No ISIS in Thailand, says FM

BANGKOK, February 23 (TNA) - Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai stresses that there are no Islamic State (ISIS) militants in Thailand, urging the media not to present inaccurate news reports. In response to recent press reports that ISIS militant could make movements in Southeast Asia, Don told journalists on Tuesday that he hoped the militants would not enter Thailand, as the Kingdom has maintained its neutrality. Don cautioned that inaccurate reports by the media would affect not only the Thai government, but also the national economy. Touching on a recent move by his ministry to revise visa procedures for foreign journalists in Thailand, Don explained that the government was very lenient toward foreign journalists in the past, but from now on, concerned officials have been ordered to take appropriate measures toward those presenting reports which are not accurate and affect Thailand’s interests. According to the foreign minister, Thailand has offered most freedom to journalists in Asia and he was informed that there are more than 500 foreign journalists in the country, 10 per cent of whom have problems and the Thai government is prepared to give consideration if they could prove for whom they work for. (TNA)