This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30978016

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Thailand coup: US envoy in Bangkok for talks Thailand coup: US envoy urges 'more inclusive' politics
(about 22 hours later)
The most senior US envoy for East Asia is in Thailand for talks with its military government, the highest-level contact since last year's coup. The most senior US envoy for East Asia has called for a "more inclusive political process" in Thailand, as he made the most high-level US visit to the country since last year's coup.
The US State Department said Daniel Russel would meet political leaders from "all sides" in Bangkok. Daniel Russel held talks with government officials and ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Last week, military-appointed lawmakers voted to impeach former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who also faces criminal charges. He said last week's vote by military-appointed lawmakers to impeach Ms Yingluck could be seen as political.
The US, an ally of Thailand, has condemned the coup and suspended aid. The US, an ally of Thailand, suspended some aid in the wake of the May coup.
The military took power in May 2014, shortly after a court removed Ms Yingluck from office. The military said it was acting to restore order after months of protests against Ms Yingluck's elected government. The military took power shortly after a court removed Ms Yingluck from office. The military said it was acting to restore order after months of protests against Ms Yingluck's elected government.
It has promised reforms and an eventual return to democratic rule, but critics say the army has stifled free speech. Ms Yingluck's party, meanwhile, remains very popular in rural areas.It has promised reforms and an eventual return to democratic rule, but critics say the army has stifled free speech. Ms Yingluck's party, meanwhile, remains very popular in rural areas.
'Rule of law' 'Politically driven'
Mr Russel, the assistant secretary of state who heads the bureau of East Asian and Pacific affairs, is currently on a scheduled trip to the region, which includes Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Cambodia. Mr Russel, the assistant secretary of state who heads the bureau of East Asian and Pacific affairs, is on a scheduled trip to the region, which will take in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Cambodia.
In Bangkok, he will meet "political leaders on all sides, civil society leaders, and others, and will also discuss... our concern for the situation in Thailand directly with the government", said State Department spokesman Jen Psaki. In Bangkok on Monday, he met representatives of the military government, but not the general who led the coup and is now prime minister, Prayut Chan-ocha.
On Friday, she took note of Ms Yingluck's impeachment and criminal charges, telling reporters the US believes "the impartial administration of justice and rule of law is essential for equitable governance and a just society". The US State Department said he had told Foreign Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn that America's relationship with Thailand "cannot return to normal until democracy is re-established".
The US has suspended $4.7m (£3.1m) in military assistance to Thailand since the coup and has called for the resumption of a civilian-led government. In a speech at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Mr Russel said the US was "particularly concerned that the political process doesn't seem to represent all elements in Thai society".
He also warned that when an elected leader such as Ms Yingluck is impeached by the authorities that overthrew her "the international community is left with the impression that these steps could be politically driven", AFP news agency reports.
Ms Yingluck's impeachment and her criminal charges stem from a controversial rice subsidy scheme, which hit the country's exports hard.Ms Yingluck's impeachment and her criminal charges stem from a controversial rice subsidy scheme, which hit the country's exports hard.
Critics say that it funnelled money to Ms Yingluck's party's power base in the north, but she has defended it as a scheme to help the rural poor and denied her involvement in its day-to-day operations.Critics say that it funnelled money to Ms Yingluck's party's power base in the north, but she has defended it as a scheme to help the rural poor and denied her involvement in its day-to-day operations.
Ms Yingluck's supporters say the claims are a bid to remove her from politics.Ms Yingluck's supporters say the claims are a bid to remove her from politics.
Last week's developments were the latest in Thailand's ongoing political turmoil, which began in 2006 when the military ousted Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was prime minister then.Last week's developments were the latest in Thailand's ongoing political turmoil, which began in 2006 when the military ousted Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was prime minister then.
Ms Yingluck and Mr Thaksin remain hugely popular among Thailand's rural poor, but are hated by an urban and middle-class elite who accuse them of corruption and abuse of power.Ms Yingluck and Mr Thaksin remain hugely popular among Thailand's rural poor, but are hated by an urban and middle-class elite who accuse them of corruption and abuse of power.
Thailand's troublesThailand's troubles