South Africa and the European Union have not yet normalised their diplomatic relations since the power seizure on September 19.

Pretoria surprised the Thai government when it decided to withdraw from the international flower festival in Chiang Mai right after the coup. The Thai government expected the South Africans to be more sensitive towards the situation in Thailand than Western countries. Following a strong reaction from the Thai Embassy, Pretoria has become more friendly.

The European Union's case is far more complex, as Thailand has to deal with 35 members - and it will be 37 in January 2007 - each of which has its own interpretation of the Thai coup. Suffice it to say, as a group the EU called for a speedy return to democracy and a lifting of martial law. As for the country's future government, it is for the Thais to decide.

But after the partial lifting of martial law in 41 provinces at the end of November, some of the EU members felt that low level and informal contact with the Thai government should proceed. Others thought this would send a wrong signal to the international community, that the EU accepts an undemocratic means to get rid of an elected government. Somehow in the past three weeks major EU members decided to initiate contact with the Thai coup leaders and ministers. If the EU strictly follows the statement it put out one day after the coup, Thailand would probably have no dialogue with the EU for at least a year - not until there is a full constitutional order. The Bangkok-based EU envoys did not attend the inaugural session of the National People's Assembly, while other countries, including the US, were present.

Despite Washington's tough statements and sanctions ending bilateral assistance during the first week after the coup, US envoy, Ralph L Boyce, has been very casual in dealing with the government and has forged an excellent working relationship with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanond. So far, there are no formal senior-level contacts. However, early next year, Washington has to decide if the annual joint military exercise, Cobra Gold - the symbol of Thai-US military cooperation - will continue as usual. By that time, the US hopes that martial law will have been lifted entirely.

At the moment, the Thai government is assessing if Germany, the new EU president, will maintain as tough a position as Finland. This will have long-term implications on future Thai-EU relations. Already, there have been allegations of misuse of funds contributed by EU citizens to help tsunami victims. Seven envoys from Nordic countries plus the US, UK and France have submitted a joint demarche to the Foreign Ministry and Royal Thai Police calling for an investigation into the allegations. Never before have so many envoys got together and presented a joint complaint such as this.

Although there was universal appreciation of Thailand's efforts to help the tsunami victims, the goodwill has gradually evaporated as it has emerged that officials from various government agencies have done a sloppy job regarding testing and matching of the victims' identities.

Luckily it was the ordinary Thai people who really saved the day during the tsunami. Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra got lots of praise for his handling of the disaster, but little did the world know that he used the crisis for publicity spin. He made quick decisions all right, but without any follow-up. That explains why, after two years, these countries wanted to see Thai officials held responsible for their actions. Many people, especially officials, got rich, but very few people have taken responsibility and been accountable for their work. Now these embassies are demanding tangible results, as they have to be accountable to their citizens. They want proper closure, something which the Thai government cannot understand or show any sensitivity towards.

Senior officials of countries affected by the tsunami were criticised one way or another for failure to provide sufficient assistance to victims' families. Some of them have been reprimanded. This issue has remained in the public mind as every country is trying in its own way to bring proper closure to this calamity. Of course, these countries are grateful to the assistance provided by the Thais, but they wish it could have been done better. For instance, these envoys have asked the Ministry of Public Health to return DNA data because they want to do further tests. More than they are willing to say, they know that the early DNA testing in the first 10 days after the tsunami was done in a hurry and under great pressure, so mistakes were bound to have happened. Thai officials are holding back the data, fearing that their unprofessional work will be further revealed.

What has suffered most damage is the creditability of the Royal Thai Police. These envoys have jointly asked the Thai government to set up an independent auditor to properly document how the relief money was spent. The US government is willing to pay for the expense. Of course, this is a big problem because the Thai authorities will not cooperate as it involves many senior officials and agencies.

We must not kid ourselves that the country's reputation is fine and dandy. The government cannot rest on its laurels and adopt a business-as-usual attitude or remain passive. Although the coup has rescued Thailand from Thaksin's cronyism, it has yet to improve the country's reputation in the international community.

 Kavi Chongkittavorn