reached through the widespre [...] |
2008-11-10 10:30:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV OIIP PREL SCUL OPRC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3349 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for the officer listed below, who has been selected to attend the conference in [...] |
2008-11-12 03:01:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3350 |
QUESTIONING THE UNQUESTIONABLE? UPTICK IN ONLINE [...] (C) Online and open public criticism of Thai royals, particularly of Queen Sirikit, has increased recently. Army Commander Anupong Paojinda issued a public warning October 27 that the Army would take unspecified steps against people committing lese majeste, or offense to the monarchy. A high [...] |
2008-11-12 07:08:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO TH |
| 08BANGKOK3352 |
AMENDING THAILAND'S CONSTITUTION: SOLUTION OR [...] (C) The governing coalition is pursuing constitutional reform, although this prospect may again energize anti-government protests. The governing coalition's public statements on this topic have focused on procedural rather than substantive issues. We have heard that former Prime Minister Tha [...] |
2008-11-12 10:06:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV KDEM PINR TH |
| 08BANGKOK3366 |
AMBASSADOR RAISES UNGA RESOLUTIONS, THAI-CAMBODIA, [...] (C) Summary. Ambassador advocated passage of UNGA Third Committee resolutions on Iran, Burma, and North Korea and rejection of no-action motions with MFA Permanent Secretary Virasakdi Futrakul November 10. PermSec Virasakdi reiterated the long-standing Thai position to abstain on all country [...] |
2008-11-13 09:34:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3374 |
THAI WEBSITES, RADIO FACE LESE MAJESTE SCRUTINY [...] (C) The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry and the Ministry of Interior (MOI) joined recent Army and Police efforts against lese majeste in late October. The ICT Ministry sought the cooperation of website editors in self-censoring content and announced an effort to create [...] |
2008-11-14 08:27:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO KJUS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3376 |
PROGRESS IN THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER TALKS [...] (C) Summary: Thai and Cambodian Foreign Ministers agreed November 12 to a series of measures that will initiate the process of delineating disputed border areas. The two sides prioritized settling overlapping claims adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple for survey work scheduled to begin in Dece [...] |
2008-11-14 09:23:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PBTS TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK3386 |
INTERPRETING FORMER PRIME MINISTER THAKSIN'S [...] (C) A spokesman for former Prime Minister Thaksin told the media that Thaksin and his wife, Potjaman, divorced in Hong Kong on November 14. Most Thais believe the divorce was driven by tactical considerations. An advisor to the Prime Minister told the Ambassador that Thaksin now "can go full [...] |
2008-11-17 09:56:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PINR KDEM KJUS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3387 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for Units and commanders listed below, which have been selected to attend the co [...] |
2008-11-17 23:57:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3388 |
EAST ASIA ESTH HUB WORK PLAN FOR FY09 [...] Summary: This cable sets out the East Asian Regional Environmental Officer's ("Hub") work plan for FY09. In accordance with OES and EAP priorities the Hub will focus on three areas of science diplomacy: clean energy, public health and conservation of natural resources combined with law enforce [...] |
2008-11-18 00:04:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV EAID AMGT TH |
| 08BANGKOK3398 |
UPDATE ON LESE MAJESTE CASES IN THAILAND [...] (C) Thailand enjoys a relatively robust media environment, lively, open criticism of those in power, and general freedom of expression, with a significant exception: the criminal offense of lese majeste, or offense to the monarchy. Long on the Thai books but not always vigorously pursued, a se [...] |
2008-11-18 09:29:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KPAO KJUS TH |
| 08BANGKOK340 |
AMBASSADOR AND PRIME MINISTER SAMAK DISCUSS [...] (C) The Ambassador called on Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej at his residence on February 1 and welcomed the return of a democratically-elected government to Thailand. Samak explained his decision to serve concurrently as Minister of Defense and confirmed reports of his intended appointments t [...] |
2008-02-01 08:05:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR PHUM SNAR KDEM KJUS TH BM |
| 08BANGKOK3407 |
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: NOT IN SATUN [...] (C) In early October, we traveled to Satun province in southern Thailand to assess the security environment in relation to the rest of the deep south. The vice governor in charge of security affairs, the provincial chief of police, and local Muslim leaders all described a province separated [...] |
2008-11-19 08:08:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK3408 |
THAI MFA OFFICIAL OFFERS LITTLE PROMISE OF ACTION [...] (C) We delivered reftel points on the recent crackdown in Burma and the UNGA Third Committee resolution to Thai MFA East Asian Affairs Department Director Kallayana Vipattipumiprates on November 18. On the disturbing direction of developments, Kallayana responded that the MFA would not issue [...] |
2008-11-19 09:20:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL BM |
| 08BANGKOK341 |
EU ENVOY FOR BURMA MAKES LITTLE HEADWAY WITH THAIS [...] (C) The RTG had little to offer the EU Special Envoy for Burma, who in turn presented no details or clarifications on what he thought the region should do about Burma. While he met with a wide cross section of actors that focus on Burma, including NGOs, ASEAN diplomats, and members of the UN [...] |
2008-02-01 08:41:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM KPAO KDEM BM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3424 |
ANTI-TRAFFICKING ENGAGEMENT PAYS DIVIDENDS [...] Summary: Over the course of 2008 the Embassy and Consulate General Chiang Mai have continued to broaden and increase our prevention activities in support of the Mission's anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) strategy. Each event has been a success, either energizing our local partners or raising [...] |
2008-11-20 09:12:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB PHUM KTIP TH |
| 08BANGKOK3426 |
LETHAL EXPLOSION AT BANGKOK PROTEST SITE KILLS ONE [...] (C) A pre-dawn explosion at the Government House compound on November 20 killed an anti-government protestor and wounded at least 20 others. The explosion is the latest in a long string of politically motivated bombings in Thailand, although some of the earlier attacks appeared primarily symb [...] |
2008-11-20 10:09:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3439 |
THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL LEE [...] Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Jessica Lee, Professional Staffer of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on official business to assess the situation at the Thai-Burma border from December 7-14, 2008. 2. The Embassy understands that Ms. Lee is relying on the "U.S. [...] |
2008-11-21 07:08:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | OREP AMGT TH |
| 08BANGKOK3440 |
NAVIGATING THAILAND-CAMBODIA RELATIONS NO EASY [...] (C) Summary: The Thai MFA Director responsible for Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos revealed to us November 18 that Thailand-Cambodia relations have dominated his division's workload the past several years, even factoring in the 2007 Saffron Uprising, Cyclone Nargis, and the international pr [...] |
2008-11-21 07:16:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PBTS TH CB |
| 08BANGKOK3443 |
Labor Fraud Case: Thai Workers to Libya [...] (SBU) Summary: According to Thai authorities, in August and September 2008, the Thai Consular Section in Cairo, Egypt helped repatriate 57 Thai construction workers from Libya back to Thailand. The workers, all male adults, traveled to Libya to work for a construction firm and contacted the T [...] |
2008-11-21 10:16:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB PHUM KTIP TH |
| 08BANGKOK3454 |
ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATION IN BANGKOK STARTS [...] (SBU) Tens of thousands of supporters of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrated at the parliament on the morning of November 24, causing the cancellation of a legislative session. As of late afternoon November 24, the main protest outside of the PAD base at Gov [...] |
2008-11-24 10:19:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3461 |
THE THAI PLAN NOT TO ATTEND IRAN NUCLEAR CONFERENCE [...] (C) Thai MFA officials were not aware of Iran's First International Conference on Nuclear Power Plants, Environmental and Sustainable Development, and are not planning to attend. Political and Economic Officers delivered reftel demarche November 21 to Ms. Pimpiree Pyramarn, First Secretary, De [...] |
2008-11-25 07:55:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | IR KNNP MNUC PARM TRGY |
| 08BANGKOK3467 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individual listed below, which has been selected to attend the course schedu [...] |
2008-11-25 10:00:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3470 |
PEACEFUL PROTESTS CONTINUE AT BANGKOK AIRPORT, [...] (SBU) Several thousand anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters continued to demonstrate peacefully at Bangkok's Don Muang (domestic) airport on November 25, without disrupting airport operations. While most PAD sympathizers appear intent on remaining at Don Muang unti [...] |
2008-11-25 10:45:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3471 |
UNGA MIDDLE EAST RESOLUTIONS: THAILAND TO CONTINUE [...] (C) We delivered ref A points on the misallocation of UNGA time and resources to anti-Israel resolutions to Thai MFA Deputy Director-General of International Organizations Ittiporn Boonpracong on November 25. Ittiporn responded that the RTG would maintain its past voting record of abstaining [...] |
2008-11-25 11:02:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL TH |
| 08BANGKOK3489 |
THAILAND SUPPORTS UNGA RESOLUTION ON COMPLIANCE [...] No summary [...] |
2008-11-26 09:56:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MNUC PARM PREL UNGA TH |
| 08BANGKOK3490 |
AUTO INDUSTRY IN THAILAND CUTS PRODUCTION [...] (SBU) Summary. American automakers in Thailand have reacted to a decline in domestic and regional demand by revising growth forecasts downward and reducing production. Ford has cut back production of cars for the remainder of the year. General Motors has taken more drastic steps, including c [...] |
2008-11-26 10:18:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ETRD PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3491 |
THAILAND PREPARES FOR ASEAN SUMMITS AMIDST [...] (SBU) Thailand will be ready for the ASEAN Summit meetings December 15-18, MFA Deputy Director General for ASEAN Affairs Manasvi Srisodapol told us on November 25 when we met to discuss the upcoming ASEAN and related summits (reftel). ASEAN Secretary General and former Thai Foreign Minister Su [...] |
2008-11-26 10:23:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | ECIN PREL PGOV ASEAN TH |
| 08BANGKOK3492 |
MOB SHUTS MAIN BANGKOK AIRPORT, ARMY CHIEF URGES [...] (C) Thousands of anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protestors swarmed into Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport on the night of November 25, forcing the airport's closure, which continues as of COB November 26. The Army Commander led a news conference late in the d [...] |
2008-11-26 11:18:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ASEC CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3497 |
THAILAND CONSIDERING LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVED IN ARF [...] (C) Per reftel instructions, POLOFF discussed possible Thai participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum Disaster Relief Voluntary Demonstration of Response (VDR) with Suriya Chindawongse, Counsellor in the Department of ASEAN Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and JUSMAGTHAI discussed w [...] |
2008-11-28 08:28:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID MARR MOPS ASEAN ARF RP TH |
| 08BANGKOK3501 |
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD (Thailand) [...] Summary: ESTHoff discussed Reftel discussion points with Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs on November 25. The Royal Thai Government (RTG) is interested in the Global Partnership for Agriculture and Food Security (GPAF) but would need to see the non-paper and agreed principles m [...] |
2008-11-28 09:02:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EAGR TBIO EAID PGOV |
| 08BANGKOK3503 |
THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR STAFFDEL LUSE [...] Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Keith Luse, Senior Professional Staff Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on official business from December 11-13, 2008. 2. The Embassy confirmed the below hotel reservation for Mr. Luse from December 11-13 for two nights [...] |
2008-11-28 10:46:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | OREP AFIN TH |
| 08BANGKOK3504 |
STALEMATE, LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT: BANGKOK AIRPORTS [...] (C) Bangkok's international and domestic airports remain closed as of COB November 28 due to continuing anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protests, with no clear path out of the stalemate in the offing. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat on November 27 declared a state of em [...] |
2008-11-28 12:31:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET | PGOV PREL ASEC CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3505 |
ARMY TELLS AMBASSADOR IT WANTS PEACEFUL, [...] (C) Summary. In a November 28 meeting, Deputy Army Commander General Jiradej Kotcharat told the Ambassador that the only solution to the political crisis was via peaceful, democratic means. The Army was concerned that there was no way to take back the airports without massive damage to the fa [...] |
2008-11-28 13:29:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3519 |
THAILAND: ECONOMY SUFFERS FROM AIRPORT SHUTDOWNS [...] (SBU) Summary: As the anti-government protesters continue to blockade Bangkok's airports, tourism and other industries dependent on air cargo are getting clobbered. Thai Airways alone reports losses of $14 million a day. Tourism has long been a mainstay of Thai economic growth, and to the ext [...] |
2008-12-01 11:45:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3520 |
THAI STALEMATE DRAGS ON, FOCUS SHIFTING TO COURT [...] (C) An explosive device injured dozens of participants in the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) gathering at the Government House compound on November 29. Citing safety concerns, a PAD co-leader called for supporters to decamp from Government House, although PAD may retain s [...] |
2008-12-01 12:01:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KJUS ASEC CASC ECON EINV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3521 |
SUPREME COMMANDER TELLS AMBASSADOR MILITARY WILL [...] (C) Summary. In a December 1 meeting, Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jaggabartra predicted to the Ambassador that the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) would not be able to sustain its hold on the nation's key international airports for more than a few days. Songkitti again stressed [...] |
2008-12-01 12:10:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3522 |
AMBASSADOR AND FM SOMPONG DISCUSS CHOICES FACING [...] (S) Summary: Ambassador engaged FM Sompong Amornvivat December 1 on the ongoing political crisis and the choices facing PM Somchai Wongsawat. Sompong said that there would be informal discussions on the margins of a December 2 Cabinet meeting to be held in Chiang Mai about whether Somchai sho [...] |
2008-12-01 12:40:00 | Embassy Bangkok | SECRET | PREL PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3529 |
THAI COURT DISSOLVES PPP, REMOVES PRIME MINISTER; [...] (C) The Constitutional Court on December 2 issued a ruling that dissolved the People's Power Party and two other coalition parties, stripping the Prime Minister and other party executive board members of their political rights and offices. Deputy PM Chavarat Charnvirakul now serves as acting [...] |
2008-12-02 10:04:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KJUS ASEC CASC ECON EINV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3530 |
Thai Banks Remain Strong Despite Crisis [...] (SBU) Summary: Despite the economic impact of Thailand's prolonged political stalemate, including the ongoing airport closure crisis (ref a), financial sector leaders in Thailand believe the local banking sector remains sound. Even though credit rating agencies have downgraded Thailand's cred [...] |
2008-12-02 10:47:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3531 |
DECEMBER 2: UPDATE ON THAILAND'S MAKE-SHIFT [...] (SBU) Summary: The Embassy is assisting Amcits 24 hours a day though a call center manned by consular officers and volunteers from the Embassy community, to find hotel rooms and/or outbound transportation from Thailand. Neither United nor Northwest, the only U.S. carriers that serve Bangkok, [...] |
2008-12-02 11:23:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC CMGT EAIR EFIN PGOV PREL ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3532 |
DECEMBER 2: UPDATE ON THAILAND'S MAKE-SHIFT [...] (SBU) Summary: The Embassy is assisting Amcits 24 hours a day though a call center manned by consular officers and volunteers from the Embassy community, to find hotel rooms and/or outbound transportation from Thailand. Neither United nor Northwest, the only U.S. carriers that serve Bangkok, [...] |
2008-12-02 23:30:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC CMGT EAIR EFIN PGOV PREL ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3540 |
DECEMBER 3: UPDATE ON THAILAND'S AIRPORT AND [...] (SBU) Summary: Anti-government protesters claimed victory and departed Thailand's airports December 3 after the high court dissolved several political parties and the prime minister stepped down December 2. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) reports that Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok's international ai [...] |
2008-12-03 10:27:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC CMGT EAIR EFIN PGOV PREL ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3541 |
BANGKOK ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS END (FOR NOW); [...] (C) The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on December 3 ended its protests at Bangkok's airports and has withdrawn its guards from the Government House compound, following the December 2 Constitutional Court ruling that dissolved the pro-Thaksin People's Power Party (PPP) ( [...] |
2008-12-03 10:32:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KJUS ASEC CASC EAIR ECON EINV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3559 |
BANGKOK AMBASSADORS URGE RTG TO INCREASE AIRPORT [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador and counterparts December 4 inquired about RTG plans to protect Thailand's airports and other key infrastructure in a meeting with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Virasakdi Futrakul and Police Lieutenant General Prayoon Amarit, Commissioner Attached [...] |
2008-12-04 09:45:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KJUS ASEC CASC EAIR ECON EINV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3561 |
DECEMBER 4: UPDATE ON THAILAND'S AIRPORTS AND [...] (SBU) Summary. U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) representatives began assessing the security conditions at Suvarnabhumi on December 4. TSA is working with U.S. air carriers and Thai officials to ensure that all safety and security regulations are met prior to U.S. air carr [...] |
2008-12-04 09:58:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC CASC CMGT EAIR EFIN PGOV PREL ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3579 |
EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING [...] (U) Commonwealth Trading Partners (CTP) conducted an Interagency Relations and Infrastructure Workshop in Bangkok, Nov. 3-5. ECC Desk Officer Rachel Owen met with Vietnamese officials, Nov. 3-4. Advisor, Vietnam Program Assistant and Thai and Vietnamese officials attended the Export Control [...] |
2008-12-08 06:06:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN CB |
| 08BANGKOK3585 |
THAI UPDATE: KING ILL; DEMOCRATS PREPARE TO FORM [...] (C) Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Princess Sirindhorn announced jointly on December 4 that King Bhumibol was too ill to deliver his annual address to the nation; subsequent reports from the Palace indicated the King was recovering. The Secretary General of Thailand's Democrat Party (DP), fla [...] |
2008-12-08 09:47:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3588 |
THAILAND'S NEW TIP LAW: NOTABLE PROGRESS AFTER SIX MONTHS [...] (SBU) Summary: In the six months since its new Anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Act came into force, the Royal Thai Government (RTG) has taken substantial steps to implement the law. The RTG is developing subordinate regulations to make the law's provisions operational, and has identified $1 [...] |
2008-12-09 07:17:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB PHUM KTIP TH |
| 08BANGKOK3592 |
BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON [...] (U) According to the Thai Ministry of Commerce, Kangwan Firearms, Limited Partnership, was listed. The company was originally named Saha Phonchai Firearms Ltd., Part., and was renamed Kangwan on January 16, 1979. Registration No. 0203515000052 Registered Date: January 21, 1972 Status: Limi [...] |
2008-12-09 08:58:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KOMC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3617 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for individual listed below, which has been selected to attend the courses sched [...] |
2008-12-11 09:17:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3618 |
THAI POLITICAL MANEUVERING CONTINUES AS VOTE FOR [...] (C) Thai politicians appear to remain engaged in coalition-building maneuvers in advance of the House of Representatives election of a new Prime Minister, likely to take place on December 15. While Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva appears to be the frontrunner, we do not rule out the p [...] |
2008-12-11 10:00:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK363 |
AMBASSADOR AND HOUSE SPEAKER DISCUSS BILATERAL [...] (C) House Speaker Yongyut Tiyapairat told the Ambassador in a February 1 meeting that he would welcome visits to improve ties between the U.S. and Thai legislatures, as well as other programs aiming to enhance democracy in Thailand. Yongyut indicated he did not yet have a clearly defined legis [...] |
2008-02-04 10:18:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR PHUM ECON EINV KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3632 |
SCENESETTER FOR SENATOR WEBB'S VISIT TO THAILAND [...] (SBU) Senator Webb, Embassy Bangkok looks forward to welcoming you to Thailand. Your visit will afford a chance to express the United States' commitment to working with a democratically-elected Thai government and to affirming U.S. commitment to the bilateral relationship, particularly our im [...] |
2008-12-12 09:14:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL MARR MOPS PINS TH |
| 08BANGKOK3634 |
Implementation of Amended Lacey Act (Thailand) [...] ESTHoff delivered Reftel talking points on December 3 the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture. The ministries assigned action officers to translate and report on details of the Lacey Act amendments through the ministerial leadership. Ministry points of contact reported that they w [...] |
2008-12-12 10:01:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV EAID EAGR ETRD EINV BTIO TH |
| 08BANGKOK3640 |
AMBASSADOR VISITS NORTHEAST THAILAND AND DISCUSSES [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a visit to Northeast Thailand on November 25-26, the Ambassador met with the Governors of Udorn Thani and Khon Kaen provinces and discussed both the current political tensions in Thailand as well as deteriorating economic conditions in the region. While acknowledging the [...] |
2008-12-15 04:02:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM ECON ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK3643 |
BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON [...] (U) Summary: Results from Post's conversations with March Aviation and the Naval Air Division of the Royal Thai Navy indicate that Aeromiltec doctored the purchase order from March Aviation. Post notes that reftel requests a pre-license check; however, helmets have already been delivered by A [...] |
2008-12-15 06:43:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KOMC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3648 |
THAI HOUSE ELECTS DEMOCRAT ABHISIT AS NEXT PRIME [...] (C) The Thai House of Representatives on December 15 elected Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as Thailand's next Prime Minister by a vote of 235-198; we recommend that, as with Abhisit's last two predecessors, the President call to congratulate the PM-elect. Abhisit will likely receive [...] |
2008-12-15 09:42:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3649 |
THE SOUTHERN BORDER PROVINCES ADMINSTRATION [...] (SBU) Summary and comment: In an early December meeting, Vithit Powattanasuk, an MFA officer assigned to the Southern Border Provinces Administration Center (SBPAC) in Yala province, told us that the SBPAC was responsible for directing and monitoring all efforts in the deep south that could be [...] |
2008-12-15 09:49:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK3659 |
AMBASSADOR VISIT TO NORTHEAST THAILAND HIGHLIGHTS U.S. [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Ambassador's November 25-26 visit to Northeast Thailand highlighted U.S. outreach efforts in the region and conveyed the USG's ongoing commitment to building and sustaining cultural and economic ties that extend beyond Bangkok to all regions of Thailand. Emphasizing the val [...] |
2008-12-16 01:37:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM PGOV SCUL KPAO TH |
| 08BANGKOK366 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for Individuals listed below, who have been selected to attend the above-ment [...] |
2008-02-05 02:57:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3673 |
TERRORISM FINANCE: U.S. DOMESTIC DESIGNATION OF [...] (SBU) On December 4, Econoff passed reftel points regarding the United States' designation of Saudi Arabia-based Union of Good as a supporter of terrorism under Executive Order 13224 to three offices within the RTG: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MFA) International Security Unit, the Nation [...] |
2008-12-17 05:51:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | KTFN KWBG KPAL EFIN PTER ETTC PREL PINR |
| 08BANGKOK3675 |
THAI VIEWS ON HARMONIZATION OF UN CONDITIONS OF [...] No summary [...] |
2008-12-17 06:52:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL AMGT AORC UNGA TH |
| 08BANGKOK3695 |
ABHISIT VEJJAJIVA FORMALLY BECOMES THAI PRIME [...] (C) Abhisit Vejjajiva on December 17 received the royal command from King Bhumibol, formally becoming Thailand's Prime Minister in the wake of the December 15 parliamentary vote. He delivered an eloquent speech, partially in English, pledging to work on behalf of all Thais, end Thailand's "fa [...] |
2008-12-18 07:27:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM ASEC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3698 |
EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM/CAMBODIA ADVISOR MONTHLY [...] (U) Commonwealth Trading Partners (CTP) conducted an Advanced National Control List Workshop in Hanoi, Dec. 10-12. Rapiscan x-ray system installation and operator training in Vietnam was completed Dec 5. The electrical generator for the Rapiscan van in Hue is being prepared for shipment from [...] |
2008-12-19 04:08:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN CB |
| 08BANGKOK3700 |
AMBASSADOR ENGAGES NEW THAI PM ABHISIT ON HIS [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador, accompanied by DCM and political counselor, met new Thai PM Abhisit Vejjavija late December 18 to congratulate him and lay the groundwork for our engagement with the next Thai government in advance of the rollout of the new Cabinet. Abhisit said his most urgent task w [...] |
2008-12-19 06:54:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON TH |
| 08BANGKOK3701 |
"ASEAN CHARTER FOR ASEAN PEOPLE": GENUINE [...] (U) Summary: A December 11 panel of academics and activists gathered at the Foreign Correspondents' Club Thailand (FCCT) to debate the validity of the ASEAN Charter's claim to be "an ASEAN Charter for ASEAN People." Most panelists questioned the ability of the Charter's regional architecture [...] |
2008-12-19 07:50:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ASEAN TH |
| 08BANGKOK3703 |
MOST RUBIES SMUGGLED INTO THAILAND AND COME WITH [...] (SBU) Summary. Thailand's ruby processing industry does not formally document the country of origin of the raw stones. Industry sources say that most rubies are smuggled in from either Burma or Africa. None of the smuggled goods come with certificates of origin, although it may be possib [...] |
2008-12-19 09:24:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL EFIN ECON ETRD BM |
| 08BANGKOK3707 |
FM-NOMINEE UNPLUGGED: BLUNT-TALKING KASIT PIROMYA, [...] (C) Summary and Comment: In private discussions and public fora in recent days, Thailand's Foreign Minister designate Kasit Piromya has displayed both a grasp of foreign policy challenges facing Thailand and the outspoken views in defense of the People's Alliance Democracy (PAD) that show the [...] |
2008-12-22 03:01:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR TH |
| 08BANGKOK3711 |
THAILAND AIMS FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT BY 2020 [...] (SBU) Summary. Thailand has expressed commitment to nuclear energy and hopes to build an operational nuclear power plant by 2020. Potential obstacles towards achieving this goal include political instability, the current financial crisis, and negative public opinion towards nuclear power p [...] |
2008-12-22 07:52:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG TRGY BEXP BTIO TH |
| 08BANGKOK3712 |
NEW THAI CABINET APPOINTED, FACES CRITICISM [...] (C) Abhisit Vejjajiva's cabinet received royal appointment on December 20 and was scheduled to be sworn in late in the day on December 22. The cabinet consists primarily of politicians, although a former Army Commander serves as Defense Minister and a career diplomat serves as Foreign Ministe [...] |
2008-12-22 09:42:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3746 |
NEW THAI ECONOMIC TEAM TAKES THE REINS OF A [...] (SBU) Summary: Thai businesses and investors are worried about the effects of the global financial crisis on Thailand, and Prime Minister Abhisit's cabinet selections for his economic team have not quelled these fears. An Oxford-educated economist, Abhisit and his Oxford classmate Korn Chatik [...] |
2008-12-24 09:15:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV ETRD PINR TH |
| 08BANGKOK3747 |
NEW FINANCE MINISTER TELLS AMBASSADOR WE MUST [...] (SBU) Summary: New Finance Minister Korn told the Ambassador in a courtesy call December 24 that he hopes both the U.S. and Thailand will avoid protectionism, which would erode the reservoir of goodwill that the incoming U.S. administration now enjoys internationally. Thailand avoided fallout [...] |
2008-12-24 09:56:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ELAB ETRD PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3756 |
ANTI-GOVERNMENT UDD RESORTS TO PAD METHODS TO [...] (U) Summary. In moves evocative of protests in recent months by yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters, approximately 5,000 anti-government, red-shirted United Front for Democracy (UDD) protesters blocked the entrances to Thailand's Parliament December 29. The protest [...] |
2008-12-29 09:58:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER ASEC CASC TH |
| 08BANGKOK3757 |
AMBASSADOR ENGAGES NEW THAI FM KASIT ON ASEAN, [...] (C) Summary: On December 26, Ambassador, accompanied by DCM and poloff, paid a courtesy call on newly appointed Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. The Ambassador was the first member of Thailand's diplomatic community to call on Kasit. He congratulated Kasit on his appointment and took the oppo [...] |
2008-12-29 11:07:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD PGOV PHUM PREF PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK3774 |
AMBASSADOR PUSHES KEY TRADE ISSUES WITH NEW COMMERCE [...] (SBU) Ambassador John paid a courtesy call December 26 on newly appointed Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai (SecGen of Bhum Jai Thai Party) and Deputy Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot (Democrat). The meeting began with a photo-op after which the Minister invited the Ambassador into her office fo [...] |
2008-12-30 08:09:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ETRD EFIN PGOV TH |
| 08BANGKOK3778 |
THAI ARMY COMMANDER TELLS AMBASSADOR MILITARY DID [...] (C) Summary. Army Commander General Anupong Paochinda told the Ambassador December 22 that he had not influenced the formation of the new government. Self-interest and the opportunity to gain political power had led the Newin Chidchob political faction and other politicians to split with Tha [...] |
2008-12-30 09:33:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MARR TH |
| 08BANGKOK3779 |
THAI PM DELIVERS INAUGURAL POLICY STATEMENT AT MFA [...] (SBU) Summary. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva delivered his constitutionally-mandated policy address at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) rather than at Parliament December 30, enabling the new Democrat Party-led government to take decisions and avoiding paralysis extending into the New [...] |
2008-12-30 09:36:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK3780 |
THAILAND'S DEMOCRACY FACES CONTINUED CHALLENGES, [...] (C) Over the past year since the December 2007 post-coup elections, Thai politics have been dominated by a dramatic tug-of-war between the supporters and opponents of former Prime Minister Thaksin, with a wide range of actors in the latter camp deploying both traditional and unconventional tac [...] |
2008-12-30 09:47:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK382 |
AMBASSADOR AND DEMOCRAT PARTY LEADERS DISCUSS [...] (C) The Ambassador met on February 4 with Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva for a broad discussion of bilateral relations. Abhisit welcomed the Ambassador's emphasis on promoting good governance, noting that Thai democracy depended on transparency and respect for the rule of law. The Am [...] |
2008-02-06 09:29:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ECON EINV SNAR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK383 |
AMBASSADOR AND ASEAN SECGEN DISCUSS ASEAN, [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador called on ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan on February 4 and discussed the ASEAN charter and Burma. Surin was confident that ASEAN member states, except for possibly the Philippines, would ratify the ASEAN charter this year. Surin expressed hope that Secretar [...] |
2008-02-06 10:33:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM TH BM |
| 08BANGKOK384 |
DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED GOVERNMENT INAUGURATED IN [...] (C) Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet were inaugurated at the Palace on the afternoon on February 6; the ceremony marked the return of a democratically-elected government to office. Most Thais view Samak and his People's Power Party as beholden to deposed Prime Minister Thaksin [...] |
2008-02-06 10:47:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK408 |
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UPCOMING U.S. INITIATIVES AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: Thailand shares the United States' interest in enhancing the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Secretariat and the need to more clearly define the mandate and focus of ARF, according to a key officer in the Thai MFA. Thailand seeks U.S. consideration and support for having the ASEAN Secr [...] |
2008-02-07 10:46:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER ARF TH |
| 08BANGKOK409 |
NEW THAI CABINET FILLED WITH PRO-THAKSIN FIGURES [...] (C) The cabinet inaugurated on February 6 is largely made up of figures with close ties to deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Most of the representatives of the People's Power Party's coalition partners are relegated to less influential positions, even though many of them also have ha [...] |
2008-02-07 10:51:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK410 |
OFFER OF A NEW PRINT PUBLICATION ON ELECTIONS [...] Public Affairs Bangkok would like to order one (1) copy in English of "USA Elections in Brief." The cost of the publication is $1.30 (one dollar and thirty cents) per copy. Total for the above item is $1.30 (Plan number 08003-E). Please advise shipping/handling costs when known, by email to [...] |
2008-02-08 00:53:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OIIP OPRC AFIN |
| 08BANGKOK411 |
EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING [...] (U) CBP conducted an International Seaport Interdiction Training (ISIT II) course at Laem Chabang port, Thailand, January 7-11. A planning session and System Administrator training for the Tracker licensing system was conducted in Hanoi, January 14-18. EXBS Advisor visited Bangkok Port on J [...] |
2008-02-08 05:49:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN |
| 08BANGKOK419 |
THAI MUSICIANS AND ACTORS PROTEST IP VIOLATIONS, POLICE [...] (U) Over 300 representatives of local rights holders from the music and movie industries recently staged a protest in front of the Plab Pla Chai police station in Bangkok. IP protestors targeted that station as it oversees the district with the highest concentration of wholesale and retail pi [...] |
2008-02-08 07:46:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR TH |
| 08BANGKOK426 |
Thai alcohol valuation dispute moves to WTO [...] (SBU) Summary. After a customs valuation dispute remained unresolved after over one year of discussions with Royal Thai Customs officials, the EU in January requested formal consultation at the WTO over the valuation of imported distilled spirits. The Philippines has now also requested WTO co [...] |
2008-02-08 09:24:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EINV TH |
| 08BANGKOK428 |
THAI REACTION TO USG LIFTING RESTRICTIONS ON [...] (U) The Ambassador on February 7 held a press conference at the Embassy to brief the media on the USG's removal of restrictions on military assistance. Over a dozen broadcast and print journalists attended, posing questions on a wide range of issues, including USG views on Burma and on the ca [...] |
2008-02-08 10:17:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MOPS MASS KPAO KMDR TH |
| 08BANGKOK429 |
AMBASSADOR AND KING'S PRIVATE SECRETARY DISCUSS [...] (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, [...] |
2008-02-08 10:29:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR PREF PHUM TH BM |
| 08BANGKOK430 |
ECONOMIC TEAM LAYS OUT POLICIES AS CREDENTIALS [...] (C) Summary: Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's economic team, announced in his February 6 cabinet inauguration, has drawn sharp criticism from the business community for some team members' apparent lack of economic expertise on financial and trade issues. Like the rest of the cabinet, the eco [...] |
2008-02-08 11:26:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN ELAB ENRG ETRD PGOV PINR SENV TH |
| 08BANGKOK44 |
EXBS: THAILAND/VIETNAM ADVISOR MONTHLY REPORTING [...] (U) EXBS Advisor met with Vietnamese border security officials in Ho Chi Minh City and port, at Moc Bai border crossing, and at Border Guards Headquarters in Hanoi. Officials were uniformly supportive of U.S. assistance. Australia, Japan, and the European Union are also providing trade contro [...] |
2008-01-04 09:05:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KNNP KSTC MNUC PARM PREL TH VN |
| 08BANGKOK455 |
THAILAND UNLIKELY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO QUICKLY [...] (C) Summary: Thailand is concerned that Kosovo independence could set a bad precedent, given Thailand's own issues with separatist insurgents in the Malay-muslim majority deep southern provinces. The MFA permanent secretary told Ambassador on February 12 that Thailand SIPDIS "almost certai [...] |
2008-02-12 23:50:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UN UNMIK PROV YI EU TH |
| 08BANGKOK46 |
THAILAND JOINS ASEAN-KOREA FTA [...] (SBU) Thai trade officials announced January 3 that Thailand had agreed to sign on to the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) after negotiating bilateral concessions from the Koreans. Thailand was the last ASEAN member to agree to the trade deal. Thai negotiators had refused to sign the [...] |
2008-01-04 09:45:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV TH |
| 08BANGKOK468 |
CHART THAI LEADER AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS CABINET, [...] (C) Former Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-Archa told the Ambassador he had decided to join the People's Power Party's governing coalition in order to promote stability. In a February 12 meeting, Banharn said Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had shown signs that he might exceed low popular expec [...] |
2008-02-13 09:35:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ECON EINV SNAR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK469 |
THAILAND TO LIFT 30-PERCENT RESERVE REQUIREMENT [...] (U) New Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said February 12 that no decision had yet been made to immediately remove the 30 percent unremunerated reserve requirement (URR) after his two-hour meeting with Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Tarisa Watanagase. Surapong, also the PPP party's Secr [...] |
2008-02-13 11:13:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN EINV ECON ETRD TH |
| 08BANGKOK47 |
SOME THAI ELECTION WINNERS CERTIFIED, DOZENS STILL [...] (C) On January 3, the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) officially endorsed the victory of 397 of the 480 candidates in the December 23 election for members of the House of Representatives, but said it could not certify the remaining 83 candidates -- 65 of whom are members of the pro-Thaks [...] |
2008-01-04 11:37:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK486 |
THAIS OPEN TO WTO ENVIRONMENTAL GOODS PROPOSAL WITH SOME [...] Econoff spoke to Ms. Pimchanok Vonkhorporn, Director of Thailand's Department of Trade Negotiations, and delivered talking points regarding the negotiations on Environmental Goods and Services (EGS) as instructed in reftel. Ms. Pimchanok said she could only give her views on the goods portion [...] |
2008-02-14 09:19:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV ETRD ECON TH |
| 08BANGKOK487 |
AMBASSADOR AND FORMER PM ANAND DISCUSS ELECTION, [...] (C) Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun spoke with deep pessimism about the new Thai administration. In a February 12 meeting with the Ambassador, Anand complained that he saw no alternative to the dominance of pro-Thaksin politicians, whom he considered poorly qualified and lacking in le [...] |
2008-02-14 10:13:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM BM TH |
| 08BANGKOK488 |
NEW HEALTH MINISTER PROMISES REVIEW ON COMPULSORY [...] (SBU) Summary: Thailand's new pro-business government has quickly announced plans to review the previous administration's controversial policy of issuing compulsory licenses (CLs) on patented medicines. In his last days in office the outgoing Health Minister paved the way for continuation of [...] |
2008-02-14 10:14:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR TH |
| 08BANGKOK49 |
THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR STAFFDEL [...] Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to Mr. Paul Grove, Ms. Michele Wymer and Ms, Nikole Manatt from the Senate Appropriation Committee to conduct oversight of State Department and Foreign Operations from January 08-21, 2008. 2. Hotel reservations have been made at: -- Fo [...] |
2008-01-07 01:55:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | OREP AMGT TH |
| 08BANGKOK502 |
ACTIVISTS FRET OVER NEW THAI GOVERNMENT'S POSSIBLE [...] (SBU) Thai human rights activists and civil society groups have recently expressed concerns about the human rights record of new Thai government officials, including the Prime Minister, House Speaker, and the Interior Minister. Controversial appointments proposed by these ministers have also r [...] |
2008-02-15 03:32:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK510 |
INPUT FOR NEW REQUIRED REPORTS ON ENERGY [...] Post's response to reftel is below. 2. -- A. Which section or sections of the Embassy handle energy matters? What is the total number of staff in this section or sections? State Department Economic Section (ECON), Foreign Commercial Service (FCS), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), and [...] |
2008-02-15 07:14:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ENRG SENV APER ABUD |
| 08BANGKOK521 |
BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON [...] (U) According to the Thai Ministry of Commerce, Wanmelarp Firearms Ltd Partnership was registered as follows: Registration No. 0103518012168 Registered Date: August 4, 1975 Status: Limited Partnership Name: Name: Wanmelarp Firearms Part. Ltd. Capital Registration: 190,000 Baht Business par [...] |
2008-02-15 09:46:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KOMC TH |
| 08BANGKOK544 |
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: DISCUSSIONS WITH BANGKOK'S [...] (C) Summary: Recent meetings in Bangkok with Muslim scholars about Prime Minister Samak,s policies towards the violence in southern Thailand shed little light on how the new government might approach the problem. The Central Islamic Committee appears to have little desire to engage seriously [...] |
2008-02-21 02:35:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK583 |
THAILAND COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR EAP [...] Post warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher R. Hill and Special Assistant Christopher C. Klein, to attend the EAP Deputy Chiefs of Mission Conference in Bangkok February 28 and 29, and to attend bilateral meetings. Post will respond separately to [...] |
2008-02-22 09:37:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT TH |
| 08BANGKOK585 |
SCENESETTER FOR ADMIRAL KEATING [...] (C) Summary. Admiral Keating, 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 [...] |
2008-02-22 11:11:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER MARR MOPS PINS PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK587 |
THAILAND 2008 SPECIAL 301 SUBMISSION [...] (SBU) Summary and Recommendation: The elevation of Thailand to Priority Watch List in 2007 sparked some improvement in police enforcement of intellectual property rights in the past year, but such efforts were insufficient to make any noticeable dent in the availability of pirated and counter [...] |
2008-02-23 00:09:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR TH |
| 08BANGKOK598 |
ELECTION FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS - PPP AND COALITION [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) expects to conclude its investigation into three important vote fraud cases from the December parliamentary election shortly. The cases could result in a Constitutional Court review of a motion to dissolve three parties in the governing [...] |
2008-02-25 12:25:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK599 |
DESIGNATION OF SOUTHERN AIR, INC. TO OPERATE CHARTER CARGO [...] This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. 2. Post received the following note dated 19 February 2008 from the Royal Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the USG note in reftel. 3. Begin note text: [Complimentary opening] and has the honour to refer to the latter's [...] |
2008-02-25 23:55:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR KTIA TH |
| 08BANGKOK606 |
THAILAND NOT PLANNING TO SEND WTO SERVICES DELEGATION [...] The Embassy delivered the letter from USTR Ambassador Schwab to Minister of Commerce Mingkwan's office on February 26 per instructions in reftel. In addition, Econ Counselor subsequently spoke to Ms. Chutima Bunyapraphasara, Director General of Thailand's Department of Trade Negotiations, to [...] |
2008-02-26 09:38:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD WTO TH |
| 08BANGKOK607 |
THAKSIN TO RETURN THIS WEEK [...] (C) SUMMARY: Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra plans to return to Thailand by the end of the week, according to well-placed sources and press reports. Thaksin has, we believe, long intended to return to Thailand as soon as he was convinced it was safe to do so; he will still have to [...] |
2008-02-26 09:47:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK608 |
ELECTION COMMISSION REFERS HIGH-PROFILE FRAUD CASE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The ECT will petition the Supreme Court to red-card House Speaker Yongyuth for election fraud. The ECT 3-2 decision today may indicate that the evidence against Yongyuth is not very strong -- or it may be a sign that some of the commissioners are reluctant to oppose the PPP. A [...] |
2008-02-26 10:01:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK609 |
CODEL PRICE'S MEETINGS IN BANGKOK [...] (C) Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej told CODEL Price on February 22 that he favored multilateral talks on Burma, and he viewed China as a communist country "in name only." Samak addressed domestic criticism that he recently trivialized a traumatic event in Thai history, acknowledging his rela [...] |
2008-02-26 10:21:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM ECON EINV KHIV TH BM |
| 08BANGKOK622 |
AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS BILATERAL [...] (C) In a February 26 meeting with the Ambassador, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama made and then announced to the press an impromptu decision to visit Washington for the March 20 anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and meet with Secretary Rice. Responding to the Am [...] |
2008-02-27 09:25:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PREF KDEM ECON ETRD KPKO MOPS |
| 08BANGKOK623 |
RUMORS FLY OVER THAKSIN RETURN [...] (C) Former Prime Minister Thaksin now plans to return to Bangkok on Thursday morning (February 28), according to a well-placed source connected with Thaksin's arrival logistics. We heard the same report from an assistant to the Interior Minister. At the same time, the press is full of contr [...] |
2008-02-27 09:28:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK627 |
AMBASSADOR PRESSES FOREIGN MINISTER TO RECOGNIZE [...] (C) In the Ambassador's February 26 call on recently-inaugurated Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama (more detail septel), the Ambassador drew on background in ref B and urged that Thailand recognize the independence of Kosovo. The Ambassador explained how Kosovo's independence would help stabi [...] |
2008-02-27 09:38:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL UN UNMIK PROV YI EU TH |
| 08BANGKOK628 |
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: STATISTICS SUGGEST MILITANTS [...] (C) Summary: Understanding the situation in Thailand's deep south through analysis of violence statistics and economic indicators is difficult. Although multiple organizations keep statistics on the violence, inconsistent methodologies coupled with inaccurate and unreliable reporting of event [...] |
2008-02-27 09:53:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER TH |
| 08BANGKOK633 |
THAIS SELECT AND PREPARE TO ELECT A NEW SENATE [...] (SBU) A committee has completed its selection of 74 of the 150 Senators in the country's semi-elected upper house of Parliament, following a review of over 1,000 nominations. Elections scheduled for March 2 will fill the remaining 76 seats in a body designed to review legislation passed by the [...] |
2008-02-28 06:27:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK644 |
HE'S BAAAAAACK: THAKSIN COMES HOME [...] (C) SUMMARY: Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Bangkok on February 28. He was granted bail on the charges pending against him. At a press conference, he said he had returned to clear his name, and he insisted he was done with politics, a claim that most here are unlikely [...] |
2008-02-28 11:26:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK645 |
HE'S BAAAAAACK: THAKSIN COMES HOME [...] (C) SUMMARY: Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Bangkok on February 28. He was granted bail on the charges pending against him. At a press conference, he said he had returned to clear his name, and he insisted he was done with politics, a claim that most here are unlikely [...] |
2008-02-28 11:26:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK660 |
THAILAND - DEMARCHE ON WTO TAFT PROPOSAL [...] No summary [...] |
2008-03-02 23:42:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD WTRO TH |
| 08BANGKOK665 |
THAIS UNENTHUSIASTICALLY ELECT HALF A SENATE [...] (C) Thais returned to the polls on March 2 to elect 76 Senators in the 150-seat upper house of Parliament in elections that saw a lower-than-expected voter turnout. A high-profile committee had earlier selected the other 74 Senators. Thailand's Election Commission (ECT) blamed voter apathy f [...] |
2008-03-03 08:25:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK668 |
INPUT ON CHANGE IN DOD'S MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AT [...] (U) Bangkok appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the dialog between State and DoD on the implementation of the Senior Defense Official/DATT Directive. State, DAO, and JUSMAG representatives have followed this initiative closely and we believe that the plan to create the SDO/DATT positi [...] |
2008-03-03 09:43:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | ABLD AFIN AMGT APER ASEC ODIP TH |
| 08BANGKOK670 |
ECONOMIC MINISTERS PUSH INVESTMENT, MEGAPROJECTS TO DRIVE [...] Summary: Thailand's new economic ministers laid out their priorities for economic growth at a recent forum, presenting their plans to boost investment, consumption and exports. The Ministers were attuned to foreign interests and alleviated concerns over capital controls and investment restri [...] |
2008-03-03 09:58:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EINV TH |
| 08BANGKOK690 |
THAILAND EMBASSY/STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This is an action request for human rights verification required by the Leahy Amendment; see Para. 2. 2. (U) JUSMAG THAI has requested that the Embassy/State Department complete human rights vetting request for Two Units listed below, which have been selected to attend the above-mentio [...] |
2008-03-05 07:30:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR MOPS PREL PHUM TH |
| 08BANGKOK697 |
EAP A/S HILL STRESSES ASEAN DEVELOPMENT, BURMA [...] No summary [...] |
2008-03-06 01:19:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM KDEM KPAO ASEAN TH BM |
| 08BANGKOK70 |
BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: PRE-LICENSE END-USE CHECK ON [...] (U) Post's pre-license check on Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co. raised significant concerns about the company's understanding of USG regulations pertaining to United States Munitions List (USML) items. The company appears to be producing USML defense articles without a manufacturing license and tr [...] |
2008-01-08 10:34:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | ETTC KOMC TH |
| 08BANGKOK710 |
PRISONER ABUSE ALLEGATIONS REPORTEDLY ON THE RISE [...] (C) NGO and civil society groups allege military units in the South abused detained suspected militants on dozens of occasions since 2007, including the widely-reported alleged abuse of nine student activists in Yala. While we have yet to see hard evidence of these abuses, some NGOs claim to h [...] |
2008-03-06 09:46:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PINR KDEM TH |
| 08BANGKOK714 |
A/S HILL AND FOREIGN MINISTER NOPPADON DISCUSS [...] (C) Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama told visiting A/S Hill on February 29 that the situation in Burma represented his highest priority, and he hoped to energize ASEAN to help deal with the issue. A/S Hill described the importance of UN Special Envoy Gambari's mission and emphasized that prob [...] |
2008-03-07 04:42:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PREF ECON EINV ETRD TH BM LA |
| 08BANGKOK715 |
A/S HILL AND PRIME MINISTER SAMAK DISCUSS BURMA, [...] (C) Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej told visiting A/S Hill on February 29 that he favored "soft pressure" on Burma, and he was willing to host multilateral talks with Burma and others in the region. A/S Hill stressed the concern of President Bush about the human rights situation in Burma. A/S [...] |
2008-03-07 04:48:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV< |