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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BANGKOK 000413 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2020 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF TH
SUBJECT: ADMIRAL WILLARD'S VISIT TO THAILAND: RTG FOCUSED 
ON REGIONAL LEADERSHIP 
 
BANGKOK 00000413  001.2 OF 004 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary.  Senior Thai leaders provided their view of 
the strategic goals for Thailand and the nations' goals for 
the future for PACOM Commander Admiral Willard during his 
February 2-7 visit.  Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva 
encouraged increased U.S. engagement in the region, 
particularly given shifting power dynamics and recent 
questions about China's intentions.  Foreign Minister Kasit 
Piromya described Thai government plans to assume again a 
more high-profile role on the international stage and to push 
for democracy, economic development, and human rights in 
Southeast Asia.  Admiral Willard encouraged the Thai military 
and civilian leadership to share their views on Thailand's 
strategic and regional focus, as this would assist the 
Pacific Command's analysis of top strategic issues.  The 
PACOM Commander also commended Thailand for leadership in the 
region, especially as the recent Chair of ASEAN, and for 
support for peacekeeping operations.  The Thai expressed deep 
appreciation for U.S. support for equipment to be used in 
deploying peacekeepers to Darfur.  Septels cover bilateral 
relations and domestic Thai issues. End summary. 
 
¶2. (C) Comment: Admiral Willard's visit was very useful in 
demonstrating USG and PACOM interest in working closely with 
Thailand as it strives to take on a positive regional 
leadership role.  Thai government officials and private 
citizens provided creative suggestions for positive roles for 
U.S. and PACOM assistance via the Lower Mekong Initiative. 
End comment. 
 
¶3. (C) During the February 2-7 visit, Admiral Willard and the 
Ambassador met with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Defense 
Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, 
and Royal Thai Armed Chief of Defense Forces General 
Songkitti Jaggabatra.  In addition, Admiral Willard and the 
Ambassador engaged Royal Thai Army (RTA) Commander General 
Anupong Paojinda and RTA Deputy Commander General Prayuth 
Chan-ocha, Deputy Secretary General for Prime Minister 
Abhisit and Acting RTG Spokesperson Dr. Panitan 
Wattanayagorn, CP Group Executive Vice President and former 
high-ranking Thai diplomat Dr. Sarasin Viraphol, and 
Assistant Group Editor of the Nation Multimedia Group Kavi 
Chongkittavorn. 
 
PM ENCOURAGES US PRESENCE IN ASIA WITH THE RISE OF CHINA 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
¶4. (C) During a February 5 meeting with PM Abhisit, Admiral 
Willard highlighted PACOM's commitment to a robust forward 
presence in Asia and asked for the Prime Minister's views of 
regional security concerns.  Abhisit said that Thai-Chinese 
relations were close, and that Southeast Asia and Thailand 
had been beneficiaries of China's economic growth.  There 
were, however, areas of concern, as Southeast Asian nations 
now faced increased competition from China in some business 
sectors, particularly as the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement 
had come into force at the beginning of the year. 
 
¶5. (C) Abhisit also noted that while China had in recent 
years shown a willingness to take on a more collaborative 
international role, such as through its role on the UN 
Security Council, the recent controversy with Google had 
exposed a more worrisome aspect of China's rise.  Admiral 
Willard described PACOM's desire to manage the U.S. military 
relationship with the PLA carefully, and to encourage closer 
contact with the Chinese.  Abhisit told Admiral Willard that, 
considering shifting power dynamics in the region, it was 
important to sustain the U.S. military's long-standing 
relationship with Thailand and others in Southeast Asia. 
Admiral Willard said PACOM would continue to watch closely 
developments in the region, especially those in the South 
China Sea. 
 
ASEAN AND ADMM PLUS 
------------------- 
 
¶6. (C) PM Abhisit highlighted the RTG's desire for expanded 
cooperation with the U.S.  One example could be for the U.S. 
to look for ways to deepen collaboration with ASEAN as the 
 
BANGKOK 00000413  002.2 OF 004 
 
 
organization builds humanitarian assistance and disaster 
relief capabilities (HA/DR).  Willard told the PM that the 
development of HA/DR capacity in Southeast Asia was important 
to PACOM and the U.S.  Abhisit also said that as Chair of 
ASEAN during 2008-09, Thailand had tried to move the 
organization forward on the development of a single economic 
community.  Progress on this initiative would be important, 
as it was taking place in conjunction with the rise of China. 
 
 
¶7. (C) PM Abhisit told Admiral Willard that Thailand was 
committed to the ADMM Plus eight concept, as it would allow 
for U.S. participation.  Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya 
separately February 5 characterized the U.S. as a key member 
of the Asia-Pacific community and as a pillar of regional 
security.  The reality for Kasit was that the U.S., with its 
forward presence through the Seventh Fleet and regional 
bases, was an important part of Asia.  As such, Kasit said 
Thailand was committed to ensuring that the development of 
ADMM Plus included U.S. membership. 
 
¶8. (C) In a separate February 5 meeting, Defense Minister 
Prawit said that he wanted to continue to strengthen 
relations with the U.S., and would work to ensure U.S. 
participation in the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) 
Plus framework.  ASEAN, with Vietnam as Chair, would meet in 
May to decide on membership of ADMM Plus, but the RTG viewed 
the U.S. membership as essential. 
 
VISION OF THAILAND'S FUTURE 
--------------------------- 
 
¶9. (C) Admiral Willard in his meetings reviewed PACOM's top 
strategic issues, including an in-depth look at allies and 
partners such as Thailand.  As such, Admiral Willard asked 
his interlocutors for their view of Thailand's strategy over 
the next five to ten years.  PM Abhisit said that small and 
medium countries such as Thailand were well-placed to provide 
a conducive environment for peace and security.  Thailand in 
particular had an important role to play in Southeast Asia, 
as there were gaps in the development of democratic political 
systems of some of the nation's neighbors.  As such, Thailand 
viewed as strategically important encouraging neighboring 
countries to become more integrated into the international 
community and to accept international norms.  While other 
ASEAN nations also were attempting to do this, Thailand's 
geographic location presented the RTG with a unique 
responsibility, Abhisit said. 
 
¶10. (C) PM Abhisit highlighted that 2010 was an important 
year for Burma due to the planned elections there; he hoped 
that countries inside and outside ASEAN could make positive 
contributions in moving Burma towards democracy. 
 
¶11. (C) FM Kasit told Admiral Willard that Thailand should be 
a regional leader; however, during the last ten to fifteen 
years, the nation had been stagnant due to internal security 
issues and political struggles.  Thailand had also taken a 
step back while China had developed over the same timeframe. 
That said, Kasit highlighted the Abhisit administration's 
goals to return Thailand to a more prominent position within 
Southeast Asia and the international community.  While 
solving internal political and security problems was 
critical, Thailand was trying to become more active on UN 
issues and would look to provide more support for UN 
peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance missions.  Kasit 
also described RTG plans to become a regional leader in areas 
of environmental protection and agricultural development. 
 
¶12. (C) FM Kasit contrasted Thailand's recent history "of 
waiting on the sidelines" with Brazil's rapid development and 
assumption of international influence.  While Thailand would 
not seek a position on the world stage that matched Brazil's, 
it was important for the RTG to aspire to do more, as its 
geographic location between the Pacific and Indian Oceans was 
important.  Kasit underscored that Thailand would emphasize 
the development of open democratic institutions, 
connectivity, human rights, and the rule of law as it strove 
for renewed regional leadership. 
 
 
BANGKOK 00000413  003 OF 004 
 
 
¶13. (C) FM Kasit highlighted the fabric of Thai society as 
important.  Kasit said he had been impressed that Thais from 
all walks of life had made financial donations to relief 
efforts in Haiti.  This demonstrated that Thais wanted their 
country to be an active member of the international 
community, Kasit said, and the Thai government recognized 
this.  In addition, the reality was that Thailand could not 
truly prosper if it were surrounded by nations that faced 
economic development challenges.  As such, over the past few 
years, the RTG had significantly increased development aid 
not only to its neighbors, but also to countries such as 
Nepal and Bangladesh.  Admiral Willard told Kasit that the 
RTG strategic vision was one that PACOM would like to support 
in whatever way possible. 
 
THAILAND'S KEY GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶14. (C) During a February 5 coffee at the Ambassador's 
residence, Dr. Sarasin Viraphol, CP Group Executive Vice 
President and former high-ranking Thai diplomat, 
characterized Thailand as a country with key advantages: 
centrally located between China and India; and able to work 
well with both nations, since Thai culture had been 
influenced by both.  As such, Thailand could serve as a 
"fulcrum for the reconciliation of these two cultures."  Both 
Sarasin and Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, Deputy Secretary 
General for PM Abhisit and Acting RTG Spokesperson, 
highlighted to Admiral Willard that Abhisit would visit India 
soon.  This was a natural extension of Thai plans to increase 
its international influence. 
 
15.(C) Sarasin said that Thailand could benefit from 
comparative advantages in the agricultural sector if the 
government and people were willing to focus outward.  Another 
potential growth area according to Sarasin was the expansion 
of the port of Ranong on the Andaman Sea.  If this port were 
developed to handle high-volume traffic, Thailand could 
provide China with a safe and secure alternative to 
developing transportation links to the Indian Ocean through 
Burma.  This would divert Chinese influence in Burma and 
provide Thailand with significant growth possibilities. 
Sarasin asked Admiral Willard for PACOM support of this 
endeavor. 
 
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE LOWER MEKONG INITIATIVE 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶16. (C) PM Abhisit pointed to the Lower Mekong Initiative 
(LMI), announced by Secretary Clinton in July, as a mechanism 
particularly well-suited to assist the RTG's efforts in 
mainland Southeast Asia.  Admiral Willard told Abhisit that 
the PACOM Commander role obliged him to have relationships 
with all of the countries involved in the LMI and welcomed 
suggestions from the RTG on how PACOM could complement these 
efforts. 
 
¶17. (C) Sarasin and Panitan both pointed to the Mekong River 
region as a prime opportunity for USG and PACOM engagement, 
since the LMI could facilitate U.S. military assistance to 
the region.  Some potential avenues could be to link Pacific 
Angels or the Pacific Partnership with the LMI, Panitan 
suggested. 
 
PKO DARFUR DEPLOYMENT, LEBANON AS WELL? 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶18. (C) PM Abhisit thanked Admiral Willard for potential USG 
equipment support for the upcoming Thai deployment to Darfur. 
 Considering the difficulty of the deployment, U.S. 
assistance would go far in helping make the deployment 
successful.  Abhisit said that support was necessary, as this 
deployment would be far from Thailand and would be difficult 
to support logistically.  Admiral Willard told Abhisit that 
the U.S. was pleased that Thailand was deploying to Darfur, 
as such the USG wanted to provide assistance.  Body armor and 
water storage equipment were the most likely items that the 
U.S. could provide Thailand.  FM Kasit also expressed 
appreciation for U.S. support for the Darfur deployment and 
highlighted that the RTG was considering seriously a UN 
 
BANGKOK 00000413  004.2 OF 004 
 
 
request for a two hundred person peacekeeping deployment in 
support of the UN mission in Lebanon. 
 
THAI INTEREST IN US-JAPAN RELATIONS 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶19. (C) PM Abhisit asked Admiral Willard for his assessment 
of developments in Japan, particularly in regard to the 
ongoing issues regarding the relocation of the U.S. Marine 
Corps base on Okinawa.  The PACOM Commander told Abhisit that 
military ties were as strong as ever with the Japanese Self 
Defense Forces, but that the ruling DPJ was adjusting to its 
new role in power.  That said, the Japanese government has 
strongly expressed its commitment to the U.S. alliance and 
was starting to address bilateral issues. 
 
¶20. (U) Admiral Willard cleared this cable. 
JOHN