The Foreign Ministry has complained to US ambassador to Thailand Eric John about a meeting between a senior US official and supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Monday summoned Mr John to the ministry for a 45-minute discussion where he expressed his concern about the meeting on Sunday, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, assistant to the minister, quoted him as saying.
On Sunday US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell held a meeting with the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party's former leader Chaturon Chaisaeng, Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama and key leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.
The meeting disappointed the ministry which had opposed talks between the US official and people attempting to oust the government in demonstrations which have involved armed men, Mr Chavanond said.
The political situation was sensitive and the red shirt campaign was considered an act of terrorism or rebellion to overthrow the government, he added.
The US should be careful in meeting any political groups as they could use the opportunity for their own benefit, Mr Chavanond said.
After the meeting on Sunday between Mr Campbell and the red shirt supporters, the US diplomat issued a statement calling for the government and UDD to work out a peaceful solution to the political impasse.
"Even though Thailand is going through a difficult time, there is reason to be encouraged by efforts to bridge the differences between the government and UDD protesters and negotiate a fair and durable compromise," Mr Campbell said in the statement. "We strongly welcome the prime minister's road map for national reconciliation and the commitment for new elections. We are also encouraged by the UDD's positive response to the road map and hope that its leaders will seize this opportunity to responsibly and expeditiously lead Thailand out of its current predicament."
Mr Campbell will meet Mr Kasit tonight before leaving Thailand.
Thailand has insisted the political standoff is its internal affair.
Government sources said the ministry needed no mediation from foreign partners, sources said.
But Mr John was quoted as relaying Mr Campbell's message before flying to Burma over the weekend that the "US was here not to mediate a solution or to offer support for any particular outcome, but to underscore US support for Thailand, the oldest treaty ally in Asia, and for the Thai people in this challenging period", the sources said.
The US embassy said the Sunday working breakfast was meant to hear views on the road map proposed by the prime minister from all parties concerned, including the government.
Acting government spokesman and the prime minister's deputy secretary-general Panitan Wattanayagorn was invited but he called on Saturday night to abruptly cancel his attendance, a US diplomatic source said.
Source: Bangkok Post
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