Philippines satisfied with Thailand’s roadmap

BANGKOK, July 19 (TNA) - The Philippines has expressed its satisfaction with Thailand's roadmap on the national reform and democratic development laid out by the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), under which voices of the people will be heeded. Acting Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Puangketkeow , who is also Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, told TNA of the information, after his talks with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario in Manila, the Philippines' capital, on Friday, noting that Rosario also expressed his hope that Thailand would achieve success, as it would help strengthen the stability of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which both countries are members. Sihasak said he also discussed with the Philippine secretary of foreign affairs on Thailand’s updated political situation and cooperation between the two ASEAN neighbouring countries. Sihasak acknowledged that Rosario informed him that Manila will review Thailand’s status, as political situation in the country has been returning to normal. The Philippine government has earlier downgraded Thailand, after the NCPO took control of the national administrative power on May 22, 2014 and advised its citizen to avoid travelling to the Kingdom. According to the acting Thai foreign minister, ASEAN ministers and those of the European Union (EU) will hold a meeting in Brussels next week, during which EU ministers are expected to raise the updated situation in Thailand for discussion, while he is ready to answer them. (TNA)