MFA:Thai-Saudi relations remain normal

BANGKOK, August 22 (TNA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand remain normal, after Charge d’ Affairs of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Bangkok Abdalelah Alsheaiby has been recalled to Riyadh. Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sek Wanamethee, who is also Director-General of the ministry's Department of Information, confirmed on Friday that the recall of the Saudi Charge d’ Affairs by Riyadh does not represent a downgrade in diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. Sek said the Saudi Charge d’ Affairs is believed to travel to his country for consultations with the Saudi Arabian government and it is unknown whether he will return to resume his work in Bangkok. During his absence, Sek noted, the Second Secretary at the Saudi Embassy to Thailand is assigned to work in place of him, insisting that the absence of the Charge d’ Affairs does not affect the number of Thai Muslims who will travel to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian government has granted a quota of 10,400 Thai Muslims to attend this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, scheduled for October 1-6, 2014, which is among the highest given to countries around the world by Riyadh. Asked whether the recall of the Saudi Charge d’ Affairs has any connections with the disappearance of a Saudi businessman, identified as Mohammad al-Ruwaili, in Bangkok since 1990, the spokesman declined to give any comment. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been soured following the murder of four Saudi diplomats in Bangkok in 1989 and 1990, coupled with the mysterious disappearance of al-Ruwaili. Riyadh has maintained its charge d’ affaires to the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Bangkok since then. (TNA)