Thailand expresses concerns over U.S. remarks on political situation

Thai Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai on Wednesday expressed concerns over recent remarks made by a high-ranking U.S. official about Thailand' s political situation.

Don expressed"concerns and disappointment from many quarters in Thailand" regarding some parts of the speech given by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel at Bangkok-based Chulalongkorn University on Monday, a press release of the Foreign Ministry said.

In his speech, Russel said"When an elected leader is removed from office, is deposed, then impeached by the authorities -- the same authorities that conducted the coup -- and then when a political leader is targeted with criminal charges at a time when the basic democratic processes and institutions in the country are interrupted, the international community is going to be left with the impression that these steps could in fact be politically driven."

Though Russel did not mention a name, it is widely believed he was speaking about former premier Yingluck Shinawatra, who was impeached last Friday and thus banned from politics for five years.

During his stay in Thailand, Russel met with Yingluck and former prime minister and current Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. "We are concerned about the significant restraints on freedoms since the coup, including restrictions on speech and on assembly .. .We're also particularly concerned that the political process doesn't seem to represent all elements of Thai society," the U.S. official said.

There were some parts in the speech which"many feel could fuel further political sentiments in Thailand,"the press release said.

The release was given following a meeting between Don and Patrick Murphy, charge d'affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Thailand. The meeting was held at the order of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

During the meeting, the Thai deputy minister also informed the U.S. side of the prime minister's plans to attend the 70th UN General Assembly in New York in September this year and"hope that the U.S. could consider using this opportunity to reinforce our bilateral ties,"the press release said.

The two sides also exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation in all fronts. Murphy also reaffirmed the U.S. intention to enhance relations between the two countries, according to the release. Endi