U.S. Embassy’s Statement

December 16, 2011

As Ambassador Kenney has said, the United States government has the utmost respect for the Thai monarchy, the royal family and Thai culture.  President Obama, Secretary Clinton and the US Embassy in Bangkok all recently offered heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty the King of Thailand on the very special occasion of his 84th birthday. 

Thailand is our oldest friend in Asia and we will continue to stand by the Thai people.  We respect Thai laws and do not take sides in Thailand’s internal affairs.  We support freedom of expression around the world and consider it a fundamental human right.