Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby provided the following statement:
“As we have made clear, it is important that the Royal Thai Armed Forces end this coup and restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule, including a clear path forward to elections.
While we have enjoyed a long and productive military-to-military relationship with Thailand, our own democratic principles and U.S. law require us to reconsider U.S. military assistance and engagements.
Accordingly, we have taken action to cancel the following events:
- The ongoing Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2014.
- The June visit to Thailand of U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Harry Harris.
- The invitation to Royal Thai Armed Forces Commander General Tanasak to visit US Pacific Command in June.
We will continue to review additional engagements as necessary until such time that events in Thailand no longer demand it.
We urge the Royal Thai Armed Forces to act in the best interests of their fellow citizens by ending this coup and restoring the rule of law and the freedoms assured those citizens through democratic principles.”
