Obama arrives on whirlwind tour

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US, Thailand to start talks on TPP trade accord

Published: 19 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reaffirmed yesterday that Thailand and the United States will cooperate in talks on the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and security issues.

President Barack Obama took a photo album for His Majesty the King to the audience - containing photos and details of all the US presidents His Majesty has met, dating back to Dwight Eisenhower in 1954. Mr Obama joked he had left the last page blank for this photo. (Photo Courtesy of the Royal Household Bureau)

The pledge was made at a joint press conference held last night only hours after President Obama arrived in Bangkok in the first leg of his Southeast Asian tour. The trip, which also includes stops in Myanmar and Cambodia, is aimed at reinforcing the US presence in the region.

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peterd
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Discussion 19 : 19 Nov 2012 at 18.1519
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#11, Eldarden, i never said or thought that every american is happy with the result. But they know what is a democracy and are proud of their country. All want it wins. Sure, have some hatred small groups. Can you imagine a retired general following by sects calling for a putsch and the confiscation of the US elections. Lol, as say the kids.
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Eric
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Discussion 18 : 19 Nov 2012 at 16.2318
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Dis#16, just concluded Obama speech at Rangoon University where he spoke of his various freedom relating to democracy. Most are cliches like freedom of expression etc but the most memorable was the "freedom of fear". The power and money groups in Thailand fear that their power and money will decline if we have full democracy. Unfortunately the woes of the nation is intertwined with these power groups and unless they abandon their fear, will continue to play their political & corrupted games. It's left to the role of education to bring about changes for a stable and united Thailand.
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rva
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Discussion 17 : 19 Nov 2012 at 15.3917
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Disc 11: Not that these "petitions" are anything to get worked up over or taken seriously. I signed a White House petition once to get late rocker and psychopath GG Allin on a postage stamp, if that tells you anything.
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Khrunthep
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Discussion 16 : 19 Nov 2012 at 15.0616
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@Dis 15: I know about the fact of diplomacy and how it is used. Obama could not do anything else than expressing this "commitment for democracy" and I hope it will strengthen the legally elected government and take the power away from those forces working against true democracy.

But I still think it is necessary to expose problems in our society and the Thai people regardless of their social background and education have to show that money and power can't do whatever they want. We need a stable and united country to achieve progress and wealth for everyone.
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Eric
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Discussion 15 : 19 Nov 2012 at 13.4615
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Dis#7 & 13, a direct question about TPP was asked before the dinner last night and was carried by the news channel. It was a direct question to both Obama and Yingluck. In short, Obama did not push Thailand but did an overlay of the TPP benefits. Yingluck reply was that she is aware of some concerns and will study the agreement and consult her cabinet. Rather diplomatic answers. Politicians are good at that.
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mutley
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Discussion 14 : 19 Nov 2012 at 13.3214
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Oh come on Disc.8. Even the most seemingly innocuous statement can result in one's post 'going missing' in Thai newspapers and you never find out why, so how you can possibly think that the Thai press would have asked Obama 'pointed questions'?
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Bangon
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Discussion 13 : 19 Nov 2012 at 13.2613
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In Diplomacy, one often says things which are not (yet) true, hoping what one says will mean a push in the right direction, and in Diplomacy one certainly refrains from publicly confronting the other party with its flaws. As the US want Thailand as a strong military ally, and a member of TPP, for sure it would not have been 'diplomatic' to push the Thai Government's nose into its malodorous flaws, is it? So much for the 'appreciation for the government's commitment to democracy, rule of law and governance'...
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whatajoke
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Discussion 12 : 19 Nov 2012 at 13.2512
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There's diplomatic speak for press conferences when you are an official guest, and there's the intelligence brief which probably says things like 'farcical situation where country is run by fugitive' and 'although citing politically motivated charges, he is indeed deeply corrupt', also 'systematic behind the scenes maneuvering against this govt' and of the PM 'good looking but under qualified'. They 're no fools, you don't just have an election and presto become a wholesome democracy. Even the hard liners in the US are convinced the Democrats stole the 2012 election by buying off the black vote with populist promises.
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eldarden
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Discussion 11 : 19 Nov 2012 at 13.1211
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@ Discussion 10: I agree with the gist of your observation, the one exception being the comment about the American people accepting the results of the election. I would amend that to MOST accept the results. We have a few people who are so unhappy that they have petitioned the government for permission for their states secede from the Union. Far from being upset over these petitions, we "happy campers" are praying that they will in fact leave. In a democracy, someone is ALWAYS going to be upset about something or someone.
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peterd
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Discussion 10 : 19 Nov 2012 at 12.1810
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#4, maybe the President of USA is more opened mind than you. And maybe he knows what is a dictatorship. It's for that he could officially and normally talk with the Representant of the Gvt elected by the Thai people. You know, the klu klux klan activists are also very angry against him and dream to end the US democracy... but who care their diatribe? And look at how every American accept the result of the election.
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Obama arrives on whirlwind tour | Bangkok Post: news