Thai Defence Minister denies invited talks on South China Sea disputes

BANGKOK, August 23 (TNA) - Thai Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwannatat has denied news reports that the Philippines plans to invite Thai and other ASEAN member countries' defence ministers for talks on territory disputes in the South China Sea. Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol insisted Thursday that, as a member country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Thailand is friends with all other ASEAN neighbours and China, which is a key dialogue partner of the 10-member ASEAN bloc. The Thai defence minister expressed his hope that the persistent territorial disputes in the South China Sea between some ASEAN neighbouring countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei, and China would be eventually settled peacefully, suggesting that negotiations appear to be the best solution for the disputes. According to the defence minister, Thai agencies concerned have been monitoring the situation in the South China Sea. (TNA)