MFA explains Thailand's political situation to ASEAN diplomats

BANGKOK, December 12 (TNA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has briefed diplomats of other nine member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Thailand's political situation. Thai Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told journalists after the briefing, in which the Malaysian and Myanmar Ambassadors in Bangkok and representatives of other ASEAN top envoys participated, that all the ASEAN neighbours expressed their understanding in the domestic political situation and hope to see the new general election in Thailand on February 2, 2014, as set in a Royal Command recently announced. Surapong said, as the protesting People’s Democratic Reform Committee, led by Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Thai deputy prime minister of the Democrat Party, appears to form another government in addition to the caretaker government, he explained Thailand's Constitution to the ASEAN diplomats. According to the caretaker deputy prime minister, the domestic political situation has delayed projects Thailand has planned to jointly implement with neighbouring countries and has affected national development and opportunities. Regarding Thailand’s candidacy for a non-permanent member seat in the United Nations Security Council, the caretaker deputy premier acknowledged other countries would support if Thailand performed well, as Thailand was telling the world community that it could cope with global challenges and if Thailand could not deal with its own political problems, other countries would be concerned. (TNA)