Milan: Anti-junta demonstration or not?
Was there a demonstration against the junta in Milan when Prime Minister Prayut attended the XNUMXth Asia-Europe Meeting this week? Bangkok Post headlined yesterday: Prime Minister Prayut booed in Milan, although the message itself gave very little information about it.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd denies any demonstrations. According to him, a number of 'opportunistic' Thais had joined an anti-racism demonstration by Italian students. They would have asked them to hold up signs with anti-Prayut signs so that they could take photos and videos of them. But yes, can you trust a government spokesperson?
Continue to spend Bangkok Post in the opening article today no attention to the incident. It does put a large four-column photo on the front page showing a triumphant-looking Prayut in the company of a group of Thais, holding the Thai flag. According to the caption, they are giving Prayut "moral support."
The newspaper describes in detail the conversation in the corridors of the Italian top of Prayut with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen. But beware: that information is taken from the government website. Both heads of government agreed to cooperate more in developing maritime energy sources.
A sore point because, just like with the Hindu temple Preah Vihear, there is a dispute about the exact border in the Gulf of Thailand. There would be huge reserves of oil and gas. The matter will be discussed further when Prayut visits Cambodia at the end of October.
Former senator Rosana Tositrakul, now a member of the NLA (emergency parliament), believes that Prayut should not interfere. An elected government should be concerned with that, she says. The area of 26.000 square meters claimed by both countries has been quarreled for almost thirty years.
Prayut also spoke to the Prime Minister of Singapore and Laos. But you probably don't want to know about what, and if you do want to know, you should consult the website. Title: PM, Hun Sen boost energy ties. But I warn you: you will not learn much.
(Source: bangkok mail, October 18, 2014)