US envoy tips smooth ride for Thai return to democracy
US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia Patrick Murphy said he was optimistic about Thailand returning to democracy soon.
Responding to a reporter’s question whether he believed a general election will take place in February next year, Mr Murphy said, “We believe Thailand has a proud history of democratic practices and elected governments, and when Prime Minister Prayut [Chan-o-cha] visited the United States last year, he reaffirmed to our president a commitment to return to an elected government via elections.
“I think we’re best positioned to leave the timetable to the Thai people and authorities here, but we’re very keen that that happens soon, in accordance with the road map and in accordance with the commitments made by Prime Minister Prayut and the current government,” he said.
“When Thailand returns to an elected government, our relationship can be at maximum potential and beyond. And we look forward to that day. And in the process, we encourage opportunities for all Thai voices to be heard, to participate leading up to elections. So we very much encourage that plan, to return in that direction.
“In the meantime, we continue to cooperate in many areas. In addition to Prime Minister Prayut’s visit to Washington last year, we’ve had a number of cabinet members come here to Thailand, including our secretaries of State, Commerce and Defence,” he said.
“And more recently, for the successful conduct of the annual Cobra Gold exercise, we had the chairman of our joint chiefs of staff, General Dunford; our Pacific commander, Admiral Harris; and many others make a visit for an exercise that benefits the entire region, given that there are some 28 or so countries that participate and have done so for decades in one of the largest exercises in the Asia Pacific.
“So we are optimistic for our partner Thailand. We are encouraged by many aspects, and in turn we encourage this prompt return to elected government.”
Mr Murphy was speaking during a teleconference to the media in the Asia-Pacific on Thursday while he was in Bangkok.
On April 3, he attended the 31st annual US-Asean Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where denuclearisation of North Korea, promoting respect for international law in the South China Sea, and countering the scourge of terrorism as well as economic cooperation and socio-economic ties between the US and the 10-country pact were addressed.
“The collective body of participants agreed on the need for steps to improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance, create a secure environment, particularly for very vulnerable Rohingya, both in Rakhine State and those who have fled across the border into Bangladesh in very, very large numbers,” he said.