Australia and the military junta

Thailand’s National News Bureau reports on the country’s relations with Australia.

Soon after the military junta seized power, the Australian government expressed “grave concerns” about the coup. Hence, it is something of a surprize to read that junta flunkey Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who is “the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and acting Foreign Minister,” claims that bilateral discussions with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting has been reported as support for the military dictatorship.

The report states that “Australia has confirmed its support for Thailand’s road map, as developed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)…”.

Supporting the so-called road map can be support for the milary junta and even if there is fluff about urging a return to democracy, the report makes it sound like Australia is now officially signed up as a junta fan.

Or is the story a fabrication to keep the junta happy and to imply international support from a Western democracy. After all, Sihasak is not always the most truthful or principled spokesman.