The U.S. government said it supports Thailand’s new government in a statement issued yesterday following the first meeting of the new cabinet.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said his nation looks forward to working to “deepen the alliance and partnership” between both governments after contentious maneuvering finally saw a new cabinet seated in Bangkok this week, four months after the election.
“Our alliance will grow even stronger as we work together to advance goals common to both countries, such as security, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and throughout the world,” Pompeo said.
The statement fell short of congratulating or even naming Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the former army commander who has ruled since seizing power in a 2014 coup d’etat. After the general election held in late March, Prayuth returned to power as prime minister under rules heavily slanted in his favor.
It comes as the Trump administration debates whether to restore full ties to Thailand. Foreign policy experts and rights advocates say the military is eager to see it happen over the objections of many in the State Department.
Was Thailand’s flawed election democratic enough? Maybe for Washington
“The United States looks forward to working with the newly formed Royal Thai government to deepen the alliance and partnership between our two nations, building upon over two centuries of friendship between our people,” Pompeo said. “We support transparency and good governance around the world and will continue to work with the Thai people and the Royal Thai government to this end.”
Apart from the reference to good governance, Pompeo, who’s empaneled a commission to redefine American values on human rights, makes no mention of civil liberties or rule of law but rather names security as the chief concern.
American military access to the region through its long alliance with Thailand is driving the Pentagon’s interest in seeing full restoration of relations.
Observers believe Pompeo may announce such a decision when he arrives in Bangkok on July 29 to attend an ASEAN ministerial meeting.
As for Tuesday’s first meeting of the new cabinet, it ran three hours and was capped off with everyone’s favorite moment – the group photo.
Gen. Prayuth, who last month threatened another coup after wrangling over posts threatened to derail his fragile ruling coalition, described the meeting as “cordial and constructive,” according to state media.
Anutin Charvirakul, who was appointed Public Health Minister after his Bhumjaithai Party ran on a platform of fully legalizing cannabis, said weed was included in a draft policy statement of the new government.
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