Former Thai envoy to US denies backing military junta during his posting

A former Thai ambassador to the United States, now a senior member of the People’s party, has addressed accusations that he once supported and defended the military junta in a statement published in a US newspaper, claiming that the statement was not his personal opinion.

The letter published in The Washington Post, during Pisan Manawapat’s term as Thailand’s ambassador to the United States, which appeared to defend the military junta, had been prepared by the Foreign Ministry, he claimed

The People’s party recently introduced Pisan, 69, as a new senior member overseeing foreign affairs, citing his long diplomatic career. If the party forms a government after the February 8 general election, Pisan is tipped to become foreign minister.

His entry into politics was, however, immediately followed by criticism from self-exiled academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun, who alleged that Pisan, while serving as Thai envoy to the United States, supported the junta led by Prayut Chan-o-cha.

When the Prayut-led coup toppled then-prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014, Pisan was serving as ambassador to Canada. When Prayut became prime minister, Pisan was appointed ambassador to the United States in 2015, a post he held until his retirement in 2017.

In a social-media post, Pisan said the criticism appears to be based on a letter, sent by the Thai Embassy in Washington to The Washington Post while he was in post, which he stressed did not reflect his personal opinion.

“The letter was prepared by the Foreign Ministry and sent through the embassy. This is standard procedure whenever foreign media report on Thai political issues,” he said, adding that editors often publish such clarifications to provide an alternative perspective.

The long-standing position of the People’s party is to oppose military coups and junta rule, rejecting any defence or justification of military takeovers while insisting political conflicts be resolved through democratic processes.

Pisan also recalled that, on May 22, 2014, the day of the coup, he was serving as Thailand’s ambassador to Canada and was invited for live interviews on two Canadian news channels. Unable to seek prior approval from a ministry disrupted by protests, he decided to go on air.

“I wanted to protect the credibility of the country and reassure Canadians living in Thailand of their safety. During the interviews, I did not support the coup in any way,” he said.

He added that when the programme host asked whether he represented the toppled civilian government or the junta, he replied: “I represent Thailand.”

Pisan invited critics to review his human-rights record through his past parliamentary speeches, compiled in the publication “Senator’s Report to the People: Very Difficult Missions Still Awaiting Action.”

Addressing a personal controversy from more than 20 years ago, Pisan said he accepted responsibility at the time and underwent internal disciplinary procedures.

“My family forgave me and encouraged me to continue working in politics, so that I can help restore dignity to Thailand’s foreign affairs,” he said.