US ‘keen’ for Thailand to return to elected government, top diplomat says

W. Patrick Murphy says democracy has served Thais well and the US is hopeful the March 24 poll will produce such results

His comments come amid expectations civilian rule will help normalise bilateral ties, which chilled after the junta seized power in 2014

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A pedestrian walks past an election campaign poster featuring a portrait of Thai Prime Minister and junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha. Thailand is set to hold a general election on March 24, the first poll in five years since the 2014 military coup. Photo: EPA

Published: 7:30pm, 22 Mar 2019Updated: 10:44pm, 22 Mar 2019

Washington is eager for junta-ruled Thailand’s polls on Sunday – its first since the 2014 coup – to herald a return to elected government, says a senior United States diplomat, amid expectations that civilian rule will allow the treaty allies to normalise bilateral relations.

W. Patrick Murphy, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said US ties with Thailand had endured despite facing hurdles of a “governance or economic nature”.

Thailand and the US have a bilateral defence treaty, making it and the Philippines the US’ only non-NATO treaty allies in Southeast Asia.

Murphy did not make specific reference to any incidents, but soon after junta leader and current Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha seized power in May 2014, the US took steps to signal its displeasure by reducing some aspects of security cooperation.

“We are very keen to see Thailand return to elected government,” said Murphy, who briefed journalists in the region on Friday after official visits to Bangkok and Jakarta.