Nearly 50 countries back Thailand's Feb 2 general election

BANGKOK, December 17 (TNA) - The government-run Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) reports that 47 countries have supported Thailand's new general election, set on February 2, 2014 by a Royal Decree issued on December 9, 2013. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, in his capacity as the CAPO chief, told journalists on Tuesday that the 47 allied countries, three of which include Japan, South Korea and Bahrain, have also expressed their concerns over Thailand's domestic political situation and most of them want Thailand to solve domestic political problems with democratic and constitutional means and wish the situation to return to normal soon to pave the way for a smooth and fair general election on February 2, 2014. Surapong urged Thai eligible voters to exercise their electoral right for national progress. Meanwhile, Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra also expressed her concerns over negative impacts from the political problems on the national economy during the Cabinet's weekly meeting earlier in the day and ordered Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong to work out measures to restore confidence and to stimulate the national economy with the private sector and urged caretaker ministers to speed up their undone work. Cabinet Secretary-General Ampon Kittiampon then reported progress in printing certain copies of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s speech during his public appearance on his 86th birthday on December 5, 2013. The caretaker prime minister asked all caretaker ministers to follow His Majesty the King’s advice for their own good and the efficiency of their work. (TNA)