OPINION

Lessons in foreign affairs

News, Editorial, Published on 01/07/2016

» Thailand's failure to secure support for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was no surprise. Government leaders, even the regime's critics, say they expected this result.There's no doubt that the military coup of 2014 had a negative impact on the Thai campaign. Critics also cite the government's actions limiting freedom of expression, "attitude adjustment" detentions as well as use of military courts as reasons Thailand did not get sufficient support. Yes, these reasons contributed to the result. But there are also fundamental problems that have prevented our country from taking a leadership role regionally and internationally.