Along the Foreign Front

The unrest in Bangkok that has resulted in the loss of life and the damage of property is not simply a matter of domestic interest and importance but has attracted the attention of governments, organizations, media and people the world over, all of which are existing or potential trade partners, competitors or alliances of Thailand. As the local situation has escalated, so has the reactions of the international community.

Nowhere has the foreign communities worry over Thailand been clearer than in the recent elevations of travel warnings to Thailand becoming top priority. Over a dozen nations have all but banned their citizens from visiting the Kingdom for fear of the dangerous situation.

Beyond mere reaction, pressure has begun to mount on Thailand from the foreign community. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya recently stated during a Cabinet meeting that international organizations such as the United Nations have expressed uncertainty towards the stability of Thailand. Meanwhile, popular news magazine, The Times, featured an editorial saying the Thai government should concede to calls for dissolution within the next three months to avoid bloodshed. The magazine attributed much of the tension in the nation to the fact that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, though well qualified for the post, was appointed through military assertion rather than democratic election. The editorial said that dissolution would not be an appeasement of the red shirts but simply an honoring of the democratic process and went further to say that the red shirts must also cease their unlawful rallying and that the military must step away from the situation.

Such opinions must be taken into consideration by the nation's powers not as an image maintaining move but because they are viable solutions to the national situation.

Khao Sod Editorial, April 30 2010