So last week Samak visited Burma and before his visit he said he "would not bring up human rights or democracy issues with the dictators". So what was there to talk about? Investment and Trade:
Thailand’s premier, Samak Sundaravej, will visit Burma next week to witness the signing of an investment protection pact between the two countries, according to the Bangkok-based English-language daily, The Nation.
The Thai prime minister will pay the official visit to Burma’s new capital, Naypyidaw, on March 12, and will also encourage Thai businessmen to pay more attention to Burma, according to a Thai commercial counselor in Burma quoted by The Nation in its Wednesday edition.
...
According to the Foreign Trade Department, Thailand ranked third among foreign investors in Burma, with investment reaching US $1.34 billion in 2007, while the United Kingdom and Singapore were identified as the first and second largest investors in Burma.
Thailand’s exports to Burma rose 14.6 percent to 33.06 billion baht in 2007, while imports increased 9.8 percent to 80.03 billion baht. Exports from Thailand to Burma are expected to surge 20 percent in 2008, according to The Nation.
I am not really expecting any great change in Thai foreign policy towards to Burma, but why bother to defend them as AP reports:
Thailand's new prime minister said Sunday that Westerners are overly critical of Myanmar and he has newfound respect for the ruling junta after learning that they meditate like good Buddhists should.
"Westerners have a saying, 'Look at both sides of the coin,' but Westerners only look at one side," Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said in his weekly television talk show, two days after an official visit to Myanmar.
"Myanmar is a Buddhist country. Myanmar's leaders meditate. They say the country lives in peace," Samak said, noting that he has studied Myanmar for decades but just learned that the junta meditates. Both countries are predominantly Buddhist.
BP: I agree with what Siam Sentinel says:
I don't understand why PM Samak is emphasizing that the junta leaders meditate. Are they justified in keeping Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest because the meditate? Are they allowed to arrest peacefully protesting monks and torture them because they meditate? If members of the Burmese junta meditate then they meditate about how to stay in power and repress dissent in their country. PM Samak should be criticized for his stupid remarks.
BP: Sometimes not saying anything is better. Reminiscent of Gen. Sonthi.
Gustaaf Houtman in his interesting book on mental culture in Burma's politics has some chapters on meditating generals (versus, as he views them, meditating democrats): see chapters 19-21 here. The book can be downloaded in PDF too.
He's either getting more senile or stupid, you folks take a pick. shut up, loong Mak.