Pattaya Mai MD Peter Malhotra (right)
presents a copy our book about HM the King’s birthday to HE Kristie
Kenney, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand.
Sue K.
U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney paid a visit to
Pattaya Mail Publishing Co., chatting with journalists on subjects
ranging from American investments in Thailand to politics, human rights
and the embassy’s outreach efforts for expatriates.
Managing Director Peter Malhotra greeted the
ambassador and her staff May 3. He was joined by Executive Editor Dan
Dorothy, Business Manager Tony Malhotra, General Manager Prince
Malhotra, Pattaya Mail on TV Director Sue Kukarja and dozens of
staffers.
The senior Malhotra briefed the ambassador on the
Pattaya Mail’s 20-year history and presented her with a special edition
of the newspaper. Dorothy gave Kenney an autographed copy of his novel
“Mango Rains,” a true story set in Thailand.
(L to R) Pattaya Mail on
TV Director Sue Kukarja, HE Kristie Kenney, Executive Editor Dan Dorothy
and MD Peter Malhotra thank the ambassador for her visit and talk.
Following the formalities, Kenney took a few minutes
to answer questions from Kukarja, saying the future for American
companies doing business in the kingdom looks bright. The country’s
strong infrastructure and quality workforce and receptive public have
made the country a good hub for business in the Southeast Asian region.
Kenney said she thought her biggest achievement since
taking office was strengthening ties between Thailand and the United
States both economically and culturally, citing work by the U.S. Peace
Corps as an example.
Opportunities for U.S. companies include cotton
exports to the kingdom as well as in such fields as fashion design,
movie animation, technology and music. “We also want Thai students to
study in the U.S., so my job is to grow the friendship,” she said.
Retaining that friendship was her first priority on
taking office, Kenney said, saying the bond between nations was strong.
The key now is to make it relevant with regard to security, law
enforcement and technology.
Dan Dorothy presents the
ambassador with a signed copy of his novel, Mango Rains.
A winner of many leadership awards related to
inspiring and motivating people, the ambassador said learning the Thai
language has not been as successful. However, she said, she continues to
study.
One thing that has become easier over time has been
operating in the political world as a woman.
“Look at you and I, two women talking here,” Kenney
said. “It’s difficult to say that women don’t have chances. My boss,
(U.S. Secretary of State) Hillary Clinton, is a woman. The prime
minister of Thailand is a woman.”
Of Premier Yingluck Shinawatra, Kenney said she “has
a very challenging job. But she’s very good at being organized and a
quick study. She has impressed President Obama. She works hard and pays
a lot of attention to the issues.”
HE Kristie Kenney takes
time out from her interview with Pattaya Mail on TV Director Sue Kukarja
for a commemorative photo.
As for Thailand’s often tumultuous politics, Kenney
said the kingdom is not dissimilar to many other countries.
“It’s diverse, lively and noisy,” she said. “As long
as it remains non-violent and people discuss their views peacefully,
it’s healthy.”
“I think you have a lively democracy,” she said. “You
had a free and fair election last year, people voted as they wished and
elected a government. Democracy has a lot of views, a lot of opinions,
also has institutions to deal with. It’s not always easy.”
Her view hardened slightly when asked about the
country’s troubled south, where Muslim separatists have waged bloody
warfare with the government for seven years.
“The Philippines had similar problems and they did
accept help from the U.S. when offered, but Thailand has not wanted any
help,” she said. “Thailand said clearly that it’s an internal problem.
However, the embassy does work with the universities there and helps
with education. We respect this is Thailand and the government has the
right to solve its own problems.”
The country, she said is slightly more open to
humanitarian aid, such as when it accepted 10 million dollars for
flood-relief efforts last year.
HE Kristie Kenney, U.S.
Ambassador to Thailand is welcomed to the Pattaya Mail offices by nearly
the entire team.
“Officials were very specific on their needs, such as
mosquito nets, pumping water, restoration, etc. They were clear with us
what they needed from us of which we willingly supplied.”
Help for American expats is also continually
supplied, Kenney said, even if there is no American consulate in
Pattaya.
“We are very connected. There is a large community
here, residents and visitors. Our consular services office comes here
three or four times a year and will be here again early June,” she said.
Kenney noted American Consular Services can be
reached on Twitter at @ acsbkk. She also has her own non-business
Twitter account at @kristiekenney.
