Page 17 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL8

US officials have often been perceived by Thais as insensitive and meddling in Thailand’s national affairs. Former ambassador Kristie Kenny was lambasted in some media for apparent lopsidedness in her dealings withthe Thai political campsDiplomatic relations between Thailand and the US have resembled a long and rocky marriage. Although there have been official ties since 1833, the more recent relationship has been characterized by hiccups and periodic anti-American sentiment, beginning four decades ago when protests by Thai university students forced the US to withdraw from a local army base. Anti-US sentiment increased further following the coups of 2006 and 2014.US officials have often been perceived by Thais as insensitive and meddling in Thailand’s national affairs. Former ambassador Kristie Kenny was lambasted in some media for apparent lopsidedness in her dealings with the Thai political camps. In January, Assistant US Secretary of State Daniel R. Russel made some critical comments regarding the Kingdom’s political situation during a talk at Chulalongkorn University. Wikileaks made public former US ambassador Eric G. John’s remarks about HRH the Crown Prince.Meanwhile, ties between Thailand and China have grown warmer. The first country General Prayuth Chan-o-cha paid a visit to as prime minister was China. Thus the relationship between the American eagle and Thai elephant has been made more complex by the emergence of the dragon. The question is what Thailand and the US need to do to mend ties.Kasit Piromya, a former ambassador to the US, Russia, Indonesia, Germany and Japan, believes the foundation of diplomatic relations remains solid. He was speaking at a recent panel discussion, “The Eagle and the Elephant: the US-Thai Relationship 2015”, at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand. The other speakers were David Lyman, president of the American Chamber of Commerce, and Benjamin Zawacki, visiting fellow in the human rightsElite+ 15