I am very troubled by recent developments in the Thai news media where it has become a bit of sport to attack the United States, implying that the US is somehow responsible for the recent political turmoil in Thailand.

Before I go on, I would like to state clearly and unequivocally that there is very little about the current U.S. Administration that pleases or even comes close to satisfying me.  The current U.S. Administration has done as much to damage my country as the recent events have done to Thailand.  

I do not presume to speak for the US government or even the American people.  I speak only for myself.

In fairness, however, I must say that the US Government has acted correctly in this case.  I’ll tell you why in a moment.

The Kingdom of Thailand and the United States of America have enjoyed a longstanding close relationship that goes back 150 years to the relationship between King Rama IV and American President Abraham Lincoln.  The relationship between the two countries was strengthened by acts of support and cooperation by both sides during World War II.  The USA has always shown great respect for the Monarchy in Thailand and in particular, his Majesty King Phumiphol Adulyadej.

USA detractors in Thailand are now accusing the USA of “meddling” in Thai internal politics.  The first item noted when listing “evidence” to support the accusations is the suspension of US Military Assistance to Thailand.  

I find this argument difficult to swallow.

The USA gives out more assistance to other countries than any other nation in the world.  It’s no secret that Government Agencies and NGO’s in Thailand receive some of that assistance.

The USA believes a nation’s people should determine how their government is formed and how it is elected.

The seizing of power by the military from a government that seems to have been selected by the people is not in agreement with American beliefs about self-determination.

Indeed American law specifically forbids the US Government from giving military support to a government that came to power as a result of a military coup.

It would be against American law to continue providing military assistance after a military coup, or to send it again until there has been an election which reflects the will of the Thai people.

When Secretary of State John Kerry announced the suspension (NOT CANCELLATION) of military aid to Thailand after the coup by the Thai Military, he was only doing his job according to American Law.  The US Government is required by its own laws to suspend military aid in cases like this and has done so in every case in Thailand that I can remember since at least 1990.

The money for this aid belongs to the American people.  If Thai people believe in Democracy, don’t they also believe that Americans have the right to spend their money as they wish and further to expect their government to spend it according to American Law?

In a 31 May 2014 rant, a Thai columnist writing under a pen name (I’ll honor his wish to remain anonymous by not linking to his Thai Language article) slams Secretary Kerry and the United States for suspending military aid to Thailand and then goes on with some pretty fantastic claims regarding George Soros, the CIA, and (this one is the most unbelievable) implies that the USA is trying to bring down the Monarchy in Thailand.

It is a common tactic of professional propagandists to begin by stating a “true” fact, even if they deliver it in a misleading way.  Having established their “credibility” by stating one fact that “everybody already knows,” they can go on to tell whatever incredible stories and make whatever accusations they like.

And people who don’t study the facts for themselves are often inclined to believe them.

I’m not going to remark about the rest of the accusations because honestly, I have no personal knowledge of them.  If I commented on those accusations, I would only be adding my opinion or additional accusations to the confusing argument and today, I am most interested in truth.

What I would like to do is to encourage the Thai People to follow the advice of Gautama Sidharta (The Lord Buddha) who said:

Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it.
Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held.
Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books.
Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin.
Believe nothing just because someone else believes it.

Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true.”

I have some questions for those attacking the USA over our government’s decision to suspend military aid until an elected government is in place in Thailand:

I have not shared my opinion on actions of the previous Government of Thailand or the actions of the Thai Military in declaring martial law because I am an American.  Although I have a long-held deep and abiding love for Thailand, His Majesty King Phumiphol Adulyadej, and respect for the Thai People, it is not my place to meddle in Thai politics.

Having said all that, I can share an observation.  

Americans love Thailand.

Americans do not wish to choose Thailand’s government or in any way change Thailand’s Monarchy.

This is not the first coup in Thailand to result in suspension of military assistance from the United States nor is it the first time that American Government officials have spoken out against a coup in Thailand or elsewhere because American Law requires them to.  

Furthermore, the USA is not the only country to suspend military aid, encouraging the Thai Military to return power to the people as soon as possible.   Australia and New Zealand have done the same (no doubt because THEIR law requires them to).  

I have no doubt that once fair and honest elections reflecting the true will of the Thai People and uninfluenced by special interests, internal or external to Thailand, have put in place a Government in Bangkok according to the Thai Constitution, that the longstanding warm relations between the United States and Thailand will resume (as they have post-coup many times before) and will continue as they have for 150 years.

Thanks for reading.

cma