PHUKET: The Australian embassy has rejected claims in Thai-language news outlets that the wife of coup commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha has been refused a visa to enter Australia.
''The statement by the Australian Government says clearly that leaders of the coup will be prevented from travelling to Australia,'' an embassy spokesperson said today, making the point that their families were not mentioned.
Australia has followed the lead of the US in cutting some planned events with Thailand in protest at the coup.
In a joint media release on May 31, the Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, and the Defence Minister, David Johnston, said: ''In line with our concerns, Australia is reducing our engagement with the Thai military and will lower the level of our interaction with the Thai military leadership.
''Australia has postponed three activities planned for coming weeks in Thailand: a military operations law training course for Thai military officers; a reconnaissance visit for a counter improvised explosive device training exercise; and a reconnaissance visit for a counter terrorism training exercise.
''We will continue to review defence and other bilateral activities.
''The Australian Government has also put in place a mechanism to prevent the leaders of the coup from travelling to Australia.
''The Australian Government continues to call on the military to set a pathway for a return to democracy and the rule of law as soon as possible, to refrain from arbitrary detentions, to release those detained for political reasons and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
''Australians travelling to or already in Thailand should visit www.smartraveller.gov.au, familiarise themselves with the travel advice, subscribe to receive regular updates and register their travel plans.
''Australia and Thailand have enjoyed a substantial and warm relationship for more than 60 years, based on shared interests and goodwill, as well as close people-to-people links. We look forward to normalising our relationship as soon as possible.''
''The statement by the Australian Government says clearly that leaders of the coup will be prevented from travelling to Australia,'' an embassy spokesperson said today, making the point that their families were not mentioned.
Australia has followed the lead of the US in cutting some planned events with Thailand in protest at the coup.
In a joint media release on May 31, the Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, and the Defence Minister, David Johnston, said: ''In line with our concerns, Australia is reducing our engagement with the Thai military and will lower the level of our interaction with the Thai military leadership.
''Australia has postponed three activities planned for coming weeks in Thailand: a military operations law training course for Thai military officers; a reconnaissance visit for a counter improvised explosive device training exercise; and a reconnaissance visit for a counter terrorism training exercise.
''We will continue to review defence and other bilateral activities.
''The Australian Government has also put in place a mechanism to prevent the leaders of the coup from travelling to Australia.
''The Australian Government continues to call on the military to set a pathway for a return to democracy and the rule of law as soon as possible, to refrain from arbitrary detentions, to release those detained for political reasons and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
''Australians travelling to or already in Thailand should visit www.smartraveller.gov.au, familiarise themselves with the travel advice, subscribe to receive regular updates and register their travel plans.
''Australia and Thailand have enjoyed a substantial and warm relationship for more than 60 years, based on shared interests and goodwill, as well as close people-to-people links. We look forward to normalising our relationship as soon as possible.''
Australia is just one big 'nanny state.' You can't drive over 40km in many areas now and there are red light and speed cameras everywhere. You can't even have a drink at the beach anymore.
The General's wife could buy a book of Australian laws but you can bet they'd have changed them before she arrived.
A Coup is just so politically incorrect.
Posted by Arun Muruga on June 4, 2014 16:45