ICAO acknowledges Thailand's progress in aviation issues

BANGKOK, December 14 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has warmly welcomed Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Dr. Fang Liu, who has been then briefed on the Thai Kingdom's progress in aviation issues and praised the Thai premier's leadership and intention to solve the country's civil aviation-related problems. Assistant Government Spokesman Colonel Athisit Chainuwat told journalists that during a meeting with the visiting ICAO chief at Bangkok's Government House on December 13, in which Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpitthayapaisith also participated, the prime minister also thanked ICAO for its support and understanding on Thailand's efforts to solve civil aviation issues. The assistant spokesman said the Thai premier voiced his determination as well to solve all domestic civil aviation issues, cautioned by ICAO, including the so-called significant safety concerns (SSC), and also thanked the UN aviation organisation for extending its cooperation to relevant Thai agencies and sending experts to coordinate and help solve Thailand's aviation issues. Besides, the prime minister briefed the ICAO chief on Thailand's progress in solving the civil aviation issues, both under an immediate and long-term plans, including an amendment of the Thai aviation bill and the issuance of new aviation regulations, covering a thorough examination prior to the issuance of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC Recertification) to aviation operators, the setting up of new domestic agencies to directly handle the problems in line with the Corrective Action Plan (CAP), suggested by ICAO, training programmes arranged for inspectors and even the establishment of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) after the promulgation of the new Thai Civil Aviation Decree 2015, as suggested by ICAO to solve the country's civil aviation problems on a sustainable basis. On the occasion, the assistant spokesman stated, the visiting ICAO chief expressed his impression and appreciation to the Thai prime minister for being a modeled government leader who has truly understood the problems, as well as his leadership and intention to solve the country's aviation issues. According to the assistant spokesman, the ICAO chief also invited the Thai prime minister to pay a visit to the ICAO headquarters in Canada. (TNA)