Press Release
December 4, 2008

I have high regard for Thai people - Gordon

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today stressed that he would never criticize another country, much less Thailand because he has a high regard for its people.

Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on tourism, explained that he never said that Thai people are "politically immature," which reportedly miffed Thai Ambassador Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya.

"I did not say that. Why should I say that? I do not know where that came from, but I am sure it did not come from me. Maybe it was from another individual," he said.

"Far be it from my mind to say anything against a country. Why should I say that Thai people are politically immature? I think the ambassador had been misinformed on this matter. A simple phone would have clarified the issue," he added.

Gordon pointed out that the Thai envoy should be the one to apologize for blowing the issue out of proportion when he appeared not to have researched his statement.

"He should be the one to apologize. The Thai ambassador should be reprimanded by his country for overreacting on issues in the host country. He is posted here to ensure harmonious diplomacy and not destroy diplomatic relations by knee-jerk statement," he said.

The senator stressed that he issued a statement to express his sympathy to the Thai people, because of the damage wrecked by the political crisis on Thailand's tourism and export industry, and to warn Filipinos that it could also happen in the Philippines.

However, he lamented that his statement may have been taken out of context and thus, it had been blown out of proportion.

"My statement was clear. What I said was that with the present situation here in the Philippines, such as the Charter change issue, which is also very combustible, we may also find ourselves in the midst of a political unrest if we are not careful," Gordon said.

"What has happened in Thailand could also happen here. What happened to Thailand was that their airports were forcibly occupied. Their tourism industry, which is their number one industry, and the export industry were affected. They cannot export their fruits and cut flowers. And people were even hurt and stranded," he added.

Gordon further maintained that he has a high regard for Thai people, adding that not only are Filipinos and Thai people enjoy a close relationship, but he also has numerous Thai friends.

"I hold Thai people in very high esteem. Thais have always been experts in dancing diplomacy because they have never been colonized by anybody. They have always remained neutral," he said.

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