I am starting to write a blog again after an absence of nearly 4 years. I used to write when I was Ambassador to Vietnam. Since then I moved to using Twitter (@KentBKK). Now I will try to juggle both.
In this first post, I will try to give a bit of background about myself.
I grew up in a small village in the English countryside in the county of Lincolnshire. My father was a farmer and lorry driver. My mother was a teacher. I attended the local school, and then had the opportunity to study law at Oxford University, followed by a Masters degree in European Law and economics at the University of Brussels, Belgium. My career history is here. I have spent all my working life as a crown servant, and have no political affiliation.
My blog is my personal thoughts and views, not necessarily those of the British government. I will do my best to explain UK policy, and my focus will obviously be on Thailand and its relations with the UK. I will try to post most weeks.
I should therefore give a few more details by way of introduction about what I believe in and what I will be writing about.
- The Monarchy. I am Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand. I have met Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth twice, before taking up each of my Ambassadorial postings. HM Queen Elizabeth and His Majesty King Bhumipol are the longest serving monarchs in the world. I deeply respect the way the Queen has carried out her role for more than 60 years, and recognise the widespread respect and affection for HM the King here in Thailand too. The British Monarchy has adapted to changes in society over the years and is popular among a large majority of the population – here for example is The Queen’s appearance with Daniel Craig (James Bond) at the 2012 London Olympics. Loyalty and affection towards the The Queen does not arise from any legal obligation. Those who disagree are in a small minority, but they are free to hold their opinions. I believe in the Constitutional Monarchy model and that there is no need to choose between Monarchy and democracy – the two go well together.
- Democracy. In short , as Abraham Lincoln said – “Government of the people, for the people, by the people”. Democracy is not perfect as former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said: it is the worst system of governance , apart from all the others ever tried. And there are many variations in different countries throughout the world. But the common theme is that the government is truly representative of the will of the totality of the electorate.
- Rule of Law. Everyone should be equal before the law. The law gives rights and obligations, which should be applied equally to all. I strongly agree with the saying of Lord Acton that absolute power, without checks and balances, corrupts absolutely.
- Equality of opportunity in society, regardless of social background, location, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Acceptance of Diversity and the inclusion of all parts of society in its development and governance.
- Freedom of speech and debate. The right to challenge and peacefully express different views is essential for the development of any society. It brings different perspectives and a sense of social inclusion, which in turn is shown to help create a dynamic, prosperous and innovative society. The media and social media have an important role.
- I should warn that I am also a big fan of football and Arsenal FC…
I recognise that my own country is not perfect. But I believe that we grow stronger as individuals and societies by sharing our views and experiences. We can learn as much from our failures as our successes. History has much to teach us but in a rapidly changing world with emerging challenges we have to adapt to the changing environment around us.
I will be sharing my views in the coming weeks on a range of issues. The blogs will be published in both English and Thai. I look forward to hearing your views and questions. Please do so in a way which respects others and refrain from abuse. Our terms and conditions are here. You can also follow me on Twitter at @KentBKK and the Embassy at @UKinThailand and on UKinThailand Facebook.
Passports
I wrote to you on 12th July 2014 with no response. If I wrote to the queen, I would get a response, albeit a form letter. Why do we Brits have to go to Trendy when Brits living in Australia and Canada for example can courier direct to UK and receive back courier to home adress.
I believe there is an exposure to fraud. I also wrote to Rt Hon Keith Vaz on this and included the exposure on the form for visa you have to submit. I intend to do a Freedom of Information on the changes to passport renewals and a breakdown of the suposed 20m/annum supposed savings.
The only good thing about Trendy is behind booth 11 which we use is a picture of the Liver Buildings..
Dear Ambassador
May I have a response to my request please.
An appointment with you or an Interview with my Partner who has twice been refused a 6 Month Visa …. no proper reasons given.
Allan Benfield
Thank you
Unfortunately of all 6 points that you wrote about, except for monarchy, Thailand seem’s to lack everything else.
Hello again
I was looking forward to my recent message on here being put forward by the Moderator.
But nothing after several days.
In fact there is no input from Mark since his initial opening address.
Best regards
Allan
I’m satisfied with your helping to explain about democracy. The most of Thais wait and hope that one day, we can get it. We don’t know how we can fight with a junta. I’m pleased that you try to help us. We are not lonely. I ‘ll follow you in every week. Thank you so much
I’m very happy to read your introduction, believe and looking forward to read more about your blog. Many leaders exercised their power to eliminated oppositions illegally, inconsideration of basic human rights, freedom of choice and believed they are above the laws. Constitution are written to benefit the elite. How could a country abandoned and rewritten a constitution so many time? Democracy is just a dream in Thailand for the last 80 years. Like the witch who handed Snow White an apple to eat. Luckily, there was a charming Prince came to rescue her. In Thailand the poison is more potent, you die instantly.
Brainwashing you the moment you were born. Make you believe in supernatural power, inequality, crawling on the floor, the untouchable, and the democracy in Thai’s way, etc. All men are not created equal is more than true.
I’ll follow your blogs from now on.
I do believe in Darwin’s theory, survival of the fittest. The fittest is not always the strongest, but the one with the highest potentiality of adaptation to the ever changing world. Looking forward to hear more from you sir.
I believe your blog can express well in monachy constitution of Thailand .
We always hear that we want to copy democracy of England or Japanese
or Sweden of which something inside different. But it is said being good.
Please also help in comment of democracy of Thai style , ประชาธิปไตรแบบไทยๆ , Is it artificial or not ? รัฐาธิปัตย์มีใช้ในอังกฤตหรือไม่ ผมมีความเข้าใจว่า
นี่คือเครื่องมือสำคัญในการอ้างอิง แก้ตัว ให้แก่พวกเค้าทั้งทีเปิดเผยตัวและพวกอยู่ลับหลัง
ผมจะติดตาม blog ของท่านทูตอย่างสมำเสมอ
Dear the Ambassador to Bangkok,
I am a dual citizen of Australia and Thailand and has been educated in both countries.
Thailand and UK claim to be constitutional monarchy. In UK or Australia I think a small portion of people is ultra royalist, majority of people are in favour of monarchy and a significant number are pro republic. That’s all right as long as people have their right to express their thought, sometimes even to criticise.
Look at Thailand I believe a big portion of people are ultra royalist, majority are in favor of the monarchy, and very small portion is against.
However in my opinion that is the result of life-long one way message all Thai have been listened (forced to listen in the school, radio, tv, cinema, papers).
Many Thai elites, including khun Anan Punyarachun recently, have been selling the idea that Thai is not ready for democracy for nearly 100 years until now.
In my opinion if there is one big reason for being not ready is the life-long one way message about the monarchy which slows down the attitude and behavioral changes among Thai people.
Thailand’s social change is suppressed whereas we are open (to be more correct- we can not close) to new economic order, technology and life style.
The latest result of Thailand’s system is 99 Thais and foreigners were killed on the street of Bangkok without wrong doer.
Thank you for opening the channel for sharing.
Kittisak Sarisdisuk
Australia
Thank you for this blog. I wish Thailand were more democratic. But what disturbs me the most is our education, especially RE. I want my kid to grow up in a more secular society. In Thailand, it would be unthinkable to have a right to withdraw children from RE lessons. I still have hope though.
govt of the people for the people and by the people
R.I.P Thailand
Could Ambassador Kent please provide some historical context as to how the fit between British parliamentary democracy and constitutional democracy occurred?
Maybe it could include Charles 1st, the Restoration, the Glorious Revolution, the reasons behind the present royal family’s change of name to “Windsor” during World War 1, the abdication of Edward 8th and the links of both him and Wallis-Simpson to European fascists/Nazis and the most recent crisis caused by the death of Princess Diana?
I think it would make interesting reading for Thai readers – of course Amb Kent would be aware that the UK’s Constitutional Monarchy didn’t happen by chance but as a result of a long, drawn-out and sometimes very difficult process.
Dear sir,
Thank you very much for sharing the valuable experiences from your side.
It would be benefit to thai people like me who need to learn and understand the point of view from other nations, as today we (in Thailand) live in the society that has been reported and get information from one side and we cannot say anything as much as we need,like the Estopel.
Looking forward reading your story soonest.
Thanks,
MUI
Thoroughly enjoyed your posting. Very clear and insightful. I look forward to reading those that follow. I am an American because my ancestor from Germany (Brunswick) was drafted or enlisted to help your country retain America as a colony. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Saratoga and after surviving a very difficult experience as a prisoner of war, decided to stay in what became the United States of America.
Welcome back to blogging, Mark Kent.
Thailand has all the rights to reserve their cultural and legal tradition. Each country in this world has its own traditions to preserve and cherish and Thailand also has its own centuries-long traditions, cultural and legal, to keep for the integrity of its national heritage.
Thailand has its ancient history and deep in its cultural tradition as regards to monarchical institution. Our legal system is not beyond what is considered acceptable in terms of criminal justice. Thailand is not alone in having lese majeste law in effect.The King Thailand was the center of the whole country, he is a symbol of justice and peace.
Thailand is democratic form of government with the King as Head of State. The King of Thailand was the center of the whole country, he is a symbol of justice and peace.
I will look forward to reading your thoughts. Happy blogging!
Thank you, Your Excellency.
Dear Ambassador
YOUR UK VISA SYSTEM
Goodday, You appear to be an open and straightforward person.
I note the articles from the Embassy which I receive pushes for people to visit the UK.
Then why do you not follow that up with be welcome and helpful to Applicants?
Well, I would be obliged if I could sit down with you and put you right about the appalling system you have?
The way people are kept at a far distance with no redress or help when things are quite frankly a SCAM by the agency.
They intentionally remove crucial documents and the application fails and one has to reapply which = Repeat Business!
Another 4 weeks to wait again!
Even a simple question is note answered for 20 Days!
Your staff are notoriously unhelpful and down right difficult.
I have never been treated like a ‘leper’ before and it’s not nice!
I retired ito Thailand 10 years ago prior to that I flew with BA as Cabin Crew for 39 years. Including the very top job of Senior Cabin Service Officer ( Office and Flying as Extra Crew ).
Yjr highlight being when I was responsible for Concorde for 3 years including Royal Flights.
I have 2 daughters…
Andrea Byrne who is a Journalist and works Presenting on ITV and ITN.
She is married to Lee who is a professional Rugby Star.
My other daughter is a Executive Director married to Mathew who is a
Commander in the RN.
I am a friend of Paul Howard and his wife Alyne and it’s a pity he is not still the 3rd Secretary and she the Head of the VISA section!!
I hope you can spare sometime for me?
Wishing you Well
Best regards
Allan Benfield
allanbenfield747@msn.com
You are living proof that because you went to Oxford does not mean you are one of the reputed elite. The recent news that the country is run by public and private schoolboys who all went to Oxford or Cambridge is obviously not correct. In your case a local school and brains did it.
+
Why is the UK still selling weapons to Thailand in clear breach of the Export Control Act 2002?
Is Sweden’s ongoing multi-US$billion deal to sell Gripen jets to Thailand’s air force preventing collective EU action against weapon sales to Thailand’s clearly violent, anti-democratic military?
Is it true that the UK FCO have refused to recognise Thailand’s new Ambassador to the UK?
What is your view on the explicitly anti-democratic and, at times, racist, Nation newspaper? You seem to get on quite well with some of their journalists online and I wondered if you would share such pleasantries with persons holding similar views in the UK?
Dear sir,
Hope this find you well,so lot of luck to learnt your gentine Angllish.
Really waiting to learn some more.
Thanks so much………
Dear Mr Kent,
We have recently had similar experiences outlined by Mr Allan Benfield at your visa post in Bangkok, where frankly, I am saddened to say we have been unfairly treated and my mother in laws family visa application has just been refused a second time based on the refusal of the first. Your ECO’s are taking it upon themselves to make assumptions about people and their intensions over the circumstances of each case, they are unprofessional and presume guilt without a fair trial.
I would like to bring this to your attention in more detail but as I’m sure you will agree this is not the forum and i would be very grateful if you could contact me directly at my email address where I can send you further details.
I look forward to hearing from you
Best Wishes
Ola