ASEAN chair understands Thailand's situation

BANGKOK, June 3 (TNA) - Myanmar, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), understands the domestic situation in Thailand and agrees to explain them to other ASEAN member states. Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow told journalists on Tuesday that Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin showed the understanding when he and the Myanmar foreign minister met in Yangon on Monday, during which he explained Thailand's updated situation and a three-stage roadmap to develop democracy in the country, which was recently announced by the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Sihasak said the Myanmar foreign minister would help present the NCPO's democracy rehabilitation plan to other ASEAN member countries. Sihasak also quoted the ASEAN chair as saying that all other ASEAN member states have no concerns over Thailand and have sent their morale support for Bangkok's democratization process and expressed confidence in the Thai Kingdom's ability to support the development of the 10-member ASEAN bloc. The senior Thai official acknowledged the ASEAN chair assured that other ASEAN member countries would not intervene in Thailand's internal affairs. According to the senior official, he has also ordered Thai ambassadors and consuls to explain the updated domestic situation to overseas governments and private sectors to boost their confidence in the NCPO's plan to restore peace and order in Thailand. (TNA)